Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One
Blade grinders are equipped with blades that look like propellers (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are much cheaper than burr grinders and are easy to clean but they don't produce uniform ground and can lead to over-extraction and bitterness in your brew.
A first-class coffee experience demands uniform distribution of particles, something that is only possible with the burr grinder. It's no wonder that coffee snobs hate them.
Inconsistent Grinds
If you've been using a blade grinder for some time it is likely that your grinding results have become inconsistent. This is because the grinder has probably been worn down and dull. As the grinder ages, it will produce different-sized pieces of beans. This results in ground with different degrees of coarseness. With these different-sized coffee particles, it's difficult for your coffee maker to create a balanced, consistent flavor.
A blade grinder makes use of an e-rotating blade that resembles a propeller to break beans. It chops beans into smaller and smaller pieces, which are then dropped into a catcher via a screen. This technique is efficient however it's not the finest grind possible for your brew. Burr grinders are a better option. A burr grinder is a larger machine that has a powerful motor and two grinding burrs. The burrs are set to an exact distance from each other which determines the fineness of the coffee that you grind.
When the burrs are too close together, they will pulverize the beans instead of cutting them. The result is a finer, less coarse ground. They also tend to be soft, which can adversely impact your coffee's taste. If the burrs however, are too far apart they will result in large chunks of coffee that are coarsely ground. It's important to choose an espresso grinder with a setting that matches the coarseness you want.
A sharp, well-adjusted blade will yield an even and fine grind for your coffee. If you notice that your grind is becoming more uneven, it may be time to replace the burrs or the blade. It is also advisable to change the grind setting in case you haven't previously to help you achieve a more uniform grind.
It's also important to note that if your machine produces ground that is clumpy it is an indication of worn-out or damaged blades. 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. This will happen more often as your burrs become duller.
Uneven Extraction
No matter if you're using drip, French press, or pour-over, the size of your ground plays an crucial role in preserving flavor. Uneven sizes of the grounds can result in uneven extraction and a sloppy cup of coffee.
The beans are cut and shred indiscriminately when they go through a blade mill, which results in an uneven distribution of grind particle size. A blade grinder can produce an assortment of large fragments as well as dust-sized particles and everything between. These different grind sizes are extracted at a different rate, resulting in a cup of coffee that is often bitter and inconsistent.
The lack of uniformity also creates problems when the tamping process and filtration. With a burr mill you can get a uniform particle size, allowing for better tamping and filtering, which can prevent excessive extraction. It is harder to achieve an equal grind using a blade grinder. You may need to tap from side-to-side, or employ the Stockfleth Method (which requires some practice).
Another issue with blade grinders is their high speed and the generation of heat. They can cause the ground to burn and create a bitter taste. Burr grinders are much cooler and don't generate the same amount of heat, which preserves the flavor of the beans.
The final drawback of the blade grinder is that it's extremely easy to over-grind your beans. The grinder can generate a lot heat and eventually your grounds will be over-extracted. This will result in a bitter brew. To avoid this, you must pause your grinder before switching it back on.
Using a blade grinder is an efficient and affordable method of grinding your own coffee at home, however, it's not the best option for those serious about their coffee brewing. For the most effective results, you'll need to use a burr mill and whole beans. You should invest in your brewing experience and purchase an efficient grinder that will meet every aspect of your coffee needs!
Check out our top picks of best burr mills on market if you're looking to upgrade your blade grinder. Choosing the right type of grinder is a crucial choice that will impact your brewing and overall cup quality, so take into consideration your budget, your space and the method you prefer to use when making your choice.
Grounds burned Grounds
A blade grinder employs a sharp blade to grind the beans. The blade rotates at high speeds similar to a blender. As the blade moves at a rapid pace there is a lot of heat produced that can cause a fire to some of your grounds of coffee. The burned particles aren't suitable for the brewing process and can cause a bad taste in your coffee.
A premium coffee experience demands uniform distribution of the particles for optimal flavour extraction during the brewing process. Since blade grinders break the beans into varying size pieces, large and small it is impossible to achieve this consistency. A burr grinder however, achieves an even distribution of particles that is reproducible across a variety of different brews.
Blade grinders come with many advantages, such as their low price and speedy operation. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as the fact that they create heat when in use and produce different grind sizes and have no control over the final particle size. There are ways to improve the results using this type of grinder despite its inherent limitations.
When used with a burr mill, the user is able to easily adjust their desired ground size by adjusting the gap between the discs. This allows them to extract all of the desired flavors from their favorite beans each time. It requires a lot of practice to create a quality drink using a grinder blade.
An angle grinder is an extremely powerful tool that should be used only by trained personnel. If used improperly it could cause the dangerous condition known as grinding burn, which causes localized changes in the metallographic structure of the workpiece's surface. This could lead to cracks that, if not addressed will 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 inadequate operator training. If you are planning to use an angle grinder, be sure to wear the proper PPE such as gloves, a face shield, safety glasses, steel toe boots and long sleeves. This will stop hot sparks from escaping the machine and hitting nearby people or equipment. The sparks can reach temperatures as high as 3,600 degF, and are capable of burning through paint or metal.
Brew that isn't great.
A blade grinder cuts your beans indiscriminately and leaves you with ground that are all different sizes. These different sizes of grounds extract at different rates in your coffee maker, which can result in a bitter or weak cup of brew. The issue is that it destroys the balance that makes a great cup of coffee. The soluble compounds in the beans are extracted in time, and this creates the flavor that makes your coffee delicious.
You've likely heard that using a burr grinder instead of a blade grinder is the best way to ensure an excellent brew. Many people don't even know what a burr mill is. They buy the cheap blade grinders that are difficult to control and can find in supermarkets and places that are kitchen-like.
The grinders that are available for sale are essentially two-pronged blades that are in the middle of an enclosed chamber. coffeee grinder spins rapidly and cuts anything it comes in contact with including beans. Press a button to activate the device, and the blade chops up your beans into a plethora of different-sized pieces. The small pieces fall to the bottom of the chamber, and are again chopped, while the larger pieces remain at the top. This causes uneven ground that are difficult to accurately measure - which is why you can't be sure of how much ground coffee your grinder made.
Another issue with these grinders is that they produce a lot of heat while they grind, which can cause the beans to burn and ruin your coffee. The heat can also rob some of the flavor from your beans. The result is a an unappetizing cup of coffee.
If you have been grinding your coffee yourself using a blade mill, it's now time to upgrade to something more efficient. A burr grinder will accomplish the job at only a fraction of the cost and deliver a much better result. It's worth it. If you're looking for more control over the brew, try a manual burr grinder such as the Rhino hand grinder. These grinders have burrs, however, they are powered by cranks. This gives you more control than a plug-in electrical grinder.