Cambridge Education

How to Choose the Best Espresso Grinders

A grinder that has a hopper lets you grind and dispense an air filter in one go. This is a great option for those who are new to the field. However, we have found that measuring the dose before grinding improves consistency.

Choose a grinder with flat burrs that can create an ultra-fine grind. These grinders might be a bit more expensive however they deliver amazing results in the cup.

Ease of Use

The espresso smart grinder pro is an essential component in the process of making a high-quality espresso. Many espresso enthusiasts make the mistake of spending less on a cheap grinder in deference to the cost of a high-end coffee maker, but serious espresso lovers recognize that the quality of the grind is what differentiates good from great espresso. It is important to choose an espresso machine that has a precise grind adjustment, and is able to consistently dispense. It must also be constructed of high-quality materials.

A burr grinder makes an even and fine grind, which is ideal for espresso. In contrast, blade grinders break beans into a more coarse consistency that can leave uneven flavors and textures in the cup. Also, the blades create heat while they chop the coffee, which could disrupt or alter the flavor of the coffee.

In our tests, we found that the best espresso grinders are easy to use and offer precise control over the size of the grounds. Find grinders that are simple to clean and have a small amount of retained ground coffee (to keep it from clumping), and can create a smooth, consistent grind without overheating the burrs.

Grind-by-weight grinders are also a favorite among espresso lovers since they allow you to set the desired weight in grams and dispense exactly that amount into your portafilter. They may not retain enough ground coffee to perform well when tested with one dose. The Baratza Sette 270 was the only grinder we tested that was able to deliver consistent shots when using this method.

Although these grinders are inexpensive and readily available, they aren't the most ideal choice as a home espresso maker due to their small size. They can cause the hopper to fill quickly. These grinders are also prone to overheating, and their quality may decrease over time. A good alternative to a blade grinder is the MiiCoffee DF64 II, which has flat burrs, and is a great value for a top-quality grinder made specifically for espresso. If you're an avid coffee lover you can also buy the more advanced SSP burrs for this model to get an even finer grind. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is also quieter than its competitors and is the ideal choice for those who want to keep noise levels down.

Grind Size Adjustment

A fine grind size in espresso making is essential to the extraction. It's an intricate balance of many elements- including pressure, Elegant coffee Grinders and temperature - which is why it requires precise control. It is essential to have a grinder capable of producing a fine grind and being able to adjust it quickly.

Most espresso machines, both commercial and home, machines can alter the size of the grind. These features are great to adjust the grind size to match the specific batch of coffee beans. They can also aid in maintaining an even grind over time. Some grinders are more difficult to maintain a finer grind than others. Others are unable to alter the grind settings.

If you're looking for an espresso grinder that is able to offer a fine grinding choose models that specifically state it can micro-adjust its grinding size or that utilizes flat burrs instead. These are less likely to lose their calibration over time as is a common issue for espresso grinders. It is often caused by motor vibrations, heat and normal wear-and-tear.

To adjust the grind size on an espresso machine you'll need access to the adjustment ring. This is typically located on the side or the top of the grinder, or in certain models, it's built into the hopper itself. To increase the grind size simply turn the ring clockwise. To reduce the size of the grind you can turn it counter-clockwise.

Once you've found the perfect grind size, ensure that any retained ground coffee is removed from the adjustment system prior to returning to it. This will avoid clogging and allow you to adjust the grind size accurately.

This is especially important with grinders that utilize step-based adjustment that are typically seen on Gaggia and Saeco grinders. If the adjustment ring is full of partially-ground coffee and the grinder is unable to handle it, it will require more force to rotate the ring back to a new setting, which could lead to inaccurate results or even damage the mechanism for grinding. It is important to keep in mind that the size of the grind could need to change from one batch to the next, based on how the beans are roasted and prepared.

Control of Flow

Flow control is when the grinder can adjust finely to ensure that espresso shots flow quickly and smoothly. Even the smallest adjustments can affect the quality of your coffee because there is a lot of pressure being applied to the puck. It's therefore important to choose the right grinder that can produce an extremely fine consistency.

There are two primary types of espresso grinders: those that use the step-style adjustment and those that employ an adjustable style that is stepless. Grinders with a stepped-adjustment feature have a lever, or hopper-shaped knob, that is moved in a series of steps. You'll hear a click every turn of the knob and each click will represent the finer or coarser grind setting. This type of grinder has been favored by beginners and baristas who work at home due to its simplicity of use and learning.

Grinder enthusiasts prefer those with an adjustable step because they are simpler and more precise to use. One way to test a grinder's flow control is by putting some water in the portafilter and observing the water flow through the grounds. The top grinders will not just be able to create a finely ground consistency, but they'll also ensure a steady flow of water throughout the entire shot.

Another aspect to consider when choosing a grinder for espresso is whether you want a dosing or non electric coffee grinder-dosing model. Dosing models have a sectioned container which the ground coffee is directed into when you press the button. Some models can hold 6 to 7 grams of ground coffee while others can be adjusted to give more or less than this amount. Dosing grinders, on other hand, dispense the grounds directly into a portafilter or another container.

Some grinders such as the Baratza Sette 270 have a V-shaped fork that you can put the portafilter inside to collect the ground. This feature is great because it cuts down on time and makes cleanup easy. It's important to keep in mind that no grinder will distribute the coffee evenly, so you'll need to rotate the portafilter or flip it while dosing.

Safety

Espresso grinders, as with all commercial appliance, need an additional level of certification than consumer models. You should look for a grinder that bears either an ETL or NSF mark, both of which signify that the product has been assessed by the appropriate authorities to ensure its safety in commercial applications. Some grinders have the third label of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) however this is not as common and is less important.

In addition to safety, you'll want a grinder that is simple to clean and maintain. It is recommended to consider a ground chamber to make it easier to move the coffee into your machine for brewing. This is a standard feature found on many manual espresso grinders, and we especially enjoyed the design of the grounds chamber on the Baratza Encore ESP. It features the small divot which allows you to nestle the lip of a portafilter container inside and capture the coffee without spilling. Other grinders, like the Baratza Sette 270 or Rancilio Stile had built-in v-shaped forks which were used for the same purpose, but were not as convenient and didn't fit our test portafilters.

The shape and material of the burrs are also crucial. You can choose between ceramic coffee grinder or stainless steel coffee grinder electric steel, both of which are sought-after in the world of coffee for their consistent and balanced results. You can choose between flat or conical burrs. Conical burrs tend to create less heat fluctuations, but it's all personal preference.

Once you've found the perfect grinder, make sure to keep it running smoothly by doing a few maintenance tasks. After every use, clean the burrs using a cloth that is lint-free or paper towel. This will eliminate any coffee residue or coffee particles that have been left behind by the grinding process. It is also a good idea to perform a thorough clean every now and then. This is done by disassembling the grinder and using a cleaning solution or water and vinegar to soak the removed parts before thoroughly rinsing them and drying them completely prior to rebuilding.

It is also possible to add a thin layer of oil to the burrs or grinding chamber using a food-grade grease. This will prevent rust, corrosion and ensure that the burrs are aligned.