Burr Grinder vs Blade Grinder || Coffee with Serge Ep4

Serge uses a burr grinder, but why? What even IS a burr grinder, and is it really any better than a (much cheaper) blade grinder? Let’s find out!
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Hosted by:
Serge Yager
Shot & Edited by:
Chris G. Miller
Produced by:
Serge Yager
Chris G. Miller
Bionic Trousers Media Inc:
Graham Stark
Heather Dery
Executive Producers:
Graham Stark
Paul Saunders

[@xanosdarkpaw1]

I don't like coffee. But watching people nerd out over things they love is always fun.

[@evileyeball]

I am the same as you, I don't like coffee, I drink copious amounts of tea and just like it probably irks serge a little when someone takes cheap coffee and makes it in a basket brewer it irks me a little when someone thinks making tea is as simple as putting a Tea bag into a cup of hot water and letting it sit for a few minutes. There is a difference between those who are connoisseurs of something and those who are not.

[@ofrutsra]

Absolutely.

[@MDR-zf8th]

I don't drink coffee, I've never liked coffee...but Serge is just such a ray of sunshine and his passion and enthusiasm for coffee is contagious.

[@1steelcobra]

What those blade grinders are great for is turning whole spices into powder.

[@airwindows]

Yup! And I can turn oats into oat flour and add a little of it to my oatmeal for a thicker texture that doesn't have watery residue :)

[@2MeatyOwlLegs]

or waking up your room mates...

[@Ishsa]

@@2MeatyOwlLegs I mean, an electronic burr grinder will do that too

[@davidhe-him3816]

I'm not sure why it's important to me, but thank you dear Editor for including the "turn off power bar, then reach in" shots

[@eddyshore6528]

You can never be too safe, but typically these electric grinders require the top cover in place for the trigger to actuate.

[@---we1ok]

Yeah, there's a reason a lot of blade grinders integrate the button into the lid, so you can't turn them on without that in place.

[@JoshPearcetheGreat]

Want what else Serge has that goes burr for coffee? He has a patreon, and there is a monthly newsletter that every month he goes brr about coffee www.patreon.com/sergeyager Check it out if you are curious for more

[@makenawatkins]

I chill and drink my coffee while watching Serge tell me about coffee

[@FattyMcFox]

"And if we add our original one......" Serge makes a 'Radioactive' symbol with coffee grounds giving birth to the Nuclear roast. Doom is upon us.

[@gradyturnbull1137]

I was scrolling the comments as I listened to the video and I swear to you I read that quote in unison with Serge saying it.

[@SigmaMorrigan]

"That's startling!" 🤣🤣🤣 Serge, that's exactly why my partner says "Loud" before starting the blade grinder... it's really disconcerting when that noise comes out of nowhere!

[@astaiannymph]

That's a great tactic!

[@SigmaMorrigan]

@@astaiannymph It's truly helpful! Especially in the morning, when I'm *definitely* not awake enough for unexpected loud noises

[@eddyshore6528]

I recommend the silent vortex grinder by Krups. I upgraded from an el cheapo Black and Decker I had. I love it.

[@fosterark]

This is some of the best content on KZbin lately. Thanks, Serge!

[@christophergamble9334]

I used to have that exsact blade grinder in Uni since I was on a major budget. The trick is to pulse the blades and shake it to redistribute the fines. I now have a burr grinder and love it but it is possible to get just as consistent a grind with the blades. Americas test kitchen has an article about this.

[@Groller]

I switched from a blade grinder I had been using for years to a burr grinder a couple months ago. I was pretty good with my blade grinder but the burr grinder now lets me make the same cup of coffee everyday. I also like the fact I can change and control my grind setting for different beans that I buy. If you are new and don't want to spend a lot blade grinders are fine to start with. I do recommend the martini shake I think it helps create a more even grind without over grinding some of the coffee.

[@RedSntDK]

Hell yeah! The martini shake for sure is a thing I enjoyed the most using a blade grinder 🤣 But the end result using a burr grinder is just a lot more uniform which is important for better extraction depending on brew method.

[@sarah_757]

I think coffee tastes like crud. I drink it because I need the caffeine but I don't like it. I do, however, love Serge's infectious enthusiasm for this topic. Thank you for sharing this with the world!

