Coffee Grinders Blade Vs Burr

For coffee connoisseurs that drink only the finest brews, every step in the process is important, from choosing only the finest beans, to the roasting process and even the proper grinder used to grind the beans. Surprisingly, the grinding process can have a significant effect on the quality of the final cup of coffee. In general, the finer the grounds the stronger the brew. It is also important to have the correct type of coffee grounds for specific coffee makers.

Blade Coffee Grinders

Many of the less expensive grinders are blade grinders (sometimes called chopping grinders). These devices consist of blades, spinning at high speed, which chop the beans into finer and finer bits. The grinding is not uniform, and usually the final product ranges from medium sized particles to fine dust. This can cause problems as the fine dust can clog most standard paper filters. Another problem with blade grinders is that the blades can become very hot when they spin and can cause the beans to take on a slightly bitter "burnt" flavor. One side benefit of blade grinders though is that they can also be used to grind nuts and other food items.

Burr Coffee Grinders

Although the majority of homes have a blade grinder, burr coffee grinders are preferred by connoisseurs. Burr grinders do not use blades, but revolving grinders that rotate at a much slower speed than the blade on a blade coffee grinder, thus avoiding heat buildup. It is also possible to control the grind of the coffee from course to fine with a Burr grinder, so the coffee can better match the type of coffee maker.

Other Methods of Grinding Coffee Beans

Blade and Burr grinders are by far the most popular methods of grinding coffee, but there are other methods. For example, Turkish coffee, a thick and strong, specialty coffee is made by brewing water and extremely fine coffee powder together. The ground coffee isn't filtered, but served in the cup with the brew (usually the coffee is allowed to sit for a bit so the grounds can settle to the bottom). Normal coffee grinders can't grind coffee this fine, so the coffee is ground by using a mortar and pestle to get the extremely fine powder that is necessary.