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A coffee grinder is a must-have appliance for all coffee enthusiasts. Furthermore, owning an excellent quality grinder will transform your everyday coffee experience.
There are several types and models of coffee grinders on the market, each with its unique qualities. Basic coffee grinders perform a satisfactory job, but some great grinders produce excellent evenly ground coffee; however, they are very expensive. So, why are good coffee grinders ridiculously expensive?
The best coffee grinders are often expensive because they produce a good quality grind. Additionally, they have several grind adjustments that you can choose from when brewing. Some of the good coffee grinders are designed marvelously, contributing to their overall high cost.
If you want to know which type of coffee grinder is worth your money, worry not.
I urge you to read below to get all the information you need about the cost of the different coffee grinders on the market. I have also included some information on what makes the expensive coffee grinders good at their job.
Why Is a Coffee Grinder Important?
When it comes to making a cup of Joe, the coffee grind is what will determine the quality of your brew. In fact, many coffee lovers insist that a good grinder is a vital piece of equipment in your coffee kit. If you own a low-quality coffee grinder, you’ll always brew terrible coffee no matter how sleek your coffee machine is.
So, why are coffee grinders so important?
Freshly ground coffee beans produce the best beverage. If you always buy pre-ground coffee, then you haven’t experienced the taste of good quality java.
When you buy pre-ground coffee, it has already lost most of its freshness. It often lacks good flavors and tastes more bitter than coffee should.
On the other hand, freshly ground coffee still possesses all the complex flavors held together in the bean. So, when you grind your coffee beans right before brewing, they get limited exposure to oxygen, and oxidation of the coffee elements is very little. Because of this, freshly ground coffee always has bolder flavors and aromas, and that’s why you need a coffee grinder.
Different coffee makers require different grind sizes to produce the best cup of Joe. Hence, investing in a quality coffee grinder will give you the freedom to switch between brewing methods as you desire.
You’ll have a better experience if you purchase a grinder with different grind settings – from espresso’s fine grind to a cold brew’s coarse grind.
Owning a coffee grinder will allow you to fix your brew by adjusting your grind settings.
So if you are looking to find that perfect grind for your daily dose of caffeine, you can try to twitch the consistency of your ground coffee until you find your preferred taste, thanks to the coffee grinder.
What are the Different Types of Coffee Grinders?
There are several types of coffee grinders out there, but some people still settle for stale pre-ground coffee. Don’t be that person!
Most people stick to drinking boring coffee because they do not understand the various types of coffee grinders and how to use them. I’ll walk you through the different varieties of coffee grinders so that you can understand your options better.
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Burr Coffee Grinders
These grinders have a set of rotating disks with burrs that crush coffee beans into different grind sizes. The burrs grind the coffee to a uniform consistency, unlike that of some other coffee grinders. This is because the space between the burrs is what determines the grind size of your coffee. And, since the space remains consistent throughout the grinding process, you will always achieve a uniform grind.
Some burr grinders are equipped with different grind settings. I recommend using these because they allow you to grind your coffee according to the size recommended for the drink you desire.
Burr coffee grinders come in 3 alterations.
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Manual grinders – hand-cranked to grind.
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Flat burr grinders – Have adjustable grind settings and are popular for commercial use.
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Conical burr grinders – they are quieter and more popular in homes and offices.
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Blade Coffee Grinders Blade coffee grinders, on the other hand, have blades similar to that of a blender. The blades slice up the coffee beans to make them suitable for brewing coffee. Unlike burr grinders, the blade grinders lack specific grind settings. So the only thing that will determine the size of your grind is how long you run the coffee grinder.
Blade coffee grinders are smaller and more popular with beginners.
Which Coffee Grinders are More Expensive?
The cost of a coffee grinder is mainly determined by the quality of the grind, control over the grind size, and ease of use. For example, a grinder with several grind settings will cost a bit more than one without grind settings.
Manual vs. Electric Coffee Grinders
Manual burr grinders are some of the most affordable grinders on the market. They Are affordable because they fully depend on your energy to grind coffee beans; hence do not require an external power source to work. They do not include a motor; hence you get a sturdy grinder with a good set of burrs for very little money.
These hand grinders are also portable; hence they are excellent for traveling and camping. On top of that, they are more durable than most electric coffee grinders.
Electric coffee grinders, on the other hand, are more expensive compared to the manual versions. Their convenience is that they are simple and fast to use – just fill the grinder with coffee beans, select your preferred grind setting, then press a switch, and have fresh coffee in seconds.
So, if you are a beginner, I recommend starting with the pocket-friendly manual grinders. You can then switch to the more expensive electric ones once you master the art of brewing fresh coffee.
Burr vs. Blade Coffee Grinders
Burr coffee grinders tend to be pricier compared to their blade counterparts. They produce quality grinds for all types of coffee and are more durable. Additionally, burr coffee grinders have different grind settings that you can adjust to suit your needs.
Blade coffee grinders are more affordable. However, their low price is justified because they often produce a poor quality grind. The blades do not crush the coffee beans to a uniform consistency. Instead, their chopping motion leaves you with coffee particles of different sizes.
Furthermore, there is no sure way of determining the size of your grind. It depends on how long you run the appliance – a long time for a finer grind and a short time for something coarse. Also, the friction from the blade in the grinder creates heat that damages the flavors in the beans. So most of the coffee brewed from beans grounded in a blade grinder tastes bitter.
Will Using a Cheap Grinder Affect The Taste of My Coffee?
Yes, it will.
Most cheap grinders on the market do not have certain features that are vital for good quality grinds. A bad coffee grinder produces coffee particles of different sizes. So, when brewing, the particles will extract at different rates, leaving you with a cup of Joe that has uneven flavors.
Is Buying an Expensive Coffee Grinder Worth it?
Yes, it is!
Buying an Expensive grinder is worth it, especially if you value the robust flavors in freshly ground coffee.
Using a proper coffee grinder is essential when you have discerning tastes and want to achieve the same outcomes as a skilled barista. Even though pre-ground coffee is faster to get and use, you’ll get an even better experience with a decent grinder. So spending a little more is worth it.
Conclusion
As you have seen above, the most expensive coffee grinders produce the best coffee. They are built to last and are easier to use compared to the cheap ones. So if you want to upgrade your daily coffee experience, I advise you to invest in a quality coffee grinder. Look at the kind of job the grinder will do instead of what it costs.