How to Choose the Best Espresso Grinders
A grinder that has a hopper lets you grind and dispensing the portafilter in one go. This is great for novices, but we found that a single dose -- weighing your dose prior to grindinghelps to ensure consistency.
Look for a grinder with flat burrs that can produce an ultra-fine grind. These grinders are somewhat more expensive, but they produce amazing results in the cup.
Ease of Use
The espresso grinder plays a vital part in the production of quality espresso. Many espresso lovers fall into the trap of relying on a basic grinder in deference to the cost of a high-end coffee maker however, serious espresso enthusiasts are aware that the quality of the grind is what differentiates excellent espresso from the best. Look for a grinder with precise grind adjustment, the capability to dispense consistently and constructed from high-end materials.
A burr grinder creates an even and fine grind that is perfect for espresso. Blade grinders, on other hand, produce a coarser consistency which can result in inconsistent flavors and textures. Blades also produce heat when they chop the beans and can alter or alter the flavor.
In our tests, we found that the best espresso grinders were simple to use and provided precise control over the size of the grounds. You should look for grinders with an easy cleaning process, a small amount retained of Coffee grinder ground (to avoid clumping) and the ability to grind finely and evenly without overheating burrs.
Grind-by-weight grinders are also popular with espresso lovers because they allow you to set the desired weight in grams and then pour exactly that amount into your portafilter. They may not retain enough professional coffee grinder grounds to function well when tested with only one dose. The Baratza Sette 270 is the only grinder we've tested to give a consistent shot using this method.
These grinders could be cheap and readily available however, they can be difficult to use with a home espresso machine because their small dimensions cause the hopper to fill up quickly. They're also susceptible to overheating and could lose their fineness over time. The MiiCoffee DF64 II is a great alternative to a knife grinder. It has flat burrs and is a reasonable price for a top-quality grinder designed specifically for espresso. If you're a serious espresso enthusiast you can also purchase the more advanced SSP burrs for this model to ensure a more fine grind. The MiiCoffee DF64 II also has an operation that is quieter than its rivals. This is a fantastic choice for those who prefer to keep noise levels down.
Grind Size Adjustment
In the process of making espresso the fineness of the grind is key to the right extraction. It is an intricate balance between various factors, including temperature, coffee and pressure. This is why it requires precise control. It is essential to have a grinder capable of producing a fine ground and being able to adjust it quickly.
Grind size adjustment features are available on all coffee grinders for home and commercial use. They are a great way to get the exact grind size you need for each batch of beans and they can also aid in maintaining an even grind over time. However, some grinders coffee beans have a harder time maintaining the fineness of their grind than others, and some are unable to adjust their grind settings at all.
If you're in search of an espresso machine that can provide a fine grind choose a model that specifically states it can micro-adjust its grinding size or use flat burrs instead of conical. The latter are less likely to lose their calibration over time this is a typical problem for espresso grinders and is often caused by heat, motor vibrations and normal wear-and-tear.
To adjust the size of the grind on an espresso grinder you'll have to access the adjustment ring. This is typically located on the side or the top of the grinder, or in certain models, it's integrated into the hopper itself. To increase the grind size, simply turn the ring clockwise. Turn it counter-clockwise to decrease the size of the grind.
Once you have found the perfect grind, be sure to remove any remaining coffee grinder compact from the adjustment system. This helps prevent blockages and helps maintain the ability to accurately adjust the grind size.
This is especially important with grinders that have step-based adjustment which are usually found on Gaggia and Saeco grinders. If the adjustment ring is stuffed full of partially-ground coffee it will require more force to move the ring back to a new setting, which could lead to inaccurate results or even damage the mechanism for grinding. It is also important to keep in mind that the grind size might require adjustments from one batch of beans to another, depending on how the roasted and brewed beans are prepared.
Flow Control
Flow control is the capability of the grinder to adjust finely enough to make sure espresso shots pass through the grinder quickly and smoothly. Since a lot of pressure is pushing through the puck, even the tiny adjustments could affect the overall quality of your coffee. It's therefore important to choose the right grinder that can produce a finely ground consistency.
There are two major types of espresso grinders: ones that employ a stepped adjustment style and those that employ an adjustable style that is stepless. Grinders with a stepped adjustment feature come with a lever or hopper-shaped knob that moves in a series of steps. Each click of the knob will indicate a finer or coarser grind setting. This type of grinder has been favored by baristas who are beginners as well as home baristas for its simplicity of use and ease of learning.
On the other hand, grinders that use an adjustable step are preferred by connoisseurs because they are simpler to manipulate with precision. A good way to test a grinder's flow control is to put some water in the portafilter, and then watching the water flow through the ground. 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 choosing a grinder to espresso is whether you'd like dosing or non-dosing models. Dosing models have containers with sections in which the ground coffee is poured after you press the button. Some models can hold up to 7 grams of coffee ground and some models can be adjusted to give more or fewer than this amount. Non-dosing coffee grinders, however, dispense grounds directly into a container or portafilter.
Some grinders, like the Baratza Sette 270, have a v shaped fork where you can put your portafilter to catch ground. This feature is beneficial because it saves time and makes cleaning up easy. It's important to remember that no grinder distributes the coffee evenly in the basket, so you'll have to rotate or flip the portafilter when making coffee.
Safety
Espresso grinders, just like other commercial equipment, require an additional level of certification than consumer models. You should search for an espresso grinder that is 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 applications. Some grinders carry a third label from UL (Underwriters Laboratories), but this isn't as common and is less important.
In addition to safety, you want a grinder that is simple to clean and maintain. It is recommended to look for a removable ground chamber to make it easier to move the coffee into your machine for brewing. This is a standard feature of most manual espresso grinders. We loved the Baratza Encore ESP's grounds chamber, which has tiny divots that allow you to put the lip of a basket into the chamber and catch the ground coffee without spilling. Other grinders, like the Baratza Sette 270 or Rancilio Stile had built-in v shaped forks which serve the same purpose however they were less practical and didn't fit our test portafilters.
Another thing to consider is the grinder's burrs' material and shape. Choose between stainless steel coffee grinder steel and ceramic. Both are highly appreciated in the coffee industry due to their balanced and consistent results. You can pick between conical or flat burrs. The former tends to produce less heat fluctuations, but it's an individual preference.
After you have selected the best grinder, do some simple maintenance tasks to keep it in top condition. After every use, clean the burrs using a cloth that is lint-free or paper towel. This will get rid of any coffee residue or coffee particles left from the grinding process. It is also a good idea to perform a thorough clean periodically. This involves disassembling the blender and soaking the removable components in a cleaner or vinegar and water. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them completely before reassembling.
You can also use an organic lubricant that adds an oil-like layer to the burrs and grinding chamber. This can help to keep corrosion and rust at bay and keeps the burrs in a proper alignment.