Notes

Coffee Grinders: 10 Things I'd Like To Have Learned Earlier
The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder

Experts are of the opinion that adding a grinder for coffee to your daily routine is a great way to improve. The pricier models feature burr grinders--a set of grooved surfaces that can be adjusted to produce an even grind.

These grinders are superior to blade grinders as they stop the oxidation process, and ensure that your ground is even in size.

Conical Burrs

Burr grinders are a more powerful type of coffee grinder which makes use of an angled cutting surface to break beans down into smaller particles. They produce less fines (also known as dust) than blade coffee grinders and you can regulate the size of particles by altering the distance between the burrs.

There are two types of burrs, flat and conical. The differences between flat and conical burrs are not obvious however, they are significant. Each has distinct strengths.

Blade grinders feature sharp, blade-shaped teeth that grind the coffee with each passing Burr grinders employ disc-shaped burrs to grind the beans. The two burrs are moved closer or farther apart to achieve the size of the grind you want. If they are set correctly, they produce a very uniform grinding, with less fragments and without heating.

A top-quality burr grinder must have a lubricated system to reduce friction and extend the life of the blades. They should also be cleaned easily, reducing the buildup of coffee residue. There are a few hand-powered burr grinders. However, commercial flat burr grinders are usually powered by electricity as they require more energy than could be supplied by the human hands by themselves.

Within each category of burr shape there could be additional variations between different brands and models of grinders. These variations are not due to the shape of the burrs but rather to the shape of their geometry and how it affects the distribution of particle sizes. Certain conical burr grinding machines like the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines, such as the Iberital MC2, have high retention.

Some coffee lovers believe that certain burr styles bring out specific flavors in the bean or roast. This is an area in which the evidence is mostly anecdotal, and not well-proven scientifically.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs are flat plates with sharp ridges which face each to crush coffee beans between them. They're the most commonly used burrs used in home and commercial grinders and are the most common type used in manual grinders.

Flat burrs can be more difficult to maintain the same distribution of grind sizes than conical ones, as their cutting edges are angled and may leave behind some fines or grit. coffee beans grinder machine can lead to bitter taste and poor extraction. However, this shouldn't be an issue for everyone, especially since new innovations in burr geometry can provide the same clarity as flat burrs, albeit with more consistency in grind size distribution.

The choice between a conical or flat burr grinder will be based on your specific grinding requirements and preferences. A barista who grinds multiple cups of coffee throughout the day might choose the flat burr mill as it produces less fines and lowers the oxidation process, making it easier to store.

Another thing to consider is the quantity of heat a grinder generates during operation. This is a crucial factor because it can affect the flavor and quality of your coffee. The more friction that a grinder produces the more it will get hot, which could change the flavor profile of your beans and lead to over-extraction. Flat burr grinders produce less heat than conical grinders. This can provide a more smoky overall taste.


There are many options for a grinder that has flat burrs from reliable manufacturers like Baratza and Eureka. For instance, the Fellow Ode Gen 2 is a popular choice because it's easy to calibrate and provides an extremely high level of precision. It's also quiet and is suitable for espresso. It does not produce the same amount of fines as Baratza and other models of premium, and it can be difficult to achieve a medium-coarse grind when grinding espresso.

Variable Grind Settings

No matter what kind of equipment you use to grind, the process produces different sizes of particles and shapes. It is hard to quantify this accurately, unless you have expensive equipment such as laser particle diffraction.

The majority of coffee grinders don't provide a precise measurement, but instead come with adjustable dials that allow users to choose among a variety of grind sizes. Dials are marked with numbers or dots to indicate smaller and larger sizes. The numbers are often followed by arrows which indicate which direction the dial is supposed to move to make the grind coarser or more fine.

A lot of grinders provide visual representations that can aid in selecting the best setting. These include dots or series, or an adjustable stepped system. These visual representations are helpful, but they are only general guidelines and you will need to test different settings.

If the dots or numbers are close together the odds are that they are well set. If they are farther apart, then they are very coarsely set. When choosing a grinder setting, you should be aware that even tiny adjustments can make a huge difference.

The 'dialing in' of a grinder is the process of determining the most optimal grind setting for a specific coffee and the brewing method. The best grind setting will allow for the most balanced and full-bodied flavor to be exhibited and still remain within acceptable limits of extraction. This is a constant pursuit, since even slight variations can result in coffee that is over- or underextracted.

For espresso, a fine grind is optimal since it maximizes the amount water that comes into contact with the ground during the limited time it takes to extract. A setting that is similar in consistency to powdered sugar works well for most methods of brewing, including pour-over, French press, Aeropress and Turkish coffee.

Easy Cleaning

As coffee grinds go through your grinder the grounds and oils are trapped in the nooks and crannies of the machine. The accumulated oils eventually turn rancid and begin to affect the taste of your espresso. Regular cleaning can help prevent the accumulation of stale coffee in your grinder and keep it functioning at its peak.

To clean your grinder, begin by unplugging and removing the grounds bin and hopper. Then, take the burrs off. Be careful not to scratch the burrs' sharp edges that could easily scratch or grate the inner surfaces. If you have a grinder cleaner brush, apply this on the burrs to remove any coffee that is stuck. If you don't have a grinder cleaner brush you can use a toothpick or soft brush to gently lift the ground coffee from the burrs. After you have removed the burrs, and any other coffee particles from the machine, wipe it down with a clean dry cloth.

If you're using a burr grinder or a blade cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is crucial. The aroma and flavor of coffee beans are lost when the beans are ground. The best espresso is made with freshly ground coffee. A grind that is too fine could cause bitterness and over-extraction while too coarse a grind can lead to the coffee being under-extracted and having an unsavory flavor.

Cleaning your grinder frequently is the only way to make sure that it remains in top condition and continues to produce high-quality grounds for your morning coffee. Coffee residues and oily grounds can cause the blades to get clogged and create poor-quality coffee. Leaving stale ground coffee to collect on the burrs can also alter the taste of your coffee.

There are a variety of ways to clean a grinder, but one of the most effective is using a tablet for cleaning coffee grinders (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made of edible grains that bind with and eliminate coffee oil. They're an excellent alternative to washing your burrs in water, which can damage or dull them. You can also clean your burrs by using a brush or blowing them out using compressed air or a keyboard air blower.

Website: https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-grinders