Size of the grind
* Home espresso machine: Medium to fine
* Commercial espresso machine: Very fine, almost like powder
* French press: Very Coarse
* Drip coffee: Coarse
* Turkish coffee: Very fine like a powder
The Astra Grinder is a powerful Commercial Espresso Grinder with Doser. Rated at 445 watts and 1/2 HP. Weight 27 lbs, Height: 22″, Width 7″. Capacity 2.2 lbs.
The quality of your grinder goes a long way toward determining the quality of your espresso. The size of the grind determines how much surface area of the coffee is exposed to the water. In addition, the act of grinding coffee creates heat that can damage the beans and lead to inferior espresso.
The quality of your grinder goes a long way toward determining the quality of your espresso. The size of the grind determines how much surface area of the coffee is exposed to the water. In addition, the act of grinding coffee creates heat that can damage the beans and lead to inferior espresso.
So what type of grinder should you use? How you intend to use the coffee beans will in large part determine the type of grinder best for you.
There are two types of burr grinders: flat and conical. Both consist of a stationary burr and a second burr powered by a motor that spins. Beans fall between the two burrs and are ground. You can set the burrs according to the desired coarseness or fineness of grind. Because burr grinders are very consistent and precise, they are highly recommended for espresso, but they can be used for other types of coffee as well.
The difference between the two is that conical burr grinders have two cone-shaped burrs with ridges that crush and grind the coffee. Flat plate burr grinders have two identical rings parallel to one another that are serrated on the sides facing one another. Coffee is ground between them.
Blade Grinders
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Bodum C-Mill Electric Blade Coffee Grinder - Matte Metal Finish
Blade grinders tend to be less expensive than burr grinders, but unfortunately do not grind consistently enough to ensure high quality coffee drinks. They have a single blade resembling a spinning propeller. Because they lack grind settings that would stop the grinder when the desired size was reached, you need to watch the grind. Blade grinders also tend to heat the coffee. Although they are ok for drip coffee, they are not suitable for espresso or quality coffee drinks. For this reason we do not discuss these grinders in detail.
Grinder speed: High vs. Low
High speed burr grinders give you greater control than blade grinders in setting the grind size. They are also quite consistent and affordable, but they can be noisy and cause some static that could affect the coffee.
Low speed burr grinders are considered the top of the line. They have little or no static charge (this can affect the coffee), little heat, quiet operation, and the motor doesn’t get stuck or clogged when grinding very fine. Low speed grinders fall into two general categories: Gear Reduction and Direct Drive.
Gear reduction grinders
Gear reduction grinders have a high-speed motor attached to a set of gears that reduce the burr speed. It’s kind of like the stick shift on your car. The speed increases as the coffee beans are ground into smaller particles. Although they can be a bit noisier than the direct drive grinders discussed below, they get the job down and the motor doesn’t get bogged down.
Direct drive grinders
The Astra Home Grinder is a semi-commercial grinder manufactured by Cunill of Spain for Astra. (The Cunill Tranquilo). Cunill makes some of the finest commercial grinders in the world and this quality comes shining through in this semi-commercial model. We believe the Astra Home grinder is one of the most commercial like home grinders on the market and competes easily with grinders costing nearly twice as much.
A powerful 285 watt / 1/3 HP motor drives large 60mm hardened steel burrs (larger than the competition). The metal body makes this grinder solid and stable while using the doser. Finely calibrate the burrs to grind a fine Turkish grind all the way to a coarse grind. Dial in the perfect espresso grind for your Astra home of commercial espresso machine. Grind consistency will allow you to pull the perfect shot every time.
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