What to Look For in a Burr Mill
Coffee GrinderA burr grinder produces a more consistent grind than blade models and can be adjusted to ensure the precise size of the particle. They are typically more expensive than blade models however, and a few less expensive models use false burrs (like the DF64).
Sometimes referred to as pepper grinders, these machines use conical or flat burrs of metal to crush food items into smaller particles.
Capacity
The capacity of the burr grinder is crucial to take into consideration since it directly impacts the quality and taste of the coffee that is brewed. Burr grinders function by crushing the beans between two burrs which can be either conical or flat in shape. This process creates uniformly sized grounds which ensure that all the flavor and oils are extracted properly during the making process. It also helps avoid over-extraction, which can result in the coffee being sour and muddy.
Burr grinders offer a variety of grind settings that let you alter the consistency to suit different types of brewing. For example, coarser grinds are ideal for cold brew and French press, while fine grinds are ideal for drip coffee and espresso. Additionally, the majority of burr grinders can be adjusted to alter the grinding speed to suit your personal preferences.
Some burr grinders have removable burrs that can be switched out as they wear out. This is an excellent option for those who want to preserve the quality and quantity of their coffee grounds while cutting down on the cost and time required to grind batches of coffee. Some manufacturers may also recommend changing the burrs at specific intervals depending on the amount of coffee that is used to ground.
Unlike blade grinders, which use a spinning metal blade to chop up beans, burr mills generate much less heat during grinding and create minimal static charge. The lower the temperature of the grinding process the better the aroma and flavor of your brewed coffee.
There are manual models for those who would rather grind their beans manually. These grinders work by using a crank to turn the burrs and are quieter and more portable than electric models. However, they take longer to grind a batch of beans than their electric cousins.
Many
coffee grinder compact lovers favor a high-quality burr grinder for their daily cup of joe. Some customers will select a less expensive grinder from a local big-box store, while others spend more on a properly designed burr mill that will provide them years of great coffee. There are so many grinders on the market that it's essential to conduct your research and choose one that fits your budget and meets your needs.
Adjustability
It is crucial to be able to adjust the settings of a burr mill, as the ideal size of grind for different methods of brewing can differ. A quality burr grinder should produce uniform results for all grind settings, so make sure to test each setting and find the one that is most effective for you. The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill offers 18 different settings, ranging from fine for drip and espresso coffee to coarse for French press and cold brew. It also features a built-in timer which can be set to stop grinding after a set amount of time.
As you adjust the size of your grind be aware that heat generation is a concern that can affect the flavor of your coffee. Look for a grinder that can reduce the heat generated by using lower speeds and large grinding burrs. The former will preserve the essential oils in the coffee beans, and the latter will help dissipate the heat produced during the grinding process.
When adjusting the burr grinder, it is important to also consider its noise level. A loud chirping sound, that can occur when the burrs meet, suggests that the space between them is too small and requires correction. A grinder that produces an eerie chirping sound should be calibrated using the adjustment dial until there is no more chirping.
The design of a grinder's design can influence its performance. For example, the Fellow Ode Gen 2 uses flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that face each the other) that are much easier to calibrate than conical burrs. However, this model can be more expensive than the other options.
Manual burr grinders are more difficult to use however they offer better control of the final grind size and consistency. Electric burr grinders are easy and quick however they can deliver inconsistent results due to their motor. They also cost more than manual alternatives. Your personal preference and budget will determine if you decide to go with a manual or an electric model.
Noise
In contrast to blade grinders that grind abrasive materials between rotating rough surfaces that can't be adjusted for size, burr mill grinders use a pair of fixed rotating abrasive surfaces that produce uniformly-sized particles. This allows for more control over the resultant grind, which is key to ensure even extraction during the brewing process. Burr grinders are available in both electric and manual versions. The choice between the two is mostly dependent on the needs of the user and preferences. Factors like durability and portability as well as price are often the driving factors behind choosing a manual grinder while speed, convenience and other features affect the selection of an electric model.
Burrs are quieter than blades. The motor that drives the burrs is the main source of noise. Direct drive grinders are the quietest, because they connect the motor directly to their burrs. This reduces friction between the abrasive surfaces and the beans, as well as heat generation that can dissipate the aroma and flavor.
Other grinders employ gear reduction to achieve the same effect by connecting a high-speed motor into a set of gears that reduce the number of rotations per minute. These grinders are noisy but they produce less static and heat in comparison to blade grinders.
The best and most popular grinders have a pair flat burrs which can be adjusted in size. This kind grinder is able to be adjusted to create an even, consistent grind that is suitable for a variety of different brewing techniques. One example of a top-quality flat burr grinder is the Moccamaster KM5, which utilizes an extremely powerful, yet efficient, direct-drive motor to grind coffee quickly and quietly without heating the beans.
A coffee maker with conical burrs can produce similar results at less cost. The larger diameters of these kinds of grinders can produce a slightly more unimodal grind distribution than their smaller counterparts however, the differences don't appear to correlate with the degree of uniformity or unimodality that the grinder can produce. This is probably due to the shape and the coating of the burrs rather than the number of rotations per minute.
Maintenance
If you're using a burr mill grinder (
try what he says) it is essential to clean the grinding chamber and also perform a thorough cleaning. This will keep your grinder operating smoothly and ensure that there isn't any buildup of
coffee grinders beans that are old or oils. This can cause your machine to slow down or even clog. You can utilize products such as Urnex Grindz to help get rid of dirt and old grinds, but to get a really thorough clean it is necessary to open up the grinder and clean the chamber.
The frequency of deep cleaning depends on the frequency you use your grinder. If you make between 2 and 3 cups of coffee each day at home, a deeper cleaning is required more frequently than if you just make one cup. The roast type will also influence how much oil is produced and thus needs to be removed. Roasts with darker colors produce more oil.
If you decide to clean your grinder, disconnect it first, then remove the bean hopper (if it's applicable) and upper burr carrier.
