Millstone coffee grinder: pros and cons, rating of the best models

A millstone coffee grinder is a necessary attribute for real gourmets. The process of making coffee for connoisseurs of the drink has become a real ritual, and its main component is fresh grinding. Bean coffee is cheaper than ground coffee and is much more aromatic than any store product. Therefore, people understand how necessary such a coffee grinder is at home.

Varieties of coffee grinders with millstones

Millstones are always more powerful than knife (rotary) ones and cope with work faster. Based on the name, it is clear that the grains are crushed according to the mill type. The millstones themselves are cylindrical or conical discs made from all kinds of alloys.

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The coffee is a fairly hard product and requires the appropriate power to grind it. The performance range of the budget grinder motor is from 100 to 200 watts. Professional devices can be up to 350 W, they grind the hardest and heavily overcooked grains.

Principle of operation

The coffee grinder works simply - the grains pass between the millstones (in the form of cylinders or cones). And the degree of grinding depends on their distance. Each appliance has several coffee grinding functions, which result in a result from fine powder (Turkish coffee) to large particles (in a French press). In the most advanced models, you will find up to 17 modes.

Stages of work:

1. When the equipment is turned off, a container for beans is installed on top of the body.
2. The lower drip tray (for ground coffee) slides into the appliance. The grains are placed in a funnel, it is closed, and the grind level is selected with the help of the regulator.
3. Shredding begins with a simple push of a button.
4. You just have to turn off the device, get the ground coffee and brew your favorite aromatic drink.

Features: shape, material, design

In millstone coffee grinders, the body can be plastic or metal (the latter is much stronger and more reliable). The larger the diameter of the discs, the less the grains themselves will heat up. And of course, large gears increase the productivity of the device.

Their resource depends on the material from which the millstones are made: the metal will be erased after 500 kg of ground coffee, good ceramics - after 1000 kg, and the ceramic-corundum alloy will be practically eternal.

Types of millstones and materials from which they are made

There are 2 types:

1. Conical - these are two cones located in each other. The outer one is stationary, and the inner one rotates very quickly, which means that in a short time you will receive a large volume of coffee. The grain, getting inside, is ground and falls down. Such cones practically do not overheat. Coffee grinders with conical discs are more expensive (10-15% higher), last longer, are more durable and run very quietly.
2. Plane-parallel millstones are like washers. Their edges are connected with the help of special notches. Grain, falling on them, is rubbed. Disks are fast, but noisy and fail faster. It is good that brands with a good service network can replace this particular part of the mechanism.

Materials from which they are made:

1. Cast iron is the cheapest and most wear-resistant alloy in millstones. Found in handheld devices. Gradually, it grinds off, and the drink acquires a metallic taste. In this case, it's time to change the millstones. Also, cast iron is porous, absorbs and gives off odors. People with a keen sense of smell will sooner or later notice that different types of coffee in such a coffee grinder have mixed on their own.
2. Stainless steel millstones - medium durability. Hardwearing but susceptible to water. Suitable for regular use.
3. Even hardened steel will wear out. But if you apply a titanium coating on it, then the millstones will become smooth, dense and will last a long time. But such a coffee grinder is much more expensive. Titanium millstones are more commonly found in professional devices and are capable of handling large volumes.
4. Ceramic circles are the most expensive, but almost eternal. The main thing is that the user maintains the grinding time specified in the instructions. Too hot wheels will crack with prolonged use. And such devices are quite expensive and uncommon.
5. Ceramics, although very hard, are quite fragile. The best is the alloy of ceramics with corundum. It is an environmentally friendly material that can grind any size. The coffee grinder will not have any foreign odors, it is not afraid of water, moisture and rust.

Grinding adjustment

The control of the initial state of the powder is very important, therefore, burr-type devices are equipped with an adjustment of the degree of grinding. Adjustable mills are essential for a large scale, for example, in a coffee shop with this service.

The grinding speed is determined by the number of revolutions of the motor. From here the degree of productivity and quality of coffee directly depends. Low speed will prevent the millstones and coffee from overheating, but productivity will suffer. Conversely, at high speed you will have a lot of coffee, but the aroma will start to evaporate due to overheating.

