Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One
Blade grinders use blades that resemble propellers (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are less expensive than burr grinders and are easy to clean but don't yield uniform grounds and can lead to over-extraction and bitterness in your brew.
To enjoy a top-quality coffee experience, you require uniform distribution of particles. This can only be achieved by using a burr mill. It's no wonder coffee snobs hate them.
Inconsistent Grinds
If you've been using a blade grinder for a long time it is likely that your grinding results have been inconsistent. The machine is likely to become dull and worn. As the grinder ages it will produce different-sized pieces of beans. This produces grounds with varying degrees of coarseness. It's challenging for your coffee brewer to create an even, balanced flavor with these different-sized particles.
A blade grinder breaks beans by rotating a blade that resembles an engine. It chops the beans up into smaller and smaller pieces which are then put into a catcher via a screen. This method is efficient however it's not the best grind possible for your brew. A better option is the burr grinder. A burr grinder is equipped with powerful motors with two grinding burrs, and is a bigger machine. The burrs can be placed at a specific distance and will determine the quality of the coffee being ground.
If the burrs are close to each other, they will crush the beans, rather than cutting them. This means that the resultant grounds are less coarse and finer. They can also be brittle and affect the taste of your coffee. On the other however, if the burrs are spaced too separated, they could produce large chunks of coarsely ground coffee. It is essential to select a grinder that has an appropriate setting to match the level of coarseness you want.
A sharp blade, when adjusted correctly, will result in an even and consistent grind for your coffee. If you notice that your grind is becoming increasingly uneven, it may be time to replace the burrs or blade. You should also consider changing the grind setting if you haven't done so previously, as this will help you achieve a more uniform grind.
If your grinder produces clumped-up grounds, it could be an indication that the blades have worn out or damaged. The clumping happens when tiny particles bind to one another, and larger pieces of ground, producing larger granules that don't dissolve in water. This will happen more often as your burrs become duller.
Uneven Extraction
The size of your coffee grounds is vital for flavor extraction, regardless of whether you're making a French press pour-over, drip brew or pour-over. Uneven ground sizes can cause uneven extraction, resulting in an imbalanced cup of coffee.
As the beans move through a blade grinder they are cut and shred randomly, resulting in an uneven distribution of grind particle sizes. A blade grinder can produce an assortment of large pieces as well as dust-sized particles and everything else in between. The different sizes of grinds are extracted at different rates, which results in a sloppy and often bitter cup of coffee.
In addition, the lack of uniformity causes problems with tamping and filtration. With a burr grinder, you can achieve an evenly ground particle size allowing for more uniform tamping and filtering, which helps prevent over-extraction and weak brews. If blade grinder Coffeee use a blade grinder, it is more difficult to get an even grind and you may encounter tamping that is inconsistent from side to side or using the Stockfleth method (which takes some time to master).
The high speed and heat produced by blade grinders is a different issue. This can burn the grounds and create a bitter taste. Burr grinders are much cooler and don't generate the same amount of heat, which helps preserve the flavor of the bean.
A final downside of grinding with a blade is that it's easy to over-grind your beans. The grinder can generate a lot heat and, eventually, your beans will be over-extracted. This will result in a bitter drink. To avoid this, always put the grinder off before switching it back on.
A blade grinder is an efficient and cost-effective method of grinding your coffee at home, but it's not the best option for those who are serious about their coffee-making. For the best results, it is recommended to make use of a burr mill and whole beans. You should invest in your the brewing experience and invest in an efficient grinder that will deliver on every aspect of your coffee needs!
If you're ready to upgrade your blade grinder, look through our top picks for most efficient burr grinders on market. The kind of grinder you select will impact the quality of your brewing and your beverage. Consider your budget, space and preferred method of brewing prior to making a decision.
Grounds Burned Grounds
With the blade grinder is a sharp blade that spins like a blender at a rapid speed to cut the beans. The blade's rapid movement produces heat, which could burn some of the coffee grounds. These particles will ruin the taste of your coffee and are not suitable for brewing.
A first-class coffee experience demands an even distribution of particles for the best flavor extraction during the brewing process. This is not possible using a blade grinder that is able to break the beans up into large and small pieces. A burr grinder, on the other hand, achieves an even distribution of particles that can be replicated over many different brews.
While the benefits of a grinder with blades include its low price and fast execution, its main disadvantages are that it creates heat when it is used, creates variations in the size of the grind and has no control over the final particle size. There are ways to improve results with this kind of grinder despite its inherent limitations.
When a burr mill, the user is able to easily adjust their desired grind size by adjusting the distance between the discs. This lets them to extract the flavor they desire every time from their favourite roast beans. It requires a lot of practice to make a great drink using a grinder blade.
An angle grinder is a potent tool that should be used only by trained personnel. It can cause grinding burn when it is used improperly. This causes localized changes to the metal surface of the workpiece. This could lead to cracks that, if not addressed will eventually lead to macropitting and tooth fracture.
Grinding burns can be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive grinding pressure or insufficient cooling. It can also be caused by poor training for operators. If you plan on using an angle grinder, be sure to wear the proper PPE such as gloves and a face shield, safety glasses, steel toe boots and long sleeves. This will prevent hot sparks from flying off the wheel and striking nearby people or equipment. These sparks can be as hot as 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit and can be able to burn through paint or even metal.
Brew that is not what you expected.
A blade grinder cuts your beans indiscriminately and leaves you with ground which are of different sizes. The ground is extracted at different rates, resulting in the cup being bitter or weak of coffee. The issue is that it can ruin the balance that makes for a great cup of coffee. The soluble compounds in your beans are removed over time, which creates the flavor that makes your coffee scrumptious.
It's likely that you've heard that using the burr mill rather than blade mills is the best way to make an excellent beverage. But many people don't know how to use a burr mill or even what it does and so they purchase one of the cheap, uncontrollable blade grinders that are easy to find in supermarkets and other kitchen-type places.
The grinders that are available for sale are essentially a two-pronged blade that is located at the bottom of an enclosed chamber. It spins fast and chops anything it touches, including your beans. You press a button start the grinder and the blade chops up your beans into a variety of differently sized pieces. Small pieces drop to the bottom and are chopped again, while the large pieces remain towards the top of the chamber. This causes uneven ground which are difficult to accurately measure - which is the reason you can't be certain of the amount of ground coffee your grinder produced.
Another issue with these grinders is that they produce lots of heat when they grind, which could burn your beans and ruin the coffee you drink. The heat can also remove 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 mill can complete the job for a fraction the price, and produce an even better result. It's worth it. If you're looking for more control over your brew try a manual burr grinder like the Rhino hand grinder. These grinders feature burrs but are powered by turning an engine, which gives more control than an electric or plug-in grinder.