Grinding

Grinding is perhaps the most important step in the brewing process.  The only way to enjoy a coffee brewed to it's fullest potential is to ensure that the grinder produces consistent particle sizes.  Grinding should be completed seconds before brewing.  Coffee begins to stale very fast from the moment it is ground.  If you grind coffee at the market, using the bulk unit, brew it as soon as possible.  If you grind coffee and brew it 24 hours later, expect approximately HALF of the flavor fresh ground coffee produces.

Two basic types of home grinders are available:

The "blade" grinder, which has a propeller-type blade inside a chamber, is the most common type found in homes.  This is a very inexpensive grinder and almost impossible to achieve a proper grind.  Regardless of technique, this type of grinder produces inconsistent particle size and therefore, inconsistent cup quality.  Here are some tips to get the most consistent grind out of your blade grinder.

• fill the chamber to the top and put the lid on
• while lightly shaking up and down (no more than 4 inches vertically), depress the "on" button
• this will assist the larger particles toward the blade and the lighter weight (smaller) particles toward the top. 
• after approximately 10 seconds, keep lid on and turn upside down
• pull grinder off of the lid to inspect particle size.  If size appears too course, put grinder back onto lid and turn right-side-up. Continue grinding in 3-5 second intervals between inspections to achieve ultimate particle size goal.
• refer to our brewing method section to match up particle size for brewing method

The "burr" grinder is the preferred device for grinding beans to a consistent particle size.  Burr grinders have several individual settings , allowing the operator choice as to the desired particle size. 

Two types of burr grinders exist:  conical and disk. 

Conical burrs are the best because due to their design and low motor revolution, create incredibly consistent grounds and virtually no static.  Disk burrs are better than blade grinders but due to static produced from excessively high motor revolutions, do not produce as consistent a particle size as the conical unit.  

Note that even if a grinder has a setting labeled "French Press" or "auto-drip" you may not use these settings for your respective brewing procedure.  You must taste the coffee to determine if the grind size brewed the best cup possible.  Using my Bodum Antigua grinder at home, I set it on the "drip" setting for a 5 minute French Press.

Regardless of the type of grinder you use, always keep your grinder clean.  Never leave un-ground beans in the bean hopper.