[@hedonistic_mushroom]

Between this and Ian's Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Fry, I 100% support more of LRR peeps just vibin to stuff they're passionate about. Heck I'd watch a stream of Paul just practicing his shanty vocalizations.

[@jamesriley72281]

Love this! I'm actually in the market for a grinder. Thank you so much good sir.

[@WalterBarnes]

I love Serge's response to the "Martini Shake" technique - it's what I used to do before I finally invested in a burr grinder...

[@Mother_boards]

Does Serge have anything to say on electric burr grinder vs manual burr grinder? Any reason to choose one over the other (aside from price)? Great episode, really loved it btw!

[@SeraphimKnight]

With manual burr grinders you can get some really good results with a very reasonably priced grinder (30$). With electric burr grinders you'll need to invest 5 to 10 times the amount of money to get satisfactory results out of your grind consistency. Plus, unless you've read/watched reviews from people in the know, it's a crap shoot whether your 300$+ grinder is a janky piece of tech that'll make you angry every time you use it or a great piece of kit. If you're getting into coffee it's much more sensible to get a manual grinder first so you can figure out what you like and if it's worth investing in an electric grinder, and also what KIND of grinder you'll want to use, because there's usually some caveats that'll make you choose one or another depending upon the type of coffee you enjoy (espresso, pourover, etc).

[@TheArcSet]

@@SeraphimKnight Thanks for the advice.

[@jasonadams7308]

Time and effort. I have a manual bur grinder. It produces an ok result but it takes a few minutes and I'm the "motor". Using the "martini" method, my blade grinder is done in a few seconds. Also, not all bur grinders produce the same level of consistency.

[@daranthered]

Unlike several people in the comments, I do drink coffee and very much enjoy this series. I have used a blade grinder for years because my father left it to me, so it's sentimental, but I think I need to add a burr grinder so I can adjust when needed. Also, I hope that when quarantine is done you can take this on the road. Maybe interview some roasters and baristas in US and CA?

[@Zundfolge]

I thought this was going to be satire aimed at coffee snobs (among who's ranks I count myself ... and acknowledge that we're rife for satire) but it actually turned out to be an informative video. I don't know whether to be disappointed or pleased :)

[@NULLxFORxNONE]

The algorithm demands engagement and I demand coffee

[@JonathanBates]

I don't even drink coffee except very occasionally, but gotta watch and listen to Serge.

[@jmcalcy69]

I love these videos so much, and I love Serge content

[@laneedgington]

More Serge for the algorithm.

[@ishmael4489]

Thank you for conducting experiments to demonstrate why burr grinders are preferable. Also, thank you for emphasising the availability of high-quality pre-ground coffee, as there is a lot of snobbery in the coffee world that says if you buy pre-ground coffee, "you are doing it wrong."

[@RecklessFables]

I did a blind taste test and the difference is dramatic between burr and blade. Blade took the edges off the flavor, so even bad coffee is "OK" but burr really unlocked the potential of good beans/roasting.

[@0lderSch00l]

Love the breakdown. I have a blade grinder and I've found that it's best for Espresso. It's very consistent if you want a fine grind; which is what I want for my machine. I've got a burr grinder on the way (will arrive in about 7 days) so I'm looking forward to playing around with it. It was only about 40 dollars US and had good revues, so I'm hopeful.

[@DesolateZombie]

My wife got me a blade grinder for christmas and it completely changed coffee for me now. I still use a drip coffee maker but I'm looking at a French Presses. I may have to look into a burr grinder now.

[@gavinli1368]

Oh my lord. Talk of fines and coarse is giving me flashbacks to geotechnical engineering classes!

[@felicitydowdle4420]

I wish this was a regular weekly show rather than a mini-series.

[@ribbontoast]

Just a weekly morning stream of Serge making coffee.

[@neuroflare]

I got a burr grinder for christmas this year and the difference was stark compared to what I got from my blade grinder. Especially for making cold brew, I used to get SO much sediment from the blades no matter what I did. Went to the course setting on the burr grinder and had almost none.

[@KumaKaori]

Going from "spice grinder" to cheapo-electric burr grinder, to Baratza Encore (p-good electric burr grinder) has been a continuous staircase of "Less unusable dust") The only use case I can argue for a spice grinder are less expensive latte/cappuccino makers where your intent is to consume caffeine, than to dial in the espresso. and the fine-to-dust grind works out.

