Have you ever tasted expired coffee? It sucks. Doesn’t it? The state of your coffee grounds matters a lot. And that makes a coffee grinder must-have equipment in your home as it enables you to grind your beans when you need to brew, guaranteeing freshness. You are also able to control the grind size. But since different types of coffee grinders exist today, familiarizing yourself with each type will help determine the most suitable for you.

The five different types of coffee grinders are; burr grinders, blade grinders, high-speed grinders, low-speed grinders, and dosing grinders.

5 Different Types of Coffee Grinders

Here are the various types of coffee grinders currently on the market:

1. Burr Coffee Grinders

Burr grinders are the industry’s gold standard for coffee grinders in cafes and homes. The old-school coffee grinding method relies on two burrs that spin in different directions, directing the coffee beans down the funnel to crush into uniform sizes.

And since the burrs are of stainless steel or ceramic material, they tend to generate a little heat during the grinding process, retaining all the coffee flavors.

The process also enables you to grind coffee beans consistently for any brewer type. You can fine-tune your grind through some adjustments to achieve the right grind setting.

Burr grinders come in two types; flat burr grinders and conical burr grinders. Conical burrs mainly use two burrs; a cone-shaped burr, which spins on the inside, and a sharp, serrated burr, rotating on the outside.

On the other hand, the flat burrs use two o-shaped burrs, whose edges are super sharp on both sides and face each other. Nonetheless, both options produce precisely consistent coffee grounds.

Pros

• Offer consistent grind results
• Multiple grind settings
• Make large batches

Cons

• Pretty expensive
• A bit loud

2. Blade Coffee Grinders

The design of Blade coffee grinders incorporates a double-pronged blade that speedily rotates, grinding coffee beans into desired pieces in seconds.

A couple of these grinders operate with a single press button. All you need to do is press the button, and the blade starts to rotate in a circular motion, chopping the coffee beans into small chunks.

Sometimes, one chopping session may not be enough, which might leave some beans half chopped. If that happens, you need to crush the coffee beans once again.

During the grinding process, heat is produced, which assists in changing the flavor of your coffee. As a result, the coffee taste becomes more pleasant and satisfying.

Pros

• Convenient to use
• Easily available
• Affordable

Cons

• Sometimes flavor may be lost from the coffee grounds when heating
• Process inconsistent coffee ground incorporating both large and small sizes

3. High-Speed Coffee Grinders

While looking for a grinding machine, you may run into grinders that function at different RPMs (Revolutions Per Minute). It means the number of times the burrs revolve in a minute. High-speed coffee grinders are one of these.

These high-end performing grinders consist of beefier motors and flat burr sets. And apart from that, they come with the highest Revolutions Per Minute (RPMs). This feature enables them to grind coffee beans within the shortest time possible.

The coffee ground extracted by high-speed coffee grinders has a consistent texture, a perfect preference for most coffee drinkers.

Moreover, the coffee flavor remains intact due to its quick processing.

Pros

• Retains coffee flavor
• Durable
• Quick processing

Cons

• Expensive

4. Low-Speed Coffee Grinders

Low-speed coffee grinders come in two options; conical burr speed or a flat low-speed coffee grinder. The two functions at a slow speed meaning their RPMs is low.

And since they are slow, their heat buildup tends to be somehow lower. In addition to extracting less heat, low-speed coffee grinders require less maintenance and do not create noise.

However, low-speed grinders may not produce fine coffee consistently like high-speed grinders.

Two low-speed coffee grinder types exist; Gear reduction coffee grinders and direct drive grinders.

The gear reduction grinder has a speedy motor connected to a set of gears, lowering the speed of the burrs.

A direct drive coffee grinder is an expensive grinder, preferably for commercial or home uses. The coffee grinder consists of a low-speed motor connecting to the burrs.

Since these grinders have low to no heat, they are exceptionally durable and minimize direct heat transfer to coffee

Pros

• The machine is durable
• Cheap
• Require low maintenance
• Noise-free

Cons

• They are slower

5. Dosing Coffee Grinders

Dosing coffee grinders are built to hold ground coffee in a vessel, referred to as a coffee ground container, and then convert it into a portafilter.

The coffee ground container has six equal sections. After grinding, the grounds go through the chute and fall into these sections.

The sections then spin around, moving towards the grinder’s front, enabling coffee to get through the hole into your portafilter or receptacle.

Dosing coffee grinders come in handy in making espresso. That’s because they help you measure the exact amount of coffee you need.

Unlike dosing grinders, using non-dosing grinders does not enable you to measure the quantity of ground coffee, which may lead to an overdose.

Pros

• Measures the amount of coffee
• Prevent wastage

Cons

• Time-consuming

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q. What type of coffee grinder is the best?

A. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is the best.

Q. What are the two types of coffee grinders?

A. They include burr coffee grinders and blade coffee grinders.

Q. What is the difference between a blade coffee grinder and a burr grinder?

A. Burr grinders use two rotating abrasive surfaces to crush up coffee. On the other hand, blade grinders grind using a propeller-like blade comparable to a blender.

Q. Does the type of coffee grinder matter?

A. The type of coffee grinder matters, depending on your taste and coffee grounds preference. The coffee grinder of choice should be able to deliver even and consistent grinds; not all can do that. Some perform better than others.

Final Thoughts

To enjoy a fresh brew all the time, you need to invest in freshly roasted coffee beans and a good coffee grinder. With the different types of coffee grinders available today, it would be wise to take time to examine their pros and cons before settling for one. Most importantly, consider your preferences and the taste you need in your coffee.