How to Choose the Best Espresso Grinders
A grinder equipped with a hopper allows you to grind and dispense a portafilter all in one step. This is great for novices but we have found that single-dosing -- measuring your dose before grinding -helps to ensure the consistency.
Look for a grinder with flat burrs that can produce an ultra-fine grind. These grinders are a little more expensive, but provide outstanding results in the cup.
Simple to use
The espresso grinder plays an essential part in the making of quality espresso. Many espresso lovers make the mistake of spending less on a cheap grinder in order to afford an expensive coffee machine However, serious espresso enthusiasts are aware that the quality of the grind is what differentiates good from great espresso. Find a grinder that has precise grind adjustment, the ability to consistently dispense, and one that is built with high-quality materials.
A burr grinder is the best for espresso due to its ability to produce an even, fine grind. In comparison, blade grinders chop beans into a more coarse consistency that can result in inconsistent flavors and texture in the cup. Also, the blades generate heat when they chop coffee, which could disrupt or change the flavor of the bean.
In our tests, the top espresso grinders are easy to operate and provide precise control over the size of the ground. Look for grinders that are simple to clean, have some ground coffee that is retained (to avoid the clumping) and provide a consistent, fine grind without overheating the burrs.
Grind-by-weight grinders are also popular among espresso enthusiasts since they allow you to set the desired weight in grams and then pour exactly that amount into your portafilter. They may not hold enough ground coffee to perform well when tested using a single dose. The Baratza Sette 270 is the only grinder that we tested to give an equally consistent shot using this method.
While these types of grinders are inexpensive and readily available, they aren't the most ideal choice for a home espresso maker because of their small size. This can cause the hopper to fill quickly. They are also prone to overheating, and can lose their fineness with time. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is a great alternative to an ordinary knife grinder. It utilizes flat burrs and is a reasonable price for a premium grinder specifically designed for espresso. If you're a serious espresso lover you can also buy the more advanced SSP burrs for this model to get an even finer grind. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is also quieter than its competitors and is the ideal choice for those who want to keep noise levels low.
Grind Size Adjustment
A precise size of grind in espresso making is essential to the extraction. It is an extremely delicate balance between many factors, such as coffee, temperature and pressure. This is why it requires precise control. This is why it's crucial to have a grinder that's capable of producing a fine grind, and to be able to make adjustments easily.
Most commercial and home espresso machines can alter the size of the grind. These features are excellent for adjusting the grind size to match each batch of coffee beans. They can also help you maintain an even grind over time. Certain grinders are more difficult to maintain a finer grind than others. Others are unable to alter the grind settings.
If you're in search of an espresso grinder that can offer a fine grinding, look for models that specifically state it can micro-adjust its grind size, or one that uses flat burrs instead of conical. The latter 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.
You'll require the adjustment ring to adjust the grind size of an espresso grinder. This is typically located on the side or the top of the grinder, or in certain models, it's incorporated into the hopper inside the hopper. To increase the size of the grind simply turn the ring clockwise. To reduce the size of the grind, turn it counter-clockwise.
After you've found the ideal grind size, make sure that any remaining ground coffee is removed from the adjustment system prior to returning to it. This prevents clogging and maintains the ability to accurately adjust the size of the grind.
This is particularly important for grinders that utilize step-based adjustment, which are commonly found on Gaggia and Saeco grinders. The adjustment ring will require more force to be turned to a different setting if it is filled with partially ground coffee. This could result in incorrect results or damage to the mechanism that grinds. Keep in mind that the size of the grind may be different from one batch to the next one, based on how the beans are roasted and prepared.
Flow Control
Flow control is the capability of the grinder to adjust enough to make sure espresso shots are able to pass through smoothly and quickly. Since a lot of pressure is pushing through the puck, even the slightest adjustments could affect the overall quality of your coffee. This is the reason it's essential to choose a grinder that can produce a finely-grounded consistency.
There are two main types of espresso grinders: those that have a step-down adjustment, and those with an unsteppable one. Grinders that have the step-down adjustment feature typically have an hopper-shaped or lever-shaped knob which moves in a series of steps. There will be a sound with every turn of the knob, and each click will indicate a finer or coarser grind setting. This kind grinder is preferred by novices and home baristas for its ease of use and learning.
On the other hand, grinders that use an adjustable step are preferred by experts because they are easy to control with precision. A good way to test a grinder's flow control is to place some water into the portafilter and observing the water flow through the ground. The best grinders will not only be able to produce an extremely finely ground consistency but they'll also be able to provide a steady flow of water through the entire shot.
Another thing to think about when selecting a grinder for espresso is whether you would like a dosing model or a non-dosing one. Dosing models come with a sectioned container where the ground coffee is directed into when you press the button. Some models can hold up to 7 grams of coffee ground and some models can be adjusted to dispense more or less than this amount. Non-dosing grinders, on the other hand, can dispense the grounds directly into a portafilter, or other container.
Some grinders such as the Baratza Sette 270 have a v-shaped fork that you can nestle the portafilter inside to collect the ground. This is a great feature that can save you time and makes cleanup effortless. But, it's important to remember that no grinder distributes equally throughout the basket, so you'll have to turn or flip the portafilter when dosing.
Safety
Espresso grinders, like any commercial appliance, need a higher certification level than consumer models. You should look for an espresso grinder that is either an ETL mark or NSF marking. Both of these marks indicate that the product was evaluated by the appropriate agencies to ensure its safety in commercial applications. Some grinders also have a third mark from UL (Underwriters Laboratories) however this isn't as prevalent and is less significant.
In addition to safety, you want a grinder that is easy to clean and maintain. Find a grounds chamber that makes it simple to transfer the coffee grounds to your coffee maker. This is a standard feature found on many manual espresso grinders, and we particularly liked the design of the grounds chamber on the Baratza Encore ESP--it features an elongated divot that allows you to place a portafilter basket's lip inside and capture the coffee without spilling. Other grinders we tried included the Baratza Sette 270 and Rancilio Stile included V-shaped forks, which served the same purpose, but were less practical to use and did not fit the majority of our portafilters.
Another thing to think about 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 consistency and balanced results. You can also choose whether you prefer flat or conical burrs. Conical burrs tend to create less heat fluctuations, however it's an individual preference.
Once you have picked the ideal grinder, you need to perform a few simple maintenance tasks to keep it in top shape. After each use, wipe the grind chamber and burrs using a lint-free, cloth or paper towel to get rid of any remaining coffee particles and residues from the grinding process. It is also recommended to perform periodic deep cleaning periodically. This is done by disassembling the blender and soaking all the removable components in a cleaner or vinegar and water. Rinse them thoroughly and then dry them completely before rebuilding.
You can also apply an oil that is food-grade to add a thin layer of oil to the burrs and grinding chamber. stainless steel grinder will help prevent rust, corrosion and ensure that the burrs are properly aligned.