[@juliamonexe]

I also got a burr grinder for Christmas this year, and I'm really looking forward to finishing up my pre-ground coffee so I can give it a whirl! My blade grinder has been collecting dust in a corner because, well, dust is all it's good for. Coffee dust and inflicting noise-related migraines. Can't wait to toss it.

[@OUTFXD]

It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java the thoughts acquire speed, The hands acquire shaking, The shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

[@razzKey]

I never knew preground coffee has not that different of shelf life compared to grinding my own beans! My friend told me it cuts their shelf life by half and I just went with that, buying only smaller quantities of coffee so I can finish the whole bag in a month. Now I feel safe to buy in bulk and save quite a bit of money.

[@TheMrVengeance]

It's always a good idea to just try and see. A "problem" with coffee culture is that you can get extremely nerdy and specific. Some people have borderline laboratory equipment to measure their extraction rates and stuff, and have developed their taste to pick up on subtle notes and flavour elements. Someone like that would tell you that you can _never_ store pre-ground beans. That even beans ground yesterday taste off. Other people enjoy the ritual of making coffee and relaxing with a nice cup of warm bean juice. Someone like that can probably keep pre-ground a bit longer before it really tastes less/off to them. Just try and see what works for you. :D

[@emmettenglish1537]

Thank you my beautiful Surge for breaking the stereotype of pre-ground coffee

[@hoobajoob1]

coffee with serge FOREVER!

[@Doodlesthegreat]

I remember reading that blade grinding also causes "friction burns" on the beans, but it's been a while and I may be misremembering it.

[@eddyshore6528]

I notice that when i use my blade grinder without shaking it, the finer dust clings at the bottom and gets heated up by the friction of the blade and also compacts. I get much better results by shaking the grinder as it goes, and less heat.

[@probably-aquarion]

I currently use a Wilfa Uniform, which is a higher end blade grinder that's doing a better and more consistent job than my old (and cheap) Delonghi burr grinder, so I guess it's just as much the quality of the machine as the method of grinding.

[@---we1ok]

Yeah, there's a wide range on burr grinder quality. Particularly if you get into espresso.

[@Grescheks]

I dislike coffee myself (though maybe I've just had bad coffee, I'll have to hunt down Serge and have him help me find good coffee some day :P ) but this is still a great series. Would love more short series like this in the future of people just going into details about things they like and the ins and outs of it.

[@johngiberson3874]

I use that exact blade grinder, and everything Serge says about it is true. It just comes down to convenience vs consistency

[@ninjaduck3k]

Well, I guess we know who is in the pocket of Big Burr Grinder. ;)

[@zelest]

As a Blade Grinder-owner, I've found it best to press and hold the button instead of pulsing, that way the heavier chunks fall down towards the center, and the lighter get pressed up towards the sides, making the grind more consistent.

[@zelest]

3 years later Zelest here. I retract everything I said. After a few years with my blade grinder it is just an inconsistent mess. I really need to get myself a proper grinder.

[@RedSntDK]

Be prepared to replace your blade grinders fairly often. My first grinder was a cheap blade grinder which lasted maybe a year before the coffee had worn away at the plastic and completely filled up the electric insides of it. Not sure if that's a fire hazard as well, but yeah.. I can't recommend it for daily use. A burr grinder like a DeLonghi isn't that much more expensive and of good quality. Worth the investment.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I used a simple, similar electric blade grinder, but found the same thing in the huge chunks and the fine powder. It does suggest holding it down for a certain amount of time based on how many servings and how coarse you want it. We got rid of it though when we got a hand crank, brushed metal crank burr grinder from Amazon. It's been good, but the size of our grinder means it takes forever to grind enough coffee for a large glass container of cold brew. I'm curious if anybody has come across a good electric burr grinder. My wife has rheumatoid arthritis, and it'd be great if we could both get whole bean coffee instead of getting something pre-ground for her and whole bean for me.

[@Mother_boards]

I've been using a Wilfa Svart for years, and never had a problem with it. It's pretty expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

[@hunterdavis9742]

I have a Rancillio Jacky, which I love but has sadly been discontinued. I've heard good things about the Rancillio Rocky which replaced it. Again, these grinders are on the expensive side but useful for my use case of fine tuning a grind for espresso

[@CeilingNinja]

I have a Bodum burr grinder which works pretty good.

