Blade vs. Burr Grinder: What's the Difference?

Though they both have the same purpose of transforming whole roasted coffee beans into small particles for brewing, blade grinders, and burr grinders have significant differences between their operation and capabilities. Our previous blog highlighted the benefits of purchasing whole bean coffee instead of pre-ground. If we were successful in convincing you to purchase a grinder to keep your coffee as fresh as possible, here’s what you need to know about blade vs. burr grinders.

 

The primary difference between the two is the mechanics of how they grind coffee. With blade grinders, a small spinning blade rapidly swirls and chops the beans in a small chamber until thoroughly ground. Burr grinders, on the other hand, force the beans between two spinning burrs, crushing them as they pass through.

 
Burr grinders offer far more precision and adjustability, as you can make small adjustments in the spacing between burrs. The greater the space between the burrs, the coarser the grind size will be. This is helpful when you want to grind for a specific brewing method, like a French press which typically requires a more coarse grind. This also allows for better consistency in grind size, since all of the beans passing through the burrs are being ground to the same relative size.

 
There is more of a price barrier between the two styles, with burr grinders typically offered at a higher price. For many coffee enthusiasts, however, the steeper price is worth the grinder control and quality of grind that they provide. Whichever you feel is the best fit for you, we offer both styles through our website.

 
Happy grinding!

 
BONUS: now through July 31, 2021, all online orders for shipment can receive 25% off all coffee and tea with promo code: FLASHSALE25