Tuesday, December 29, 2020

The coffee grinders you need at home: you will create coffees like a pro

 The coffee grinders you need at home: you will create coffees like a pro

If you want to surprise your family and friends by preparing coffees like a professional barista, you need a coffee grinder at home

Countries like Ethiopia, Brazil or Colombia grow some of the best coffee in the world . In fact, we are used to seeing commercial images with perfectly roasted whole grains from those places and belonging to the Arabica or Robusta varieties . However, if we buy them ground, their flavor and aroma properties are quickly lost. The solution? Get our own coffee grinder , buy whole beans from the origin we prefer and get a good coffee maker. Every day we will feel like a real barista.

- The coffee grinders you need at home: you will create coffees like a pro and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

This electric coffee grinder from KYG is a good example. It offers 300 W of power, has a 100 gram capacity hopper and stands out for its child safety system and against cuts and entrapments . For this reason, and taking into account the satisfaction of its users, we have chosen it as the best coffee grinder in this comparison. Of course, those who prefer a traditional alternative will find a better option in this Hario manual coffee grinder . It works with a crank, has a ceramic and conical milling system and has an ideal tank to preserve and transport the ground grain.

The best, our choice: KYG electric coffee, seed and nut grinder

With 4.4 out of 5 and 64% 5-star ratings , this is the best KYG brand coffee grinder according to Amazon user reviews. "It is a very powerful and useful multipurpose grinder to grind, in addition to coffee, seeds, nuts ... Highly recommended!" Susana tells us about him. For his part, Germán focuses on the fact that “I like to buy coffee beans and grind it myself every morning. By applying its maximum power to the blades, it is ready in less than half a minute and its flavor and aroma remain intact ”.

This coffee grinder offers a great grinding capacity thanks to its 300 W of power , its 100 gram capacity hopper and its ultra-sharp stainless steel blades . It has a safety mechanism that prevents cuts and entrapments and its structure has been made of 100% BPA-free food plastic . In addition, it is multifunctional and is intended for dry / wet use.

Second option: Compact coffee grinder with Aigostar stainless steel blades

Now we go with the one that, according to the evaluations of Amazon customers, is the best coffee grinder of the Aigostar brand. Its 4.4 out of 5 and its 65% 5-star reviews prove it. According to Jordi, "it is easy to use and clean and does not modify the flavor of the grain one bit. Likewise, Lorena adds to this that "I had decided to complement my espresso machine with a coffee grinder" and that "I chose this one and, honestly, it makes a fine grind ideal for making espressos."

This coffee grinder with dispenser for home and anti-wear plates is very resistant, durable and efficient. It has a 150 W power motor and a 60 gram capacity hopper. You can grind enough to make two coffees in just 15-20 seconds . Like the previous one, it has been manufactured in plastic for food use without BPA and its blades are made of stainless steel . A very versatile electric coffee sander.

Alternative: Hario transparent manual coffee grinder

The best coffee grinder from the Hario brand based on Amazon user ratings, which give it a 4.3 out of 5 and 61% maximum ratings . Jesus says about him that “it is a totally manual artisan coffee mill. Like those of a lifetime ”. Likewise, Lorenzo adds that “he grinds the coffee perfectly and in a short time. It requires much less effort than the old coffee grinders ”.

This manual grinding coffee grinder has a 50 gram capacity hopper . In addition, it equips a set of ceramic strawberries with a conical shape to crush the grains and a simple and traditional crank system . The container for the ground coffee is transparent and allows to preserve and transport it comfortably.




How to choose a good coffee grinder?

Before launching into an offer on coffee grinders, it is necessary to consider all these purchasing aspects to make sure we get it right:

