Grind size matters: How to choose your next coffee grinder
Making the switch from buying pre-ground coffee to whole beans is one of the best decisions any coffee lover can make. Grinding your coffee to order decreases the time for oxidisation to occur, keeping your brew as flavourful and fresh as possible.
When it comes to deciding on a new coffee grinder, there are almost limitless options to choose from. Whether you’re in the market for an electric or manual grinder, one for specific brewing methods or an all-rounder, it can seem there are an overwhelming amount of options. The grinder you choose can have a big impact on how your coffee tastes.
At Best Coffee we carefully select the grinders we believe offer the best performance for coffee lovers. We have a grinder for all occasions and all budgets. So, which is right for you?
Manual Grinders
Manual coffee grinders are a great option if you’re grinding small amounts at a time or those who like to make coffee on the go. Often they’re a cost-effective, reliable way to make freshly-ground coffee without taking up loads of room in your house.
Best for style: Hario Skerton Plus Cereamic Coffee Grinder
Best for travel: Hario Prism Coffee Grinder
Top of the range: Comandante Mk4 C40 Nitro-blade grinder
Electric Grinders
If you have a bit of worktop space and want a quick solution to grinding coffee beans, an electric grinder is for you. Electric coffee grinders are a convenient, high-performance way to enjoy consistently ground coffee. Often they come with a few pre-programmed settings for different brewing methods too!
Best for value: Wilfa Svart Coffee Grinder
Best all-rounder: Wilfa Uniform+ Coffee Grinder
Best for espresso: Sage Smart Grinder Pro
Why grind size matters
You need to grind your coffee according to your brewing system, as well as according to your taste. In short, if your coffee flavour falls short of your expectations it’s most likely down to user error in the brewing process than bad coffee or a poor roast.
All coffee is made by extracting the flavours from ground beans via differing recipes. The main factors that affect how your coffee tastes are time, pressure, ratio of water:coffee and surface area of coffee grounds.
By switching the method of extraction from espresso to French Press, for example; the variable of pressure time and water ratio are drastically altered. To counteract these shifts you must also change the weight and surface area of the coffee grounds.
When making espresso; pressure is used to extract flavours quickly from the coffee. The surface area of the grounds is larger to allow maximum development in under 30 seconds. When using a French press time is increased, pressure is decreased. So the coffee must be ground coarser to ensure the correct balance of flavours is achieved.
Within each brewing method there is also room for tweaking the grind size to deliver the perfect cup of coffee. As a rough guide if your coffee is watery or sour, you need to grind the beans finer. If your brew is bitter or highly astringent, you should grind them coarser.
Additionally, lighter coffee usually needs a finer grind for excellent results. Because of different solubilities, dark and light coffee extract differently. Dark roasted coffee is less dense and has a lower moisture content due to the extended roasting process.
With the uniform coffee grinder, you can grind beans slowly and precisely with its steel burrs, which creates an end product of high quality and uniformity. Use the pre-set grind sizes as a guide for each brewing method & have fun tweaking your recipes to find your perfect brew. You'll enjoy a flavourful, aromatic and robust coffee.
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