Coffee Grinder for Your Home Barista Station

The coffee grinder is one of the essential accessories at home for those who consider themselves a lover of this drink and a true barista. Thanks to them, enjoying top-quality coffee every morning will no longer be just a wish. With a coffee grinder you can grind the coffee bean that you like the most whenever you want. In addition, you can do it with the thickness that best suits the coffee maker you use and the type of coffee you want to prepare. When choosing the best coffee grinder, it is more than advisable to take into account some purchase criteria such as the type of coffee maker, materials, maintenance, or accessories.

Why do we need a coffee grinder?

                                                                                           Parts of a coffee grinder

This question may seem obvious, but it really isn’t. We could rephrase it as follows: why do we need a coffee grinder? When can I buy ground coffee? The answer is simple. We need a coffee grinder if we want to keep the organoleptic qualities of the coffee intact until just before extraction. Since coffee is an organic substance, it will oxidize when exposed to oxygen, just like all other organic substances. When coffee beans come in contact with oxygen, they oxidize faster. Storing coffee beans reduces contact with oxygen, delaying oxidation.

Different Types of coffee grinders

Grinding your own coffee is a trend that has gained popularity over the years, and it is not a trivial activity, it has been proven that freshly ground beans provide an incomparable aroma and flavor to your coffee that provides a greater intensity in the taste experience. . For this reason we have prepared a guide for you to take into account your possibilities if you are considering getting yourself a coffee grinder. 1- Electric coffee grinders For the most modern users and those with a fast pace of life, these electric coffee grinders are an ideal option. There are various types of electric coffee grinders some of which perfectly combine design, efficiency, durability and effectiveness making them an excellent option for demanding users. Advantage

• • Its ease of use is its great advantage. To use it, just put the beans in the designated container and set the program. In a short time you will have your ground coffee ready to prepare.

• • These grinders offer speed, resistance, durability and safety, apart from different options depending on the model.

Disadvantages

• • They can be a bit more expensive than their manual versions.

• • They are slightly larger than the manual versions.

2- Manual coffee grinders These manual coffee grinders are the perfect, less expensive option for brewing methods with drip or filter coffee makers. Now, there are people who do not understand why buy a grinder if we can buy ground and packaged coffee, and the answer is simple, the freshness will never be comparable, nor will its flavor and aroma. Coffee grinders offer us advantages over other types, such as the ability to grind a smaller amount of coffee than its electric version (although this does not apply in all cases) and control the grinding speed, which can help preserve the coffee taste It is also important to know that manual coffee grinders are divided into three types, so depending on your budget and particular taste, you have a choice. On the one hand, there are the stainless steel grinders, which are usually cylindrical, small and practical, not to mention that they are extremely cheap compared to other versions. On the other hand, we have the old manual grinders which are nothing more than this version with retro or vintage designs made of wooden materials and with striking pieces that are not only kitchen elements but an exquisite decoration piece. Advantage

• • Since they are designed to be manual, they are easy to use and do not require much effort.

• • They are elegant, resistant and very practical, not to mention that they are usually cheaper than their other versions.

• • Because they have striking designs, they are not only considered practical but also beautiful, even being pieces of decoration.

Disadvantages

• • They are a bit slower than their electric versions.

• • They load and grind less amount of coffee than other versions.

3 – Industrial coffee grinders Although an average user would not be interested in buying one of these machines. Large coffee packaging companies have kilos and kilos of ground coffee for sale. They use grinders to achieve this. Industrial coffee grinders can work for many hours a day and grind large amounts of coffee quickly. Advantage

• • They are able to work long hours without any inconvenience.

• • You can grind a lot more beans in a short time.

• • They are quite efficient and resistant.

Disadvantages

• • They are quite larger than the other versions.

• • They are not suitable for individuals since they need to grind large quantities of grains.

• • They are extremely expensive.

WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A COFFEE GRINDER?

1. Material: Both the structure as a whole and the tank are usually made of plastic, although you can also find other wooden and iron models. The material that is most important to evaluate is that of the grinding wheels or blades, as we have already mentioned at the top of the article. Normally, ceramic structures tend to give a better result since they avoid the heat generated by the engine.

