Types of Grinders
The two main types of equipment are available to grind coffee, namely Blade Grinders and Burr Grinders.
The blade grinder is used in a spinning motion that looks like a blender without a full jar, blades can produce an inconsistent grind depending on how long it takes for the beans to make contact with the blades; this type of grinder is often less expensive than other types but does not give optimal results by any means. This would be best suited for someone who wants to quickly prepare their morning coffee (i.e., pre-rinsing their filter basket before brewing).
Burr grind works typically by having two abrasive surfaces within the machine, which are turned towards each other at a preferred speed. The beans are ground between the two moving surfaces resulting in a more uniform grind than you get with blade grinders.
Burr grinders can come in different sizes; typically they range from small to large and even some espresso ones are on the market. For someone who is looking for an all-around good grinding machine that will be able to perform well for most of your coffee-making needs then look into buying one that has eight (8) to twelve (12) settings. This way, if it does happen to break down, you wouldn’t need to replace it right away unless of course, you want something more high-tech with additional features.
Grind Settings
To grind coffee, settings typically range from coarse, to medium and fine. Coarse grinds will produce a French Press and Fine grinds will brew into a Percolator or drip machine. You can even get different degrees of each on some machines depending on the number of settings they have.
Why Grind Size Matters
The size of your grinds determines how long your coffee takes to brew as well as the flavor that is extracted during the brewing process.
Coarse grinds are best suited for French Presses, Cold Drip Coffee Equipment, Turkish Coffee equipment, Moka Pottis, Espresso Machines, and Stove Top Espresso Pots, etc.
How to Store Your Coffee Beans
Storing your grind coffee beans in the freezer is one of the best ways to ensure that they will last longer, however, be careful with this recommendation as certain beans can get damaged when frozen. Coffee that has been properly sealed and stored in an air-tight container or bag should keep fresh for several days after roasting. Be sure to stay away from airtight containers or bags with one-way valves on them, these can suck out all the oxygen which you want to keep inside the bag with your coffee. remember you want to BREATHE!!!!
The Importance of Cleaning Your Grinder Regularly
Proper cleaning of your grinder is extremely important. You don’t want old grinds to mix with the new grinds you are putting in.
Conclusion
It all comes down to personal choice. The grinder you choose to grind coffee will depend on what your needs are, how much coffee you drink, and the price point that suits your budget. If you’re not sure which one is right for you then ask yourself these questions: What kind of coffee do I want? How often am I going to grind my own beans? Am I looking for something with a lot of features or just a simple manual operation? Whatever decision you make, it should be based on what works best for YOU! We hope this article has helped answer some of the most common questions about grinding coffee by hand or using an electric grinder at home. Enjoy making great tasting cups of Joe every day 🙂
