Manual coffee grinderThe desire for beauty in human nature manifests itself in a variety of forms. One of the brightest examples of this in the current century is the presence of manual coffee grinders on the tables of many kitchens, despite the fact that the electric type is a more convenient option. The mechanical type of grinding is an undeniable fact of a peculiar ritualization of the cooking process.

Having decided on an acquisition, a further choice should be made on the basis of knowledge about the existing features of manual coffee grinders: their design, materials used, and more.

The principle of operation of a manual coffee grinder

The sequence of actions during manual grinding is extremely simple:

  • load the required amount of grain;
  • start rotating the handle of the device;
  • remove ground coffee from the compartment for the final product;
  • clean the inside of the coffee grinder.

Summarizing and comparing, it is safe to say that the coffee grinder is a mill in reduced dimensions. Changing the distance between two millstone discs is nothing more than adjusting the degree of grinding of coffee beans.

Types and features of use

There are three main types of manual coffee grinders:

  1. European - stationary version, which has a compartment for pre-ground coffee. Used step grinding.
  2. Eastern - cylindrical form of execution allows to provide comfort when grinding. Turkish coffee grinders are stepless and convenient storage devices.
  3. Chipless variants are models that can be installed on any jar or even a glass. Stepped grinding is applied.

According to the type of grinding, manual, rotary (knife) and millstone are distinguished. A feature of a millstone coffee grinder is crushing with subsequent grinding of beans, which increases the likelihood of “burning" coffee, but reduces the grinding time to 10-30 seconds. The disadvantage of rotary apparatus is the possible unevenness of the ground powder, as well as the likely absence of a tray for ground coffee. The advantage, of course, is the high grinding speed - up to 20 seconds.

What to look for when buying (millstone, case type, handle location, case material, grain container, container for finished powder)

The main characteristic that you should pay attention to when buying is the millstone material. What millstones are made of directly affects important components: the life of the coffee grinder, the taste and uniformity of ground coffee. Allocate the following materials of which millstone for coffee grinders consist:

  1. Stone is the most durable and expensive material. The stone type of millstones is characterized by a long service life and complete resistance to absorption of odors, which allows the apparatus to be used for other purposes and to grind other ingredients: walnuts, plant grains, etc.
  2. Ceramics - a solid material that always remains sharpened, however, characterized by unprecedented fragility. The ceramic disc does not absorb odors and ideally, along with stone, tolerates contact with water.
  3. Hardened steel - often included in the kit with a titanium coating for longer service life; steel millstones eventually give the ground coffee a metallic taste, but they themselves remain resistant to odors.
  4. Cast iron is the most affordable option for a manual coffee grinder.

In addition, it is aesthetically correct to select the material and type of case that is most appropriate for the interior of the kitchen. The most convenient and enjoyable to use is the wooden type of enclosures. In addition, a metal coffee grinder, as well as plastic devices, are widely used.

The usability is affected by the type and location of the handle. There are coffee grinders with horizontal handles located on the side faces and with vertical ones.

Much attention should also be paid to containers for the beans themselves, as well as for ready-made coffee powder. Both material and tank volumes are important. The design of some coffee grinders does not imply a compartment for the finished powder as such. The capacity can be any cup or glass on top of which the apparatus is installed.

Pros and cons of a manual coffee grinder

Manual coffee grinders are rather a tribute to the process of making coffee, but not a quick way to make a strong drink. Despite this, the manual coffee grinder has its own advantages. Self-preparation allows you not to “burn” coffee. The fact is that with automatic grinding, the grinding speed is often high, which leads to the burning of ground coffee, because of which it has a bitter aftertaste.

The minus of manual coffee grinders is, of course, the time spent on production, as well as the need for physical effort, however, which can be better than a cup of excellent and strong coffee made with your own hands.

Rating

Of the wide variety of options sold, the following coffee grinder models deserve special attention:

  • TimA SL-073;
  • Mayer & Boch 2315;
  • Gipfel Kolonna 20 cm;
  • Gipfel 9210;

TimA SL-073

TimA SL-073

SL-073 is the most common option on the tables of many homes. The reason for this is low cost, coupled with decent quality and a convenient grinding system. It has a separate retractable compartment for ready-made coffee.

The degree of grinding is adjusted by rotating the central screw of the rod located above the millstones. For the manufacture of the case, metal, wood and plastic are used. The material of the bowl and millstone is metal.

Coffee grinding machine features low cost in the region of 800-1000 rubles.

Mayer & Boch 2315

Mayer & Boch 2315

Going side by side with the previous Mayer & Boch 2315 model is a wonderful companion for all lovers of self-grinding coffee. It has a pleasant color scheme and considerable fragility due to the ceramic case. In addition to ceramics, the presence of wooden and metal parts of the coffee grinder is highlighted. The desire to choose this model also brings the presence of ceramic millstones and various body colors: white, gold and brown.

Useful  Which coffee machine is better: drip or carob?

The price of the device is 700-1000 rubles.

Gipfel Kolonna 20 cm

Gipfel Kolonna 20 cm

Kolonna 20 cm is pure minimalism: a strict wooden case, varnished, is limited by the presence of a compartment for filling grains. Any container can serve as a container for ground coffee. Grinding adjustment is carried out by twisting the handle screw.

The millstone material is stainless steel. Being a typical representative of cylindrical coffee grinders, it has a handle located on top of the case and an unprecedentedly high cost - about 6 thousand rubles.

Gipfel 9210

Gipfel 9210

With a crazy price tag of 7400 rubles, the Gipfel 9210 is positioned as the brightest representative of vintage manual coffee grinders. Having a gear hypoid gear and a horizontally located handle, this model is capable of fine adjustment of the degree of grinding.

As materials for the case, wood is used, while the base for the bowl and millstones is stainless steel with a titanium coating. Equipped with a drawer for coffee powder.

TimA SL-073Mayer & Boch 2315Gipfel Kolonna 20 cmGipfel 9210
TitleTimA SL-073Mayer & Boch 2315Gipfel Kolonna 20 cmGipfel 9210
Body materialwoodwoodwoodwood
The weight0.855 kg0.785 kg--
Height-17 cm20 cm27 cm
Pricefrom 970 rub.from 840 rub.from 5840 rub.from 7350 rub.