There are two main types of grinders; blade and burr.
Choose a burr grinder, not a blade grinder
(both hand and electric grinders are fine as long as they grind with burrs)
A burr grinder is the preferred tool. It has two cutting discs called ‘burrs’. These discs cut through the beans quickly and with less heat.
Since burr grinders use slower speeds with less heat, the integrity of the bean remains intact. The burrs also allow for a more precise and consistent grind, which allow for a better brew.
A blade grinder works like a blender. Blades in the canister spin quickly to chop up the coffee beans. This often creates an inconsistent grind, which is bad news for your coffee.
Cheap blade grinders also create plenty of heat and friction, which can essentially ‘burn’ your coffee during the grinding process.
Brewing for espresso?
It’s even more critical that your grinds are uniform/consistent. If you use something like a blade grinder, here’s what is like to happen:
Remember this
Grind consistency is the key to a great cup of coffee. If you have an inconsistent brew, the coffee will be extracted at different rates, creating taste variations within the same batch. The more consistent the grind, the better the coffee will taste.
