If you've just bought a manual coffee machine , or a manual brewing system like a Chemex or V60 , you'll need a good grinder to help you get fresh, flavorful coffee. You might say you could buy pre-ground coffee. But the grind wouldn't necessarily be suitable for your machine, since most pre-ground coffees are filter-ground. Furthermore, the taste of your coffee will be disappointing because it will be much less fresh, as commercially ground coffees have been ground for some time by the time they reach the shelves.
But which mill should you choose? Manual or automatic? A grinder with flat or conical burrs? And what is the difference between ceramic and steel burrs? There are a multitude of models, with different options or materials, and it's easy to get lost.
The Ma Caféine team has written this guide to help you in your search, so you can find the grinder that's right for you and your coffee machine. This will ensure you get the best possible cup of coffee thanks to the right grind and freshly ground coffee.
- Blade mill or mill with millstones?
- The different millstones
- The manual mill
- The automatic mill
- Choosing the right grinder for your machine
- Care & Accessories
Our coffee grinders
Blade mill or mill with millstones?
You might be tempted to use that old hand-cranked mill you inherited from your grandmother. Yes, they're beautiful, antique, and add a touch of charm to your countertop, but that would be a mistake. Let us explain why.
Blade mills
Older grinders are equipped with blades, not burrs. Their price is certainly attractive, but the grind quality won't be there. The explanation is quite simple: the blades, in action, will heat the beans and give your coffee a burnt taste. They also don't allow for precise grind adjustment. You'll end up with an approximate grind for your brews, which is far from ideal.
Your grind will also lack homogeneity since the grains are sliced into several pieces and not ground uniformly. Therefore, you will have different grind sizes.
This type of grinder will also prevent you from varying your brewing methods if you own different brewing systems.
Generally speaking, blades will damage your coffee beans, so you should avoid this type of grinder for your coffee . A blade grinder is only suitable for your spices.
Millstone mills
Mills equipped with grinding wheels are now standard for modern grinders. Grinding wheels come in various sizes and materials, offering diverse advantages depending on your model choice.
This is what you need to achieve the perfect, uniform, and well-sized grind, suitable for your machine. The burrs grind your grain and don't crudely chop it like blades.
We will therefore explain the difference between flat grinding wheels and conical grinding wheels, but also between ceramic and steel.
The different millstones
As seen previously, there are therefore different models of grinding wheels.
They can be conical or flat, and made of steel or ceramic.
Both shapes guarantee excellent grinding quality, but their differences should be taken into consideration when making your choice.
The size of the millstones is proportional to the grinding speed. The larger the millstones, the faster the mill grinds. Using conical millstones increases the grinding speed without increasing the diameter of the millstones.
In terms of technical operation, the distance between the two parts of the grinding wheels will determine the size of your grind.
Flat grinding wheels
The operation is quite simple. One of them is fixed, while the other, which is connected to the motor, rotates and grinds the coffee.
Positive points
Flat burr grinders are quieter and faster. Less ground material gets stuck, so there's less daily cleaning required.
Negative points
They take up a little more space on the counter, and can also be more expensive.
Conical grinding wheels
Conical grinding wheels consist of two parts, one of which is cone-shaped as the name suggests. The two parts fit together, one upwards, the other downwards.
Positive points
The slower rotation of the conical millstones prevents the grain from overheating. The mills are generally more compact and also less expensive.
Negative points
They are noisier and slower. They require more daily cleaning, especially if you use oily coffee, as the grounds (especially fine ones) can accumulate and clog the burrs.
Steel or ceramic?
Both materials exist and guarantee an excellent grind. The main difference is thermal conductivity. In other words, heat diffusion, which is an important factor for professionals who have to make several coffees in a row. Steel is a good conductor, so it will heat up faster but also cool down more quickly. The opposite is true for ceramic.
But whichever you choose, it will have no impact on the taste of your coffee, as long as you maintain your grinder properly.
Steel
The most common type of grinding wheel used in automatic grinders, steel is affordable and very durable. However, its steel grinding wheels need to be replaced periodically, as they are subject to wear and tear.
Ceramic
Ceramic is a very expensive and fragile material for mills, but its fragility is not a problem for domestic use. It is mainly found in hand mills. On the other hand, they are practically indestructible!
The manual mill
Manual mills are very popular today. They are economical, but also very easy to transport and use. They are available with ceramic or steel grinding wheels, and the grind size can be easily adjusted using an internal dial.
Grinding your coffee with a manual grinder is like developing a sort of ritual around coffee that brings a certain pleasure, even if for some turning the crank can become tiring.
However, you can only grind a small amount of coffee, depending on the size of the reservoir, and they are not suitable for Turkish or espresso grinds, as you won't get a fine enough grind to guarantee optimal extraction. ( See our grind guide .)
However, they are perfect for manual infusions , Italian coffee makers , or even French presses! This makes them the ideal grinder to take camping!
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The automatic mill
The first advantage over a manual grinder is the speed of operation. Once properly calibrated for the desired grind, a single press is all it takes to fill your filter holder, saving you precious time. It's ideal for people in a hurry in the morning!
You can also easily achieve unparalleled grind precision, even in large quantities. (See our grind guide.) However, it's not advisable to grind too much in advance to preserve the coffee's freshness. Ground coffee loses its aroma after a week.
The automatic grinder has become an essential countertop item alongside your manual grinder. Some grinders are veritable works of art, so much so that their aesthetics have improved in recent years.
However, it remains more expensive, but also noisier than a manual mill.
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Choosing the right grinder for your machine
As mentioned earlier, not all grinders are suitable for all machines or brewing systems, and therefore not for all grind sizes. You must therefore choose your grinder according to the machine you own.
If you own different machines, make sure you get a grinder that will offer you a wide range of grind settings, going from a fine grind to a coarse grind without problems.
Therefore, if you have a Turkish coffee maker or manual espresso machine, do not use a manual grinder, as it will not produce a grind fine enough for your coffee brew. ( See our grind guide .)
A little tip ? Always change the size of your grind while grinding coffee to avoid damaging your burrs.
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Care & Accessories
Yes, like any household appliance, a grinder needs maintenance . Properly maintaining your grinder ensures optimal grinding performance and therefore the quality of your coffee every day. It also extends its lifespan. It's worth noting that a grinder that hasn't been used for a while may stop working correctly, just like a coffee machine.
For a deep clean , there are products that remove coffee buildup from your grinder and clean away the oils from the used beans. The optimal frequency for a deep clean is every 3 months, but this can be less frequent if, for example, you use dark coffee, which is less oily.
For regular daily maintenance , you can use a clean, dry brush. You can also use a clean cloth to regularly clean the inside of the bean hopper or the coffee outlet.
Caution: Do not use water, dish soap, or any other type of soap to clean the inside of your coffee grinder, especially the burrs. These products can reduce performance and shorten the lifespan of your grinder, and may even cause it to malfunction. They can also affect the taste of your coffee. Always use appropriate cleaning products.
Maintenance of your mill
Accessories for your mill
