What kind of coffee grinder to choose for coffee?

What device to choose to enjoy aromatic, essential coffee at home?

Coffee grinder - what to look out for?

A mill is unequal to a mill. On the market there are manual and automatic, blade and filament mills, the latter of which can be ceramic or steel. The choice seems overwhelming, but this is only a pretense.

To choose the perfect coffee grinder, it is useful to know what to look for, as well as to define your own needs. Are we buying a gadget just for ourselves or perhaps for a large family or for work, where more people will use it? Are we looking for a lightweight grinder that we can easily pack in a suitcase and take with us on a trip? How often do we drink coffee and how much do we pay attention to the nuances of its taste and aroma?

In addition to all this, when choosing a coffee grinder, we should also consider such parameters as the size of the machine itself, as well as the capacity of the container for ground coffee, power (if you opt for an electric device), the type of blade or beans, and the ability to adjust the degree of coffee grinding. These are the basics. In addition, we can also pay attention to aesthetic and practical aspects, such as the design or whether it is equipped with a transparent lid (it is easier to control the degree of grinding of the beans), safety systems (for example, to protect against incorrect closure of the lid) or a non-slip bottom, so that the device will be stable during operation.

Manual coffee grinder - for whom?

This is an ideal choice for all amateur barista beginners, as well as for people who often travel and want to complete their coffee brewing kit, so that they can enjoy a self-brewed beverage anywhere. It is worth remembering that a manual coffee grinder has a rather small bean container, and therefore the coffee ground in it is enough for only about 2-3 brews. Such a grinder will therefore work well as a gadget for one or two people. A plus is certainly the quiet operation of the device and the ability to control the degree of coffee grinding yourself. The downsides? In addition to the small capacity, it is also time-consuming. However, if we like analog, morning rituals, this type of device will be just right for us! Just remember to choose a device with the longest possible handle - this will give you more comfort while grinding.

Electric coffee grinder - knife

Electric grinders with blades instead of beans are a very popular choice among novice coffee drinkers, as well as among people who don't pay that much attention to coffee details. The blades mounted in the grinder, instead of grinding, cut the coffee beans into small pieces. The advantage of such a device is the convenience of use and versatility - with the help of it we can "grind" not only coffee beans, but also, for example, spices, seeds or nuts. However, an experienced coffee drinker will sense the negative impact of such a grinding method on the taste and aroma of the drink. Cutting the beans causes the formation of bitter dust, in addition, the working blades heat up and, affecting the coffee with high temperature, take away some of its aroma.

Electric coffee grinder - grinders

A bean grinder is widely considered better and more professional than a blade grinder. It's all thanks to the mechanism of the beans, which do not heat up and grind the coffee beans thoroughly, releasing more aroma and, consequently, flavor from them. A blade grinder also works faster and more efficiently than a knife grinder and does not produce coffee dust, so the coffee brewed from the beans ground in it is characterized by a clean and full flavor.

Electric mills are available in two types, depending on the material of the grinds installed in them:

• Ceramic grinders - work a little less precisely, they are also less sharp and grind coffee into uneven pieces;
• Steel querns (made of stainless steel) - accurately grind coffee into fine, even pieces, they are also extremely durable and resistant to damage.

When choosing a grinder, you should also pay attention to the size of the blades themselves - the larger they are, the faster and more accurately they grind. Look for those with a width of at least 50 millimeters. Important: a broom mill is not suitable for grinding spices and other products, such as nuts or seeds. You can also not grind flavored coffees in it. The essential oils contained in them damage the grinds and settle on them and become rancid over time, distorting the taste of the coffee ground in the grinder.

What coffee grinders are available on the market?

Manual or electric. Each of them can have knives or querns built in. The quern mills, on the other hand, are divided into steel and ceramic.

What is the difference between a blade mill and a quern mill?

A blade mill cuts grains into small pieces, while a grinder mill grinds them. The former is therefore less accurate than the latter. It also produces a lot of coffee dust, which gives the coffee a slightly bitter taste. The plus side of a blade grinder is that you can also use it to grind spices.

What is the difference between a steel mill and a ceramic mill?

A ceramic grinder is definitely less precise and less durable than a grinder with blades made of steel (especially stainless steel).
Which coffee grinder for a beginner?
A hand or electric grinder with blades will work well.