If you love coffee, there's nothing more enjoyable than grinding the fresh beans yourself. The aroma and taste of home-ground coffee beans are better than their commercially ground versions. Once you're ready to do this, you'll need to figure out what grind level is right for your coffee maker. Once you know if your coffee needs to be coarsely ground, finely ground, or medium, you can choose an appropriate grinder. And if you have a lot of coffee beans but don't have a grinder, you have to get creative so you can start drinking your coffee right away.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Adjusting the Grind Rate with Your Coffee Maker
Step 1. Use a very coarse grind for cold coffee
If you have a Toddy Brewer product or want to try cold brewing coffee, you will need to grind it very coarsely. Coarsely ground coffee beans will be about the same size as black peppercorns. Use a low setting on your grinder to achieve this result.
Step 2. Use a coarse grinder for French press glasses
If you have a fancy French press, make sure your coffee beans are coarsely ground to resemble cracked peppercorn or potting soil. A larger grain will produce a clearer coffee, while a finer grind will produce a thicker, settled brew.
If you have Chemex products or single brewers like those used in cafes, grind the coffee coarsely and add one more vibe. These chemex and single brewers require a coarse-medium grind
Step 3. Use a medium grinder for the drip pot
Drip pots are the most popular type of coffee maker, so you'll likely need to grind your beans to a moderate degree. Use this mill for conical or flat-tipped sieves. A medium mill produces a sand-like texture.
If you have a pouring cone, vacuum pot or siphon dripper, use a fine-medium grind
Step 4. Use a fine grind for Espresso and Turkish coffee
If you make specialty coffee, you will need a special grind. A fine or very fine grind gives it a flour-like texture. This texture can only be achieved with a burr grinder.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Grinder
Step 1. Choose a grinder that suits your coffee maker
You've determined the grind level you need for your coffee maker, so now you need to make sure your grinder is capable of it. There are three types of grinders to choose from, and they are all good for different grind levels:
- The blade grinder is perfect for very coarse, medium coarse, coarse or medium grinding. This grinder is the type that is most often encountered because it is suitable for drip coffee makers, French presses, and brew makers for cold drinks. The coffee beans will be placed on top of the grinder, then when you close and press it, the grinder will activate the blades that chop the coffee beans.
- A burr grinder is required to produce a medium, fine, and very fine grind. A bladed grinder cannot cut this fine. If you're making Turkish or Espresso coffee, use a burr grinder for precise results. A burr grinder is more expensive than a blade grinder, but you can adjust it for all grind levels. Purchase this grinder if accuracy is important to you.
- Finally, you can go for a manual/hand grinder if you want to grind your coffee traditionally. Insert the beans into the jar and pump the handle that moves the blades inside the grinder. This type of grinder is fun, but won't produce as accurate a grind as the final product from an electric grinder.
Step 2. Grind the coffee right before you brew it
You may be tempted to grind a large amount to use throughout the week, and while this may be convenient (and pleasing to your partner, since the grinder is certainly uncomfortable to hear when he wakes up in the morning), your coffee will taste even better if you use it. freshly ground coffee beans. You already bought whole coffee beans and have a grinder, so make the most of it to produce the tastiest coffee every day.
Step 3. Measure your coffee beans
Prepare about two tablespoons of coffee beans per cup. This size depends of course on your taste, but is a general rule to follow when making coffee. If you like strong coffee, use about two tablespoons per 177 ml; if you like thin coffee, use two tablespoons per 236 ml.
- Your grinder and coffee maker will also determine the density of your coffee. Do experiments to find out the number of coffee beans that suits your taste to produce a delicious drink.
- Place the coffee beans in the grinder according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most grinders have a tube near the top of the machine, with a lid that you can remove and replace.
Step 4. Grind the coffee
Turn on the grinder following the manufacturer's instructions. If you have a burr grinder, all you have to do is adjust it until it performs the desired grind. If you are using a blade grinder, press the top or press the button to grind the coffee to the desired level. And if you're using a manual grinder, pump the handle until the coffee beans are ground.
- For a blade grinder, you'll need to lift and shake it slightly between each grind. This ensures that your coffee beans are ground properly.
- You may need a few tries before you can master how to use the grinder to get the grind level you want.
Part 3 of 3: Grinding Coffee Without a Grinder
Step 1. Use a blender
Place your coffee beans in a blender and use the settings to grind as finely as possible. You may not be able to produce a finer grind than a medium to medium coarse grind, but you can still use the results to make coffee with a drip maker or French press.
Step 2. Try using a pestle and mortar
Place the coffee beans in a mortar and grind with a pestle, just as you would grind peppercorns and other spices. Continue until you reach your desired grind level. You'll need to put in a bit of effort, but you'll end up with great coffee in the end.
Step 3. Use a hammer
If you are very desperate, place the coffee beans between two sheets of wax paper on a sturdy surface, which will not be damaged by a hammer. Use a hammer to crush the coffee beans until you reach a grind level that is just right for your coffee maker.
Tips
- The burr grinders will produce the same grind size as each other, thus ensuring a very fragrant coffee brew.
- Make sure the coffee you grind will be used within 2-3 days.
- Most stores that sell household products also stock the types of coffee grinders mentioned above.
- You can also find traditional manual coffee grinders on the Internet.
