Burr or rotary coffee grinder: what to choose?

Which coffee grinder to buy for home ↑

A device with knives will fill the kitchen with a wonderful aroma

All devices can be divided into two groups: with chopper-knives and with chopper-millstones.

Blade-type shredders use a large, sharp blade that rotates at high speed. The longer the operating time, the finer the grind. The main disadvantage of this method is that the coffee particles are of different sizes. If we want to brew a Turkish drink in a Turk, then grinding will do. But it is not suitable for geyser-type coffee makers or coffee machines.

Models with millstones come to the rescue. They are more technically complex. But the grinding quality is simply excellent.

You should answer the question of how often and in what volumes you drink coffee. If you brew it in a cup or pot and consume one cup in the morning, sometimes inviting someone from your family, then there is a small amount of processing involved. Consider an economical option - centrifugal rotary blade devices. They can be used for grinding cereals for preparing baby food.

If your whole family drinks coffee, you need a fine, uniform grind of a certain size. In this case, choose millstone machines.

Blade type coffee grinders (rotary)

Such coffee grinders work on the following principle: the container into which coffee beans are poured for grinding is equipped with rotary knives. When you turn on the machine, the knives begin to rotate very quickly and chop the grains. In this case, the degree of grinding is regulated only by the duration of the procedure. That is, the longer the device operates, the finer the grind will be. Preparing coffee in a Turk requires the grinding as fine as possible, almost “to dust”.

Features to consider when choosing a rotary coffee grinder:

• motor power,
• container capacity,
• coffee grinder body material.

Power

The power of the coffee grinder determines the speed of its operation. As a rule, this indicator ranges from 100W to 270W (used for devices with a fairly large loading container). It is believed that for devices of this type the optimal power level is 180W. But even if the power is quite small (about 130W), the coffee will still grind well, just over a slightly longer period of time.

I would like to note that, by and large, any device will grind the same amount of grains in approximately the same time. The difference here will be practically not noticeable. If the power of the device is too high, this can lead not only to heating of the grains, but also to their charring. As a result, the finished coffee will have a bitter aftertaste.

Container volume

One serving of coffee is 6-7 grams of coffee (for a cup of espresso the standard is 7 grams). The container's capacity can range from 40 grams to 120 grams, which equals six to eighteen cups of the finished drink. The optimal container volume for yourself must be calculated taking into account the fact that it is better not to store ground coffee in a coffee grinder for more than thirty minutes (it becomes similar to ground coffee purchased in a store).

Here it is necessary to clarify that rotary grinding machines are not equipped with dispensers. Thus, if you fill the entire pack at once, the machine will not be able to dispense the amount of beans required for grinding - after all, there is only one container.

Housing material

The material from which the body of the unit is made also plays an important role - the service life, as well as the strength of the entire structure, will depend on it. Most models are made of plastic, but stainless steel options are also available. The legs of the product, as a rule, are also made of stainless steel.

Additional options for blade coffee grinders

In the struggle for buyers, manufacturers are trying to equip their products with a variety of innovations that, at least a little, make the operation of the coffee grinder more comfortable:

• So, in order to increase the grinding speed, some machines are equipped with double legs.
• In other models, in order to ensure uniformity and intensity of grinding, the bottom of the bowl is placed at a special angle.
• Thirdly, to improve the quality of grinding, a pulsating rotation system is installed.
• Some models have a grinding degree regulator (there can be three levels: coarse, medium and fine).
• Others have an overheating protection function. Thanks to this option, the device automatically turns off if the motor gets too hot.

Most rotary models are equipped with an activation lock feature when the cover is removed. That is, the device will not turn on until you close the lid tightly. Considering that the knives here are located in the grain container, this function provides a person with safety from injury.

To make the product more convenient to store, it is equipped with a device for winding the power cord. If the model you have your eye on has automatic cord rewinding, then you should definitely check this option before purchasing, because In some products, the cord may become jammed. The length of the cord also matters, especially if your kitchen is quite spacious.

