Grinding coffee beans at home is a pleasant way to become more involved in the brewing process. It allows you to more precisely control your preparation, and of course, it's no secret that freshness is key to making a great cup of coffee .
What are Burr mills?
Burr coffee grinders consist of two oscillating, serrated blades. Instead of chopping or slicing the beans, they are ground together to break them into small pieces. They are a favorite of many professional baristas because these grinders allow flexibility with grind sizes and produce uniformly sized grinds.
There are two main types of Burr mills:
- Flat mills
- Conical mills
Essentially, the main difference between conical and flat mills is the shape of the rings and blades.
Flat grinders work by grinding coffee beans between two flat, toothed rings to a uniform size. The rings face each other on the toothed side and rotate in opposite directions as a grinding medium. The beans are dropped into the top of the grinder and pulverized. After this process, they fall back to the bottom of the grinder and are ready for use.
Conical mills do the same thing, but with cone-shaped burrs. You drop the beans into the top of the mill, tilting them down the cone as you crush them.
Both grinders will produce the fresh flavor desired by the most discerning coffee drinker, as they create the consistent particle sizes required. However, those with a particular taste may want to pay close attention to their choices.
Conical grinders tend to produce slightly inconsistent grind sizes, which is key to creating the conventional espresso flavor. This essentially leads to a flavor imbalance when producing espresso with a conical grinder.
With a flat grinder , the grounds end up being finer, forcing the brewer to take longer sips with their espresso. A longer sip allows for a more enjoyable flavor. For espresso lovers, the creative options are endless with this grinding method.
Flat grinders generally retain more grounds than conical grinders. This is important because it can affect the amount of grounds purchased and consumed. It can also affect the flavor of the beverage.
Which mill to use?
Professional baristas and coffee enthusiasts agree that conical burr grinders are easier to clean and retain fewer grounds than flat burr grinders. Because they grind beans at an angle, they are less likely to remain within the blade's grooves and therefore have less impact on the flavor and usability of the beans. Another theory states that the type of grinder used depends on the source and flavor notes of the bean.
Conical grinders are best suited for coffees that contain bright, individual flavors, such as those from Africa.
Flat grinders are generally a stronger option for South and Central American bean varieties. It may be important to note that the majority of coffee makers with grinders found in the coffee industry are conical grinders. Conical grinders offer greater efficiency due to their shape. They generate less heat when grinding beans and are less expensive to produce.
Using a burr coffee grinder has its advantages:
- First, the consistent grind size of your beans will ensure a flavor you can appreciate. You'll actually taste the flavor of your coffee, as it isn't over-extracted. You can't achieve the same results with other grinding methods.
- Go from stale pre-ground coffee to a freshly ground cup made to your specifications. Grinders come in a variety of features and prices, so cost won't be a factor here.
- For those looking for the best in freshly brewed coffee with a unique flavor experience, a Burr grinder might be ideal.
- There are several models with different prices, making this option available to virtually everyone.
- Their operation and methods are simple but produce a complex flavor that pre-ground coffee can't match.
- By creating uniform particles of coffee beans, the quality and flavor tend to be ideal.
At the end of the day, the most important qualities to consider for your grinder are consistency and grind waste. If you're looking to get the best espresso possible, then a conical grinder might be for you. Or if you're making brewing styles other than espresso, a flat grinder will suffice. Additionally, conical grinders are cheaper, quieter, and more efficient for baristas who make a lot of espresso . However, for those who brew with a variety of methods in the comfort of their own home, a flat grinder might be the best choice.
Regardless, both grinding styles are effective and reliable, but deciding which is best for you really depends on what you need from a grinder .