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How to Choose the Best Espresso Grinders A hopper-based grinder allows you to grind and dispense the portafilter in a single step. This is ideal for those who are just starting out, but we found that doing a single dose — taking the dose prior to grindingimproves consistency. Select a grinder with flat burrs and produces an ultrafine grind. These grinders are a little more expensive, but they provide outstanding results in the cup. User-Friendliness The espresso grinder is a critical component in the process of making quality espresso. Many coffee lovers make the mistake of purchasing an inexpensive espresso maker to save money on a high-end coffee maker. However, serious espresso enthusiasts are aware that the quality and consistency of the grind is what makes good espresso great. Choose a grinder that features precise grind adjustment, the ability to consistently dispense, and one that is made of high-quality materials. A burr grinder makes an even and fine grind that is perfect for espresso. Blade grinders cut beans into a coarser consistency, which could leave a variety of flavors and texture in the cup. Blades also generate heat when they chop beans and could alter or disrupt the flavor. In our tests, we discovered that the best espresso grinders were easy to use and provided precise control over the size the grounds. You should look for grinders that have simple cleaning procedures with a tiny amount of ground coffee (to prevent the clumping), as well as a fine, uniform grinding without overheating the burrs. Grind-by-weight grinders are also popular with espresso lovers because they let you set the desired weight in grams and dispense exactly that amount into your portafilter. They may not hold enough ground coffee to work well when tested with one dose. The Baratza Sette 270 is the only grinder we have tested to give an equally consistent shot using this method. These grinders can be cheap and readily available but they are difficult to use with an espresso machine in the home since their small dimensions cause the hopper to fill up quickly. These grinders are also prone to overheating, and their fineness may diminish as time passes. A great alternative to a blade grinder is the MiiCoffee DF64 II, which utilizes flat burrs and is very affordable for a top-quality grinder designed specifically for espresso. If you're an avid espresso lover you can buy the SSP burrs to achieve a finer grind. The MiiCoffee DF64 II also has a quieter operation than its competitors. This makes it a great option for those who like to reduce the amount of noise. Grind Size Adjustment A precise size of grind in espresso making is vital to the extraction. It's a delicate balance of several factors — including coffee, pressure and temperature – which is why it requires precise control. It's essential to have a grinder that is capable of producing a fine grind and be able to adjust it easily. Most commercial and home espresso machines can alter the size of the grind. coffee grinders are a great method to achieve the exact grind size you need for each batch of beans, and they can also help maintain the same grind over time. Certain grinders are more difficult to maintain a more fine grind than others. Others are unable to alter the grind settings. If you're looking for an espresso grinder that can offer a fine grinding choose a model that specifically states it can micro-adjust its grinding size or use flat burrs instead of conical. The latter are less likely to lose their calibration over time this is a typical issue for espresso grinders. It is often caused by motor vibrations, heat and normal wear-and-tear. To adjust the grind size in an espresso grinder you'll need access to its adjustment ring. This ring is usually located on the top or on the side of the grinder, or in certain models, it is built into the hopper. To increase the size of the grinding, simply turn the ring clockwise. Turn it counter-clockwise to reduce the size of the grind. Once you've found your ideal grind size, make sure that any retained ground coffee is cleared out of the adjustment system prior to using it again. This will avoid clogging and let you adjust the grind size precisely. This is particularly important for grinders that have step-based adjustment that are typically seen on Gaggia and Saeco grinders. If the adjustment ring is full of partially-ground coffee it will require more force to rotate the ring to a different setting which could result in incorrect results or even damage to the mechanism that grinds coffee. It is also important to keep in mind that the grind size may require adjustment from one batch of beans to the next in accordance with how the roasted and brewed beans are prepared. Flow Control Flow control occurs when the grinder is able to adjust finely to ensure that espresso shots are passed quickly and smoothly. Since so much pressure is pushing through the puck, even the tiny adjustments can have an impact on the overall quality of your coffee. This is why it's important to choose an espresso grinder that has the capacity to create a smooth, well-rounded consistency. There are two main types of espresso grinders: ones that employ the step-style adjustment and those that use an adjustable style that is stepless. Grinders that have a step-adjustment feature have a lever, or hopper-shaped knob, that is moved in steps. Each click of the knob will indicate a finer or coarser grind setting. This kind of grinder is favored by a lot of beginners and home baristas due to the fact that it is simple to master and manipulate. On the other hand, grinders that use a stepless adjustment are favored by experts because they are easy to operate with precision. By putting water in the portafilter lets you test the flow control of the grinder. The best grinders will not just be able to make a finely ground consistency, but they'll also be able ensure a steady flow of water throughout the entire shot. Another aspect to consider when choosing a grinder for espresso is whether you'd like dosing or non-dosing models. Dosing models have containers with sections in which ground coffee is poured once you press the button. Some models can hold up to 7 grams of ground coffee, while others can be adjusted to dispense more or fewer than this amount. The grinders that do not dose, on the contrary, pour the grounds directly into a portafilter or another container. Some grinders such as the Baratza Sette 270 have a v-shaped fork that you can put the portafilter into to catch the grounds. This feature is great because it cuts down on time and makes cleaning up easy. However, it's important to remember that no grinder distributes the coffee evenly in the basket so you'll still have to turn or flip the portafilter during dosing. Safety Like all commercial machine, espresso grinders require a higher quality of certification than consumer models. Look for a grinder with either an ETL or NSF mark both of which indicate that the product has been assessed by the appropriate agencies to ensure its safety in commercial applications. Some grinders have the third mark of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) but it's not as widespread and is less significant. You want a grinder that is easy to clean and maintain. It is recommended to consider a ground chamber that makes it easier to transfer the coffee into your machine for brewing. This is a standard feature of the majority of manual espresso grinders. We loved the Baratza Encore ESP's grounds chamber that has an elongated divot that allows you to nestle the lip of a basket into the chamber, and then collect the ground coffee without spilling. Other grinders that we tested, such as the Baratza Sette 270 and Rancilio Stile, came with built-in v-shaped forks that served the same purpose, but were less user-friendly and didn't fit the majority of our portafilters. Another thing to consider is the grinder's material and shape. You can choose between stainless steel or ceramic. Both are highly regarded in the coffee industry for their consistent and balanced results. You can choose between conical or flat burrs. The former tend to generate less heat variations than the latter, but it's all about the individual's preference. Once you have picked the ideal grinder, you need to perform a few easy maintenance tasks to keep it in top condition. After every use, clean the burrs using a lint free cloth or paper towel. This will get rid of any coffee particles and residue generated by grinding. It is also a good idea to perform a thorough clean every now and then. This involves disassembling the blender and soaking the removable parts in a cleaning solution or vinegar and water. Rinse them thoroughly and completely dry them before making them ready for reassembling. You can also apply an oil-like layer to the burrs or grinding chamber by using a food-grade grease. This helps prevent rust and corrosion and keeps the burrs in a proper alignment.