Coffee grinders, is burr really better than blade?
The difference between the two can be quantified in two core differences. 1) FRICTION Inexpensive blade grinders chop the beans into a powder. This creates a significant amount of friction and heat. Burr grinders tear the beans apart with little friction and little heat. This makes a difference because high quality beans are roasted to a very specific point. Generating more heat (especailly inside of the bean) will change the flavour. 2) ABSORPTION & OIL The grind / powder created by both of these different methods produces a different result. Blade grinders cut and almost seal the bean as it works while Burr grinders almost pull the bean apart resulting in a product that absorbs and releases water better. As a result, you receive more flavour from a Burr grinder. PERSONAL OPINION I enjoy a good cup of coffee. I personally have a burr grinder and order beans directly from the source. Having an early taste test between my old blade and burr grinders showed me that there isn’t a lot of d
Burr is definitely better than blade, especially conical burr grinders like the conincal baratza burr coffeee grinder that you can find at Daily Cuppa Coffee: http://www.dailycuppacoffee.com/shop-by-brands/baratza. The reason burr grinders are better is that they preserve the flavor better as the previous poster said. If you’re not a coffee snob, I guess it wouldn’t matter but it does make a remarkable difference to use a good grinder especially when you’re grinding freshly roasted coffee beans.