If you are reading this blog in the comfort of home, chances are you brewed, and maybe ground, your own coffee and coffee beans this morning. If you're reading it at work, or your favorite coffee shop, you might have let someone else do the grinding for you. Either way, one of the most frequent questions I get from visitors to the Vermont Brown and Jenkins coffee roastery regards the type of coffee grinder that is best for using in your home.
This season is probably the perfect time to address this topic as we are getting closer to gift giving holidays like Mother's Day, Father's Day and graduation. These are some of the times that folks seem to want to know what type of coffee grinder they can give. So here is the Grinder Primer!
Types of Coffee Grinders: Blade
The blade grinder uses a flat blade that chops the coffee beans. These types of grinders are inexpensive and easy to clean, maintain and store. This might be the perfect gift for a college graduate who wants to move up from pre-ground beans to freshly ground ones, but doesn't really appreciate their coffee enough to make more of an investment. (This move alone can make a huge difference in the taste of your coffee!) Of course, there is a better option for those who want a step above in coffee taste and freshness.
Why? You just don't get a very consistent grind from a flat blade grinder, and you don't have the option to select they type of grind for your brewing method. Plus, the friction of the blade can slightly burn the beans.
Types of Coffee Grinders: Mill or Burr
Mill or burr grinders use two wheels that rotate against each other to create a very consistent size grind, and that allows you to select the grind size that best suits your brew. For instance, espresso requires a much finer grind than drip coffee. A burr grinder with a cone shaped grinding surface is the top choice, in my opinion, because they clog less and are easier to care for that the flat wheel burr option.
Of course—you get what you pay for so the mill or burr grinders are more expensive than the blade coffee grinders. You can find an inexpensive blade grinder for as little as $20, while you can pay anywhere from $40 to $300 for a burr or mill grinder, depending on the upgrades you desire.
Don't buy more than you need! Start with fresh coffee beans and then decide what grinder will suit your needs. Then enjoy the process. Hearing the whirr of the grinder and smelling the aroma of the coffee beans as they are ground can be an enjoyable part of the morning coffee routine.
Until our next cup,
Sandy Riggen
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