Blade or burr, what is the best coffee grinder to complete your home café set up? Keep reading to learn what to look for in a coffee grinder to have the perfect brew.
It’s fair to say that coffee is now a daily need, with 52% of Americans admitting they prefer not showering over missing out on drinking coffee. So it’s not surprising that most want their coffee to taste as best as possible.
Grinding coffee beans at home results in a fresher, more flavorful taste. Grinding your beans is also cheaper, as you’ll only buy what you know you can immediately consume.
However, coffee grinders are expensive, and looking for the perfect grinder takes time. When buying a coffee grinder, there are many things to consider, such as its overall size, grind consistency, capacity, speed, noise, price, and others.
The Coffee Grind For The Perfect Cup Of Joe
Are you wondering if you should buy a coffee grinder? If you’re looking for ways to make the taste of your coffee more refined, you ought to buy one.
Since a coffee grinder is a kitchen device used to grind whole coffee beans into different sizes for each type of brewing, you’ll be able to adjust the grind size to reach the perfect brew.
There are seven different coffee grinds used for each method of brewing. If you are a novice at grinding coffee, you can use the list below as a guide:
- Extra Coarse – Cold brew, Cowboy coffee
- Coarse – French Press, percolator
- Medium Coarse – Chemex, clever dripper
- Medium – Pour-over, Aeropress, drip coffee
- Medium Fine – Aeropress, pour-over
- Fine – Espresso, Aeropress, Moka pot
- Extra Fine – Turkish coffee
You might also be interested in our round-up of the best quiet coffee grinders.
Types Of Coffee Grinders
A blade grinder is most famous for its affordability. But its cheap tag price comes with drawbacks that include uneven grind and possible burning of beans. As it doesn’t technically “grinds” coffee beans and only slices them into smaller pieces, blade grinders are more suited for spices over coffee beans.
If you’re on a tight budget, there is nothing wrong with choosing blade grinders for a start. A compact blade grinder perfect for small spaces is the KitchenAid BCG111ER Blade Coffee Grinder.
A burr grinder is notable for its consistently perfect-sized coffee grinds. It also preserves the beans’ flavor and aroma, lowering the risk of burning the beans.
It has two main types: Conical and Wheel. A conical burr is considered the best grinder – it can work at slower speeds to avoid burning the beans, is not noisy, and is tidy. However, it’s also the most costly.
A wheel burr is more inexpensive because it can be loud and messy. Even so, it’s still better than a blade grinder. A popular burr grinder is the Cuisinart DBM-8CGR Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill.
If you want to save on electricity and squeeze in some light exercise while making your coffee, you can always pick a manual grinder over electrically-powered ones.
You might also find our guide on how long do coffee grinders last useful.
What To Look For In A Coffee Grinder
Now that you know what type of grinder you want, here are other things to consider when looking for the right coffee grinder:
Price
Even if a blade is cheaper than a burr grinder, all coffee grinders are considered an investment. Think of it this way: you can buy expensive coffee beans all you want, but you can still end up with a mediocre brew.
Your coffee grinder will help you get that impeccable taste and aroma from even the cheapest coffee beans.
Of course, your grinder’s operation and lifespan will still depend on proper use and maintenance. But high-quality coffee grinders are more durable, last longer, and save you more money from repairs or replacements.
Material
A blade grinder uses stainless steel to chop coffee beans. Burr grinders, on the other hand, utilize many materials.
A ceramic burr can keep its sharpness for longer but is brittle and prone to damage from foreign objects. A steel burr grinder is the most common for its superiority and performance. Titanium-coated ones are durable.
Grinding coffee beans with these materials is okay if you are doing it right. Some burr grinders also have special grind settings to help you achieve your desired consistency.
Size And Capacity
Experts advise grinding coffee beans for each brewing to enjoy its full flavor. Size and capacity are essential to accommodate the number of people you expect to serve. Smaller coffee grinders are best if you’re only brewing for yourself, while those with bigger capacity are recommended for commercial use.
Also, take into account the space the grinder will take. Avoid crowded areas and be wary of improper storage so you don’t damage the machine.
You might also be interested in learning if you can use a coffee grinder for wet grinding.
Appearance
Whether you prefer functionality or want your appliances to match the aesthetic of your home, there will be a coffee grinder for you. Coffee grinders come in different shapes, colors, and finishes.
Although they can be more expensive than regular ones, you’ll find a grinder that will match the theme of your kitchen without sacrificing functionality.
Heat, Speed, And Noise
Like size, the heat from grinding the beans affects the coffee’s taste. This heat that burns your coffee beans is created by the speed of the grinder and its motor works. Expensive and high-quality coffee grinders give you the options to control the ground speed that will reduce the amount of heat in every cycle.
Noise is another factor to consider, especially if you’re the type who brews coffee in the morning and is sensitive to noise. A burr grinder is quieter than a blade grinder, and conical burr grinders are better than a flat wheel burr grinder.
If you are purchasing online, check the reviews to see if there are comments about how quiet or loud the coffee grinder is.
Ease Of Use And Cleaning
For easier and faster grinding, choose automatic or electric coffee grinders. Since cleaning is vital to extending the machine’s lifespan, it’s important to note how you should clean yours.
If you want to avoid complicated cleaning, pick a manual coffee grinder with a simple design.
Do you need a detailed guide on cleaning coffee grinders? Jump to our guide on how to clean a coffee grinder.
Dosing
A doser is a chamber usually placed in front of the grinder that collects all the freshly ground coffee. The filter or receptacle should be under the container to get the coffee grounds from the container. It will keep your counter clean, can store grounds for the subsequent brews, and make sure no coffee grounds go to waste.
Unfortunately, stored grounds lose their freshness, and grinding multiple beans results in contamination leading to a bad taste in your coffee.
When Should You Buy A Coffee Grinder
You should buy and start using a coffee grinder at home if:
- You’re unsatisfied with store-bought pre-ground coffee.
- You’re trying a new brewing method or recipe.
- You had enough of inconsistent grinds from your old or temporary grinders.
- Your favorite coffee bean doesn’t come pre-ground.
- You want to upgrade your home café experience.