  • 1. Material : the tank and the entire structure can be made of wood or plastic. It is also possible to find an iron coffee grinder, but it is less common since it is an oxidizable metal. On the other hand, you have to consider the material of the sharp blades. The best coffee grinders are equipped with stainless steel and have ceramic structures that prevent the heat generated by the motor from reaching the beans.
  • 2. With or without dispenser : this will mark that we can choose the thickness of the grind. For example, espresso coffee should be very fine.
  • 3. Grinding system : it can be of two types:
  • Strawberry : it is the same as any coffee grinder with conical grinding wheels. They grind the grain very efficiently but are not able to give it a very fine grind. It is the most common in bar coffee grinders.
  • Blade : the most modern. Get a high quality grind on all types of grains. In addition, many of the devices that equip it can also be used as a multi-purpose grinder, that is, as a spice and seed mill, as a food mill, etc.
  • 4. Ease of cleaning : the best coffee grinders are removable and have some dishwasher safe elements.
  • 5. Capacity : it will depend on the amount of coffee that we need to grind in each use. A grinding tool should allow us to obtain at least 50-100 grams of ground coffee each time.
  • 6. Noise level : the quieter the better. A low-noise grinder will not disturb those around us if, for example, we use it in the morning to prepare breakfast and they are sleeping.
  • 7. Manual or electric ? It depends. A crank grinder is less efficient than an automatic one, but it preserves the qualities of the coffee better during the grinding process.
  • 8. Accessories : At a minimum, the coffee grinder should include a cleaning brush and, if manual, non-slip feet to keep it firmly on the surface.
  • 9. Price of the coffee grinder : it will depend on the quality of its components. The best electric coffee grinders are normally worth between 20 and 30 euros. The manuals are usually around 15 or 20 euros.
  • 10. Best brands of coffee grinders : KYG, Aigostar and Hario are the designers of the main coffee grinders recommended in this comparison due to their good value for money.




What is a coffee grinder and what is it for?

A coffee grinder is a kitchen tool that is used to grind or grind whole coffee beans and give them the right texture to later be used in an electric or manual coffee maker. It is a basic element to taste artisan coffee of any kind.

The history of the coffee mill begins in the 16th century with the introduction of coffee in Europe. At first, to grind it, mortars were used. However, their impracticality led to the search for alternatives. They were invented in the 17th century simultaneously in France and Turkey . Curiously, those of the latter country are the ones that had the most diffusion and lasted the longest. So much so that the most current manual models with a crank are derived from them.

Is a home coffee grinder really necessary or is it just for professionals?

Buying a coffee grinder for our home is not something reserved exclusively for baristas . We can all enjoy its benefits in our home. For example, whole bean coffee is cheaper than ground coffee. And, if we are truly passionate about this drink, we will notice the difference when preparing it from a finer or coarser grind, depending on the case.

Parts of a coffee grinder

The components of the manual coffee grinder are:

  • Hopper : is the container in which the whole coffee beans are placed.
  • Grinding chamber : directly connected to the hopper. Inside there is a mechanism of blades, grinders and blades for coffee that grind the beans.
  • Rotating handle or crank : by turning it, the user allows the passage of coffee beans from the hopper to the grinding chamber and moves the blades and grinding wheels that grind the coffee.
  • Coffee dispenser : allows you to adjust the thickness of the ground coffee. We must consider that not all types of coffee should be ground the same.
  • Collection tray or tank : the already crushed grain falls into it for later use in the coffee machine.




How do coffee grinders work?

The operation of a coffee bean grinder is very simple. The coffee beans are deposited in the hopper and, later, it enters the grinding chamber by means of the movement of the handle or crank. Once there, either by continuing to turn it or by the work of an electric motor, a system of blades is responsible for grinding it. The crushed particles go to the dispenser, which only lets through those that have the right size, and they are deposited in the collection tray to be used to prepare coffee.

Types of coffee grinders

There are several types of coffee grinders: 1. Automatic coffee grinders : they have an electric motor inside. The user only has to introduce the beans into the hopper, plug in the device and select the desired thickness and quantity. This way you get the best ground coffee quickly and effortlessly. 2. Manual coffee grinders : they have a crank or handle on the hopper whose function is to introduce the coffee beans into the grinding chamber. Furthermore, when moving it, the user also operates the blades responsible for shredding them. They are cheap coffee grinders but they require more care, time and effort than electric ones. 3. Coffee machines with grinder : they are coffee machines with an integrated coffee grinder, that is, they grind whole beans and make coffee during the same process.

Is an electric grinder or a manual grinder better?

  • An electric coffee grinder has all these advantages over manuals :
  • Grind the coffee much faster .
  • It allows to obtain the perfect texture easily.
  • It does not require any physical effort on the part of the user.
  • It can be regulated very easily.
  • It is cleaner and generates less waste.
  • Works best with large grains .