2. with or without a dispenser: This will indicate that we can choose the thickness of the grind. For example, the coffee for espresso must be very fine.

3. Grinding system : It can be of two types:

• • Strawberry: it is typical of any coffee grinder with conical grinds. They grind the grain very efficiently but are not capable of giving it a very fine grind. It is the most common in coffee grinders for bars.

• • Blade: the most modern. Get a high-quality grind on all kinds of grains. In addition, many of the devices that equip it can also be used as a multipurpose grinder, that is, as a spice and seed grinder, as a food mill, etc.

4. Use: whenever we use a grinder, it must be comfortable, since it sometimes happens that, by making a more spectacular design, they make it uncomfortable to work. So this type of product should not be on our list shopping.
5.  Ease of Cleaning : The best coffee grinders are detachable and come with some dishwasher-safe items.
6.  Capacity: it will depend on the amount of coffee that we need to grind in each use. A grinding tool must allow us to obtain at least between 50 and 100 grams of ground coffee each time.
7. Noise Level – The quieter, the better. A low noise grinder will not disturb those around us if, for example, we use it in the morning to prepare breakfast and they are sleeping.
8. Manual or electric? Depends. A hand-cranked grinder is less efficient than an automatic one, but better preserves the qualities of the coffee during the grinding process.
9. Accessories: At a minimum, the coffee grinder must include a cleaning brush and, if manual, non-slip feet so that it stands firmly on the surface.

What kind of grind can I get with a coffee grinder?

When we are going to grind coffee beans at home. It is important that we think about the type of grinding that we like or that we need depending on the coffee maker that we use or the coffee that we are going to prepare. If we do not use the correct grinding, the result can be a coffee with a bitter aftertaste or something acidic and sour. Observe the following explanatory table:

image	grinding type	characteristics
	fine grinding	it has a texture similar to that of table salt.
	medium – fine grinding	it has a somewhat coarser texture than table salt.
	medium grind	it has a texture similar to that of brown sugar.
	medium coarse grind	it has a texture similar to that of coarse salt.
	coarse grind	it has an even coarser texture than coarse salt.

Where and how to properly store ground coffee?

A question that we have encountered quite frequently among the opinions in coffee grinders analyzed. However, we can assure you that conserving and preserving ground coffee to maintain its qualities is not difficult. To do this, we must:

• • Store it in the fridge: heat is the worst enemy of ground coffee as it enhances the oxidation of its particles. It should never be left in the cupboard.

• • Keep it under vacuum : just finish grinding it if we prefer to crush a large amount of grain at once and not little by little​,

• • Keep it in an airtight package if it will take several days to spend it.

Cleaning and maintenance of coffee grinders

Other common questions seen in this comparison of coffee grinders referred to their cleaning. It should be done like this: 1. In case the coffee seed grinder is not removable, we must fill the hopper with rice and grind it. This cereal, like dry bread, will absorb residual oil from the grains and any other impurities that may have been left on the blades. Then, using a soft brush and a little water, we will clean the collection tank, the dispenser and the external casing. 2. If the grinder is removable, everything will be easier. We can put those components that are suitable in the dishwasher and use a brush to remove dirt from the blade mechanism. For its part, even the maintenance of a professional coffee grinder does not involve any mystery beyond cleaning. We should only store it in a cool and, above all, dry place that is not in direct contact with the sun. Moisture can cause mold to form in the residual particles of the ground coffee beans.

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Final verdict

a coffee grinder is an essential tool for any coffee lover who wants to enjoy the freshest and most flavorful coffee possible. Whether you prefer a manual or electric grinder. There are many options available on the market to suit your needs and budget. A good coffee grinder should have consistent grind size, be easy to use and clean, and allow you to adjust the grind to suit your brewing method. Burr grinders are generally considered to be the best type of grinder. They produce a more uniform grind and minimize heat transfer during the grinding process. Investing in a high-quality coffee grinder can make a significant difference in the taste of your coffee. By grinding your beans just before brewing, you can ensure that the coffee is as fresh as possible, which can bring out the subtle flavors and aromas that might otherwise be lost.