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Flat vs Conical - grind size/shape/compacted level
SanderP its really the only way, i dont care either way, i have had both kind of grinders and enjoyed the flavour of both once dialed in correctly, but i find it a good excuse to get together with a few coffee lovers and enjoy a drop or 10 whilst having a civil debate.
I know that doesnt always happen, and everyone will find some flaws in the way the test was done...however, i am of the opinion, if not seeing which grinder was used and just drinking the coffee is the only way to really know which you prefer.
At the end of the day its all personal preference, and personal taste, no one is right or wrong
My palate agrees with lancruiser
Which is why I personally prefer single’s from flat burr grinders and blends with milk or alternative milks from conical burrs. Usually use the Ek43 or major as flat and either the robur or Kony for blends
Dimal, it's interesting that our experiences depart in more ways than one. If we can get together with our equipment, I am sure it would be an eye opener for me. So, when can you come down to Melbourne?
The term most relevant when comparing flat and conical burrs is Particle Size Distribution (PSD), i.e. the range of fines and coarse grind size. Flat burrs is generally thought to produce a narrower PSD than concical burs.
As such, when tamped, the coffee with wide PSD tend to compact better than the coffee with narrow PSD.
"Fluffiness" I tend to interpret as how loose the grinds are, i.e. less clumpy. PSD does not explain fluffiness. What Dimal said is a contributing factor. I also know that the Eureka Atom series of grinders have a declumper. This will definitely contribute to your observation of "fluffiness".
You will also find that the conical burrs are more "forgiving" than the flat burrs. A wider range of grind settings on the conical burrs will work with a particular brew recipe. You will need to grind with more precision for the flat burrs.
Taste-wise, conical burrs will generally result in more cocoa and body while the flat burrs will give you more clarity.
Just be aware that this is a generalisation. The actual observation for the result of a grinder will depend on burr geometry and grind speed
The 'extra' fluffiness you have observed with the Flat Burr grinder is mainly due to the much higher peripheral velocity of the rotating burr since not only is the flat burr grinder typically running at much higher RPM but is usually of a larger diameter too.
Yes "its a thing" - when I went from my Eureka flat to a HG-One conical running the same burrs (I think) as the Niche I noted the same.
I assume its related to both the travel path of the grinds with flats having to spin grinds out using centrifugal force versus the conical grind through approach and also the different composition of the grind with flats tending to be more uniform versus conical having more fines.
I'm sure someone will be able to do better than my assumptions - so stand by
Flat vs Conical - grind size/shape/compacted level
Finally! The day has arrived.
I have just received my March Niche Zero (Ordered and built in Dec 2020) and I've been playing with it in the past 2 days.
What I notice between the two is how 2 x 20gram grounded beans can have different compact level?
Allow me to explain: the results of both are 40gram of espresso in around 30s give or take 2-3 seconds difference. (I won't talk about taste comparison yet as it is wayyyy too early)
But what I notice to the naked eye, the Flat looks less compact/fluffier than the Conical. When tamped the flat and the conical has 1-2mm difference in level tamped eventhough both of them are at 20gram/each.
I'm confused. Anyone else has two grinders with flat and conical and notice the difference fluffiness and compact level?
ps: I just want to talk about the fluffiness/compact level here, I'll post again about the whole experience, taste comparison in another post once I'm ready.
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