7 Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Coffee Grinder
7 Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Coffee Grinder
Taking your coffee game a notch higher doesn’t necessarily translate to acquiring a fancier coffee maker. Word has it that having an electric coffee grinder is what will make a difference. Mainly because having this additional device can increase your control over the brewing process. It provides you with the capability to decide what grind size you want, when you want it.
There is a specific grind size for every brewing method and brewing time. Failure to match them correctly will give you a cup of joe that’s either weak or bitter as a result of under extraction or over extraction. So you cannot rely on pre-ground coffee. With a coffee grinder, you are not limited to one brewer. If you feel like using a French press, you can come up with a coarse grind. If what’s available is a stovetop espresso maker, you can create a fine grind. And so on.
Grinding unlocks the flavor and aroma of coffee beans, but the longer time between grinding and brewing, the less flavor and aroma you will enjoy. The elements are to blame, exposure of ground coffee to air alters its composition, and interaction with moisture dilutes its character. Too much of both results in a stale supply.
Brewing right after grinding is how you get the best drink and the only way to do this is to have a coffee grinder within reach of your brewer.
As you contemplate your purchase, here are some things to consider before you buy a coffee grinder.
1. Burr grinder vs blade grinder
There are two main types of coffee grinders. Blade and burr. Blade coffee grinders operate similar to blenders, using a propeller-like blade. They’re the more affordable choice. Burr coffee grinders utilize two surfaces that crush the beans in between. Under the burr category are two options, flat and conical. The conical burr grinder is usually the pick of industry professionals.
2. Consistency of grind
More than grind, blade grinders actually chop so the output is not uniform in size. This can either result in a bad-tasting drink or a damaged brewer, sometimes both. The Smeg coffee grinder is the conical burr type that delivers a consistent grind.
3. Grind size adjustment
How much freedom do you want in adjusting the grind size? The Smeg coffee grinder is stepless, which means that in manual mode, the control knob turns fluidly, giving you full command over 30 grinding levels. On days when you don’t want to give it much thought, you can just choose any of the pre-set functions, there are two functions for fine grind and 6 for medium-coarse grind.
4. Capacity of grind
It goes without saying that you should get a coffee grinder that will cater to your rate of consumption. The Smeg coffee grinder has 8 pre-set functions that correspond to pre-defined quantities of ground coffee. It can handle up to 12 cups.
5. Heat control
The oil in coffee beans is very sensitive to temperature - drastic shifts and extreme levels compromise the flavor. The faster the revolution per minute of the grinder’s mechanism, the more friction, the more heat build up, and the worse it is for the coffee. The conical burr in Smeg coffee grinders produces considerably less heat than both flat burr and blade. Conical burr coffee grinders also operate without much noise.
6. Materials used
The flavor of coffee can change upon contact with certain materials. With the Smeg coffee grinder, the taste of your beverage will not be degraded. From its non-corrosive stainless steel conical burr, you can expect nothing but homogenous ground coffee that feels clean in the mouth. When it comes to durability, the Smeg coffee grinder is sturdy and dependable. Its die-cast aluminum body is lightweight but strong. It comes with impact-resistant, BPA-free Tritan containers - one for coffee beans and another with a silicone cover for ground coffee.
7. Ease of cleaning
For optimum performance, any machine requires regular maintenance and the most basic of all is a thorough cleaning. This is easy to do with the removable conical burr of the Smeg coffee grinder and the cleaning brush that is included in the package. Its anti-static system also ensures that neatness is maintained all around. With the presence of friction and different materials working together, static is sometimes unavoidable. This can lead to ground coffee flying in all directions. You can stress less, knowing that a preventive measure is in place.
The 50s style Smeg electric coffee grinder is available in black, red, cream, and pastel blue. When you have one in your kitchen, the daily grind doesn’t necessarily translate to dull.