I remember the first time I tried to make a cup of coffee with freshly ground beans. I had no idea what I was doing and thought it would be as easy as putting some beans in an old blender and pressing the button. Little did I know that approach would only leave me with a very bitter cup of coffee!
That’s when my journey into understanding the importance of grinding coffee began. My journey led to the discovery of burr mill coffee grinders – machines specifically designed to give you the perfect consistency for your coffee brews every time.
My friends started always asking me why my coffee tasted so much better than theirs. After all, we all used the same ingredients (coffee and water) – but mine just seemed to taste better! I told them I’d started using a new grinder, which led to them hounding me for more information.
Their curiosity about my secret led to a discussion about the different types of grinders. That’s why I thought it would be helpful to put together this article about the importance of choosing the right grinder.
Let’s start by asking, “What is a burr mill coffee grinder?” and then discussing the various types available on the market.
Understanding Coffee Grinders
While you could brew coffee with whole beans, I would not recommend it! Ground coffee beans make for a much more flavorful cup of coffee. To ensure that you can get the same flavor, consistency, and strength from each cup of coffee, you need a grinder that can produce uniform particles in any grind size you need. This is where a burr mill coffee grinder comes in.
Blade grinders may seem like a good idea due to their relatively low cost, but they are unsuitable for the job. Unlike burr mill coffee grinders, blade grinders do not create uniform-sized coffee grounds, which will produce inconsistent flavor. While blades may be able to chop up beans quickly, you must stop the grinding process at the right time to get a decent grind.
Even still, a blade grinder will never be able to guarantee a consistent grind size the way a burr mill coffee grinder can. Burr mill grinders use two revolving abrasive surfaces that crush the beans and shear them simultaneously, allowing you to get perfectly uniform particles regardless of how coarse or fine you need them to be.
The main point here is that your coffee grinder will have a significant impact on how well you will be able to consistently brew delicious coffee.
Anatomy of a Burr Mill Coffee Grinder
My first burr mill coffee grinder was….ok at best. It did a decent job of grinding beans but was loud and hard to dial in. Because it was inexpensive, it was not built to be taken apart or easily maintained. It wasn’t until I upgraded that I was able to really take a better look at what’s contained within a burr mill coffee grinder.
Coffee hopper
The hopper is simply the part of the grinder where you place your beans. It should be large enough to handle whatever size batch of beans you need to grind and have a lid to keep your beans fresh.
The size of the hopper can range from small, able to hold a single dose, to extremely large. For home use, you probably don’t need a giant hopper, but it is nice to have the option to grind larger batches.
My daily-use grinder can hold about half a bag of specialty coffee, but I never use it that way. I still pre-measure each dose to accurately calculate the amount of coffee grounds used for different brews.
Grind chamber
This is where the magic happens! Inside the bowels of the grinder, you’ll find two abrasive surfaces known as burr plates (we’ll get to those in a moment).
A good grind chamber should be easy to access. An accessible grind chamber allows easy maintenance, cleaning, and burr plate adjustment. No matter what you do, not all your coffee grounds will make it out of the grinder, so it pays to have an easily cleaned chamber.
Some grinders will allow you to make more significant adjustments to the burr plates to fine-tune your grind settings. If you struggle each time to make adjustments, you’ll be less likely to change the internal settings.
Lastly, a good grinder will allow you to swap out your burr plates. This can be done for several reasons. If they wear out, or you just want to upgrade to the burrs. Whatever the reason may be, it’s always nice to have the option.
Burr plates
The burr plates are the heart of a burr mill coffee grinder and what sets it apart from a blade grinder. The two abrasive surfaces take those whole beans and turn them into small, uniform particles ready for brewing.
Generally speaking, the burr plates should be made of high-grade stainless steel or ceramic. Both materials are durable and, hopefully, grind hundreds of pounds of coffee without needing to be replaced.
Burr plates come in different shapes and sizes. The two main shapes are flat plates and conical plates. Flat plates are the more traditional shape, known to be more consistent but also more expensive. Conical burr grinder plates are usually more affordable but have the tendency to produce more varying grind sizes and require more frequent adjustments.
Burr motor
The motor is the power behind turning those burr plates and grinding your beans. It should be powerful enough to turn the burr plates with ease, even when grinding large batches of coffee.
Cheaper motors tend to struggle and overcompensate by spinning faster. This means your grinder will be much louder and cause your beans to jump all over the place inside your grind chamber and hopper.