Electric grinders have advantages over manual ones, but the old ones have a special charm and are very beautiful as decoration However, older coffee grinders also have some advantages over automatic ones :

  • They do not heat up as they do not have an electric motor and, therefore, do not influence the taste of the coffee.
  • They are perfect for those types of coffee that require a coarse grind .
  • They have very elegant and colorful traditional designs in the kitchen.
  • They are much cheaper .


The aforementioned in terms of flavor is what most favored the baristas and coffee connoisseurs in favor of the manuals . However, the invention of the ceramic grinder , which has solved the problem of heat transfer from the engine to the grain, has once again tipped the balance on the side of the automatic . In any case, the choice should depend on our budget, the amount we need to grind each day and the type of coffee we like to taste.

How to use a coffee grinder correctly

Very easy:

  • We select the type of coffee we want to taste and fill the hopper with whole beans.
  • We adjust the dispenser to regulate the thickness of the ground grain.
  • We close the lid and start turning the crank . If it is an automatic coffee grinder, we will only have to press the power button.
  • When we have enough ground coffee, we stop turning the crank.
  • We collect the ground coffee from the tank and put it in the filter of the coffee machine to make the drink.




How to choose coffee beans correctly?

Preparing the best artisan coffee at home is only possible if we buy quality coffee beans. Here we explain how to recognize them:

  • 1. Varieties : we must always avoid buying roasted coffee since it is a type of coffee that is highly processed and of low quality . Instead, it is advisable to choose between these two natural varieties depending on our tastes:
  • Arabica : mild flavor, slightly fruity and with a lot of aroma.
  • Robusta : with a powerful bitter aftertaste, a fairly strong flavor and a higher dose of caffeine.
  • 2. Grain size : the bigger it is, the better. It will mean that it was more mature at the time of harvest and that, therefore, it will have better qualities.
  • 3. Washing : it is done to remove the husk from the grain before being roasted. It can be of three types:
  • Natural drying : carried out in the sun. It allows you to enjoy a coffee with a lot of flavor but that cannot be subjected to a fine grind.
  • Wash : produces a smooth, clean flavor.
  • Semi-washed : ideal for acidic and fruity coffees.
  • 4. The origin of the bean : why do the best coffees usually come from countries like Colombia or Ethiopia ? Well, because for the cultivation of good coffee, certain conditions must be met, such as the presence of volcanic soils, which are very rich in nutrients, and high altitudes, which enhance and give complexity to the aromas.
  • 5. Roasting : we must look at two factors:
  1. The roasting date : roasted coffee loses flavor and aroma qualities over time. The less time you have been subjected to this process, the better.
  2. The color : it must be uniform and dark without reaching black. This allows you to easily differentiate roast from Arabica and Robusta.


How long does coffee last in good condition before and after grinding it?
In beans, coffee can retain its flavor and aroma for months . This is because the structure itself is designed to retain its qualities and peculiarities for as long as possible.




Where and how to properly store ground coffee?

A question that we have found quite regularly among the opinions on analyzed coffee grinders. However, we can assure you that preserving and preserving ground coffee to maintain its qualities is not difficult. To do this, we must:

Store it in the fridge : heat is the worst enemy of ground coffee since it enhances the oxidation of its particles. It should never be left in the cupboard.
Preserve it under vacuum : as soon as you finish grinding it if we prefer to grind a large quantity of grain at once and not little by little,
Store it in an airtight package if it will take several days to use it.

Cleaning and maintenance of coffee grinders

Other common questions seen in this comparison of coffee grinders made reference to their cleaning. It should be done like this:

  • 1. In case the coffee bean grinder is not removable , we must fill the rice hopper and grind it. This cereal, like dry bread, will absorb residual oil from the grains and any other impurities that may have remained on the blades. Then, using a soft brush and a little water, we will clean the collection tank, the dispenser and the external housing.
  • 2. If the grinder is removable , everything will be easier. We can put those components that are suitable in the dishwasher and use a brush to remove the dirt from the mechanism of the blades. For its part, even the maintenance of a professional coffee grinder does not involve any mystery beyond cleaning. We should only store it in a cool and, above all, dry place that is not in direct contact with the sun . Moisture can cause mold to grow on the residual particles of ground coffee beans.


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