[@Maladictem]

If you are looking for a moderately priced grinder, I can highly recommend the Baratza Encore (Comes in around $140), it gives a really consistent grind. It's also repairable; the company sells all the individual parts, so if the motor or the circuit board goes out you can buy just that part, instead of replacing the whole unit.

[@KumaKaori]

@@Maladictem Seconding the Baratza, specifically that I wanted a grinder that could do coarse for French Press (maybe Cold Brew someday) and fine grind for my Latte/cappuccino maker. So far in love w/ the coarse grind, have yet to try the fine, since I only just got it this holiday season ^^;;;.

[@vegas_party_animal7737]

Yay more coffee talk

[@JohnMiller-fq5yf]

I do have one warning with blade grinders...DO NOT GRIND TOO LONG...I was making a evening pot of French press coffee...I ground it till it was all way too fine...it plugged up the press and I got a nice hot load of coffee all over my face. it was a lesson painfully learned. so glad I got a grind and brew coffee pot instead, still makes a consistent pot of coffee and I don't have to do human adjustments, and no more hot coffee in the face.

[@neuroflare]

Well that escalated quickly. 9 months later I am the owner a Behmor coffee roaster.

[@asddsa28]

i wish there was something like this for tea

[@flannelshirtenthusiast4159]

Question: Are there automatic burr grinders, for people who like the consistency but don't like to hand grind?

[@maywecomein]

Yes! There are many out there but they do tend to be slightly more expensive than blade grinders. They are also loud. :) btw I found I can get good consistency w/ a blade grinder if I periodically shake the grinder, separate out the big/uncut pieces from the smaller pieces in temporary bowls, then regrind just the big pieces. This is definitely easier if you have a blade grinder with a removable receptacle (unlike what Serge is showing here).

[@grimreaper0]

Man, my conical burr grinder even on the coarsest settings doesn't get flakes that big. Nowhere near.

[@pamappelquist820]

Ok huge question!!!! ??? At the end of your video you started talking about gas leaving the bag. Which brings the question how to properly store your beans. If you say gas is no good then if you store coffee in a bag is that what makes it bitter? So wouldnt you want to keep it in something that will let the air escape?

[@AMassiveHeadache]

this was very informative. maybe it would have been a waste to do this, like it's a given; but, i assume if you were to aim for a finer grind from the blade grinder you could probably replicate that fine grind with the burr?

[@usmub]

I'm genuinely wondering what Serge's thoughts are on high end, Michelin star restaurants serving high end Nespresso. I was quite surprised when I found out they did, but apparently it's because it enables consistently making the same cup of coffee in a way a human being never could.

[@sidewinderxx]

Maybe because once someone's had a 10 course degustation with 6 wines and a dessert they couldn't taste the difference anyway 🤣

[@Finkeldinken]

Coffee nerds: So, I get my coffee beans ground elsewhere, but my consumption varies a lot. I was wondering if packaging my freshly ground beans well and freezing them (-18C) is advisable over drinking 2+ months old beans? Thoughts? Thank you.

[@Sahdirah]

+

[@Maladictem]

I know that a lot of people do freeze their beans and grounds, so I don't think it would ruin them. I would probably just do a taste comparison, make some of both and see which is better.

[@xathridtech727]

I want coffee now

[@VoodooRock01]

Scale proninciation: Ahk-eye-ah Question regarding grind and consistency: If you use the blade grinder and can get your beans to a fine powder, your coffee will have a greater surface area (more flavour released during brewing?). Why is this not better than using a burr grinder which will give you bigger pieces? Thanks

[@darthdenco]

I really enjoy these videos, I love coffee and like to see a conaisseurs take on coffee. I'm thinking of using a moka pot for my coffee, does Serge have any experience with them?

[@nathanlonghair]

I watch Serge talk about the finer points of good coffee while drinking my instant coffee w. instant cocoa "mocha". I'm only slightly embarrassed.

[@RobertJW]

Hey, I take mine the same way!

[@nathanlonghair]

@@RobertJW High five! 🙌

[@FelipeASaito]

A relic from a happier time

[@geoffreywinn4031]

Cool video!

[@SarahBeirne]

Ok, you've convinced me. But I may still get a blade grinder for spices.

