Welcome to our article dedicated to coffee grinders. We have grouped all the necessary information about this particular product, and we have also added the best items you can find on the market, chosen according to customer reviews released online.
We want to make your purchase decision more comfortable and help you find the best coffee grinder for your needs. In our guide, you will also find the answers to frequently asked questions about coffee grinders.
As well as some purchase criteria that you should always keep in mind before making a final choice. Finally, you will find some vital information that you should pay attention to if you want to enjoy freshly ground coffee.
Here we had listed out the best coffee grinders that are given below.
Buyer Guide to Choose the Best Coffee Grinders
Preparing a good coffee, in a professional manner, is not that simple, let’s think about how many varieties of aromas you can buy, or the influence of water.
One of the secrets to better enjoy its properties is to grind it at home and here opens a world made of coffee grinders, grain size and different types of precautions.
In this article, we will try to explain the various types of appliance, the operation and we will give some useful advice to obtain a good result.
Two Grinding Techniques
In addition to the price, the first discriminating factor to be taken into account when choosing the right model is linked to the type of blades used for the shredding of coffee beans. Typically there are two versions: millstones and blades. Let’s see how they differ.
The blade models are equipped with a mechanism reminiscent of that found in ordinary kitchen blenders and, comparing prices, and they appear to be the cheapest coffee grinders on the market.
This is because the blades ensure a somewhat rough grinding of the beans, more or less fine depending on the time during which the rotation is kept active.
If you fall into the category of “purists” of the grinding, then, you should go to the millstones models which, in turn, are divided into two further types: with flat or conical millstones.
The latter boasts a larger surface and therefore do not need to turn at high speeds to obtain the right quantity of coffee with the right degree of fineness.
The models with flat millstones made by the best brands usually require a higher rotation speed to obtain the same result, unless the millstones are particularly large, in which case the operation can take place with the right level of speed.
In Praise of Slowness
Why is it so important that the grinding operation does not take place too quickly and indeed a certain slowness is to be considered one of the aspects to be placed at the top of the list of discriminants to obtain a good coffee?
High rotation of the blades or the grinders in contact with the beans generates a certain amount of static electricity and therefore an overheating of the grinder mechanics and consequences of the coffee.
If the operation takes place slowly, on the other hand, the beans and ground coffee will remain cold, and the quality of the mixture will remain unchanged.
Our advice is, therefore, to opt for a low-speed grinder-doser, to be chosen from those with reduction gear or direct drive. The quality of the grind is substantially similar, but the former is much noisier.
Doser Yes or No?
A final feature to consider is whether to choose an appliance with a dispenser or without, or that it has a container, also called bell, in which the coffee is collected once ground.
In this guide, we have always referred to this type of device, not for nothing called grinder-dosers, but it is also possible to purchase one that is free of it.
What are the differences? Opting for a model with a dispenser allows you to act on an ad hoc fin to obtain the right dose of coffee to be placed in the machine or in the coffee maker to prepare espresso.
In the case of a model that does not have one, called direct delivery, you will need a few attempts before figuring out how many grains to grind to get the right amount of powder.
Vintage Design
This Peugeot is a grinder! Well … if we were talking about a car we would have to worry, but fortunately, it is not: it is a real coffee grinder; indeed, to be honest, you can grind much more like salt, pepper etc.
Where do we want to start? Certainly, from the design that, in our opinion, is what strikes at first glance. If you like vintage objects, you will fall in love with it, and you could also buy it to keep it as a decorative object.
A pretty and expensive piece of furniture. Oh yes, in our opinion it costs a lot, nothing prohibitive, it is clear, but far from being classified as an economical product.
How to Use a Coffee Grinder?
Electric Coffee Grinder with Blades or Grinder
On the market, you will find two models of electric coffee grinders, which use different ways to chop the beans: with grinders and blades.
Those with blades are not very different from kitchen blenders. If compared with the other type, the price is quite reasonable, but there is a disadvantage or an approximate grinding.
Which also depends on the duration of the rotation of the blades since you need to be expert enough to understand to the touch if the powder obtained is right.
The mill models, in turn, are divided into two categories: flat or conical mills. The former need high speed to obtain a good result, but the disadvantage is the overheating of the product.
The ideal, therefore, would be to use a conical coffee grinder, because this type has a larger surface and, consequently, does not reach high speeds or temperatures not suitable for this job.
Manual
The manual model that is, with the arm to be turned can also be appreciated for its slightly retro charm. Of course, this type has now been overcome by the electric ones, but some still prefer it.
We can find them at the second-hand market, but they are not always hygienically usable, better referring to a news article, even if it is not cheap.
Generally, they are composed of a sort of bowl in which to insert the coffee beans and bring the arm to be turned. The newer models have conical ceramic grinders and a ring that allows you to choose whether to obtain a more or less fine grain.
As the handle is turned, the coffee is collected in a sort of drawer. However, keep in mind that to grind 14 g of coffee (about two cups) you need to turn the arm almost 200 times.
So the choice of a manual coffee grinder is suitable for those who have to grind a little coffee a day or for those who do not want to give up the aroma not even cool when camping.
The Importance of Particle Size
We mentioned the importance of getting the right size granules, but why do you have to be so picky? We will explain it to you immediately.
A too coarse grain prevents all the elements of the coffee from being completely free since the water would slip quickly and would not be able to penetrate the cells.
The result would be a tasty little coffee, slightly acidic, and not very thick. With fine grinding, however, the elements that make up the beans would have far too much freedom. Therefore we will also have the least pleasant characteristics.
The coffee will be decidedly bitter, a little sour and very strong. This over-extraction would cover all the virtues that make this drink so special, even in its everyday life.
Tips for A Good Grind
That is, what makes coffee so magical is its volatile substances, and that is why grinding it at home has its merits. However, the ideal would be to prepare it on the spot, just to prevent it from ageing and losing its aroma.
A long grinding is not recommended, because if you exceed 40-50 °, the bean would lose some properties and begin to overheat.
Do not forget, moreover, that this substance releases fat, to avoid a stale taste, the appliance should be cleaned often, and if there is also a dispenser, do not neglect it.
