Are you like most people who can’t function properly until you have had a cup of coffee?
If you are, you should know how to use a coffee grinder.
Whole beans lock in most of the oils or all the flavor and aroma of a perfect cup of coffee.
So it’s best to grind them right before brewing.
While using a coffee grinder is pretty straightforward, there are a few things that you need to know first.
For instance, did you know that there are different types of coffee grinders?
Things To Consider When Choosing a Coffee Grinder
If you are in the market for a coffee grinder, you need to consider these things before making your choice.
Consistency
A lot of things go into making the perfect morning pick-me-up.
At the top of this list is the size of the coffee grounds.
Depending on what type of coffee you want, you will need fine, medium, or coarse coffee grounds.
Equally important is that all of them must have similar sizes.
Your choice of coffee grinder can have an impact on this.
Heat
Grinders use the rotation of the blades or whatever mechanism is fitted to unlock the powers of the coffee beans.
Naturally, it creates friction, which then generates heat.
Too much heat will burn the oils in the coffee grounds and affect the taste once you use them.
Different coffee grinders have different designs, which might generate heat in many ways.
With that said, you can manage this by using the right technique.
Price
Ideally, you would want the best coffee grinder that money can buy.
However, not everyone has an unlimited budget to spend on this kitchen appliance.
Your best option is to get the most value for the price you are willing or able to pay.
Ease of Use
If you are always scrambling to get ready in the morning, you might need something that is easy to use.
Otherwise, you can just take your pick based on other considerations.
How To Use a Coffee Grinder
There are four main types of grinders available today: the automatic, the manual, the burr, the blade.
Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, and you also use them differently.
Manual Grinder
The manual coffee grinder is operated by hand. It features simple mechanisms and does not need electricity to function.
Consequently, its parts are highly durable. Still, it is very effective in what it does.
It uses burrs to grind the coffee beans, which results in consistent grind size.
If you do not mind putting in the work, this could be an excellent option for you.
Pros
The manual grinder performs well, which is amazing considering how affordable it is.
It is very compact, so you can take it anywhere you go and enjoy a perfect cup of coffee.
Since it does not have a motor, it does not make much noise when you use it.
Once done, you can easily clean it too.
Cons
It takes a bit of elbow grease to operate the manual coffee grinder.
If you are useless until you’ve had a sip, this could be a problem.
Also, manual grinders are simpler and tend to have fewer grind sizes.
In other words, you would be giving up some flexibility if you choose it.
How To Use a Manual Coffee Grinder
Manual coffee grinders are fairly easy to operate.
First, remove the top nut, along with the handle and the locking ring.
Some models do not have this feature, so just twist the top counterclockwise to remove it.
Next, adjust the grind adjustment ring to your desired setting.
Make sure that you hold the central shaft in place while you do it.
Once done, install the locking ring and handle, then screw the nut back on top.
Finally, put the coffee beans in and start cranking.
If you are not yet familiar with the setting, you might want to test out a few beans first.
Automatic Grinder
An automatic coffee grinder has a motor and is also known as an electric grinder.
It features metal parts that spin at high speeds to grind coffee beans.
This metal can either be a blade or a burr. We will discuss them separately later on.
Automatic coffee grinders come in a wide range of prices.
However, if you want the best value for your money, you might want to stay away from low-end options.
Pros
Automatic grinders are convenient to use, especially if you invest in a good brand.
It can have multiple grind settings to choose from, allowing you to enjoy any type of coffee, from French press to espresso.
You can enjoy all of these benefits with a push of a button and without breaking a sweat.
Cons
One thing that you should know about automatic grinders is that they can be a bit pricey.
While it is true that there are cheaper brands and models, they may not give you the result that you want.
So if you have a limited budget for a coffee grinder, go with the manual grinder instead of a cheap electric grinder.
Another thing you have to consider is that automatic grinders can make a lot of noise, whether it is low-cost or expensive.
How To Use an Automatic Grinder
Different models can vary significantly, but automatic grinders are generally easy to use.
It can be as simple as dropping the beans into the hopper, setting the grind size, and initiating the grinder.
If you use the blade grinder, things get a bit trickier, which brings us to the next section.
Blade Grinder
The blade grinder is more affordable than the burr grinder, but there is a catch.
It uses a spinning blade to slice the beans into smaller pieces, similar to blenders.
With this mechanism, it is harder to control the consistency of the coffee grounds.
Still, with a few simple hacks, you can get the desired results or close to it.
Pros
Perhaps the biggest draw of the blade coffee grinder is that it is very affordable, considering it is automatic.
It does not require as much work as a manual grinder, which is excellent if you are always rushing in the morning.
Cons
Blade coffee grinders have a bad reputation among some home coffee brewers and for a good reason.
As mentioned, their design makes it harder to get a uniform consistency for your coffee grounds.
The flat blade also generates much friction and heat, which could ruin the oils if you are not careful.
Finally, the spinning blades could create static electricity, making some particles jump out of the grinder and stick everywhere.
How To Use a Coffee Grinder With Blades
Despite all the challenges that come with using a blade grinder, there are a few things you can do to overcome them.
First, use short bursts when grinding your coffee to prevent the overheating of the coffee grounds and the oil in them.
Most brands have a pulse feature, which stops the motor once you let go of the button.
This function will make it easier for you to control the duration of each burst.
Next, give the blade grinder a good shake in between pulses.
Doing this will push the bigger particles closer to the blades and make the consistency more uniform.
Finally, press the lid firmly while grinding to ensure that none of the coffee grounds will end up on the floor or anywhere else in the kitchen.
Burr Grinder
The burr coffee grinder works under the same basic principle as the blade type, except it uses flat or conical burrs.
These are abrasive metallic parts that grind the coffee beans instead of slicing them, similar to most food processors.
With this design, the coffee grounds churned out by the burr grinder are more even in size.
Pros
What makes the burr coffee grinder stand out is the consistency of the coffee grounds that it churns out.
That is especially true for the conical burrs that look like screws rotating against each other.
It also generates less heat and less noise during operation.
Cons
With a design that is a bit more complicated than the blade, the burr grinder is expectedly more expensive.
There are cheaper options, but they might be using false burrs that act more like dull blades.
In short, you get what you pay for.
How To Use a Coffee Grinder With Burrs
With a burr coffee grinder, your life will be simpler.
Choose the setting you prefer, including the grind time, depending on what type of coffee you are preparing.
Some brands have a burr lock, so you have to loosen this before making your adjustments.
Next, pour some coffee beans into the hopper and start grinding.
Making the Perfect Coffee Grind
There is more than one way towards a perfect cup of coffee.
The key is to find the coffee grinder that suits your budget, taste, and unique situation.
Once you make your choice, use the steps outlined above to put your coffee grinder to work and make the perfect cup.