If you want to make better-tasting coffee, you need a good coffee grinder. Unlike pre-ground coffee, a grinder can break up the beans so that the water can extract the taste.
A grinder can be electric or manual. The electric version is more convenient. It grinds the coffee faster, but requires less effort to use. However, it will also require more energy.
Manual coffee grinders take some practice to get the perfect grind. You will need to use a brush or shake the grinder to remove dust and other particles.
Most coffee grinders come with a cleaning brush. This allows you to clean the inside of the grinder with ease. Some models will also come with a brush that is a little larger.
Some grinders are built with a scale that helps you adjust the coarseness of the grind. This simplifies the grinding process for the average home brewer.
There are two main types of coffee grinders: blade and burr. Blade grinders are a type of grinder that works at a high speed. They are not as consistent as burr grinders. Because they rotate at a high speed, they can burn coffee.
Burr grinders have serrated steel parts that chop up the beans. They can be flat or conical. Conical burrs can allow the beans to shoot out of the grinder, while flat burrs are more durable.
Burrs are usually made of either steel or ceramic. Steel is cheaper. But ceramic is more durable.