To experience the full potential of your favourite coffee beans, the first thing you need is a humble grinder. But grinding coffee beans properly goes beyond just pressing a button. You must choose the right coffee beans and grind size, and use and care for your grinder properly. Then you need to adequately store the freshly ground coffee so they maintain their flavour and intensity over the long term. Let’s dive into how to use and clean a coffee grinder to be sure to create consistently delicious cups of coffee every day.
Choosing the right coffee beans & grind size
To put things simply, a coffee grinderis designed to grind roasted coffee beans. Roasted is particularly important here, so be sure to steer clear of green coffee (unroasted) or anything other than coffee.
When it comes to choosing which coffee beans to grind, this will depend primarily on your tastes, but also on your preferred extraction method.
Here’s how we recommend adjusting the grind size based on your extraction method. If you enjoy a rich and concentrated espresso shot, you’ll need a fine grind, resembling icing sugar. This allows the hot water to pass through the grounds slowly, extracting the intense flavours and creating the crema (the golden foam).
If you’re a French Press user, a coarse grind is ideal. Think of it like coarse sand. This allows for proper water immersion throughout the grounds while avoiding an overly bitter or weak brew.
For drip coffee makers, a medium grind is your sweet spot. Aim for the consistency of sea salt. This ensures the water has enough contact time to extract flavour without ending up with a cup that’s overly strong or gritty.
When it comes to Pour-Over methods, a medium-fine grind, similar to table salt, is the way to go. This allows for precise control over the water flow and extraction, resulting in a nuanced and flavourful cup.
To adjust your grinder based on the desired grind size, check your machine’s user manual as each machine has a specific way to make the right adjustments.
Maintaining your coffee grinder
Maintenance of your coffee grinder is key for both its longevity and creating perfect grinds. Here are some key practices to keep your grinder running smoothly for years to come.
Firstly, the hopper might seem like a convenient bean holder, but it’s not ideal for long-term storage. Grind only the amount you need for your daily preparations. The rest of the coffee should be stored in an airtight container, away from light and moisture. Consider investing in a special storage tin to preserve the quality of your coffee.
Also, coffee dust can build up in the hopper over time, so it should be cleaned about once a week, using a microfibre cloth. This cloth will not scratch the hopper and will remove any coffee dust from the parchment or ground coffee.
How do I clean my coffee grinder?
You should deep clean your coffee grinder about once a month, depending on how often you use it.
Ingredients
1 cleaning solution
Material
1 coffee grinder
1 soft brush
Preparation
Step 1With the grinder switched off and unplugged, remove the grinding wheel(s).
Step 2Use a soft brush to remove any coffee stuck to the grinding wheels.
Step 3Once you have done this, reinstall your grinding wheel as indicated in the grinder instructions.
Step 4Put a suitable cleaning product in the hopper.
Step 5Activate a grinding cycle until only the product appears ground, with no remaining coffee grinds.
Step 1
With the grinder switched off and unplugged, remove the grinding wheel(s).
Step 2
Use a soft brush to remove any coffee stuck to the grinding wheels.
Step 3
Once you have done this, reinstall your grinding wheel as indicated in the grinder instructions.
Step 4
Put a suitable cleaning product in the hopper.
Step 5
Activate a grinding cycle until only the product appears ground, with no remaining coffee grinds.
A suitable descaling product will remove and neutralise coffee particles to prevent your coffee from becoming sour or bitter.
Now you know all about how to look after your coffee grinder. Keep in mind that, over time, the grindstones can wear out and no longer grind as evenly as they did at the start. If that happens, remember that you can buy spare parts to save your wallet and the planet!
