The No. 1 Question Anyone Working In Coffee Grinders Should Be Able Answer
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder
Experts believe that adding a grinder for coffee to your morning routine is a great upgrade. The pricier models feature burr grinders, which are a pair of grooved surfaces--that can be adjusted to create an even and consistent grind.
These grinders are superior to blade grinders since they prevent burning, and also ensure that your ground is uniform in size.
Conical Burrs
Burr grinders have greater power and utilize opposing angled cutting surfaces to crush whole beans into small pieces. They produce less fines (also called dust) than blade coffee grinders. Additionally, you can regulate the size of particles by adjusting the distance between the burrs.
There are two types of burrs, conical and flat. The differences between the two kinds of burrs is subtle, but they are significant and each one has its own strengths.
Blade grinders feature sharp, blade-shaped teeth that bludgeon the coffee with each passing burr grinders utilize a pair of disc shaped burrs to grind the beans. The two burrs can be moved closer together or further apart to establish the desired grind size from coarse to fine. If they are set correctly they will produce a regular grinding process with fewer fragments and without heating.
A high-quality burr grinder will feature a lubricated mechanism in order to reduce friction and extend the life of the blades. They should be easy to clean, preventing the build-up of coffee residue. While there are hand-powered burr grinders, commercial flat burr grinders are almost always electrically powered as they require more power than could be provided by the human hand by itself.
Within each category of burr shape there is a variations between different brands and models of grinders. These differences are not due to the shape of the burrs themselves but rather to the shape of their geometry and how it is related to the distribution of particle sizes. Certain conical burr grinders like the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines, such as the Iberital MC2, have high retention.
Some coffee lovers claim that certain burr styles bring out specific flavor profiles in the bean or roast. This is an area in which the evidence is mostly based on anecdotes, and not scientifically proven.
Flat Burrs
Flat burrs are plates with sharp ridges which face each opposite and crush the coffee beans between them. These are the most common burrs found in commercial and home grinders. They are also the primary type of burrs employed in manual grinders.
Flat burrs can be more difficult to maintain a uniform distribution of sizes of the grind than conical ones because their cutting edges are angled and may leave behind some fines or grit. This can lead to bitter tastes and poor extraction. This shouldn't be a problem for everyone, since new innovations in burr geometries provide the same consistency in size distribution as flat burrs.
The choice between a flat or conical grinder will be based on your individual grinding needs and tastes. For instance a barista who grinds large quantities for multiple cups throughout the day could be more likely to opt for a conical burr grinder since it produces less fines and may reduce oxidation time, making it easier to store and use again.
Another thing to consider is the quantity of heat a grinder produces during its operation. This is crucial because it can affect the flavor and quality of your cup coffee. The more friction grinders create, the more heat it generates. This can change the flavor of your beans and lead to over-extraction. Fortunately, flat burr grinders produce less heat than their conical counterparts, which means they will provide you with a cleaner taste overall.
There are a variety of options for a coffee grinder that features flat burrs from reliable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is well-known for its ease of calibration and has a high level of precision. It's also extremely quiet and suitable for espresso. However it doesn't produce the same amount of fines as Baratza or other premium models and may struggle to produce a medium coarse grind for espresso.
Variable Grind Settings
The grinding process regardless of the kind of grinder you choose to use creates a variety of shapes and sizes. The measurement of this in a meaningful way is difficult, unless you have expensive equipment such as laser particle diffraction analysis.
The majority of coffee grinders don't provide an exact measurement, but instead come with adjustable dials that allow users to choose among a variety of sizes for grinding. The dials are usually marked with a sequence of dots or numbers that indicate larger and smaller sizes. The numbers are often with arrows that indicate the direction in which the dial should move to make the grind coarser or finer.
A lot of grinders have visual representations that help you choose the right setting. They include a series or dots, or an adjustable system that is stepped. These indications are helpful but they are only general guidelines and you will need to test different settings.
If the dots or numbers are close together, then they are very well set. If they are further apart, then they are coarsely set. When deciding on a grinder's setting it is important to be aware that even minor adjustments can make a massive difference.
Dialing in a grinder involves finding the best grind setting for the coffee and the method of brewing. The ideal grind setting permits the brew to have the most full and balanced flavor that is possible, while remaining within an acceptable range for extraction limitations. This is a continuous pursuit, since even slight variations could result in coffee that is over- or under-extracted.
A very fine grind is perfect for espresso, as it increases the amount of water in contact with the ground during the short time required for extraction. A setting that is similar to powdered sugar works for all brewing methods, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.
Easy Cleaning
When coffee grinds move through your grinder, oils and old grounds are trapped in the crevices and corners of the machine. The accumulated oils eventually turn rancid and start to affect the taste of your espresso. Regular cleaning helps to prevent the build-up of coffee oils and keeps your grinder working at its peak.
To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging it and taking out the hopper and grounds bin. Then, take the burrs off. Be careful to not damage the sharp burrs that can easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. Use a grinder cleaning brush to get rid of any coffee residue that is stuck to the burrs. Instead use a soft brush or toothpick to gently lift ground beans from burrs. After you've removed all burrs, as well as any other coffee particles, wash the entire machine down with a dry cloth.
Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is crucial, regardless of whether you use a blade or burr grinder. Coffee beans lose their flavor and aroma when they are ground. The best cup of coffee is made from a freshly ground batch. A grind that is too fine can cause bitterness and over-extraction, while too coarse a grind can result in under extraction and the flavor is weak.
Regularly cleaning your grinder will ensure it stays in top condition and continues to produce quality grounds for your morning cup of coffee. Remaining oily residues and allowing old ground coffee to accumulate in the nooks and crannies can result in clogged blades and poorer-quality coffee. coffee machine and grinder of coffee may be affected by allowing coffee that is stale to build up on the burrs.
There are many ways to clean a grinder but one of the easiest is to use a coffee grinder cleaning tablet (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made up of edible grains that bind to and remove coffee oil. These tablets are an excellent alternative to soak your burrs in a solution of water, which can damage or dull the burrs. You can also clean your burrs with brushes or blowing them off with compressed air or an air blower for your keyboard.