Tips to Buy a Coffee Grinder

Stone mortar and pestles were the oldest coffee grinders known to man. Coffee beans were manually pounded in them to produce ground coffee!

Coffee aficionados know that if they're looking for the real deal on a regular basis, they need the right coffee beans and the right equipment to grind it. With the interesting plethora of grinders adorning the market, preparing premium coffee from freshly ground beans within the four walls of your very own home has become quite possible.

Store-bought, pre-ground coffee may be convenient; however, it lacks a lot of flavor due to the oxidation process that has taken place since the time it has been ground. For a true coffee drinking experience, coffee beans have to be ground just before brewing.

With the right grinder, you needn't depend on coffee shops to place a cup of freshly brewed Espresso in front of you. However, there are a few aspects to take into consideration before bringing a grinder home.

One of the first few points you need to consider while purchasing a coffee grinder is its blade. Spinning grinders come with blades that literally chop and tear the coffee beans. These blades spin at a high speed, like the blades in a blender; however, they yield different sizes of coffee bean particles, resulting in an uneven and inconsistent grind.

This grinder also yields fine coffee powder, which tends to clog the sieves. Moreover, the high speed tends to generate heat, thus, creating a possibility to scorch the beans. Most users feel that the coffee produced by these grinders lacks flavor.

The burr grinder, on the other hand, grinds the coffee beans in a uniform manner; however, it takes longer. It crushes the beans using two gears―one is stationary, while the other is rotating.

This crushing action yields a finer grind, perfect for brewing a cup of rich, dark coffee. Again, burr grinders are available in conical and flat mill form, of which the conical version is considered to be better because of its even more consistent grind.

Commercial coffee joints always purchase burr grinders, and they are also becoming popular in various homes today.

Tip: If you're planning to buy a coffee grinder, opt for the burr grinder. The superior quality of coffee it produces is definitely worth owning one!

As with any appliance, electric grinder is preferred over the manual one, because it's less time-consuming. Manual grinders are alright for grinding small quantities, but not practical for brewing many cups of coffee.

People who intend to use their grinder on a daily basis, or are planning to use it for guests should opt for the electric one because it's quick and convenient. However, there are some who find the whole act of grinding their own coffee a soul-fulfilling experience, and choose to stick to the manual type.

Antique coffee grinders that are available at antique stores come with manual handles and function like the burr grinders.

Tip: Manual grinders are ideal for camping and traveling as they don't require electricity.

Burr grinders allow you to adjust the settings to a preferred grind size. Blade grinders do not have this feature, instead yield uneven sizes of ground beans. Grind fineness settings are especially important to those who intend to make Espresso, Turkish coffee, French Press, etc.

Different coffee types call for different grind sizes. Some grinders come with dosers, which prepare enough coffee for one shot of Espresso. However, this type is recommended only for Espresso lovers.

Tip: Choose a grinder with settings of your preference. Purchasing one with too many settings you aren't planning to use is a waste of money.

Blade grinders are quite affordable with most grinders available from $20 to $50. Burr grinders are the expensive kind, ranging from $50 to even $900. However, the high-speed (flat) burr grinders that run on smaller motors are cheaper.

So, if you want a burr grinder, but are restricted by the budget, opt for this kind. On the other hand, conical grinders are slower and more expensive, but are known to yield the best kind of coffee. The overall price will also vary depending on the number of settings available and the style of the grinder.

Tip: Don't readily purchase the cheaper grinders just because they cost less. Sometimes, shelling out more brings better quality coffee and satisfying results.

Peruse through the reviews of different coffee grinders before investing in one. If you know people who own grinders, check with them regarding the working and pros and cons. Coffee grinders are great additions to one's kitchen and also make great gifts for coffee lovers!