If you’re currently wondering how to select a coffee bean grinder to suit you and your kitchen then you probably already know that there are various options open to you. In simple terms most coffee grinders will be spilt into two camps – blade grinders and burr grinders. So how do you choose between the two?
First, it’s worth noting that you can buy both types of grinder as both electric and manual options if you wish. It’s becoming more popular for people to buy electric machines on the whole as there is a big added convenience here so, for the purposes of this guide, we’ll be focusing on electrical options rather than manual ones.
In simple terms the final decision you make when it comes to working out how to select a coffee bean grinder will, in most cases, come down to budget and to how seriously you think about coffee so this is worth bearing in mind as you read through this article.
So, let’s take a look some of the pros and cons of the two types of grinder.
Blade Grinders
Blade grinders – as the name suggests – use a blade to chop up your coffee beans until they are ground. Most of these machines work on a simple principle – the longer the machine grinds, the finer the grind will be.
Pros
Generally cheaper than burr grinders.
Do an effective job of grinding your coffee beans.
Cons
Can’t give a completely consistent or even grind (this can have an adverse effect on the taste and quality of the coffee you drink).
The blades on some models may overheat – especially if they are left on longer for a finer grind – which can again alter the actual taste of your coffee.
Burr Grinders
A burr grinder – often also referred to in some circles as a mill – works on a different principle to a blade grinder. wet grinder Here the beans are crushed between the machine’s moving wheel and its static surface. You decide on the level of grind by using pre-specified settings on the burr. Models vary between doser and doserless for coffee bean storage in the actual grinder.
Pros
A burr grinder will give you a consistently even grind with no problems.
These grinders and their grinding pres-sets are easy to use.
Cons
A burr grinder will generally cost you more than a blade grinder.
Some models clog easily and can be harder to clean.
So, when you’re deciding how to select a coffee grinder – as you can see – you need to consider how important the quality of your grind and the resulting taste of your coffee is to you as an individual to a certain extent. This is what will dictate whether you opt for a blade grinder or a burr grinder at the end of the day.
Most blade grinders users will simply like a regular cup of coffee that has been ground at home for optimum freshness. If you simply like grinding your own beans for basic coffee drinking use then there’s no real reason why you should waste money on a burr grinder when a blade grinder will suit your needs just as well.