What to Look for in a Coffee Grinder

Having a coffee grinder is a terrific way to have fresh, flavorful coffee each day. However, before you buy a coffee grinder there are some things you should consider to be sure that you are getting the perfect one for your own personal needs. Here's what to look for in a coffee grinder so you can be sure that you are getting a great deal on a product that will do everything you want it to.

Burr Grinder or Blade Grinder?

There are two basic styles of coffee grinders - burr and blade grinders. Just as their names imply, blade grinders grind the coffee with a set of blades, while burr grinders crush the beans between two burrs. Burr grinders are also sometimes referred to as coffee mills.

Blade grinder are generally cheaper than burr grinders. While price is a plus, there are some downsides to blade grinders that you should know about.

First, they can grind the beans unevenly so you have some pieces that are larger than others. This can lead to inconsistent coffee.

Second, blade grinders have to grind longer than burr grinders which means that the blades heat up. The heat from the blades can leave your fresh ground coffee tasting burnt.

Finally, blade grinders create a lot of dust which can clog filters during brewing and can also increase the bitterness of your coffee. The main reason to choose a blade grinder over a burr grinder is price.

Burr grinders are more expensive than blade grinders, but they are also usually higher quality and give a better grind. They reduce dust which means there is less likelihood of clogged filters and your coffee won't taste as bitter.

Since the burrs work quickly and don't heat up as much as blades, there is also less chance of having your coffee take on a burnt flavor. Finally, burr grinders tend to give a very even grind which means that your coffee will be consistent from one pot to the next.

Price

If price is a concern you'll probably want to opt for an inexpensive blade grinder since they tend to run lower in price than burr grinders. Just because you have to shop on a budget doesn't necessarily mean that you have to miss out on features, though. Shop around through the cheaper models and look for the one that gives you the most features for your money and still fits within your budget.

Coarseness Control

How coarsely you grind the beans can affect the flavor of your coffee. It can be fun to experiment with grinding beans to different coarsenesses and trying to discover the ideal grind size to make the perfect cup of coffee. Having the option to control the grind coarseness is a nice feature in a coffee grinder and might be something that you want to look for.

With inexpensive grinders you can often control the coarseness of the grind just by check it periodically and stopping grinding when it is the size you want.

Other nicer grinders, though, offer coarseness settings which allow you to precisely control the size of the grind. Some grinders offer just a few coarseness level while others offer a wide range of coarseness's that you can pick from. Decide how important the ability to control your grind is before choosing your coffee grinder and it will help you narrow down your choices.

How Powerful is it?

Cheaper grinders tend to have less power than more expensive models which means that they can overheat or burn out sooner. In some cases it may be worthwhile to invest in a slightly more expensive grinder if it offers more power since it may last longer. Check the number of watts and choose the highest wattage in your price range.