rose_clark81•1mo agoProlific Poster

Update: My terrible week with a new grinder

Got a new burr grinder last Tuesday. Everyone online said it was the best. First three days, my coffee tasted bitter. Like, really bad. Adjusted the grind size six times. Nothing worked. Finally, my friend in Denver said to try a lighter roast. Used some beans from a local shop. Fixed it instantly. The popular advice just didn't work for my setup. Anyone else have a grinder that just fought them for a week?

4 comments

4 Comments

karen_hill31mo ago

Was the grinder actually new, or just new to you? Sometimes a used grinder needs a deep clean because old oil from dark roasts sticks to the burrs. That residue can make everything taste bitter, no matter the grind setting. A good scrub with grinder cleaner or even some dry rice might have fixed it before you switched beans.

oliviajenkins1mo ago

I mean Karen, maybe it's just me but cleaning a grinder seems like a lot of work for coffee.

milesbarnes7d ago

I saw a post last week where someone was complaining their toaster made everything taste burnt. Turns out they never emptied the crumb tray. It's the same idea. We get used to things working poorly because we skip the tiny bit of upkeep. A dirty grinder makes your coffee taste like yesterday's grounds, and a crumb-filled toaster makes your bread taste like charcoal. That five minute clean changes the whole experience.

jenniferhart1mo ago

Have you ever tasted coffee from a dirty grinder? It ruins everything, even the best beans. I clean mine once a week, just a quick brush out, and it makes a huge difference. @oliviajenkins, it's a tiny bit of work for a way better cup every single morning. That stale oil buildup is the real enemy, not the cleaning.