Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One
Blade grinders have blades that look like propellers (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are much 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 brew.
To get the best coffee experience, you must have uniform distribution of the particles. This can only be achieved using a burr mill. This is the reason why coffee snobs hate them.
Inconsistent Grinds
If you've been using a blade grinder for some time there's a good chance that your grinding results have been inconsistent. The grinding device is likely become dull and worn. As the grinder wears down it will break up beans into various sizes. This will result in different levels of coarseness. With these different-sized coffee particles, it's hard for your coffee maker to create an even, consistent flavor.
A blade grinder makes use of an e-rotating blade that resembles a propeller to break the beans. It cuts the beans into smaller and smaller pieces which are then put into a catcher through a screen. This technique is efficient however it doesn't provide the finest grind possible for your brew. A better alternative is the burr grinder. A burr grinder is a bigger machine, with a large motor and two grinding burrs. The burrs are set at a specific distance which determines the coarseness of the ground coffee.
When the burrs are too close to each other, they will crush the beans instead of cutting them. This means that the ground that results are less coarse and more fine. They may also be brittle, which can affect the taste of your coffee. On the other hand when the burrs are spaced too spread out, they will create large chunks of coarsely-ground coffee. It is crucial to select the coffee grinder with an adjustment that is in line with the level of coarseness you want.
A sharp blade, adjusted correctly, will result in a consistent and fine grind for your coffee. If you notice that your grind is becoming increasingly uneven, it may be time to replace the burrs or the blade. You should also think about changing the grind setting if you haven't already to help you achieve an even and consistent grind.
If your grinder produces clumped up grounds this could be a sign that the blades are worn or damaged. The clumping is caused by tiny particles sticking to each other and larger pieces of grounds producing larger granules which do not dissolve well in water. As your burrs grow and less dull this is more frequent.
Uneven Extraction
Whether you're brewing drip, French press, or pour-over, the size of your grounds play an important role in flavor extraction. Uneven sizes of the grounds cause uneven extraction, leading to an unbalanced cup of coffee.
The beans are sliced and shredded in a random manner as they pass through a blade mill, which results in an unbalanced distribution of grind particle size. A blade grinder may produce a mix of large fragments as well as dust-sized particles and everything between. The different sizes of grinds extract at an uneven rate, resulting in a cup of coffee that is often bitter and inconsistent.
In addition, the lack of uniformity results in problems with tamping and filtration. With a burr grinder, you can get an evenly ground particle size allowing for more even tamping and filtering which prevents over-extraction and weak beer brews. With a blade grinder, it is more difficult to achieve an even grind and you might find yourself tamping from side to side or using the Stockfleth method (which takes some time to master).
The high speed and heat generated by blade grinders is a different issue. This could cause the ground to become burned and create a bitter taste. Burr grinders are much cooler and don't generate as much heat, which preserves the flavor of the bean.
The final drawback of grinding with a blade is that it's extremely easy to over-grind your beans. The grinder will generate a lot heat and eventually your grounds will be over-extracted. This can result in a bitter drink. To avoid this, you should always stop the grinder before turning it back on.
Blade grinders are an easy cost-effective method to grind coffee at home. However, they're not the best option for those who are serious about their coffee brewing. You should stick to whole beans and use a burr grinder to get the most effective results. Invest in a quality coffee grinder that will meet all your requirements.
If you're ready to upgrade your blade grinder, take a look at our top picks for the best burr grinders on the market. Selecting the right grinder is a major choice that will impact the brewing process and overall cup quality, therefore, you should consider your budget, your space, and your preferred method of brewing when making your decision.
Grounds burned Grounds
A blade grinder uses a sharp blade to grind the beans. The blade spins at high speeds similar to a blender. As the blade moves at a fast speed, heat is produced which may burn up the coffee grounds. The burned particles aren't suitable for the brewing process and can leave a bitter taste in your coffee.
To ensure a top-quality experience the uniform distribution of particles is necessary to ensure the best flavor extraction. This consistency is impossible with a blade grinder that is able to break the beans up into large and small pieces. A burr grinder, on the other hand ensures an even distribution of particles that can be reproduced over many brews.
While the advantages of a grinder with blades include its low cost and quick execution, its main drawbacks are that it generates heat when it is used, creates inconsistencies in grind size, and is not able to control the final particle size. There are ways to improve results using this type of grinder despite its inherent limitations.
When used with a burr mill, the user is able to easily alter their desired ground size by adjusting the gap between the discs. This allows them to extract all desired flavors from their favorite roasted beans every time. However, making a great beverage using a grinder takes a lot of trial and error.
An angle grinder is an extremely powerful tool that should be utilized only by trained professionals. When operated incorrectly, it can cause the dangerous condition known as grinding burn that causes localized changes to the metallographic structure of the workpiece's surface. This can lead to cracking that is not properly checked, could eventually cause macropitting and teeth fracture.
Grinding burn can be caused by many reasons, such as excessive grinding pressure or insufficient cooling. It could also be caused by improper operator training. If you are planning to use an angle grinder, make sure you wear the correct PPE including gloves and a face shield, safety glasses, steel-toe boots and long sleeves. This will stop any sparks of heat from flying off the tool and striking equipment or people near by. Sparks can be capable of reaching temperatures up to 3,600 degF and burn through materials like paint or metal.
Disappointing Brew
A blade grinder can chop your beans indiscriminately and leave you with different-sized ground. The ground is extracted at different rates, leading to a weak or bitter cup of coffee. The issue is that it ruins the balance that makes a great cup of coffee. Soluble compounds in your beans are extracted over time, resulting in the flavor that makes your coffee taste delicious.
It's likely that you've heard that using a burr mill instead of a blade mill is the best way for an excellent beverage. But many people don't know how to use a grinder or even what it can do and so they purchase one of the flimsy, uncontrollable blade grinders that are easily found in kitchen and grocery store places.
These cheap grinders are essentially a two-pronged blade that is at the bottom of an enclosed chamber. It spins rapidly and chops everything it comes into contact with including beans. The blade is activated by pressing the button. It then chops your coffee beans into various sized pieces. Small pieces drop to the bottom and are chopped again, while the larger pieces remain at the top of the chamber. This results in uneven grounds that are difficult to measure.
These grinders could also burn your beans which can ruin your coffee. The heat can also rob some of the flavor from your beans. This leaves you with an unappetizing cup of coffee.
If you've been grinding your coffee using a blade mill, it's time to upgrade to a more effective. A burr mill can do the job for a fraction of the cost, and will produce an even better result. It's worth the investment. Try an manual burr mill, such as the Rhino Hand Grinder if you want more control over your brew. These grinders feature burrs, however, they are powered by cranks. This allows you to control the grind more than an electrical or plug-in grinder.