Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One

A blade grinder employs an e-type propeller (think blenders) to chop coffee beans. They are less expensive than burr grinders and are easy to clean but they don't produce uniform ground and can cause over-extraction and bitterness in your coffee machine and grinder.

A first-class coffee experience demands uniform distribution of the particles and this is only possible with the use of a burr grinder. This is why coffee snobs loathe them.

Inconsistent Grinds

You may have noticed your grinding results aren't consistent if you've been using a blade grinder over a long period of time. This is because the grinder has likely become dull and worn out. As the grinder gets older it will produce different sized pieces of beans. This can result in different levels of coarseness. With these various-sized coffee particles, it's difficult for your coffee maker to produce an even, consistent flavor.

A blade grinder cuts beans by rotating a blade that resembles propellers. It essentially chops the beans into smaller and smaller chunks that are then thrown through a screen and into a catcher. Although this method is effective however, it's not the best method to get the perfect grind for your brew. Burr grinders are a better alternative. A burr grinder has powerful motors that has two grinding burrs and is a larger machine. The burrs are set at an exact distance from one another and this determines the degree of coarseness of the coffee you grind.

If the burrs are close to each other, they will crush the beans, rather than cutting them. The result is a finer, less coarse ground. They may also be brittle and alter the taste of your coffee. If the burrs however, are not evenly spaced, it will result in large chunks of coarsely ground coffee. It is essential to select the coffee grinder with an adjustment that is in line with the coarseness you desire.

A sharp, properly-adjusted blade will yield an even and fine grind for your coffee. If you notice your grind is becoming more and more uneven, it's probably an ideal time to replace the blade or burrs. If you haven't done so, you should also alter the grind setting to get more even grinding.

It's also important to note that if your grinder produces ground that is clumpy this could be a sign of worn-out or damaged blades. The clumping is caused by small particles adhering to one another and larger pieces of grounds producing larger granules which do not dissolve well in water. This happens more frequently as your burrs become duller.

Uneven Extraction

No matter if you're using drip, French press, or pour-over, the size of your grounds play an important role in flavor extraction. Uneven ground sizes cause uneven extraction, resulting in an imbalanced cup of coffee.

The beans are sliced and shredded randomly as they move through the blade mill, resulting in an uneven distribution of grind particle size. A blade grinder can create an assortment of large fragments that are dust-sized, as well as everything between. Different grind sizes produce at different rates, leading to an inconsistent and often bitter cup of coffee.

Inconsistency can cause problems when tamping or filtering. With a burr grinder you can get an even particle size allowing for more even tamping and filtration that prevents over-extraction and weak brews. It is harder to achieve an equal grind using a blade grinder. You may need to tamp from side to side or use the Stockfleth Method (which requires some practice).

The high speed and heat produced by blade grinders are another issue. They can cause the ground to burn and produce a bitter flavor. Burr grinders are more cool and don't produce the same amount of heat, which preserves the flavor of the bean.

The blade grinder has one final disadvantage: it is easy to grind your beans to a fine. The grinder will produce plenty of heat and, eventually, your beans will become over-extracted. This can cause a bitter brew. To avoid this, always stop the grinder prior to turning it back on again.

The use of a blade grinder is a simple and cost-effective method of grinding your Modern coffee Grinders at home, but it's not the ideal option for those serious about their coffee-making. For the best results, you'll want to make use of a burr mill and whole beans. Consider investing in a top coffee grinder that can meet all your requirements.

If you're ready to upgrade from your blade grinder, take a look at our top picks for top burr grinders available on the market. The type of grinder you choose will affect the quality of your brewing and your cup. Consider your budget, space and preferred method of brewing before making a choice.

Grounds Burned Grounds

A blade grinder employs sharp blades to grind the beans. The blade spins at high speed, like blenders. The speed of the blade's movement generates heat, which can ignite some of the coffee grounds. These burned particles aren't ideal for brewing and can leave a bitter taste in your coffee.

For a first-class experience an even distribution of particles is required for optimal flavour extraction. This is not possible using a blade grinder, which breaks the beans into small and large pieces. A burr mill, on the contrary, produces an even distribution of particle sizes that can be reproduced over a variety of beverages.

Blade grinders have many advantages, including their low price and speedy operation. However, they also have some drawbacks for instance, the fact that they produce heat when they are in use and can produce inconsistent grind sizes and have no control over the final particle size. With a little practice there are ways to maximize results despite the inherent limitations of this kind of grinder.

When paired with a burr grinder users can easily adjust the distance between the grinding discs in order to adjust the exact size of ground of their choice. This lets them extract all desired flavours from their favourite beans each time. However, making a great drink using a blade grinder takes a lot of trial and trial and.

Angle grinders are powerful tools that should only be used by professionals. If it is used incorrectly, it can cause the dangerous condition known as grinding burn which can cause localized changes in the metallographic structure of the workpiece's surface. This can lead to cracking that, if left unchecked will eventually lead to macropitting and tooth fracture.

Grinding burn is a serious issue that can be caused by a range of factors including excessive grinding pressure, inadequate cooling, or inadequate operator training. Wear the correct safety equipment when working with an angle grinder. This includes safety glasses as well as a face shield and steel toe boots. This will prevent hot sparks from escaping the machine and hitting nearby equipment or people. These sparks are capable of reaching temperatures up to 3,600 degF, and can burn through materials like paint or even metal.

Disappointing Brew

A blade grinder can chop your beans indiscriminately and leave you with different-sized ground. The uneven ground extracts coffee at different rates, leading to the cup being bitter or weak of coffee. This ruins the balance of a good cup - the soluble compounds from your beans are slowly extracted, creating the flavor.

You've likely been told that using a burr grinder instead of a blade is the best home espresso grinder way to ensure an excellent brew. However, many people don't know how to use a burr grinder or even what it does so they opt to buy one of the cheap, uncontrollable, blade grinders that are readily available in grocery stores and kitchen-type places.

In essence, these grinders have a blade with two pronged in the middle of a chamber that spins rapidly and cuts up whatever it strikes such as coffee beans. You press a button to activate the device, and the blade chops up your beans into a bunch of different-sized pieces. The smaller pieces fall to the bottom of the chamber and are then chopped up again, whereas the larger pieces remain at the top. This makes for uneven grounds which are difficult to accurately measure - which is why you aren't certain of the amount of ground coffee you made with your grinder.

These grinders can also cause burns to your beans, ruining the coffee. The heat can also rob some of the flavor from your beans. This leaves you with a less than delicious cup of coffee bean grinder machine.

If you've been grinding your coffee with a blade mill, it's now time to upgrade to a more efficient. A burr grinder will accomplish the job for a fraction of the price and deliver a much better result. It's well worth the investment. If you want more control over your brew try a manual burr grinder such as the Rhino hand grinder. These grinders are equipped with burrs but are powered by the crank. This allows you to control the grind more than a plug-in or electrical grinder.