Blade Grinder - Why You Shouldn't Use One
Blade grinders are equipped with blades that resemble propellers (think blenders). They are used to chop coffee beans. They are much cheaper than burr grinders and easy to clean but they don't yield uniform grounds and can lead to over-extraction and bitterness in your coffee.
A top-quality coffee experience requires uniform distribution of the particles which is only possible with the use of a burr grinder. This is the reason why coffee snobs hate them.
Inconsistent Grinds
If you've been using a blade grinder for some time there's a good chance that your grinding results have changed. This is because the grinder has probably been worn down and dull. As the grinder wears out it will break up beans into different-sized pieces. This will produce grounds with varying degrees of coarseness. With the different sizes of coffee particles, it's hard for your coffee maker to create a balanced, consistent flavor.
A blade grinder uses the same propeller-like blade to break the beans. It is basically a way of cutting beans into smaller and smaller pieces, which are then dropped through a screen and into the catcher. This method is effective however it doesn't provide the most efficient grind for your drink. An alternative is the burr grinder. A burr grinder is equipped with a powerful motor with two grinding burrs, and is a larger machine. The burrs are placed at a specific distance from each other, which determines the coarseness of the coffee you grind.
If the burrs are too close, they will crush rather than cut the beans. This results in a finer more refined, less coarse ground. They also tend to be brittle, which can negatively impact the taste of your coffee. On the other however, if the burrs are placed too separated, they could produce large chunks of coarsely ground coffee. It's crucial to choose a coffee grinder that has an adjustment that is in line with the degree of coarseness you prefer.
A sharp blade, when adjusted properly, will produce an even and consistent grind for your coffee. If you notice that your grind is becoming more uneven, it's probably best to replace the blade or burrs. You should also think about changing the grind setting if you haven't done so before in order to allow you to achieve a more uniform grind.
If your grinder produces clumped-up grounds, it could be a sign that the blades are worn or damaged. The clumping happens because tiny particles bind to each other and larger pieces of ground, creating larger granules which don't dissolve in water. This happens more frequently as your burrs become duller.
Uneven Extraction
If you're brewing drip, French press, or pour-over the size of your grounds plays an crucial role in preserving flavor. Uneven sizes of the grounds cause uneven extraction, resulting in an unbalanced cup of coffee.
The beans are cut into pieces and shred indiscriminately as they move through a blade mill, which results in an uneven distribution of the size of the grind particles. A blade grinder produces an assortment of larger fragments, small particles, and everything in between. These different grind sizes are extracted at different rates, leading to an inconsistent and often bitter cup of coffee.
In addition, the lack of uniformity causes problems with tamping and filtration. With a burr mill, you can achieve a uniform particle size, which allows for better tamping and filtering, which prevents over-extraction. It is more difficult to achieve an even grind using a blade. You may have to tamp from side to side, or use the Stockfleth Method (which requires some practice).
The high speed and heat generated by blade grinders is a different problem. This could cause the ground to become burned and produce an bitter flavor. Burr grinders are more cool and don't produce the same amount of heat, which preserves the flavor of the bean.
The final drawback of the blade grinder is that it's very easy to over-grind your beans. Continuously running the grinder produces heat and will eventually cause your beans to be excessively extracted, which can result in bitter brew. To avoid this, you should always stop the grinder prior to turning it back on.
The use of a blade grinder is a simple and inexpensive way to grind your own coffee at home but it's not the ideal option for those serious about their coffee-making. You should stick to whole beans and use a burr grinder to get the most effective results. Make sure you purchase a high-quality coffee grinder that will meet all your needs.
If you're looking to upgrade your blade grinder, look through our top choices for the top burr grinders available on the market. Choosing the right type of grinder is a major decision that will affect the brewing process and overall cup quality, so consider your budget, your space and your preferred method of brewing when making your choice.
Burned Grounds
A blade grinder uses a sharp blade to crush the beans. The blade spins at high speed similar to blenders. The blade's speedy movement creates heat, which could burn some of the coffee grounds. These burned particles aren't ideal for brewing and will create an unpleasant taste in your coffee.
For a first-class experience, a uniform distribution of particles is required to ensure the best flavor extraction. This consistency is impossible with a blade mill that is able to break the beans into large and small pieces. A burr grinder however, achieves an even distribution of particles that can be reproduced over a wide range of types of brews.
Blade grinders come with many advantages, such as their low price and quick operation. However, they also have a few disadvantages for instance, the fact that they generate heat when in use and can produce inconsistent grind sizes and are not able to control the final particle size. There are ways to improve results using this type of grinder, despite its inherent limitations.
When used with espresso grinders , the user can easily adjust their desired grind size by adjusting the distance between the discs. This lets them extract all of the desired flavors from their favorite roasted beans every time. However, making a great beverage using a grinder takes a lot of trial and error.
Angle grinders are a powerful tool that should only be employed by professionals. It can cause grinding burn when employed incorrectly. This causes localized changes to the metal surface of the workpiece. This could cause cracks and, if not checked, could eventually cause teeth fracture and macropitting.
Grinding burns can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as excessive grinding pressure or inadequate cooling. It can also be caused by improper instruction for the operator. Wear the appropriate PPE when working with an angle grinder. This includes safety glasses, a face shield and steel toe boots. This will prevent hot sparks from flying off the machine and hitting nearby people or equipment. These sparks are capable of reaching temperatures as high 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, and they can burn through materials like paint or even metal.
Brew that is not what you expected.
A blade grinder will chop your beans up indiscriminately and leave you with different-sized ground. This uneven ground extracts at different rates, resulting in a weak or bitter cup of coffee. This ruins the balance of a good cup. The soluble compounds from the beans are extracted slowly and create the flavor.
It's likely that you've heard that using a burr mill instead of a blade mill is the best method to make the best brew. However, many people don't know how to use a burr mill or even what it does and so they purchase one of the inexpensive, inflexible blade grinders readily available in grocery stores and kitchen-type places.
These grinders are basically two-pronged blades that are at the bottom of an enclosed chamber. It spins fast and cuts anything it comes in contact with including your beans. The blade is activated by pressing a button. It then chops your coffee beans into different sizes. The small pieces are pushed to the bottom of the chamber and are again chopped, while the larger pieces remain at the top. This makes for uneven grounds that are difficult to measure accurately - which is the reason you can't be certain of the amount of ground coffee your grinder made.
Another problem with these grinders is that they produce plenty of heat as they grind, which could burn your beans and ruin your coffee. The heat can also rob some of the flavor from your beans. This can leave you with a a less than delicious cup of coffee.
If you've grind your coffee by yourself using a blade mill it's time to upgrade to a more efficient. A burr mill can complete the job at a fraction of the price, and produce an even better result. It's worth it. Try using a manual burr mill such as the Rhino Hand Grinder if you want to have greater control over the brew. These grinders have burrs, however, they are powered by the crank. This allows you to control the grind more than a plug-in or electrical grinder.