Quality electric burr grinders should have powerful motors that can spin the burr plates at a slower RPM, giving you more control and quieter grinding. This will also help keep your beans in place while being ground.
Coffee grounds container
After the beans have been crushed to pieces, they drop out of the grinding chamber and into the coffee grounds container below.
It’s essential to have a container that is easy to access and has a solid fit. This will make using it much easier and ensure coffee grounds don’t fly out across your countertop.
Not all containers are created equal, so find one that fits comfortably in your hands and is made of durable material.
Speaking of material, I highly suggest using a metal or glass container instead of a plastic one. Plastic is prone to retaining oils and odors, as well as static. If your container is statically charged, it will hold onto all those delicious coffee grounds, making it a pain to clean up.
Cleaning tools
No matter how careful you are with your coffee grinder, beans will get stuck in places and must be removed. For this reason, it’s necessary to have some cleaning tools on hand. Simple brushes from the kitchen are usually enough, but there are also specialty cleaning brushes made for burr coffee grinders.
These brushes are designed to fit in the small crevices of your grinder and can be very helpful for removing stubborn grounds. Of course, you could always use canned air or a vacuum to clean out your grinder, but it’s nice to have some dedicated tools for maintenance.
How a Burr Grinder Works
Most of the time, I don’t think about what’s happening inside my burr mill coffee grinder, but knowing how everything works is necessary to get the most out of your machine.
Several aspects go into creating the perfect cup of coffee, from conical burr grinders vs. flat burrs to adjusting grind settings for different brews.
Conical vs flat burr grinders
Every coffee grinder works about the same. Coffee beans go in the top, and pulverized grounds come out the bottom. It’s what happens in the middle that makes the difference.
In most burr grinders, two burrs (or plates) spin against one another to chop up the beans into smaller and smaller pieces. The shape of these burrs can be either conical or flat.
Conical burrs are shaped like cones and have ridges inside them that reduce the size of the grounds as they pass through. The beans fall down the cone-shaped slope and are slowly ground into finer pieces. Conical burrs tend to heat up more quickly and are more noisy.
Flat burrs resemble traditional mill grinders used for wheat and grains. The two plates have ridges that run parallel to one another, and the beans get crushed between them as they spin. This produces a consistent grind and is usually quieter than conical designs.
Adjusting Grind Settings
The grind size you choose will affect the flavor of your coffee. This can range from ultra-coarse cold brew to the fine powder used in Turkish coffee. To adjust the grind size, most burr grinders have a knob or dial that will allow you to set your desired setting.
If you need help determining what size to use for your particular brew method, starting with a known, good setting is best and then adjusting from there.
It’s important to note that some grinders will specialize in a specific grind setting. Espresso grinders will be tuned to grind only fine settings, but those settings will allow you to dial in the perfect espresso shot. This also means that, no matter how coarse the setting, you would never achieve a coarseness usable for French press or even drip coffee.
In my experience, budget coffee grinders are not made to be able to grind fine enough for espresso coffee. If you want to get into espresso brewing, you must research and invest in a quality espresso grinder.
Benefits of Using a Burr Mill Coffee Grinder
By now, I hope you know the importance of investing in a burr mill coffee grinder and how it can help you make the perfect cup of coffee. It’s not just about having the right beans but also having the right size of grounds come out of your machine.
I know that setting up and adjusting a burr mill coffee grinder can be intimidating at first, but it’s simple once you get the hang of it. So, what are the benefits? Let’s discuss!
Consistent coffee grounds size
Once you get deep into the world of coffee, you will eventually hear people talk about coffee fines and boulders. No, we’re not talking about geology. Fines are particles smaller than expected, and boulders are pieces larger than we want for a specific brew.
Every brew method requires a different grind size, and having a burr mill coffee grinder guarantees you will get the same grind size each time. This consistency is essential for extracting all the amazing flavors of your beans.
Consistent flavor and aroma
Blade grinders chop up the beans violently. This chopping creates fines and boulders and an inconsistent flavor. When I brew a cup in the morning, I need to know it will taste great every time.
My first cheap grinder was loud and got hot. That heat during grinding would sometimes scorch the beans, affecting the flavor. My current burr mill coffee grinder is quiet and stays cool. It does its job with precision, allowing me to enjoy a consistent cup of coffee every time!
Longer lifespan
Most blade grinders are cheap. I’m sorry, but it’s true. They can grind beans (kinda), but they won’t last long. I know this because I’ve gone through multiple due to their blades dulling out quickly.
