How to Choose the Best Espresso Grinders
A grinder equipped with a hopper allows you to grind and dispense an air filter in one go. This is a great choice for beginners. However, we found that measuring dose prior to grinding improves the consistency.
Select a grinder that has flat burrs and can produce an ultrafine grind. These grinders are a bit more expensive but they provide extraordinary results in the cup.
Ease of Use
The espresso grinder plays a vital part in the production of quality espresso. Many espresso enthusiasts fall into the trap of buying an inexpensive espresso maker to save money on an expensive coffee maker. But serious espresso enthusiasts are aware that the quality and consistency of the grind is what make good espresso. Choose a grinder that features precise grind adjustment, the capability to provide consistent dispense, and one that is built with high-quality materials.
A burr grinder produces a fine and consistent grind, which is ideal for espresso. Blade grinders chop beans into a coarser consistency that can leave uneven flavors and texture in the cup. The blades also generate heat when they chop the beans, which can alter or disrupt the flavor.
In our tests, we found that the best espresso grinders are easy to operate and offer precise control over the size of the ground. You should search for grinders with an easy cleaning process with a tiny amount of ground coffee (to stop the clumping) and an even, fine grinding without overheating the burrs.
Grind-by-weight grinders are also popular with espresso lovers since they allow you to set the desired weight in grams, and then pour the exact amount into your portafilter. They may not hold enough coffee grounds to function well when tested with a single dose. The Baratza Sette 270 is the only grinder we've tested to give an equally consistent shot using this method.
These types of grinders may be inexpensive and widely accessible, but they can be difficult to operate on an espresso machine in the home since their small dimensions cause the hopper to fill quickly. They're also susceptible to overheating, and can lose their fineness with time. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is a excellent alternative to a knife grinder. It utilizes flat burrs and is priced at a price that's reasonable for a premium grinder specifically designed for espresso. If you're a committed coffee lover you can buy the SSP burrs for an even 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
A precise size of grind in espresso making is essential to the extraction. It's an intricate balance between various variables, including temperature, coffee and pressure. This is why it requires precise control. It's crucial to have a grinder capable of producing a fine ground and be able to alter it easily.
Most commercial and home espresso machines have the ability to alter the size of the grind. They are a great method to determine the exact size of grind you need for each batch of beans and can help maintain a consistent grind over time. Some grinders have a harder time maintaining a fine grind than others, and some do not have the ability to alter their grind settings in any way.
If you're looking for an espresso machine that can deliver a fine grind choose models that specifically state it is able to micro-adjust its grind size, or one that uses flat burrs instead. These are less likely to lose their calibration over time this is a typical issue for espresso grinders. It is often caused by motor vibrations, heat and wear-and-tear from normal use.
To adjust the grind size in an espresso grinder you'll have to access its adjustment ring. The ring is typically located on the top or side of your grinder, or, in some models, built into the hopper. Turn the ring clockwise to increase the grind size. Turn it counter-clockwise to reduce the grind size.
After you've found the ideal grind size, make sure that any remaining ground coffee is cleared from the adjustment system prior to using it again. This will prevent clogging and let you adjust the grind size in a precise manner.
This is especially important for grinders that have stepped adjustment styles. They are typically found on Gaggia or Saeco grinders. If the adjustment ring is filled of partially ground coffee, it will take more force to rotate the ring to a new setting and could result in unreliable results or even damage the grinding mechanism. It's important to keep in mind that the size of the grind may need to be adjusted from one batch of beans to the next in accordance with how the brewed and roasted beans are prepared.
Flow Control
Flow control is the capacity of the grinder to adjust finely enough to ensure espresso shots pass through the grinder quickly and smoothly. Because so much pressure is being pushed through the puck, even the tiny adjustments can affect the overall quality of your coffee. It's crucial to choose a grinder capable of producing a finely ground consistency.
There are two major styles of espresso grinders , those that have a stepped adjustment style and those that employ a stepless adjustment style. Grinders with a stepped adjustment feature will usually have the hopper-shaped lever that moves in steps. You'll hear a click every turn of the knob, and each click is a finer or coarser grind setting. This type of grinder is favored by many novices and home baristas due to the fact that it is easy to learn and operate.
The most discerning users prefer grinders that have an adjustable step because they are more convenient and more precise to use. Pouring some water into the portafilter allows you to test the flow control of the grinder. The best grinders are not just able to create a finely-ground consistency, but also to ensure a constant flow of water throughout the entire shot.
Another aspect to consider when choosing a grinder for espresso is whether you want dosing or non-dosing models. Dosing models have containers with sections into which ground coffee is poured after you press the button. Some models can hold up to 7 grams of coffee ground, while others can be adjusted to dispense more or less than this amount. Non-dosing coffee grinders, however can dispense grounds directly into a receptacle or portafilter.
Some grinders, like the Baratza Sette 270 have a v-shaped fork that you can nestle the portafilter into to catch the ground. This is an excellent feature that will save you time and makes cleanup effortless. It's important to remember that no grinder distributes equally throughout the basket so you'll still have to turn or flip the portafilter when doing.
Safety
Espresso grinders, just like other commercial appliance, need a higher certification level than consumer models. You should search for the grinder with either an ETL mark or NSF marking. Both marks indicate that the grinder was evaluated by the appropriate agencies to ensure its safety in commercial settings. Some grinders have the third mark of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), although this isn't as prevalent and is less important.
In addition to safety, you'll want a grinder that is simple to clean and maintain. Find a grounds chamber that allows you to transfer the coffee ground to your brewing device. This is a standard feature of the majority of manual espresso grinders. We liked the grounds chamber with tiny divots that allow you to put the basket's lip inside the chamber, and then collect the ground coffee without spilling. Other grinders we tested like the Baratza Sette 270 and Rancilio Stile, had built-in V-shaped forks that could serve the same purpose, but were less convenient to use and didn't fit all of our sample portafilters.
Another aspect to consider is the grinder burrs' 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 decide whether you prefer conical or flat burrs. The former are more likely to cause less heat fluctuations than the latter, but it's a matter of your personal preference.
Once you've settled on the perfect grinder, make sure to keep it running smoothly by performing several maintenance tasks. After each use, clean the burrs and grind chamber using a lint-free, cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining coffee particles and residues from the grinding process. It's recommended to perform a deep cleaning periodically. This involves disassembling the grinder and using an appropriate cleaning solution or vinegar and water to soak the parts that are removable and then thoroughly washing them and drying them completely prior to reassembling.
You can also apply an organic lubricant that adds an oil-like layer to the grinding chamber and burrs. This can help to stop corrosion and rust as well as keeping the burrs in a proper alignment.