If you’re shopping for a coffee grinder, you’ve probably come across two main types: burr grinders and blade grinders. These refer to the mechanisms the grinder uses to break down coffee beans. In this post, we’ll explore how these two types work and why a burr grinder is the superior choice for brewing coffee.
Understanding Grind Consistency
Grind consistency is crucial for extracting the flavors from coffee beans. The size of your coffee grounds determines how much flavor is extracted during brewing. Finer grounds lead to more extraction, while coarser grounds result in less. However, if your grind size is inconsistent, you’ll end up with both under-extraction from the coarser grinds and over-extraction from the finer grinds—neither of which are pleasant.
The goal is to achieve a consistent grind size, where each particle reaches the perfect extraction point at the same time, resulting in a balanced cup of coffee.
Blade Grinders: Mechanism and Performance
Blade grinders use blades to chop up coffee beans. Imagine chopping a potato with a knife—you’ll get pieces of various sizes. Similarly, in a blade grinder, you keep chopping until you visually see the grind consistency you want. Unfortunately, this method doesn’t guarantee that the larger pieces will also get chopped, leading to inconsistent grinds. The only way to get some level of consistency is by chopping for a long time, producing extremely fine grounds.
Burr Grinders: Mechanism and Performance
Burr grinders, on the other hand, use two burrs positioned close to each other. The distance between the burrs determines the grind size. Think of it as slicing a potato with two closely positioned blades; once the potato reaches the desired size, it falls into a separate chamber. This is just like how a mandoline works! Therefore burr grinders ensures a uniform grind size since once the bean is ground to the correct size, it exits the burrs.
Comparison: Blade vs. Burr Grinders
A blade grinder results in a mix of large and small particles. Imagine frying up those inconsistent potato slices; some will be undercooked, while others will be overcooked. A burr grinder, however, will produce uniform slices, cooking evenly. The analogy holds for coffee: burr grinders provide a consistent grind, leading to a balanced coffee flavor.
Grind Consistency Hacks and Tools
For those using blade grinders, achieving consistent grind sizes can be challenging. Some methods to improve consistency include using a sieve, a paper towel, or a crude sifter to remove the fines. At one point, I used a crude sifter religiously. It filters your coffee grinds into three layers: extremely fine, extremely coarse, and just right.
Though this sifting method improved my coffee’s taste, it added a couple of minutes to my routine and wasted about 10-20% of the grinds. With a blade grinder, I bet waste would be even higher at around 30-40% to achieve a consistent grind size.
Barista Insights
In my years as a barista, I never saw a blade grinder behind the bar. Every café I worked in used burr grinders for quality and consistency. Blade grinders simply don’t produce the consistent results that a serious coffee business requires.
Choosing a Burr Grinder: Features to Consider
When choosing a burr grinder, you’ll encounter burrs made from ceramic or stainless steel. Ceramic burrs last longer but struggle with finer grind settings and are prone to chipping. Stainless steel burrs are sharper and ideal for espresso but dull faster, requiring more frequent replacement.
Flat Burrs vs. Conical Burrs
Flat burrs produce a more uniform grind size and are typically more expensive. Conical burrs are cheaper, create less friction, and are less noisy. If noise is a concern, especially in the morning, a conical hand grinder is a quieter choice.
Common Issues with Burr Grinders
Some conical grinders become inconsistent at coarser grind settings due to a lack of support for the crankshaft, causing it to wobble. My first grinder, a Hario Skerton ceramic burr hand grinder, had this issue. It’s still a great budget option, though you need to compensate by grinding finer and adjusting your brewing time or water temperature.
Size and Speed Considerations
Larger burrs mean faster grinding but also a larger grinder body and higher price. This isn’t crucial but it’s nice to grind your morning coffee dose in one go. Smaller hand grinders might require multiple rounds of grinding, which can be annoying.
Stepped vs. Stepless Grinders
Stepped grinders have set increments between grind sizes, while stepless grinders offer a smooth transition between settings. Think of stepped as a series of swatches and stepless as a gradient. For espresso, I recommend a stepless grinder for finer control. For filtered coffee, a stepped grinder should suffice.
Personal Grinder Experiences
My first hand grinder was a Hario Skerton, followed by a Rancilio Rocky. Though the Rocky has been with me for eight years and is very sturdy, it’s a stepped grinder, which limits fine adjustments needed for perfect espresso. If I were to upgrade, I’d go for a high-end hand grinder like the Comandante C40 or the Kinu M47.
Choosing the right coffee grinder is crucial for making the best cup of coffee. Burr grinders are superior to blade grinders for consistent grind size and quality. Whether you choose ceramic or stainless steel burrs, flat or conical, or stepped vs. stepless, each decision impacts your coffee experience.
Please share your experiences and let us know what grinder you started with or what you’re eyeing next.