Disadvantages of rotary coffee grinders

• If we are talking about knife-ground coffee grinders, then the main disadvantage lies in the heterogeneity of the resulting grind.
• In addition, there is no portion dispenser - the user has to determine and manually pour the required amount of beans. But there is one simple rule: for one cup of coffee you should take about one tablespoon of beans.
• Another drawback is that the device has only one container, intended simultaneously for both beans and ready-ground coffee. It’s not very convenient to pick up the powder here – the knives get in the way. If this nuance is important to you, then give preference to models with a removable container.
• It’s also not very convenient that you have to control the degree of grinding yourself.

Most common breakdowns

Blade coffee grinders most often experience the following damage:

• the motor burns out (often after just a year of operation) - after this the device cannot be restored;
• The “start” button breaks, as well as other plastic parts of the case.

To avoid trips to the service center, we recommend purchasing only original branded equipment, and not Chinese counterfeits. One way or another, be sure to keep the warranty card. Also, before making a purchase, make sure that you have an appropriate service center in your city.

Important Tips

Separately, I would like to note that coffee grinders are not recommended for grinding other products.

There are two reasons for this:

• Since the containers of most models are not removable, they are quite difficult to clean. As a result, the smell of ground products will likely remain in the machine, which will also affect the aroma of the coffee itself.
• There is a risk that the device will very quickly break down during such operation (especially if you often grind walnuts or make powdered sugar). A blender should be used for these purposes.

The cost of rotary models can be from 400 rubles. up to 3000 rub.

Features of coffee grinders with knives ↑

Vitek rotary coffee grinder - a popular model for home use

It is easy to describe the operating principle of such a device. The grinding knives are in the same container where the coffee beans are poured. When turned on, the rotary knives begin to rotate quickly and chop the grains.

When choosing a knife-type device, you should take into account parameters such as container capacity and motor power. One serving of drink requires 6-7 g of coffee. The standard serving is 7 g of powder per cup of espresso. Containers hold from 40 to 120 g. You can prepare 6-18 cups of powder at a time.

You should not cook more - store the ground powder as if you bought it at the store. Experiencedly, you will calculate how much coffee you need to pour in for grinding. There are no dispensers in rotary machines.

Power is proportional to the operating speed of the device. Typically, power ratings range from 130 to 270 W. The larger the volume of the loading container, the greater the power. If you will be grinding coffee for one or two cups, buy a device with a lower power and a loading container.

For burr coffee grinders, the optimal power is 180 W. You can find 100 W devices on sale; they do the job just as well, although they take a little more time. Machines of different power grind the same amount of grain in approximately the same time. The difference per minute is almost imperceptible. But if the power is too high, the grains heat up, even carbonize, and the drink develops a bitter aftertaste.

The material from which the device body is made directly affects the service life. There are coffee grinders that are made of plastic or stainless steel (for example, Moulinex 843, Bork CG MGN 9227, Vitek VT-1545). Knives are also made of stainless steel.

Pros and cons of a millstone

In burr grinders, coffee beans are ground by millstones. They are usually made of stainless steel. The distance between the millstones is adjustable; the degree of grinding and uniformity depend on it. For “mocha”, “cappuccino”, “espresso” these indicators are very important.

The power of coffee grinders with millstones is 250-300 W. They are more powerful than models with knives. The grains are not burned in them.

Millstone models last longer. The millstones are made of a metal alloy. If they also have a titanium coating, then they will last a long time, as they are resistant to wear. In inexpensive models, cheap steel wears out over time, and they last less than those in which the metal parts are coated with titanium.

But what is the rating of budget coffee machines for the home and what parameters should you choose for your home? The information at the link will help you understand.

The video shows a description of the burr coffee grinder:

This type of machine usually has two separate containers: for beans and for ground coffee. There are models in which you can pour a whole pack of beans into a container for beans, and then indicate how many cups of coffee you need to grind: the device will determine the required number of beans on its own.

When purchasing, check the seal of the bean cup. Then they can be stored in this container for a long time without fear that the aroma will dissipate.

It will also be useful for you to know what an electric turk for Turkish coffee looks like.

The disadvantages include the dimensions of the coffee grinder. There are quite large models; many people need to think about its location in the kitchen. The price of some devices, which often depends on their versatility, can also be confusing.

