How to Use a Manual Coffee Grinder - Consumer Files

How to Use a Manual Coffee Grinder

In Coffee by Consumer FilesLeave a CommentLast Updated: April 21st, 2021

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Anyone serious about having fresh and delicious coffee knows that they have to grind the coffee right before brewing. Store-bought, pre-ground coffee loses its freshness much quicker than coffee that is roasted fresh and stays in its whole bean form. From the coffee shop down on the corner to the coffee connoisseur making a pour over at home, being able to grind their coffee fresh is one of the most important aspects of brewing great coffee.

There are lots of coffee grinding methods out there to choose from. Manual grinding is one of the most exciting because it does not require electricity, and it can be done anywhere, which are just some of its advantages. We'll teach you how to use a manual coffee grinder here.


How to Use a Manual Coffee Grinder

Step 1
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Set the Grinder for the Proper Brew Method

Different brew methods will require a different level of coarseness or fineness. Many hand grinders allow the user to adjust the fineness of the grounds that are produced. It’s important to know how your particular grinder changes the grind setting. Sometimes there is a screw that can be tightened or loosened to produce the desired setting.

Step 2
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Place the Coffee in the Grinder

The first step in using a manual hand grinder is putting the beans into the hopper. To do this, you may want to know exactly how much coffee is needed for the drink you want to make, in which case you will want to weigh out the beans on a scale before grinding. Once the desired amount of coffee is obtained, place them in the grinder.

Step 3
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Grind the Beans

The exciting part about using a hand grinder is that you get to grind them using your own strength. Once the beans are in the hopper, it’s time to grind them up. Turn the lever on top of your hand grinder clockwise to start grinding up the beans. This will cause the gears within the grinder to move and will crush and grind the beans to produce the desired result.

Step 4
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Brew the Coffee

Once the coffee has been ground up using the hand grinder, it’s time to use the grounds to make some delicious coffee. At this point, the manual grinder has done its job, and it is time to start brewing.


The Different Types of Grinders

It’s important to note that there are different kinds of grinders. Throughout the world, coffee is consumed at an astonishing rate. For that coffee to be brewable, it needs to be ground to a consistency that is right for the desired brew method. Some cultures have had coffee as a staple of their culture for centuries.

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Blade Grinders

There are lots of different types of grinders used for grinding coffee. Blade grinders are popular and are a cheaper option. These can be bought at a local Walmart or grocery store for 10-20 USD. The user presses a button and grinds the beans for a certain amount of time to achieve the desired fineness.

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Burr Grinders

Those who want a bit more control tend to turn to burr grinders, which gives the user the ability to adjust the fineness of a grind. A significant advantage to these grinders is that the user can set the desired setting of coarseness or fineness. There may be settings that read “French press” or “espresso". These are indicators of the type of grind that will be produced.

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Manual Grinders

These had been used even before electricity made it possible for there to be automated methods of grinding coffee. Manual grinders have a lever on top that turns clockwise to make the burrs inside take the whole bean coffee and turn it into what can be used in brewing methods. Many manual, or “hand” grinders, also feature the ability to change the coarseness of the grind, by adjusting a gear that changes the setting.


More on the Manual Coffee Grinder


All in all, the concept is quite simple. The grinder opens to reveal a space where coffee is placed, just like the electronic grinders available today. It’s important to know how much coffee will be needed. Using a scale, measure out the desired amount of coffee and place it in the hopper. The lever on top of the grinder will rotate counter clockwise. Turn the lever to begin grinding the coffee.

The Coarseness and Fineness of the Grind

One of the most important aspects of coffee grinding is the level of coarseness or fineness that is produced by the grinder. You see, whenever coffee is ground, it’s going to have a particular degree of fineness. Some grinds will have a texture similar to flour, while others will more closely resemble sand or even small rocks.

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Know Which Methods Require What Grinds

There are lots of different ways of making coffee. Some prefer a pour-over while others prefer the taste of a French press. There are even some people who are lucky enough to have their own espresso machine. Whatever method of coffee brewing you prefer, there is an optimal coarseness that is ideal for the type of coffee you want to make, whether that’s an Aero Press or a Pour Over.

Cold Brew

Extra Coarse

French Press

Coarse

Chemex

Medium-Coarse

Drip

Medium

Pour Over / Siphon Press

Medium-Fine

Moka Pot / Espresso

Fine

Turkish

Extra Fine

Realize the Benefits

These particular grinders actually come in handy when one is camping or is somewhere where there is no electricity available. Just because there isn’t an outlet nearby doesn’t mean you aren’t going to be craving a delicious cup of coffee in the morning. Whatever your reason is for using a manual grinder, there are going to be lots of times when you can utilize the benefits of a manual grinder.


Advantages of a Manual Grinder

Have a Rustic, Nostalgic Vibe

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With the hipster movement, where anything old is cool again, hand grinders have begun making a comeback. That’s because they are a direct reminder of what drinking coffee was like before all the conveniences of the modern world. Having to grind your coffee by hand makes you appreciate that cup all the more.

Don’t Require Electricity

One of the biggest benefits of a hand grinder is that they enable the user to grind their coffee even when electricity isn’t available. This makes it ideal for camping situations and other scenarios where there are no power outlets nearby.

They are Much Quieter

One of the best parts about a great cup of coffee is that it wakes you up in the morning. There are few things I look forward to more than a fresh cup in the morning. With that said, there are certain disadvantages to having to make a cup of coffee in the morning when there may still be people sleeping in the house.

A significant advantage of hand grinders is that they are quiet, which means there won’t be a terribly loud noise echoing through the home, waking everyone up as you are grinding your coffee in the morning.


How to Clean the Manual Coffee Grinder

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It’s important to make sure that the coffee grinds that get stuck in your grinder are getting cleaned. An air duster can be used to blast away little coffee particles, or it can be done using a cue-tip. Remember that coffee grinds can leave behind an oily residue that could affect the flavor of any new coffee ground as well.

Overall, we hope this guide on how to use a manual coffee grinder helps. A hand grinder is an excellent way to prepare coffee to be made. It’s not a perfect method and does require a bit more time (and a hand workout) to produce the same amount of coffee that an electrical counterpart could produce quicker. But there is something about grinding your coffee by hand that makes a coffee lover feel slightly more connected with their coffee.



How to Use a Manual Coffee Grinder was last modified: April 21st, 2021 by Consumer Files