How to Buy the Perfect Coffee Grinder
By April | September 18, 2007
The reason some people like to grind their own coffee beans is due to oxidation. If you buy coffee that has already been ground there is a larger surface area exposed to the air. If you grind at home you’ll be able to minimize the exposure to the air and achieve the freshest grounds. Plus you can grind only what you immediately need.
The problem is that it takes more time and can be messy which is why so many people buy instant or ready ground coffee. When buying a grinder it’s always a good idea to buy the best you can afford.
Grinders fall into three broad categories - burr, blade and crusher.
Crusher Grinders - The third type (crusher) is some kind of mashing device, often an ancient-style mortar and pestle. The result is crushed, unevenly sized beans, so isn’t a recommended purchase.
Blade Grinders - Instead of grinding, blade grinders actually chop. The blade whirls round and slices the beans into increasingly smaller bits so that it resembles small grains. Unfortunately, the grains are invariably too large and of inconsistent size.
This results in the granules releasing uneven amounts of flavour when brewed. Another effect of slicing is often the production of excess heat, as a result of the high speed of the blades. This friction causes the grounds to warm and can dissipate the aroma.
Burr Grinders - The first type of grinder is by far the best choice. Burr grinders feature a pair of motor driven plates with pyramid-shaped teeth that grind the beans to a consistent, small-but-not-too-small granule. Some models will allow you to adjust the size of the grains and the speed of the grinding.
It’s important to be able to control the size of the grounds so that you can achieve the perfect coffee. Being able to control the speed is good because it minimizes the warming effect.
There are two types of burr grinders. Real coffee aficionados prefer the conical burr as it offers the most control of speed and grain size. The only drawback is the noise it makes.
Good conical burr grinders can rotate as slowly as 500rpm. By contrast other burr grinders spin at 10,000rpm or higher, blades between 20-30,000rpm. That allows very fine control and little heat. If you want a Turkish style coffee then fine coffee grinds is very important. Some grinders have a continuous dial, others have a series of up to 40 steps to adjust the granule size.
In addition to the above points you’ll need to look out for a grinder which is well made, easy to clean and is fairly quiet. A cleaning brush and removable upper burrs is essential. Different materials used can also affect how much static electricity is produced - that causes the grains to stick to the burrs and container.
A timer switch and auto-shutoff are both great features along with the ability to see the beans as they are being ground. This will allow you to judge the results. Grounds can change colour slightly depending on the fineness.
Read up as much as possible and read consumer reviews on the internet. If you spend a bit extra on a grinder you’ll be rewarded with the freshest, most flavourful cup.
Bon cafetite!
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Topics: Food and Drink |
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