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How Do You Use a Manual Coffee Grinder? A Full Illustrated Breakdown of the Eight-Step Process and the Key Points of Grind Size Adjustment

October 31, 2014
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The manual coffee grinder is the first piece of equipment for many coffee enthusiasts when they get started. It has a simple structure and an affordable price, yet it directly determines the extraction quality of a cup of coffee. This article will use eight steps with pictures to explain in detail the complete method of using a manual coffee grinder, including how to unscrew the top screw, remove the nuts one by one, adjust the grind coarseness through the bottom nut, and reattach the buckle, add coffee beans, and turn the handle evenly. It will also explain that grinding a cup of coffee grounds takes about 2 to 3 minutes, helping you easily grind coffee grounds suitable for different coffee pots at home and laying a solid foundation for subsequent brewing.

How to use a manual coffee grinder (illustrated):

1. Before using a manual coffee grinder, you must first adjust the grind coarseness to the appropriate setting based on the type of coffee pot you are using. The first step is to unscrew the top screw.

2. Next, remove each nut one by one:

3. The nut at the very bottom controls the grind coarseness. Turn it upward and the ground particles will become larger and coarser; turn it downward and the particles will become finer.

4. Once the coarseness is adjusted to the desired level, reinstall the nuts one by one in order, making sure to align the buckle with the recessed position on the nut and secure it tightly.

5. Install the nuts in place one by one and tighten them:

6. After the coarseness setting is complete, you can add freshly roasted coffee beans. Keep in mind that you should not add too many beans at once; usually, adding enough for one to two cups of coffee is sufficient.

7. When grinding, hold the middle of the grinder with your left hand to stabilize the body, and turn the handle clockwise with your right hand to start grinding. While turning the handle, keep the speed even and maintain a relatively fast rhythm:

8. Generally speaking, grinding a cup of coffee grounds takes about 2 to 3 minutes. After grinding is finished, pull out the small drawer at the bottom, pour out the coffee grounds, and they are ready to be used for brewing coffee:

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.

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