To adjust the degree of grinding help: a special slider, regulators or a ring (at the back or at the bottom of the device). Changing their position changes the distance between the millstones and the size of the coffee particles. Most often, factory tinctures give out more grains, but using the instructions, you will always adjust them. The process itself is best done with the device running, but without grains.

In addition to the degree of grind, it is important how even the entire coffee is obtained. In budget coffee grinders, in addition to the given size, there are always smaller fractions. But if the device says "precision millstones", then you will get a high-precision grinding with pieces of the same size.

Convenient cleaning

It is sufficient to clean the grinder once a month, depending on the frequency of use. With the device turned off, unscrew the screws that hold the millstones. Wipe them down and brush them off. It is undesirable to wet discs with water.

At the time of purchase, ask the seller to assemble and disassemble the device. Removable containers are the most convenient for cleaning. If it does not come off, but extends, check if your fingers can reach the farthest corners. Otherwise, the coffees will mix. Trays for ground coffee must be completely sealed and fit perfectly to the body, otherwise the product will lose its taste and aroma.

Grind timer

In millstones, the operating time has little effect on the degree and quality of grinding, more on the volume of raw materials. For home use, it is very convenient to have a built-in timer with a regulator of portions and (or) grind. This will set the dose of ground mass and the number of seconds for its preparation in advance. At the same time, the performance of the machine does not suffer, the millstones do not heat up and the quality of the coffee is always at its best. When the machine does everything automatically, you don't have to count the seconds.

The timer can be mechanical and electronic (more expensive type of device). Setting the cups is more convenient for most users than the weight of the coffee. In expensive models, there is a function for adjusting the weight of the already ground coffee. It is very convenient to load the grains, get the required dose for today, and grind the rest next time.

Beans and Powder Containers

Almost every model of coffee grinder has dispensers for raw materials and separately for the finished product. The upper container can hold from 100 to 300 g of whole grains. In the bottom, with the original product - up to 100 g (for home use) and more than 100 g (for a coffee shop).

There are plastic, metal (only for beans) and glass trays. The latter do not accumulate static electricity, do not absorb odors and do not scratch.

Which is better: a manual or electric burr grinder?

Manual coffee grinder allows you to get aromatic coffee in a special drawer for 5 minutes or longer (for one portion). In the morning, to a person who is late for work, this time will seem wasted, but enjoying the coffee ritual, without rushing anywhere, is possible only in this way.

Hand mill discs are most often metal or ceramic, and the fineness of grinding is adjusted by twisting the screws. The crushing apparatus consists of two conical millstones: the first rotates from the handle, the second is rigidly fixed. A mechanical device will last a long time, because it has no electronics, no network failures, and the rest of the components are quite durable. These appliances do not burn coffee. And the price of manual coffee grinders is always cheaper than electric models.

Electric millstone coffee grinder belongs to the premium segment and the price for them is higher than knife or hand devices. Electric ones are more productive, with uniform and high-quality grinding, with less effort and time.

Popular models

• Vitek VT -1540 BK

This is an inexpensive coffee grinder with a plastic body. A 100 W motor will grind up to 100 g of coffee. The device has an adjustment of the degrees of grinding (4), 2 speeds and an automatic lock - when the cover is removed, the device will not turn on.

You can buy Vitek VT -1540 BK in Moscow from 2 thousand rubles. rubles.

• Delonghi KG-79

The mechanical-electric model, which, with a power of 110 W, can handle 110 g of coffee beans. Just 8 seconds is enough for 2 cups. The removable tank, the adjustment of the degrees of grind (16) and the number of cups, the double protection system - these are the main advantages of this popular coffee grinder in the ranking.

The manufacturer has provided everything - from rubberized non-slip feet, non-heating steel millstones and a compartment for storing the cord. The weight of the device with the plastic case is 1.5 kg.

• Bekker GVX 242

This universal device with a 100 W motor can easily grind up to 200 g of coffee beans at a time. The main advantage of the device from 5 thousand. rubles - 17 positions of the regulator of the degree of grinding. This way you get the perfect coffee, no matter where you prepare it - in a Turk, drip or espresso machine.

There is a blocking device without containers, adjustment of the number of cups (up to 12). The black plastic case will easily fit into any interior.