So you want to know how to use a coffee grinder to get all the benefits of coffee from freshly ground beans. The secret to making a great-tasting cup of coffee is to grind your coffee beans right before you brew your coffee.
This is done in coffee shops and cafes the globe over, and you can do the same at home using a coffee grinder made for residential purposes.
The flavor of the coffee you produce is largely dependent on the grounds. If you can get a consistent grind, you can guarantee the flavor will be great.
The most affordable way to do this is with a manual burr grinder. If you are not too worried about the cost of the grinder then you could get a top-quality electric burr grinder made for home use.
Once you have made the deciding factor on the grinder you want, you can bring it home. The next step is now to set up your first grind.
First, you must know the best grind size with your preferred brewing method. Once you know the size and are aware of what it looks like, you can now go ahead and adjust your grinder to the right setting to provide the desired grounds.
The steps to setting up your grinder will differ based on the type of grinder and the product manufacturer. Follow the instructions to get your grinder set up and ready to use. Overall, placing the burrs closer together will provide a finer grind.
Once you set up, it is time for the test. Use a couple of beans to test out your new coffee grinder. Check the grounds and make the necessary adjustments to get the grounds right where you want them.
Once you set these changes, you won’t have to adjust it for a while unless you are using a different brewing method which requires a different size of grounds.
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Cleaning and Care of your Coffee Grinder
Cleaning your grinder should be done at least once each week. Immerse the mill in a neutral and gentle detergent to remove any coffee oil that has stuck to it.
A thorough rinse should follow this, and the mill should be allowed to air dry. Your manufacturer should indicate which parts, if any are dishwasher safe and which can be bleach treated.
You don’t want to use abrasive cleaners and cleaning products that may damage the surface of your grinder parts and accessories. Also, a part of your weekly cleaning should be spent looking carefully at the parts to see if there are any breaks or cracks.
Choosing the Right Grind Size
So earlier, we discussed that you want to choose a grind size suitable for your preferred brewing method. If you don’t know what grind size is good for your type of coffee pot or machine, keep reading to find out.
There are several brewing methods available for brewing your cup of coffee. Each method will produce the best taste when it starts with its optimal grid size.
If you have a drip coffee maker and use flat bottom filters, you want to choose a medium grind. If you are using a drip coffee maker with cone filters or an espresso moka pot, you want to choose a fine grind.
Coarse grounds are good for your percolators, French press brewers, and vacuum coffee pots. For espresso machines and Ibrik brewing, you want an extra fine grind.
Ensuring You Have the Correct Grind Size
Here are some reference points to help you decide if you have the right grind size. A coarse grind will be of a similar size to kosher salt grains.
A medium grind will have sand like consistency. A fine grind will be smooth to the touch and will be finer than table salt or sugar.
An extra fine grind will be similar to sugar’s consistency but not powdery. Turkish grounds should be powdery and have a consistency like flour.
And there you have it – all the information on how to use coffee grinder models from set up to clean up and finding the right grind size.
