Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" About Blade Grinder
Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One
Blade grinders use a blade that looks like propellers (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are less expensive than burr mills and are easy to clean, however they don't provide a uniform grind and can cause bitterness and excessive extraction in your coffee.
A first-class coffee experience demands uniform distribution of particles, something that can only be achieved by using a burr grinder. It's not surprising that coffee experts hate burr grinders.
Inconsistent Grinds
You might have noticed that the results of your grinding aren't always consistent when you've used a blade grinder for a long time. This is because the grinding device has probably been worn down and dull. As the grinder gets older, it will produce different-sized pieces of beans. This results in ground with varying levels of coarseness. With these various-sized coffee particles, it's difficult for your coffee maker to create the right balance and consistency in flavor.
A blade grinder cuts beans using a rotating blade that resembles an engine. It cuts the beans into smaller and smaller pieces which are then tossed into a catcher through a screen. While this method is effective however, it's not the best method for making the most perfect grind for your drink. An alternative is the burr grinder. A burr grinder is a much larger machine that has a powerful motor and two grinding burrs. The burrs are set at a specific distance and will determine the coarseness of the ground coffee.
When the burrs are too close together, they will pulverize the beans instead of cutting them. This results in a finer, less coarse ground. They may also be brittle, which can affect the flavor of your coffee. If mini electric coffee grinder on the other hand are too dispersed they will result in large chunks of coffee that are coarsely ground. It is crucial to select a coffee grinder that has an adjustment that is in line with the coarseness you desire.
A sharp, well-adjusted blade will produce a consistent and fine grind for your coffee. If you notice your grind becoming increasingly more uneven, it's probably best to replace the blade or burrs. You should also consider changing the grind setting if you haven't done so previously, as this will aid in achieving an even grind.
If your grinder produces clumped up grounds, it could be a sign the blades are worn out or damaged. The clumping occurs when small particles adhere to one another and larger pieces of ground are formed, making larger granules that won't dissolve in water. As your burrs become more and dull, this will occur more often.
Uneven Extraction
No matter if you're using drip, French press, or pour-over the size of your grounds play an important role in flavor extraction. Uneven sizes of the grounds can result in uneven extraction and an unbalanced cup of coffee.
When the beans are pushed through a grinder blade, they are sliced and shredded randomly, leading to an uneven distribution of the grind particle sizes. A blade grinder creates smaller fragments, small particles, and everything between. Different grind sizes are extracted at different rates, resulting in an inconsistent and often bitter cup of coffee.
Uneven distribution can result in problems with tamping and filtering. With a burr mill you can achieve an even particle size, allowing better tamping and filtering, which helps to prevent over-extraction. It is more difficult to achieve an even grind with a blade grinder. You may need to stamp from side to side, or employ the Stockfleth Method (which requires some practice).
The high speed and heat generated by blade grinders are another problem. This could cause the ground to become burned and create a bitter taste. Burr grinders create less heat and are cooler, which preserves the flavor of the beans.
A final downside of a blade grinder is that it's very easy to over-grind your beans. Continuously running the grinder generates a lot of heat, and eventually causes your grounds to become excessively extracted, leading to bitter brew. To avoid this, you should always pause the grinder before turning it back on again.
Blade grinders are an easy cost-effective method to grind coffee at home. However they're not the best choice for those who are serious about their coffee brewing. You'll want to stick with whole beans and use a burr grinder for the best results. Consider investing in a top coffee grinder that will meet all your needs.
If you're looking to upgrade your blade grinder, check out our top picks for best burr grinders on the market. Selecting the right grinder is an important choice that will impact the quality of your brewing and overall cup quality, therefore, you should consider your budget, your space, and your preferred method of brewing when making your choice.
Burned Grounds
A blade grinder uses a sharp blade to crush the beans. The blade rotates at high speeds similar to blenders. As the blade moves at a quick pace it produces heat that can cause a fire to some of your grounds of coffee. The burned particles aren't suitable for brewing and will create an unpleasant taste in your cup of coffee.
A first-class coffee experience demands uniform distribution of the particles to ensure optimal flavor extraction during the brewing process. Because the blade grinder breaks the beans into unevenly sized pieces, small and large, it's impossible to get this level of consistency. A burr grinder on the other hand, achieves an even distribution of particles that is reproducible over many brews.
Blade grinders have many advantages, including their low price and quick operation. However, they have some drawbacks, such as the fact that they generate heat when they are in use, produce inconsistent grind sizes and have no control over the final particle size. With a little practice, however, there are ways to improve results despite the inherent limitations of this kind of grinder.
When using a burr mill, the user is able to easily alter their desired ground size by adjusting the distance between the discs. This allows them to extract all of the desired flavours from their favourite roast beans every time. However, making a good drink using a blade grinder is a process that requires a lot trial and trial and.
An angle grinder is a potent tool that should be utilized only by qualified personnel. It can cause grinding burn if employed incorrectly. This can cause localized changes to the surface of the metallographic material. This could lead to cracks that, if left unchecked could eventually lead to macropitting and tooth fracture.
Grinding burn is a serious problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive grinding pressure, inadequate cooling or improper operator training. If you intend to use an angle grinder, be sure you wear the correct PPE including gloves with a face shield safety glasses, steel toe boots and long sleeves. This will stop any hot sparks from flying off the wheel and hitting equipment or people close by. Sparks can reach temperatures as high as 3,600 degF, and can be able to burn through paint or metal.
Brew that is not what you expected.
Blade grinders chop your beans indiscriminately and leaves you with ground that are all different sizes. The unevenly sized grounds release at different rates in your coffee maker which can result in the cup being weak or bitter of brew. This ruins the balance of a fantastic cup. The soluble compounds from your beans are slowly extracted and create the flavor.
You've likely been told that using a burr grinder instead of a blade grinder is the best way to ensure an excellent drink. But many people don't know how to use a grinder or even what it can do and so they purchase one of the cheap, uncontrollable blade grinders easily found in supermarkets and other kitchen-type places.
These cheap grinders are essentially a two-pronged blade that is at the bottom of an enclosed chamber. It spins rapidly and cuts anything it comes in contact with, including your beans. You press a button to start the grinder and the blade chops up your beans into a plethora of different sized pieces. The small bits fall to the bottom and are then chopped again, while the large 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 of your beans. This can leave you with a an unappetizing cup of coffee.
If you've been grinding your own coffee using a blade grinder It's time to put it down it and upgrade to a more powerful. A burr mill will do the job for a fraction the cost, and will produce an even better result. It's well worth the investment. Try an manual burr mill, such as the Rhino Hand Grinder if you want to have more control over your beverage. These grinders are equipped with burrs, but are powered by the crank, which gives more control than an electric or plug-in grinder.