[@oskarljung2201]

i was not the only one who double checked that the power was off on the extension cord when Serge put his finger into the blade grinder, was i?

[@viperion_nz]

If it's anything like my grinder, it can't turn on without the lid in place (there's a switch in the body of the grinder that can only be accessed by a lever in the lid; to turn it on you need to have the lid on, and push down on the button on the lid)

[@daredaemon8878]

@@viperion_nz Or do something intentionally reckless in the form of forcibly pushing that lever down, but why would you? Still doesn't hurt to have a backup safety in the form of outright cutting power.

[@viperion_nz]

I would argue if you're doing something "intentionally reckless" you're leaving the power connected on purpose

[@Mahyuddin-cf]

Nice video. Thank for drink coffee I am coffee farmer from Indonesian if you want say something to the coffer farmer you can say with short video and make translation to bahasa Indonesia and I will share Thank you Sorry my English is not perfect

[@jaishoppy13]

How far in advance do you guys film things?

[@Rye_rye_25]

If I were to ever spend a day with anyone id choose Serge so that he could show me all of the coffee everything cus oof

[@jorgemendieta8085]

Serge you should make like a begginer's guide for people interested in the coffee culture

[@KumaKaori]

... you're actively watching said guide?

[@hypnoit]

Coffee Grinder go BBBBBRRRRR!!!

[@psikot]

Why only 1 burr grinder test? Shouldn't it have been 3?

[@Sahdirah]

(Sorry, misunderstood the first time and had to fix my answer) Right, understandable and it’d have made more sense for the viewers if he had - knowing Serge, I’m certain it was because with the burr grinder, he literally uses that one multiple times every day, so he *knew* that it makes the same consistency each time. But yes, actually demonstrating that would have made more sense.

[@psikot]

@@Sahdirah "I'm going to be scientific with this." Should have some higher standards, even though it is a chill explanation video. But that might just be me.

[@ancientswordrage]

I've definitely had better coffee than Serge managed to get out of the blade grinder, but he's right that it's way more inconsistent!

[@nox9856]

Interesting differences between the two.

[@TheErikusan]

So would you say grind control with a blade grinder is less... granular? ...I'll show myself out.

[@astaiannymph]

I'm a bit surprised: I couldn't tell the difference by just looking at them.

[@---we1ok]

Honestly, I'm not sure Serge's burr grinder is the best comparison. I mostly grind for espresso which has much lower tolerances for variation than pourover, but even my cheap old cylinder-style manual grinder (which took ages to grind a single dose) had a lot less chaff and fines than that one.

[@Rashagar]

Every time I see this video in my recommendeds I think it's about the "dating" app.

[@zach3553]

I miss my roommate's grinder

[@gradyturnbull1137]

I love you, Serge, but when you did the side-by-side comparison they looked exactly the same.

[@ericostby]

SCIENCE RAMEKINS! (For science!)

[@durge12]

how long until the obligatory serge yager "haha, grinder go burr" shirt?

[@andyjame6801]

*Have had 3 of these units in the past 20+ years. They are good grinders **MyBest.Kitchen** what most if not all the complaints are about concerns a small pop-up switch in the bottom of the unit where the clear plastic hopper slides in. Please don't throw the unit away when nothing happens after pressing the start button. Just take the hopper out, clean @ the pop-up switch or vacuum the area around the switch and I think you'll find that it turns on. Hope this helps....have read reviews where the unit only worked for one grinding, then mysteriously quit working. Again, clean the switch it will most likely solve the issue.*

[@zedorda1337]

Problem is the crap blade grinder you are using. Try a Krups F203 you will not need nearly the same amount of grinding.

[@kilo3989]

Experiments!!!

[@kilo3989]

Is there a difference between hand-ground and machine ground, though? That feels like a variable that could stand to be accounted for.

[@shgecko]

oh lol i just get my coffee from starbucks

[@EternalDensity]

Whe else misread the title as "Grindr" cos of Serge's Jackbox patent?

[@cardinalwiggles]

Haha grinder goes burr

[@phantomaniperv]

Grinder goes BURRRR

[@VeznansDeadbeatDad]

Ouphe

[@oafkad]

That intro disclaimer is super important lol. Otherwise folks look so rude.

[@Jalais]

yikes