This Is The Ultimate Cheat Sheet For Coffee Grinders The Benefits of Using a Coffee Grinder

Experts agree that adding a coffee maker to your daily routine is a fantastic way to upgrade. The pricier models feature burr grinders, a pair of grooved surfaces--that can be adjusted to provide a more consistent grind.

These grinders are superior to blade grinders as they stop the oxidation process, and ensure that your ground is even in size.

Conical Burrs

Burr grinders are a powerful type of coffee grinder which makes use of angled opposing cutting surfaces to break down whole beans into smaller particles. They create fewer fines (also called dust) than blade grinders and allow you to control exactly what size of particles are produced by adjusting the distance between the burrs.

There are two types of burrs - flat and conical. The differences between flat and conical burrs are subtle but significant. Each type has their own strengths.

Burr grinders grind beans with a pair of disc-shaped burrs, while blade grinders use blades with sharp edges. The two burrs are moved closer or farther apart to create the desired size of grind. When they are properly set, they create a very consistent grind with fewer tiny fragments and no heat.

A high-quality burr grinder should include a lubrication system to reduce friction and increase the lifespan of the blades. They must be easy to clean to avoid the build-up of coffee residue. There are a few hand-powered burr grinders. However, commercial flat burr grinders are typically powered by electricity because they require more energy than can be supplied by the human hand alone.

There are variations within every category of burr shapes between different brands and models. These variations aren't due to the shape or the geometry of the burrs, but rather the way their patterns relate to the distribution of size of particles. Certain conical burr grinders like the Niche Zero, have very low retention. Other flat burr grinding machines, like the Iberital MMC2 have a high retention.

Some coffee enthusiasts believe that different burrs are more effective in bringing out certain flavors in the roast and bean. However this is a subject that is largely based on speculation and is not well-established scientifically.

Flat Burrs

Flat burrs are circular plates with sharp ridges facing each the other. They crush coffee between them. They are the most popular burrs that are used in both home and commercial grinders. They are also the most popular burrs that are used in manual grinders.

Flat burrs can have a difficult time maintaining a uniform distribution of sizes of the grind than conical ones because their cutting edges are angled and may leave behind fines or grit. This can result in bitter flavors and poor extraction. However, this shouldn't be an issue for all, especially since new innovations in burr geometry allow for the same clarity associated with flat burrs, but with more uniform the distribution of grind size.

The decision between a conical or flat burr grinder will be based on your specific grinding requirements and tastes. For example, a barista who grinds a large amount for many cups throughout the day could be more likely to opt for a flat burr grinder due to the fact that it produces fewer fines and can reduce oxidation time, making it easier to store and reuse.

Another consideration is the quantity of heat a grinder generates during operation. This is a crucial aspect because it can impact the taste and quality of your coffee. The more friction that grinders create, the more heat it produces. This can change the flavor of your beans and result in over-extraction. Flat burr grinders produce less heat than conical grinders. This can provide a more smoky overall flavor.

If you're in the market for a coffee grinder with flat burrs, there's plenty of options from reputable brands like Baratza and Eureka. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is popular because it's easy-to-calibrate and offers a high level of precision. It is also very quiet and is suitable for espresso. However it doesn't produce the same amount of fines as Baratza or other premium models and isn't able to produce a medium coarse grind for espresso.

Variable Grind Settings

Whatever type of grinder you grind the process, it produces various sizes and shapes. Measuring this in any meaningful way is difficult, unless you have expensive equipment like laser particle diffraction analysis.

Most coffee grinders do not offer a precise measurement, but instead have dials for setting adjustment that allow the user to select between a variety of sizes for grinding. The dials are usually marked with a series of numbers or dots that represent larger and smaller sizes. The numbers are often accompanied by arrows to indicate the direction in which the dial needs to be moved to make the grind more fine or coarser.

In addition to the numbering system, many grinders have other visual representations to help with choosing the right setting, like dots or an adjustable step mechanism. These indicators are useful, but they are only general guidelines and you will need to experiment with different settings.

If the dots or numbers are close together the odds are that they are finely set, and if they are further apart, then they are very coarsely set. When selecting a setting for your grinder it is important to keep in mind that even small adjustments can make a huge difference.


Dialing in a grinder requires finding the best grind setting for the coffee and brewing method. The ideal grind setting allows the brew to express the most full and balanced flavor while remaining within an acceptable range for extraction limitations. This is a constant process because even minor variations can result in coffee that is over- or under-extracted.

For espresso, a fine grind is the best, as it maximizes the amount water that will come into contact with the ground during the short time for extraction. Pour-over, French Press, Aeropress, and Turkish Coffee all benefit from a setting that is similar to powdered white sugar.

Easy Cleaning

As coffee grinds go through your grinder, old grounds and oils are accumulated in the nooks. In time, these oil build-up becomes rancid and begin to affect the taste of your coffee. Regular cleaning helps keep the accumulation of stale coffee oils and helps keep your grinder working optimally.

To clean your grinder, begin by disconnecting the plug and then removing the grounds bin and hopper. Then, you can remove the burrs. Be careful not to scratch the burrs' sharp edges. They can easily scratch or scrape the interior of your grinder. If you own a grinder cleaner brush, apply this on the burrs to remove any coffee that is stuck. If you don't have a grinder cleaner brush you can use a toothpick or soft brush to gently remove the ground coffee from the burrs. After you've removed all burrs, as well as any other coffee particles, wipe the entire machine with a clean, dry cloth.

Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis is essential, regardless of regardless of whether you're using a burr or blade grinder. The aroma and taste of coffee beans are lost as soon as the beans are ground. The most delicious cup of espresso is made from freshly ground coffee. Too fine a grind can result in bitterness and excessive extraction, while too coarse a grind can result in under-extraction and an unsavory flavor.

Cleaning your grinder on a regular basis will ensure it stays in good condition and produces high-quality grounds to make your morning coffee. best espresso coffee grinder and old coffee grounds can cause blades to become clogged and produce poor-quality coffee. Letting stale ground coffee collect on the burrs can also impact the taste of your coffee.

There are many ways to clean your grinder, but the most effective is to make use of a tablet for cleaning your coffee grinder (such as Urnex Grindz). These tablets are made from edible grains that bond with and eliminate coffee oils. These tablets are a great alternative to soaking your burrs in a solution of water, which could harm or dull the burrs. You can also make use of a brush to clean your burrs or blow them away using compressed air or a keyboard blower.