Bean compartment capacity
The maximum number of coffee beans that the grinder can hold and process at one time, without "refilling". Note that we are talking about the maximum capacity — a smaller amount of coffee can be loaded into the grinder.
The standard portion of coffee per cup is 5-7 g, and the capacity of a pack of coffee is 100 g. Accordingly, it is worth choosing a model according to capacity, taking into account how much coffee you need to grind at a time. For domestic use, a capacity of 100-200 g is considered quite sufficient, but in professional models designed for coffee shops, bars, etc., this value can reach 1.5 kg or even more. There are coffee grinders that allow you to grind only part of the coffee loaded into them.
Number of grinding levels
The number of grinding levels provided in the coffee grinder.
For different cases may require different degrees of grind, see “Adjusting the grind” for more on this. The same parameter determines how many fixed settings are provided in the coffee grinder. The more of them, the wider the capabilities of this device, the more accurately you can choose the option for a particular situation.
Note that this characteristic is given only for models with millstones (see "Grinding system") — it is not relevant for knife devices. In the most advanced models, the number of grinding degrees can be in the dozens.
Dispenser
The presence of
a dispenser in the design of the coffee grinder. This device is designed to dispense ground coffee in portions. Most often, this portion is 7 g (the standard for one cup of espresso), however, there are models where the volume of the dispenser can be changed at will. Coffee grinders with a dispenser will be useful for lovers of exact recipes, as well as in cafes, restaurants, etc., where both strict accounting of coffee consumption is required, as well as compliance with each portion of the specified standards.
Compartment for ground coffee
The presence
of a separate compartment for ground coffee in the design of the device.
In this case, it is precisely the additional compartment into which the finished ground coffee enters. In other words, coffee grinders with this feature have two compartments: one for beans, the second for the finished product.
The convenience of this function is obvious: the finished coffee comes in its own container, it is separated from the unground product, and the user does not need to look for a separate storage container — he can store the ground coffee directly in the coffee grinder. Many models are even equipped with dispensers (see the relevant paragraph) that allow you to measure out small portions of coffee — this is convenient, for example, when filling the holder of an espresso coffee maker directly from the coffee grinder.
The volume of the compartment for ground coffee
The capacity of the ground coffee compartment provided in the coffee grinder.
About such a compartment, see above. On the one hand, capacity affects the amount of coffee that can be ground in one go before filling the compartment, on the other hand, on the dimensions of the compartment and, accordingly, the entire device. With this in mind, in most models this figure is from 100 to 200 g — this is the optimal value in terms by the ratio of capacity and size. At the same time, for domestic use, you can choose a model with a smaller capacity; and coffee grinders with capacious tanks are convenient, for example, for specialty stores where coffee beans can be ground in the presence of a buyer.
Material
The material used to make the coffee grinder body.
The key features of the different options are described in detail in separate help paragraphs. Here we note that this parameter affects the appearance, strength and weight of the device, but does not in any way affect the functionality.
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Plastic. Plastic is inexpensive, but it can be given almost any shade without any problems. Other advantages of plastic are light weight and ease of processing. However, coffee grinders with plastic bodies are noticeably inferior in strength to models in metal casing, and one of the disadvantages of plastic is the tendency to form scratches.
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Metal. Metal is notable for its high strength and hardness, and coffee grinders with metal bodies look solid and reliable. At the same time, this material is more expensive than plastic, and metal cases weigh significantly more. This option is typical mainly for mid- and high-end devices.
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Wood. Wooden bodies are rarely found in coffee grinders. As a rule, hand-made models with a millstone grinding system, stylized in an “antique” style, are made from wood. With proper care, such materials are characterized by strength and durability, but over time the wood can dry out and crack.
- Glass. Models in which the part of the body for collecting ground coffee is made of glass. The upper and lower parts
...can be made of plastic, plastic with metal or pure metal. Often the glass is made transparent, much less often - matte. Glass products have an aesthetic appearance and provide the opportunity to observe the process of grinding coffee beans. However, this is a very fragile material.
- Ceramics. Stylish ceramic bodies give coffee grinders a special chic - this is an perfect material for models designed in a retro style. In addition, ceramic cases are usually complemented with original designs and patterns. One of the disadvantages of ceramics is fragility, however, due to its relatively large thickness, only a fairly strong blow can break it.
