Burr mill

Poppy seed grinder Jupiter 560

Mlynek

Coffee grinder mechanism

Peppermill

Saltmill

Burr mill or burr grinder is a device to grind hard, small food products between two revolving abrasive surfaces separated by a distance usually set by the user. When the two surfaces are set far apart, the resulting ground material is coarser, and when the two surfaces are set closer together, the resulting ground material is finer and smaller. Often, the device includes a revolving screw that pushes the food through. It may be powered electrically or manually.

Burr mills do not heat the ground product by friction as much as do blade grinders ("choppers"), and produce particles of a uniform size determined by the separation between the grinding surfaces.

Types of Burr Mills

Burr mills can be categorized based on the type of grinding mechanism they use: flat plate burr mills and conical burr mills.

Flat Plate Burr Mills

Flat plate burr mills use two flat plates, one stationary and the other powered to rotate. The beans or grains are fed into the gap between the plates for grinding. This type of mill can produce a very consistent particle size and tends to heat the ground product less than other types of mills.

Conical Burr Mills

Conical burr mills employ two conical burrs, one inside the other. The outer burr is stationary while the inner one rotates. Beans or grains fall into the burrs and are ground down as they move towards the base of the burrs. Conical burr grinders are often preferred for their ability to retain the aroma and flavor of the ground product.

Advantages of Burr Mills

Burr mills offer several advantages over other grinding methods:

• Consistency: They provide uniform particle size, which is important for the consistency of the brewed product.
• Adjustability: The user can adjust the distance between the burrs to achieve the desired grind size.
• Less Heat: Burr mills generate less heat, preserving the flavor and aroma of the product.
• Versatility: They can grind a variety of food products, not just coffee beans.

Applications

Burr mills are most commonly used for grinding coffee, but they can also be used for spices, nuts, and other hard grains. The consistency and adjustability of the grind make burr mills particularly suitable for the preparation of espresso, which requires a very fine, consistent grind.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance of a burr mill is necessary to keep it in good working condition. This includes cleaning the burrs regularly to remove any oils or residues that can build up and affect the taste of the ground product. Some burr mills are designed with removable burrs for easier cleaning.

See Also

• Coffee preparation
• Grinding (abrasive cutting)
• Mill (grinding)

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