Will Blade Grinder Ever Rule The World?
Blade Grinder – Why You Shouldn't Use One Blade grinders use blades that look like a propeller (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are cheaper than burr grinders and easy to clean, but they do not produce uniform grounds and can lead to over-extraction and bitterness in your coffee. For a first-class coffee experience, you require uniform distribution of the particles. This can only be achieved using a burr mill. It's no wonder that coffee people who are snobs dislike burr grinders. Inconsistent Grinds If you've used a grinder with a blade for a long time it is likely that your grinding results have become inconsistent. This is because the machine is likely to have become dull and worn out. As the grinder wears down, it will chop up beans into various sizes. This will result in different levels of coarseness. It's difficult for your coffee brewer to extract an even, balanced flavor with these various-sized particles. A blade grinder makes use of an e-rotating blade that resembles a propeller to break beans. It basically chops the beans into smaller and smaller pieces that are then thrown through a screen into the catcher. While this method works however, it's not the best method for producing the best grind for your brew. Burr grinders are a better alternative. A burr grinder comes with an efficient motor, two grinding burrs and is a larger machine. The burrs can be placed to a certain distance which determines the quality of the coffee being ground. If the burrs are too close to each other, they will crush the beans rather than cut them. As a result, the resultant grounds are less coarse and more fine. They may also be brittle, which can affect the flavor of your coffee. On the other side, if the burrs are spaced too far apart, they will create large chunks of coarsely-ground coffee. It's crucial to choose a grinder that has a setting that matches the coarseness you desire. A sharp blade, if adjusted properly, will create a fine and consistent grind for your coffee. If you notice that your grind is becoming more uneven, it may be time to replace the blade or burrs. If you haven't yet done so, you should also change the grind setting in order to achieve an even grinding. If your grinder produces clumped-up grounds it could be a sign the blades are worn or damaged. The clumping happens due to tiny particles bonded to each other and larger pieces of grounds producing larger granules which do not dissolve well in water. This happens more frequently as your burrs get duller. Uneven Extraction The size of the coffee grounds is crucial for flavor extraction, regardless of whether you're using a French press, pour-over or drip brew. Uneven ground sizes can lead to uneven extraction and an unbalanced cup of coffee. When the beans are pushed through a blade grinder they are cut and shredded indiscriminately resulting in an uneven distribution of grind particle sizes. A blade grinder produces smaller fragments, near-dust size particles and everything in between. Different grind sizes extract at uneven rates resulting in an inconsistent and often bitter cup of coffee. In addition, the lack of uniformity results in problems with tamping and filtration. With a burr grinder you can achieve an evenly-sized particle size, allowing for more uniform tamping and filtering that prevents over-extraction and weak beer brews. It is more difficult to achieve an even grind with a blade grinder. It is possible to tamp from side to side, or use the Stockfleth Method (which requires some practice). The high speed and heat generated by blade grinders is a different problem. This could cause the ground to get burned and produce a bitter taste. Burr grinders are cooler and don't produce as much heat, which helps preserve the flavors of the bean. A final downside of the blade grinder is that it's very easy to over-grind your beans. Continuously running the grinder produces a lot of heat, and eventually causes your grounds to become excessively extracted, leading to bitter brew. To avoid this, always stop the grinder before turning it back on again. A blade grinder is a convenient and cost-effective method of grinding your own coffee at home but it's not the best option for those who are serious about their coffee-making. For the best results, you'll want to make use of a burr mill and whole beans. best espresso coffee grinder in your the brewing experience and invest in a grinder that is of high-quality and will satisfy all your coffee needs! Check out our top picks of best burr mills on the market to upgrade your blade grinder. Choosing the right type of grinder is a crucial choice that will impact the quality of your brewing and overall cup quality, so consider your budget, space, and your preferred method of brewing when deciding on the best grinder. Burned Grounds With the blade grinder is a sharp blade that rotates like a blender at high speed to break up the beans. The speed of the blade's movement generates heat, which can ignite some of the coffee grounds. These particles will ruin the flavor of your coffee and aren't ideal to brew. A top-quality coffee experience requires uniform distribution of the particles to ensure optimal flavor extraction during the brewing process. This consistency is impossible with a blade mill that breaks the beans up into large and small pieces. A burr mill, on the contrary produces an even distribution of particle sizes that can be reproduced across a variety of beverages. While the benefits of a grinder with blades include its low cost and speedy execution, its main disadvantages are that it creates heat when used, causes variations in the size of the grind and is not able to control the final particle size. With a little bit of practice there are ways to optimize results despite the inherent limitations of this type of grinder. When used in conjunction with a burr grinder the user is able to easily alter the gap between the grinding discs in order to adjust the exact ground size of their choice. This lets them extract all desired flavors from their favorite beans each time. It takes a lot of time to make a good drink using a grinder blade. An angle grinder is a powerful tool that should be used only by trained personnel. It can cause grinding burn when it is used improperly. This causes localized changes to the metallographic surface of the workpiece. This can cause cracking that is not properly checked, could lead to macropitting and teeth fracture. Grinding burn can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as excessive grinding pressure or insufficient cooling. It can be caused by inadequate instruction for the operator. If you intend to use an angle grinder, make sure to wear the proper PPE including gloves and a face shield, safety glasses, steel toe boots and long sleeves. This will prevent sparks of heat from flying off the tool and striking equipment or people nearby. These sparks are capable of reaching temperatures as high 3,600 degF and cause damage to materials such as paint or even metal. Brew that is disappointing A blade grinder will chop your beans in a random manner and result in different-sized beans. The unevenly sized grounds extract at different rates in your coffee maker, and this leads to an unpalatable or weak cup of brew. The issue with this is that it ruins the balance that makes a great cup of coffee – soluble compounds in the beans are extracted in time, and this creates the flavor that makes your coffee delicious. You've probably heard that using a burr mill instead a blade mill is the best way for the best beverage. Many people aren't aware how to use a grinder or even what it does so they opt to buy one of the flimsy, uncontrollable blade grinders that are readily available in kitchen and grocery store places. The grinders that are available for sale are essentially an angled blade with two pronged edges that sit located at the bottom of an enclosed chamber. It spins rapidly and chops anything it touches, including your beans. You press a button activate the device, and the blade chops up your beans into a plethora of differently sized pieces. Small pieces are tossed to the bottom, and are then chopped again, while the larger pieces stay towards the top of the chamber. This causes uneven ground which are difficult to measure. These grinders can also burn your beans which can ruin your coffee. The heat can also take away some of the flavor from your beans, and you're left with a mediocre cup of coffee. If you've grind your own coffee using a blade grinder, it's time to retire it and upgrade to a better. A burr mill can complete the job at a fraction of the cost, and will produce an even better result. It's worth it. If you're looking to have more control over the brew, try a manual burr grinder like the Rhino hand grinder. These grinders are equipped with burrs but they are powered by the crank. This gives you more control than an electrical or plug-in grinder.