We all know the importance of investing in a good grinder, whether in the coffee shop or at home. For domestic consumers, the fresh grind for each cup is an essential part.
It is important to note that although there are different types of coffee grinders, not all are manufactured to the same quality standards. To the flat and conical burrs are used in cutting-edge grinding machine models. Generally, these burrs can also be adjusted to set a wider range of grind sizes. With burr grinders, the distance between sets of burrs determines the grind size.
Grinder burrs come in a variety of different sizes. This measurement is usually given in millimeters (mm) as the diameter of the outer (largest) burr on the grinder.
Home electric grinder burrs typically start at around 40mm, while commercial models start at around 60mm and can go up to 100mm. As the size of the burr increases, so does the size of the grinder itself.
Generally speaking, the larger the burrs, the better the performance.
Grinders with larger burrs are more stable, faster and more efficient and generally require fewer adjustments.
With grinding burrs, alignment and precision go hand in hand. If your burr set is not precisely aligned, the perfect grind size will be much more difficult to achieve.
Proper alignment is mandatory to achieve good particle distribution.
Material
There are many different materials used. Plastic, ceramic, metal burrs are most common. Plastic and ceramic ones are more affordable but are often less consistent and significantly less sharp. Ceramic burrs retain less heat but they are more brittle. Metal burrs are more durable, more expensive and often more precise. However, even with metal flashing, different materials and finishes can be used to maintain lower temperatures and combat heat retention.
Steel burrs (including those made from stainless steel and brushed carbon) are most commonly used in commercial and home grinders. This is because they typically result in a more consistent and uniform grind size than other materials.
You can choose to replace or upgrade your burr set, which means you don't need to buy a whole new grinder. Additionally, when upgrading, better materials, coatings, and even burr realignment can help you improve consistency. If you want higher quality burrs you can opt for “replacement” burrs like SSP .
No matter how strong or durable your grinder is, it is essential that you Clean and maintain burrs regularly. Clumping and trapped grinds can cause blockages in the grinder, causing damage and making the coffee taste spoiled.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to each of the materials used for grinding burrs, but it is widely accepted that steel burrs result in a more consistent and uniform particle size distribution. Ultimately, depending on your brew recipe, this can help you get better results in the long run.
Below are some of the most commonly used burr models:
SSP MP (Multi Purpose) - red speed coating
This is the set of burrs with geometry designed for unimodal grinding to extract the best from lighter roasts and enhance the flavor characteristics that are valued in modern espresso coffee. In October 2020, the SSP made a slight modification to make it more tolerant and adaptable to the use of espresso coffee. Unimodal espresso burrs work well for both filtered drinks and light roast espresso coffee.
Unimodal SSP burrs tend to excel at enhancing flavor clarity in lighter roast coffees. They can also work for darker toast, but we think their potential is best used for lighter toast. If you don't mind experimenting and are looking for the delicate flavors in high-quality light roast coffees, we recommend trying Turbo shots with these unimodal burrs. The high extraction of SSP Unimodal burrs tends to pair well with high-acid coffees (i.e. light roasts), making the acidity pleasant even if you're not an acidic coffee lover.
Composed of tool steel material coated with carbon nitride and Red Speed Titanium Aluminum (TiAICN), they are made to last a lifetime.
SSP HU (High Uniformity) - red speed coating
The custom geometric cutting patterns of the flat burrs are designed for optimal espresso grinding performance. They are designed for espresso coffee with a high degree of uniformity, allowing the extraction of the most intense and flavorful coffee. The highly uniform burrs improve the quality of espresso coffee extractions and drastically reduce grinding time. The high uniformity Red Speed burr set is ideal for those who primarily prepare espresso coffee, but will also produce a good grind quality for any brew.
Composed of tool steel material coated with carbon nitride and Red Speed Titanium Aluminum (TiAICN), they are made to last a lifetime.
SSP CAST LAB SWEET
These burrs are designed to provide a sweet, complex flavor profile, good body and mouthfeel. The set of burrs provides an ideal particle size distribution and achieves consistent extraction and more sweetness.
These burrs are made from cast steel and have DLC (diamond-like carbon coating). It helps increase the life of the burr set and the low coefficient of DLC coating provides low retention and maintains the sweetness of your coffee. These burrs really shine when preparing drinks and can also be used for espresso.
DLC
These DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated burrs ensure exceptional performance and longevity. The DLC coating not only ensures superior durability, but also provides a non-stick surface that prevents coffee beans from sticking and clogging burrs. Its life cycle is 5,000kg.
With DLC you will experience an unparalleled level of consistency and uniformity in coffee bean size. Get the perfect grind for any brewing method, from espresso to French press, with absolute precision. The result? A cup of coffee full of flavor and aroma, every time.
ITALMIL
Italian-made titanium coated burrs that are proven to be more durable compared to uncoated burrs. These burrs are designed for precise and uniform grinding.
These are just a few models of burrs, among the countless that exist on the market. Now that you know a little more about burrs, tell me which one best meets your needs?! Leave your comment.
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