Currently there are about four different ways to grind a bean:
1. Hand Grinders (wooden box with a hand crank)
2. Turkish Grinders (similar to a pepper mill)
3. Electric Blade Grinders
4. Electric Burr Grinders
Of these the two most commonly used today are the blade and burr.
Blade Grinders
Blade grinders are the most common and least expensive of the grinders out there. They work like a blender, smashing and chopping the roasted bean using a whirling blade. While they are surely an affordable option, they tend to produce an inconsistent grind. Typically there are no grind settings, so you’ll need to eyeball the results to achieve the desired consistency. Counting as you grind can make the results at least somewhat repeatable.
Burr Grinders
Burr grinders use two burrs that pulverize the beans as they are fed between them. Burr grinders tend to produce a more even grind than blade grinders, ensuring a more consistent extraction from the bean during brewing. Most burr grinders have setting controls, controlling the distance between the burrs and thus the fineness of the grind. If you are brewing espresso or using a method that requires a very fine grind, you’ll need a quality burr grinder.