Choosing the best knife coffee grinder ↑

Rotary machine

To attract buyers, manufacturers have come up with additional functions. Some models are equipped with double knives. This increases speed (Zauber X 480). In an effort to increase the mixing intensity and make the grinding more uniform, they created units with an inclined bottom (Bosch MKM 6000). On sale you can find coffee grinders that are equipped with an exclusive pulsating rotation system (Tefal 8100). Thanks to this innovation, the grinding of the rotary machine becomes high-quality. The Delonghi KG 30 model is equipped with a three-level grinding regulator - fine, medium, coarse.

There are varieties of knife machines with overheating protection functions. If the motor gets too hot, the coffee grinder turns off automatically. This protects against breakdowns due to motor overheating.

Most rotary ones are safe to use. They are equipped with a locking system for turning on when the cover is removed. Until it is tightly closed, the device will not turn on. For knife blades, this function is especially important, since the knives are located in the grain container.

A device for winding the cord is available in many models. This is very convenient if the coffee grinder is constantly removed from the table. A device with a hidden cord inside becomes more compact for storage.

What characteristics of a blade coffee grinder should you pay attention to:

1. Coffee container volume. More powerful devices have a larger bowl volume. The higher the power, the faster the coffee grinder operates. The power of models with knives varies from 110 to 270 W. It is not advisable to strive for maximum values, since overheating of the ground coffee is possible, giving the final drink bitterness. A power of 180 watts is considered optimal for a rotary coffee grinder. In rotary coffee grinders, there are complaints about the motor and if it breaks, it is impossible to repair.
2. Material of the body, knives and inner surface of the bowl. The service life of a coffee grinder depends on the material. Plastic can cause rapid breakage. This material also strongly absorbs odors. Metals such as aluminum, brass and steel will last much longer and are more reliable. But stainless steel models are much more expensive than plastic ones. Rotary ones are often made of plastic or there are cases made of combined materials.
3. Safety. Many coffee grinders have a locking function that prevents the device from turning on when the lid is open. This is how consumers are insured against accidents, because the knives are very sharp and rotate at high speed.
4. A dispenser that helps grind the right amount of beans. However, knife devices do not provide such a function.
5. Overheat protection. To do this, use a pulse mode that prevents overheating of the device; this function is especially necessary for high-power models.
6. Noise indicator. To reduce noise, equipment is produced with a rubberized base. This base also increases the stability of the device.
7. Start type - Some grinders are turned on by pressing the lid of the container or pressing and holding the "start" button.

Device volumes range from 25 g to 2 kg. Compact models with a volume of 50–100 g are more suitable for home use. In stationary coffee grinders there are bowls up to 2 kg. They may have a dosing function in automatic or manual mode. However, rotary grinders do not have a dosing system and you will have to weigh it manually and determine the grind by eye.

Many blade grinders can be used to grind spices and other food ingredients.

However, there is a special grinder for this. The essential oils of the spices, which are responsible for their aroma, will transfer to the ground coffee. Therefore, use your coffee grinder to grind only whole coffee beans and never grind other food items.

Disadvantages of rotary type devices ↑

True connoisseurs choose a coffee grinder very carefully

Most models use one container for beans and for finished coffee powder. If this point is important to you, pay attention to models with removable containers.

There is no coffee bean dispenser, so the user must calculate the amount of coffee needed for preparation. The standard calculation is a tablespoon of grains per cup.

Blade coffee grinders break more often than burr grinders. If the motor burns out, the device cannot be restored. If the plastic parts of the case are broken (the “Start” button especially often breaks), you can contact the service center. To avoid becoming a client of this establishment, avoid cheap Chinese counterfeits. After purchase, keep the receipt and warranty card. It is better to make sure in advance that there is a service center in your city that will accept the coffee grinder.

Many housewives use a coffee grinder not only for coffee, but also for other products - sugar, walnuts and even black pepper. This is not recommended, since most mechanisms do not have a removable container, which means that caring for the device is difficult. The container will retain the smell of these products, which will invariably affect the aroma of the drink. You can use a blender to grind food.

Advantages and disadvantages

Now I will tell you what significant advantages and disadvantages you can count on when buying such household appliances.

