Choosing a Professional Coffee Grinder
While brewers tend to focus on the espresso machine or the quality of the beans they use but a high-quality coffee grinder is equally important. This is particularly relevant when making espresso, which requires a precise and consistent grind size.
The DF64 has flat burrs as well as a uniformly-sized grind size, resulting in a clean flavor. It has the added advantage of being able upgrade to new burrs should you require it.
Picking a Grinder
The coffee grinder is an essential piece of equipment for any espresso-based café. It is crucial to select the best grinder for your needs to ensure that your coffee cups are consistently high quality. When looking for an industrial-sized grinder, you need to think about a range of factors to choose the most suitable model for your needs.
Begin by assessing the grinder's capabilities. Make sure that it can handle the amount of beans you have to grind each day. Also, look at the grinder's RPM and the wattage to determine whether it's able to grind effectively. A higher wattage and RPM will enable the grinder to work more quickly, while the lower wattage and RPM will result in slower grinding.
Another factor to consider is the type of burrs you want to make use of. A majority of industrial-sized grinders come with flat and conical burrs, each having its own benefits. Conical burrs, for example may result in a slight overproduction of fines which is beneficial to certain styles of brewing. On the other side, flat burrs are often preferred by experienced baristas for their uniformity.
Once you've chosen the kind of burrs to use, it's important to think about the overall design and durability of the grinder. The best industrial-size grinding machines will have a sturdy and durable design, along with a powerful engine that can endure a lot of usage.
You'll also want to consider the size of the hopper that is the container that stores your beans prior to being ground. Commercial grinders typically have large hoppers that can hold several pounds of beans at a time.
Size
The body of the grinder, also known as the base usually houses a powerful electric motor. They are typically designed for commercial use and have a larger power capacity than home or personal coffee grinders. This is crucial because it allows the grinder to grind a full bag of beans throughout the day without overheating. Overheating the coffee grounds will cause them to burn and cause them to lose their flavor. A larger motor will give more torque, but at a slower speed, which makes it easier to grind your coffee without losing flavor or resulting in excessively bitter coffee grounds.
Consistency in grind size is essential for a top quality cup of coffee. Different brewing methods require a different size of grind to maximize extraction and enhance coffee's flavor. For instance, coarser grind is ideal for French press, cold brew and Aeropress, while finer grinding is ideal for espresso or Aeropress. Regularly cleaning your grinder will lessen the accumulation of residues that could adversely affect the consistency of the grind size.
Most commercial coffee grinders will come with a dosing chamber (also called doser). They are designed to hold the group handle while you load it into your espresso machine. The doser lever is then turned to rotate the section of the grinder to drop a specific amount of ground coffee into your portafilter. Some grinders can also be used for grinding a coarser, more regular grind for filter coffee or Turkish coffee.
Some grinders have a flat burr which is perfect for espresso. The flat burrs are made in the shape of two rings that lie flat against each other and rotate to grind your beans. This creates a very small space for the water to flow through, which is ideal for espresso machines.
Weight
Commercial coffee grinders are designed to be used over long periods of time, so they must be able to perform consistently and effectively. They must be able to handle the workload in a busy café without overheating. They should also be able to produce consistent results whether they grind coffee for drip or espresso. It is therefore important to choose a grinder with high-quality components and enough power to run continuously.
A commercial coffee grinder is typically equipped with a grinding mechanism consisting of two burrs. These are made of steel with sharp grooves resembling teeth. These burrs rotate against each other to chop up the beans. The grind setting determines the size of the particles. Pour-over cold brewing, brews, and espresso are best made with an extremely fine grind.
The actual grinding chamber is located on the top of the machine. The grinder is usually equipped with a dosing compartment on top that can be set to weigh the desired amount of ground coffee that is to be released. Or, the grinder might have a hopper that holds the coffee beans until they are ready to be ground.
The capacity of the hopper in a coffee grinder varies greatly and affects how many beans can be ground at one time. If you are looking to grind enough coffee to fill multiple portafilters and not have to refill your hopper often, a large capacity grinder can be beneficial.
Durability
A grinder must be able to withstand high-volume use and remain in good shape. Select one constructed of top-quality materials and has a sturdy construction. A professional coffee mill must be easy to clean - especially if you use it frequently. You can utilize a vacuum cleaner or air compressor to remove coffee dirt and residues from removable components, like the hopper or grind chamber. If the burrs are disassembled and cleaned, you can use a brush to clean them, or a specially designed burr cleaner.
The type of grinder you choose will also affect its longevity. Blade grinders may be cheaper however they produce plenty of heat while grinding beans. This can cause damage to beans and affect their flavor before brewing. Burr grinders, on other side, are more durable and provide more consistent grinding results. They are made of steel or ceramic burrs, and are classified into conical and flat types.
The type of grinder and the way it is used will impact its durability. If the collar is rotated and is not locked in place it will wear out and alter the settings. You can find an unlock button on the grinder that locks the collar in place to prevent accidental changes.
A commercial grinder can help your staff serve your customers fresh, flavorful coffee. You can preserve the flavor and aroma of the beans by grinding them properly before making coffee. Pre-ground coffee, on the other hand is devoid of its flavor and can even taste bitter than it should. By using a grinder, you can avoid this by restricting the time that the beans are exposed to oxygen.
Noise
It's not surprising that a commercial coffee grinder is loud. After all, it's grinding hard beans. Some grinders are louder than others. This can disrupt your workflow and reduce the quality of coffee you serve your customers. To reduce noise, search for a grinder that operates quietly while grinding beans.
The level of noise generated by grinding equipment is heavily contingent on the quantity of beans being processed at a time. A grinder with a big hopper can grind more beans at a time which causes it to produce more noise. The kind of burrs used and the material of the product also contribute to how loud a grinder is. Conical burrs reduce noise and heat better, while flat burrs generate more heat.
Using a top-quality grinder is a crucial element of making excellent coffee. It ensures that the beans are ground consistently to ensure that all the essential flavors are absorbed when hot water is poured over them. However, it's important to keep in mind that even a professional-grade grinder can become worn over time, which may result in a less precise grind.
To keep your grinder in top condition, you must clean it often, inspect the components for wear, and be aware of its settings. This is especially true when you use the grinder to make espresso. Examining the machine for signs of heat production and excessive grind retention is crucial because they could negatively affect the taste and aroma. It is also important to clean the grinder on a regular basis to remove any coffee residue or dirt.