How to Choose the Best Espresso Grinders
A grinder with an hopper lets you grind and dispensing a portafilter all in one go. This is great for novices however, we discovered that single-dosing -- measuring the dose prior to grindinghelps to ensure the consistency.
Select a grinder that has flat burrs and can produce an ultrafine grind. These grinders are more expensive, but they provide excellent results right in the cup.
Simple to Use
The espresso grinder is a crucial component in the process of making high-quality espresso. Many coffee lovers make the mistake of buying an inexpensive grinder to save money on a high-end coffee maker. However, serious espresso enthusiasts recognize that the quality and consistency of the grind are what make good espresso. You should choose an espresso machine that has a precise grind adjustment, and is able to consistently dispense. It should also be made from high-quality materials.
A burr grinder creates a consistent and fine grind that is perfect for espresso. Blade grinders, on the other hand, produce an inconsistent grind that can result in inconsistent flavors and textures. Additionally, the blades produce heat while they chop the coffee, which can disrupt or change the flavor of the beans.
In our tests, we found that the best espresso grinders are easy to operate and provide precise control over the size of the ground. You should look for grinders with a simple cleaning process, a small amount retained of coffee ground (to stop the clumping) and an even, fine grinding without overheating the burrs.
Grind-by-weight grinders are also popular among espresso lovers since they allow you to set the desired weight in grams and then pour exactly that amount into your portafilter. They might not be able to hold enough coffee grounds to function well if tested using a single dose. The Baratza Sette 270 was the only grinder we tested that was able to deliver a consistent shot when using this method.
While these types of grinders are affordable and readily available, they aren't the most ideal choice for home espresso makers because their small size can cause the hopper to fill up quickly. They are also prone to overheating and may lose their fineness with time. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is a great alternative to the knife grinder. It uses flat burrs and is a reasonable price for a high quality grinder designed specifically for espresso. If you are a serious coffee lover you can buy the SSP burrs for a finer grind. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is also quieter than its competitors which makes it the ideal option for those looking to keep noise levels low.
Grind Size Adjustment
In the process of making espresso, a fine grind size is key to the right extraction. It's an extremely delicate balance between many factors, including temperature, coffee, and pressure. This is why it requires precise control. It's essential to have a grinder capable of producing a fine ground and be able to adjust it easily.
Adjusting the size of the grind is available on most espresso grinders, both home and commercial. They can be a great way to get the exact grind size you need for each batch of beans, and can help maintain a consistent grind over time. Certain grinders are more difficult to maintain a finer grind than others. Others have no way to alter the grind settings.
If you're looking for an espresso grinder with an even grind, select one with flat burrs instead of conical ones. These are less likely to lose their calibration over time as is a common issue with espresso grinders. It can be caused by heat, motor vibrations and normal wear and tear.
The adjustment ring is required to alter the size of the grind of an espresso grinder. It's usually located on the top or side of the grinder, or in some models, it's incorporated into the hopper itself. Turn the ring clockwise to increase grind size. To reduce compact coffee grinder of the grind, turn it counter-clockwise.
Once you've found your ideal grind size, be sure that any remaining ground coffee is cleared out of the adjustment system before returning to it. This prevents clogging and maintains the ability to precisely adjust the size of the grind.
This is particularly important for grinders that use step-based adjustment, which are commonly seen on Gaggia and Saeco grinders. The adjustment ring requires more force to turn to the desired setting if it is full of partially ground coffee. This could lead to inaccurate results or damage to the mechanism that grinds. It is important to keep in mind that the size of the grind might be different from one batch to the next, depending on the way the beans are prepared and roasted.
Flow Control
Flow control happens when the grinder is able to adjust precisely to ensure that espresso shots are passed quickly and smoothly. Because so much pressure is pushing through the puck, even smallest adjustments could affect the overall quality of your coffee. This is the reason it's essential to choose the right grinder to produce an extremely finely-grounded consistency.
There are two main styles of espresso grinders, those that have the step-style adjustment and those with a stepless adjustment method. Grinders that use an adjustable stepped feature will typically come with a lever or hopper-shaped knob that will move in steps. Each click of the knob will indicate a finer or a coarser grind setting. This kind of grinder is liked by a lot of beginners and home baristas because it is easy to learn and manipulate.
Grinder enthusiasts prefer those with a stepless adjustment because they are easier and more precise to use. One way to test a grinder's flow control is to put water in the portafilter and observing the water flow through the grounds. The best grinders are able to create a finely-ground consistency, but also ensure a constant flow of water throughout the entire shot.
Another aspect to consider when selecting a grinder for espresso is whether you want a dosing or non-dosing model. Dosing models use containers with sections in which ground coffee is poured when you press the button. Some models can hold up to 7 grams of ground coffee, while others can be adjusted to give more or less than that amount. Dosing grinders, on contrary, pour the grounds directly into a portafilter or other receptacle.
Some grinders such as the Baratza Sette 270 have a V-shaped fork that you can nestle the portafilter inside to collect the grounds. This is a great feature because it saves time and makes cleaning up easy. It's important to keep in mind that there is no way to distribute the coffee evenly into the basket, so you'll have to rotate or flip the portafilter while doing.
Safety
As with any commercial equipment, espresso grinders require an additional level of certification than consumer models. You should choose a grinder that has either an ETL mark or NSF marking. Both marks indicate that the product has been assessed by the appropriate agencies to ensure its safety in commercial settings. Some grinders also have an additional mark from UL (Underwriters Laboratories) however this isn't as prevalent and isn't as important.
Aside from safety, you'll want a grinder that is easy to clean and maintain. You should look for a removable grounds chamber that allows you to transfer the coffee ground to your brewing device. This is a feature that is common of the majority of manual espresso grinders. We liked the grounds chamber with tiny divots that allow you to nestle a basket's lip into the chamber, and then collect the ground coffee without spilling. Other grinders, like the Baratza Sette 270 or Rancilio Stile had built-in v shaped forks that served the same purpose but were not as convenient and didn't fit our sample portafilters.
Another thing to consider is the grinder's material and shape. You can choose between stainless steel or ceramic. Both are highly regarded in the coffee industry due to their consistent and balanced results. You can also choose whether you prefer flat or conical burrs. The former are more likely to cause less heat fluctuations than the latter, but it's all about your personal preference.
Once you've found the ideal grinder, ensure that you keep it running smoothly by performing several maintenance tasks. After each use, wipe the burrs and grind chamber with a lint-free cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining coffee particles and residue from the grinding process. You should also perform a deep clean periodically. This is done by disassembling the grinder and using a cleaning solution or water and vinegar to soak the removed parts and then thoroughly washing them and drying them completely prior to taking them back together.
You can also apply an organic lubricant that adds an oil-like layer to the burrs and grinding chamber. This will help prevent rust, corrosion and help keep the burrs properly aligned.