Burr mill coffee grinders, on the other hand, will last for years with proper maintenance. Expect to pay a bit more, but you will save money in the end. Also, most of these grinders come with decent warranties; some even up to five years!
Versatility in grinding for different brewing methods
It’s not just about one-size-fits-all grinding. Some coffee grinder models might have a few settings but don’t allow for great versatility. You won’t be able to fine-tune your grind size and get the best flavor from your beans.
With a burr coffee grinder, you can set it for different brewing methods. You will be able to adjust the fineness for espresso or coarseness for French press with ease.
Cost-effective in the long run
Again, a burr mill coffee grinder might seem like an expensive purchase at first, but over time it will pay for itself. You won’t have to buy another one anytime soon, and you can make sure you get the most out of your beans each time.
Pros and Cons of Using a Burr Mill Coffee Grinder
Pros
- Consistency in grind size
- Retention of coffee flavor and aroma
- Ability to grind for different brewing methods
- Longer lifespan compared to blade coffee grinder
- Cost-effective in the long run
Cons
- Higher upfront cost compared to blade grinders
- Grind adjustment might not allow for every brewing method
- Cheaper versions produce more noise during grinding
Choosing the Right Burr Mill Coffee Grinder
When you finally decide to invest in a burr mill coffee grinder, there are many factors to consider. From burr material to design, these features will help you find the one that best suits your needs and budget. Doing research is essential before making your purchase!
Grind settings
Most models offer several settings, letting you choose whether to make it fine for espresso or coarse for French press. However, some grinders specialize in one type of grind size, so check the details before buying.
Motor power
The strength of the motor will determine how fast and efficient your grinder is. For example, a higher-power motor can grind beans faster with less noise and heat. Because heat plays such an important role in flavor, a powerful motor that can grind without producing heat is essential.
Capacity
Regarding capacity, your needs will depend on the brewing method you use and how many people will use it. A smaller, single-dose model should suffice if you grind one cup of coffee at a time. On the other hand, if you want to make large batches of cold brew, then something with a larger capacity is a must.
Size and design
You’ll also want to consider the size of the grinder and its overall design. I don’t have a giant kitchen, so I prefer compact grinders with a sleek design. You should also look for one with removable parts to make cleaning easier.
Materials
The burr plate material is a critical factor to consider when buying a burr mill coffee grinder. Some of the most popular materials include stainless steel and ceramic.
Stainless steel blades are known for their durability and lower price point, but they can be noisier than other options. Ceramic blades are considered the best choice for flavor retention but are also more expensive.
Maintaining Your Burr Mill Coffee Grinder
Even the best machines need a little help to stay in top shape. Regularly clean your burr plates and grinding chamber with a small brush. This will help keep the grinder running smoothly and efficiently. You can also use rice or grinder-cleaning tablets to do the job for you.
Always refer to your user manual if you need clarification. Higher-end machines may require you to lubricate your grinder’s moving parts every now and then.
Finally, store your grinder in a dry place away from heat and humidity. This will help prolong the life of your machine and keep it working like new for years to come.
Investing a few minutes each week into taking care of your burr mill coffee grinder will go a long way in helping you make great-tasting coffee every time!
Final Thoughts
I love my burr mill coffee grinders. Yes, I have a few, and each has its own features and benefits. It took me a while to get up the courage to invest in one, but I am so glad I did. The consistent grind size, flavor retention, and convenience of using one make it worth every penny. Plus, they look great in my kitchen!
If you love coffee as much as I do, investing in a high-quality burr mill coffee grinder is an absolute must. Periodically cleaning and caring for it will ensure you get the best cup of coffee possible every time.
So, take your time when researching and comparing models, and read the reviews to make sure you’re getting a product that will last a while.
Happy grinding!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flat burr grinder?
Flat burr grinders are electric or manual grinders. Manual burr grinders and electric burr mills both use two abrasive surfaces, called burrs, that shave and shape the coffee beans into a uniform size. Flat grinders feature two flat-shaped burrs that sit horizontally inside the grinder.
What is a conical burr grinder?
A conical burr grinder features two cone-shaped burrs that fit together in an overlapping motion. The coffee beans are ground between the two burrs, producing a uniform size and shape. A conical electric burr grinder tends to be louder than a flat burr grinder.
Are blade coffee grinders good?
While blade coffee grinders are more affordable and easier to find than burr grinders, they don’t produce as consistent of a grind. Blades tend to chop the beans erratically, resulting in an inconsistent size and shape. A burr grinder gives you much better control over the texture of your grounds and produces a more even, uniform grind.
