One of the most satisfying things about brewing coffee at home is mastering the art of coffee grinding and getting the grind correct for your brew method. One of the most fantastic experiences is having that delicious smell of freshly roasted beans hitting your nostrils in any coffee shop! Now what’s amazing is that you can experience this at home, when you grind your own coffee beans from Redber Coffee!

Choose the Right Grinder for You

Not all coffee grinders are created equal. Depending on the type of coffee you’re making, you’ll need to choose the right grinder for your needs.

1. Blade Grinders

Blade grinders use a spinning blade to cut the coffee into small pieces. The longer you grind the beans, the finer the grounds.

For starters, they are typically very affordable, making them an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. Second, they are simple to operate, so even a novice can make great coffee with one. Third, because blade grinders are generally small, they will not take up much space in your kitchen. Finally, they are usually quite durable, so they will last for a long time.

On the downside, blade grinders are not as good at producing very fine grinds as burr grinders. This means that they are not ideal for making espresso, which requires a very fine grind. Additionally, the spinning blade can generate heat, which can potentially affect the flavour of the coffee.

2. Burr Grinders - Flat Burrs

Burr grinders use two revolving surfaces that are separated by a gap between them. This gap is adjustable, allowing for different types of grinds for different coffee brewing methods. The main benefit of a burr grinder is that it produces a much more consistent grind than other types of grinders. The two surfaces rotate in opposite directions, which helps to evenly distribute the beans and create an even grind. This is important because it ensures a more consistent extraction, resulting in a better and more balanced cup of coffee.

One of the great advantages of a burr grinder is that it can be adjusted to produce a variety of grind sizes. This means that you can have the perfect grind for any coffee brewing method, from cafetiere to espresso.

Another benefit of a burr grinder is that it is easier to clean than other types of grinders. The two surfaces are separated, which allows for easy access to the burrs and prevents the buildup of coffee grounds. Finally, burr grinders are more durable than other types of grinders. The two surfaces are made of a hard material, which makes them less likely to wear out over time.

Flat burr grinders are typically used in commercial coffee grinders. 

3. Burr Grinders - Conical Burrs

The conical burr grinder is made up of two cone-shaped burrs that spin at different speeds. The coffee beans are fed into the top of the grinder, where the two burrs are situated. As the two burrs spin, the beans are ground between them. This process produces a consistent grind size, as the beans are ground evenly.

One of the main benefits of using a conical burr grinder is that it produces less heat than other types of grinders. This helps to preserve the flavour and aroma of the coffee beans, as it prevents them from getting scorched. It also reduces the amount of static electricity created, which can cause coffee grounds to stick to the grinder and make it difficult to clean.

Another benefit of conical burr grinders is that it produces a very fine grind. This allows for greater control over the grind size, allowing you to get the perfect grind for your favourite brewing method.

Finally, conical burr grinders are also known for their durability. The burrs are made of high-quality materials, which makes them resistant to wear and tear. This means that your grinder will last for many years with minimal maintenance.

Conical burr grinders are typically used for domestic burr grinders. 

Other features to consider

Hand-held Grinders 

These are great pieces of kit, normally quite compact and perfect for small spaces and travelling with. Hand grinders don’t use any electricity and require the user to rotate the handle to grind the beans, a bit like a pepper grinder would. The advantages of a hand grinder are that they are cheaper than automatic grinders, making them great value for money and easily obtainable. If you go for a premium hand grinder, you can normally ensure that you get high quality burrs and fantastic grind consistency. The only disadvantage some may have, is that it does require time and effort to grind your beans and are not suited to grinding large quantities.

We recommend the Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Burr Coffee Grinder £32.99

Automatic Grinders

Compared to hand grinders, automatic grinders tend to be better suited to grinding larger quantities of beans, tend to be bigger and of course require less effort. The advantage is that these grinders are effortless in grinding beans quickly and effectively, all at the touch of a button in 10 to 20 seconds! Perfect if you are pushed for time! Automatic grinders are also great, because they give a much more precise and reliable grind size to suit your brew method with limitless minor adjustments, and easy to change between grind sizes if you use multiple brew methods at home. The slight downside is that they are more expensive that hand grinders, but it is for a much premium product that ensure you produce phenomenal coffee at home every time.

We recommend Melitta Calibra Burr Grinder With Integrated Scale £99.99

Espresso Grinders

Espresso grinders are essentially automatic grinders that can grind for espresso, an incredibly fine grind and fine grind adjustments required for espresso making. The burrs on espresso grinders tend to be flat plate burrs and need to be of high quality to achieve grind size consistency. As espresso requires the uttermost precision, it means that these grinders tend to be pricey.

We recommend Eureka Mignon Specialita Espresso Burr Grinder £399 

If you are looking to grind your own coffee beans, we are a speciality coffee roastery that specialises in roast to order coffee! Meaning your coffee is always as fresh as it can possibly be upon delivery to your home or business. Check out our huge selection of coffees from all over the globe here!  

If you loved our article on the Basics of Grinders, check out our Advanced Tips For Grinding article here