For coffee aficionados, grinding coffee beans is non-negotiable. It is already a part of their coffee experience and won’t go back to buying pre-ground coffee.
As a coffee lover myself, I don’t see any problems in buying pre-ground coffee, especially if you don’t have time to grind coffee beans. However, I also know why most people prefer to grind coffee beans themselves.
Grinding coffee beans allows you to have fresh coffee every time and to achieve this, you need to have the best type of coffee grinder for your coffee beans.
The best type of coffee grinder will depend on your preference but if I were to recommend the best type, I say go for a flat burr grinder. This type of coffee grinder produces consistent coffee grinds but it is noisy and can heat up pretty fast.
In this article, I will be covering the different types of coffee grinders, their pros and cons, and some of the factors you need to consider before buying one for yourself.
In this article:
- Different Types of Coffee Grinders
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- Blade Grinder
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- Burr Grinder
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- Manual Grinder
- Factors to Consider Before Buying a Coffee Grinder
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- Budget
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- Grind Consistency
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- Grinder Settings
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- Capacity
Different Types of Coffee Grinders
If you are a coffee aficionado or just starting your coffee journey, a coffee grinder will probably be the most important coffee gear you will ever have. Yes, you can buy ground coffee beans but grinding the beans is part of the coffee experience.
There are different types of coffee grinders and knowing the difference between them can help you make informed choices when buying your own machine. When looking for coffee grinders, you’ll come across three types of grinders – blade, bur, and manual.
Let’s take a look at these coffee grinders in detail.
Blade Grinder
The most common type of coffee grinder you’ll come across is a blade grinder. This type of coffee grinder uses one or two blades to chop and grind coffee beans at a high speed.
If you are just thinking of starting to grind your own coffee beans, a blade grinder is a great option. It is an electric grinder and is considered the entry point for grinding coffee beans. Blade grinders are also relatively cheaper compared to other types of coffee grinders.
If you are on a tight budget and don’t want to invest in an expensive grinder just yet, a blade grinder is a good way to start. You also won’t regret buying a blade grinder if, somehow, you find that you’d rather buy pre-ground or instant coffee.
Some people get frustrated with their blade grinder, especially if they are new to grinding coffee beans. This is because blade grinders can produce inconsistent grind sizes which can affect the quality of your final brew.
Pros
- Affordable
- A good option for those who are just starting to grind coffee beans
Cons
- Produces uneven grind sizes
- The uneven coffee grounds affect the flavor and quality of the final brew
Burr Grinder
A burr grinder is the choice of coffee lovers who are already experienced in grinding coffee beans. Unlike blade grinders, burr grinders produce even and consistent coffee grounds.
Electric burr grinders have two revolving burrs to grind coffee beans consistently and this results in a higher quality of the final brew. The flavor profile of coffee beans ground by a burr grinder is also superior compared to coffee beans ground in a blade grinder.
However, burr grinders do take more time to grind the beans. But, this preserves the aroma and flavor of the coffee beans so it can still be a win even if it is a slow process.
Burr grinders are also more expensive than blade grinders which can be a setback if you have a tight budget. However, if you are looking for quality results, a burr grinder is your best option.
Pros
- Produces consistent coffee grounds
- You’ll get high-quality coffee flavor profiles
Cons
- Expensive
- The grinding process is slower
Burr grinders have two types: flat burr grinders and conical burr grinders. So, what’s the difference between the two?
Flat vs Conical Burr Grinder
Both flat and conical burr grinders have the same purpose and that is to grind coffee beans. The difference is, a flat burr grinder grinds coffee beans more evenly because of its shape while a conical burr grinder may not be as consistent in grinding beans.
A flat burr grinder has two donut-shaped burrs that allow the coffee beans to stay between the burrs while grinding. A conical burr, on the other hand, has a cone-shaped center burr that sits inside another ridged burr.
The shape of a conical burr can sometimes make coffee beans shoot out causing inconsistency in ground sizes. However, it is not as inconsistent as blade grinders.
Flat burr grinders are also more noisy than conical burr grinders.
Manual Grinder
Manual or hand coffee grinders are for you if you don’t mind a longer grinding process and you don't mind a hands-on approach to grinding coffee beans.
Using a manual coffee grinder requires more effort as you will be physically grinding the beans yourself. Most manual coffee grinders typically have conical burr but it still lets you have more precise control over how coarse you want the coffee beans to be.
Manual grinders are also great if you like camping or traveling as these types of coffee grinders are lightweight and portable. They can also be very convenient if you need to grind coffee beans without electricity.
These types of coffee grinders also tend to be less expensive than electric grinders.
The downside to a manual coffee grinder is it requires physical effort which can be tiring if you will be grinding a lot of coffee beans. The grind settings of a manual grinder are also more limited compared to an electric burr or blade grinder.
The grinding process is also slower since you will be manually grinding the coffee beans.
Pros
- They are lightweight and portable
- You can control the coarseness of your coffee grounds
- They can be used without electricity
Cons
- Manual coffee grinders require physical effort
- The grind settings on a manual grinder can be very limited
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder can make or break your final brew and there are several factors you need to consider before buying one.
Budget
I think one of the most important things you need to consider is your budget. While coffee grinders can be a great investment, you don’t want to break the bank if you buy one.
A blade or a manual burr grinder is fine if you are just starting out as it is more affordable than an electric burr grinder. But, if you have the budget for it, getting a high-quality burr grinder will definitely give you a better coffee experience.
Related article: The Most Affordable Coffee Grinders for Home Use in 2024
Grind Consistency
When it comes to coffee grinding, you want a coffee grinder that is consistent in producing coffee grounds.
Inconsistent grind sizes can affect the quality of your final brew and can leave you wondering where you went wrong. Make sure to also look for a grinder that produces a consistent grind size that is suitable for your brewing method.
Grinder Settings
If you have different brewing devices sitting in your home, you’ll want a coffee grinder that offers different grind settings. This allows you to be more flexible when it comes to brewing coffee.
A coffee grinder with different settings allows you to brew coffee on different devices such as an espresso machine, French press, Moka pot, pour over, etc.
Capacity
If you frequently brew coffee in larger batches, having a coffee grinder that can grind more coffee beans is your best option. There are coffee grinders with larger capacities but, there are also smaller coffee grinders if don’t have the need to grind a lot of coffee beans.
Final Thoughts
There are different types of coffee grinders and choosing the best one for you will definitely depend on your preferences and other factors.
If you are just starting out in grinding coffee beans, a blade grinder can be a great entry point to coffee grinders. As you go through your coffee journey, you can buy coffee grinders that are more suited to your preferences.
