Coffee brewing is an art form. It is a process that requires patience, skill, and, perhaps most importantly, the correct equipment. This leads us to today’s question: Does the type of coffee grinder make a difference to your coffee’s taste?
A coffee grinder can help you to produce delicious coffee that is fresh and full of flavor. Pre-ground coffee can be stale, whereas a grinder guarantees a fresh cup of coffee every day.
A coffee grinder also allows you to choose your grind size, which can be useful for making different types of coffee.
Knowing which grinder is best for your coffee is vital, and we’ve got everything you need to know.
Does the Coffee Grinder You Use Make a Difference?
The type of grinder you use makes a big difference, and a quality grinder can completely transform your cup of coffee.
The coffee grinder you use makes a big difference because it affects the coarseness and consistency of the coffee grounds, which is crucial to the coffee’s strength and bitterness.
Different grinders also produce different amounts of heat, which affects the coffee’s flavor.
Why the Type of Coffee Grinder Matters
Different grinders produce different heat levels, static electricity, and grind sizes.
Grind size refers to how coarse or fine your ground coffee will be.
Coffee that is not ground enough can be weak, while coffee that is ground too finely can be bitter.
The grinder can also cause a surge of static charge in the ground coffee.
This charge occurs due to the grinding burr’s speed, how the coffee moves through the grinder’s chute, the temperature, and the humidity. You cannot control any of these factors, but the type of grinder you use is in your control.
Then there’s heat. The temperature of the coffee will increase during the grinding process, and heat causes coffee to lose flavor.
Types of Coffee Grinders
The two main types of coffee grinders are the blade grinder and the burr grinder.
Burr grinders are better but also more expensive. So, before you rush out and buy one, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Our Pick: Black & Decker
Compact Design, 30% Better Grinding. This coffee grinder makes it simple to achieve the uniform grind that makes a delicious cup of coffee.
Blade grinder
The blade grinder is very common and an excellent choice for beginners.
They are easy and affordable but getting a consistent grind size can be challenging.
This type of grinder chops the coffee beans and has a propeller-like blade. It works quickly, but the ground coffee is often very uneven, which results in a low-quality cup of coffee.
It is best to pulse instead of holding the blade grinder down. The aim is to grind the beans evenly while not letting them get too hot.
Blade grinders produce a fair amount of static charge, which causes the coffee grounds to stick to any surfaces they touch. This can result in a very messy kitchen!
A blade grinder is ok for beginners or coffee lovers on a budget, but it shouldn’t be your first choice.
A blade grinder will get the job done and is better than nothing, but you’ll want to consider a burr grinder instead for the best quality.
Burr grinder
Burr grinders, also known as burr mills, avoid many downsides of blade grinders and are generally seen as superior.
Burr grinders can be expensive, but they are good quality and known for their consistency.
Instead of blades, burr grinders have two revolving surfaces, called burrs, which revolve to grind the coffee.
There are two main types of burr grinders: flat and conical.
Conical burr grinders use two cone-shaped burrs, while flat burr grinders use two parallel and identical rings.
Both of these grinders have a stationary burr and another that moves. The beans are drawn between the burrs and crushed.
Conical burr grinders are better for beginners and home coffee brewers as they are easier to use, cheaper, and quieter.
Blade vs Blurr Grinder
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits to having a coffee grinder at home. The most significant is fresher coffee, as pre-ground coffee can quickly go stale.
Though more expensive than blade grinders, burr coffee grinders are the best option, as they produce a more consistent ground.
When choosing a burr grinder, we recommend conical over flat grinders, as they are cheaper, quieter, and make it easier to produce a consistent grind of the desired coarseness.
Hey there! I’m Austin and I love coffee. In fact, I drink about 5 americanos a day. I started BrewingCoffees because I wanted to share my love of coffee with the world. Before starting BrewingCoffees, I worked as a Barista for 7 years.
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