The general advantages are:

• versatility - if you want, you can grind everything you need;
• convenience + compactness – equipment of this type is most appropriate in everyday life, including in the context of mobility and storage;
• you will get the ground powder quickly enough;
• all miracles are available at a fabulous price;
• in some places you can count on a decent range of options;
• maintainability - any smart craftsman can repair a coffee grinder, and for pennies.

The disadvantages can be described as follows:

• Rotary coffee grinders are not the device that true coffee lovers need;
• Ergonomics are not fully thought out everywhere, which I will discuss in detail in the practical description.

Which type is better to choose?

Coffee lovers drink it in different ways: some limit themselves to one cup a day, some enjoy it even less often, and for some even four cups a day will not be enough. And in terms of strength and method of preparation, everyone has different preferences. And when choosing coffee grinders, you just need to start from your preferences, what kind of coffee, how many cups a day and how it is prepared.

Of the two types of coffee grinders, the best one will be the one that is more suitable for the situation.

Let's say a coffee grinder is needed to grind beans for one or two cups of coffee per day, which is brewed in a Turk. It is also assumed that they will periodically grind cereals with it . This means that the amount of processing will be small. In addition, the degree of grinding and uniformity of particles are not of fundamental importance. In this case, you can choose a blade rotary coffee grinder.

You may also be interested in information about what are the best carob coffee makers for home.

Watch the video on how to make the right choice:

In another case, when you need ground coffee for more than a couple of cups a day, if a geyser or coffee machine is used to prepare it, where uniform grinding of a certain size is required, then a burr coffee grinder is definitely needed.

You may also be interested in information about what a carob-type coffee maker with a coffee grinder looks like and how to use it.

Consider the pros and cons of each type of device, weigh how well they suit your situation. And then the correctly chosen device will delight you for a long time with its proper operation.

The quality and taste of the coffee you are going to prepare largely depends on the choice of coffee grinder.

It’s no wonder that baristas pay close attention to this aspect. After all, a coffee grinder is the first step, depending on you, towards preparing excellent espresso with a characteristic velvety taste. Let's try to explain why.

Grinding system

Coffee grinders can be rotary, equipped with knife-type grinders, or burr grinders. The difference between them is huge. You will never see a barista with a cheap rotary grinder in their hands. The fact is that these types of devices do not provide the correct grind for making espresso, in which the extraction time, which lasts 25-28 seconds, is a very important factor. For maximum release of aromatic oils, coffee particles must be the same size and have a complex lattice structure, and a rotary coffee grinder simply “chops” the grain into particles of arbitrary shape. Although for longer brewing methods, such as in a drip or geyser coffee maker, a rotary coffee grinder is ideal.

Burr grinders provide the “correct” grinding of espresso coffee, when the coffee beans are ground into particles of a shape that provides maximum surface area of ​​contact of the released coffee oils with water. However, sometimes users complain that the taste of coffee does not improve even when using a burr grinder: the drink is bitter.

The reason is dull millstones, which grind coffee into particles of unequal size; therefore, water supplied under pressure through a portafilter in 25 seconds only manages to flow around large particles and wash out all substances from small ones, including bitterness. Therefore, due to excessive extraction, you should not use rotary coffee grinders or devices with dull burrs when making espresso.

Which coffee grinder is best for home

Having carefully studied the pros and cons of coffee grinders, you need to make your own choice, focusing on your own needs and tastes. Experts recommend choosing a millstone, as it is more versatile. The beans crushed on it can be used to brew coffee in any way - in a Turk, coffee maker, coffee machine. In addition, the device with millstones allows you to obtain a higher grinding quality, and this is important for preparing some types of invigorating drinks, for example, espresso, mocha, cappuccino.

Well, generally speaking, when choosing a coffee grinder, you need to focus on what kind of coffee you like, how many cups you drink per day and how you prefer to prepare it. If you need equipment in order to prepare 1-2 servings of drink every morning and grind a small amount of nuts or cereals once a month, then it would be more advisable to purchase a knife-type model. For true coffee lovers, it is better to spend a lot of money and buy a millstone so as not to limit yourself to your favorite drink.