What is a coffee grinder?

1. Basic Definition
A coffee grinder is a machine or tool specifically designed to grind coffee beans into coffee powder, and is one of the key equipment for making coffee.
Its core function is to control the thickness of coffee powder to adapt to different brewing methods (such as hand brewing, Italian concentration, French press pot, etc.).

2. Main types
Blade Grinder
Chop coffee beans with high-speed rotating blades, similar to the principle of a blender.
Advantages: Low price and simple operation.
Disadvantages: Uneven grinding can easily result in a mixture of fine powder and coarse particles, affecting the flavor of coffee.
Burr Grinder
Use two metal or ceramic grinding discs (parallel or conical) to squeeze and cut coffee beans, making the particles more uniform.
Advantages: Uniform grinding, adjustable thickness, suitable for professional or boutique coffee making.
Disadvantages: Higher price and slightly more complex maintenance.

3. Core role
Deciding coffee flavor: Grinding thickness directly affects extraction speed and taste (too fine can cause bitterness, too coarse can cause sourness).
Adapt to different brewing methods:
Ultra fine powder: suitable for Italian espresso machines.
Medium fine powder: suitable for hand brewing (Pour Over) and drip coffee (Drip).
Coarse powder: suitable for French Press and Cold Brew.

4. Key points for purchasing
Grinding uniformity: disc type>blade type.
Adjustment range: Whether it can meet the demand from extremely fine to coarse powder.
Residual powder amount: Whether the design is easy to clean and reduces coffee powder residue.
Noise and speed: It is recommended to choose low noise for household use, while high efficiency may be required for commercial use.

5. Use and maintenance
Freshly ground and used: Coffee beans lose their flavor quickly after being ground into powder. It is recommended to only grind the required amount each time.
Regular cleaning: Coffee oil can oxidize and affect flavor, so it is necessary to regularly clean the grinding disc and powder bin.
Avoid moisture: Moisture can cause coffee grounds to clump or machines to rust.