How to choose an electric coffee grinder

After years of testing, we find that there are 3 main pillars to getting a great cup of coffee. Water, a coffee grinder and good quality beans. We have described the effect of water on coffee, now we will focus on another aspect. How to choose an electric coffee grinder? This choice is crucial and may be the only barrier that results in having just... coffee instead of great fruity and aromatic coffee. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing your future grinder.

Bean mill vs. blade mill

The first decision to make is to choose a filament mill instead of a disc mill. Blade mills grind at one particular point in the volume of the mill which means that we have no control over the final degree of grinding. As a result, the resulting grind will be very non-uniform. We will get a lot of micro coffee particles as well as a lot of sizable chunks - larger than sea salt or sugar. How evenly ground coffee is brewed directly affects what flavor you get in your cup. Small grinds during brewing will give up the compounds they contain more quickly than larger pieces. For this reason, the coffee will have a very strange taste. On the one hand, very bitter (small particles) and on the other hand un-brewed and watery (large pieces).

Grinding settings

The ability to adjust the grind size is essential. It allows us to brew coffee in many ways. We can grind the coffee very finely for a pressurized flask coffee maker, or set the grind to medium, obtaining the ideal coffee for a dripper or aeropress. Control over the grind size ensures us the repeatability of the resulting brew and the fact that the coffee is tailored to specific brewing methods. So look for a grinder with a large adjustment range. The smaller the adjustment range, the cheaper the grinder will probably be.

Workmanship

The durability of the purchased product should be a priority for us. The quality of workmanship is often reflected through the price. It tells a lot about the materials used and, above all, about the quality and type of filaments used, which will work hard every day for our favorite drink.

Ease of cleaning

Regular cleaning of the grinder is an essential step to maintain the reproducibility of coffee flavor. Which cycle are we talking about? At home, at least once a week we should open the chamber with the grinds and vacuum it of sediment and dust that is sure to linger there after daily use. So look for a grinder with removable parts for easy cleaning. Most mills require manual cleaning, so it's a good idea to also get a small brush to clean the grinds.

Price range

We know that in most cases this is the element that tips the scales of the final decision. While it's tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing a little more in a quality grinder can significantly improve the quality of your coffee. Everywhere we go, we always argue that it's better to choose a more expensive grinder and a cheaper coffee maker than the other way around. If we do this, then when we possibly replace the coffee maker with a more expensive model in the future, we will already have a well-chosen, high-quality grinder that will make the coffee brewing process much easier.

Choosing a coffee grinder is an important decision for any coffee drinker. It can significantly affect the quality of your daily brew. By considering the factors above, you can make an informed choice that suits your needs. A quality coffee grinder can be an invaluable friend to your daily coffee ceremony, ensuring that each brewed cup is an unforgettable experience.