Burr vs Blade Grinders

Burr Grinders

The key to a great cup of coffee is fresh beans and freshly ground coffee. There are many benefits to grinding your coffee at home, but you shouldn’t just buy any random grinder. You also shouldn’t buy the cheapest grinder because you risk compromising the overall quality of your grind. There are two types of grinders to choose from, and both are very different.

Burr grinders use two revolving abrasive surfaces (burrs) to grind a few coffee beans at a time. You can make small adjustments to the burrs to perfect your grind, which gives you the most uniform grind. These are manufactured using two styles of burrs, conical and flat plate. These are usually made of ceramic and stainless steel. Conical grinders consist of two cone shaped burrs with ridged edges. As one burr rotates, the other remains stationary to grind your beans. Flat plate grinders consist of two rings that have seated edges and are hollow in the center, and they operate in the same way as conical grinders. 

There are poor quality burr grinders marketed as affordable versions, but you should always be wary of them and do research before purchasing. There are a few things to look for that indicate you’ve found what is referred to as a false burr grinder. The first giveaway is usually affordability. There are more affordable burr grinders that are good quality, but not all of them are created equal. A false burr grinder will have blunt edges and flat teeth instead of sharp ridges. The resulting grind will be inconsistent because those flat teeth will wobble as they grind against one another. 

Hand Grinders

If you want an affordable burr grinder that will provide a consistent grind and do not mind putting in a little elbow grease, you should consider a hand grinder. They’re very easy to find and can often be purchased  for around $50. You can purchase hand grinders with ceramic and steel conical burrs. They provide you with a grind quality comparable to an electric burr grinder, but the lack of a motor allows them to be considerably cheaper. 

Blade Grinders

Blade Grinders use a blade that spins similar to that of a blender, to chop the beans rather than crush them. They are manufactured with propeller shaped stainless-steel blades. These blades revolve at high speeds, which sounds like a great idea right? As the blades speed up, they create heat, and that’s the last thing you want your coffee exposed to during the grinding process. The heat produced as the blades speed up can burn your beans before they even come into contact with water. 

The coffee ground using a blade grinder is typically more bitter because they can’t yield consistent grounds. The quality of a grind from a blade grinder is compromised as a result of the way the blades chop at the beans. Instead of a grinding down the beans, it slices and shaves them. 

If you’re willing to compromise a little on the flavor of your coffee, a blade grinder is a great affordable option. They’re best if you do not plan to drink you coffee black and prefer to add sugar and other flavors. They’re also an acceptable option if you need a grinder that will not take up a lot of counter space.