Buzz
Choosing a coffee grinder may seem simple: you just need a tool that grinds your coffee beans. But the method of grinding can actually make a significant difference, depending on the type of brew you prefer and your coffee taste.
Before purchasing a coffee grinder, here’s what to consider, along with some recommendations for different models.
Two distinct types of coffee grinders
There are two main categories of coffee grinders: blade grinders and burr grinders. Blade grinders work like a small blender, chopping the beans into a powder, while burr grinders use sharp discs or cones that rotate against each other, crushing the beans in the process.
The grinding technique can lead to noticeable differences in the texture of the coffee grounds, and subsequently, the taste of your coffee—most experts agree that burr grinders deliver a superior result.
Maciej Kasperowicz, the director of coffee at Trade Coffee and one of only 400 certified Q graders—professionals trained to evaluate coffee worldwide—states, “Burr grinders are nearly always better than blade grinders because they produce more uniform grinds, and uniformity is key for great coffee.”
However, the downside is that burr grinders usually come with a much higher price tag than blade grinders, meaning you’ll need to pay a premium for the improved taste in your cup.
Keep in mind that the type of grinder you choose not only affects how your coffee brews and tastes but also determines how you clean it. Blade grinders can be cleaned by grinding rice or using cleaning tablets, while burr grinders need to be disassembled and wiped down. Regardless, cleaning is crucial; if you skip it, leftover coffee oils and particles can “turn rancid and lead to some bad flavors,” according to Kasperowicz.
Selecting the Ideal Burr Grinder
Before choosing a grinder, Kasperowicz recommends considering your typical grind preferences. Some grinders excel at creating ultra-fine espresso grinds, for example.
For pour-over or drip coffee, he suggests Baratza’s Encore, but notes that it doesn’t offer enough adjustments at the finest grind settings to be ideal for espresso.
If an exceptional espresso grinder is your goal, he recommends the Baratza Sette.
For a sleek, customizable option, the Fellow Ode is worth considering, especially since you can upgrade its burrs later to expand its capabilities.
Before making a purchase, visit the manufacturer's website to check if the brand offers spare parts. If you're investing in a high-end product, you should be able to repair it if something goes wrong—but not every brand provides replacement parts. (This is another reason Kasperowicz prefers Baratza.)
Are hand grinders worth the investment?
Some traditional coffee lovers rave about hand grinders, but Kasperowicz views them more as a tool for travel than everyday use. “I think some newcomers to coffee get this romantic notion that grinding by hand will improve the taste of their coffee," he says. "While there are indeed high-quality hand grinders available, the manual effort itself doesn’t automatically lead to better quality."
