3 Reasons Why Oily Coffee Beans Are Bad For Grinders (And Easy Solutions)
Why oily coffee beans are bad for grinders is something I’ve wondered about my favorite drink. Grabbing a cup of coffee while dashing to work or after a great workout session is the norm for many individuals. However, when that coffee is bitter, it becomes more of a mood killer than a morning pick-me-up.
Oily coffee beans will cause the grinder to become clogged. As a result, your quality of coffee may be compromised. Also, other components of the machine may malfunction.
Today, we intend to tackle how your oily coffee beans are bad for grinders. Other than that, we will delve into the warning signs you should watch out for to avoid oily beans.
Why Oily Coffee Beans Are Bad For Grinders
Factors to consider, mainly when using super-automatic espresso machines, is the kind of beans used. Avoiding oily beans and flavored beans will go a long way in ensuring proper maintenance of your espresso machine.
When using oily beans, it’s only a matter of time before the coffee grinder experiences different functionality issues.
1. Clogged grinder
First, the grinder may become clogged. This is due to the coffee grounds sticking together, and in turn, becoming solid and compact. The effect of this will be poorly ground beans.
2. The bean hopper becomes sticky
Oily substances tend to be sticky. The oil on the coffee beans’ surface will stick on different machine components.
The machine components I’m talking about include the bean hopper walls. And subsequently, the grindings stuck everywhere will prevent the beans from smoothly flowing inside the grinder.
3. Grinder may malfunction
Another disadvantage of oily beans is they will prevent beans from being ground. The reason for this is because the grinder will keep spinning without grinding the coffee beans. As a result, no coffee will flow from the grinder into the brewing unit.
When it comes to a precise method of use, high-end machines come with manuals that offer step-to-step processes. Usually, the process entails placing the beans in your hopper and deciding on your preferred setting and grind. Once you confirm everything is in place, you activate the grinder.
How can you tell if a coffee bean is oily?
When you encounter beans that are sheen with a glossy appearance, then these are oily coffee beans. This appearance has also earned them the name shiny coffee beans. It is because the beans get their shiny look from the coffee roasting process.
Popular coffee beans are lightly roasted and dark roasted. Both the chemical properties and physical appearance of these beans make them different. In addition, their distinct features make coffee grinders react uniquely to each of them.
Coffee beans have different compounds such as fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It generally means that all coffee beans have oils. However, dark roasted coffee is oilier compared to light coffee. It is because they have oil on their surface.
Using a coffee grinder on oily beans will require frequent maintenance of the machine.
Oily beans result from over roasting or the beans being very old. Typically, coffee beans’ roasting temperature is 230 to 260 degrees centigrade (450-500°F).
When beans are over-roasted, their surface becomes oily. It is because the heat causes their internal shells to crack. In addition, carbon dioxide in the shell reacts when it comes into contact with oxygen (outside), forming an oily surface.
As much as dark roasted coffee beans seep oil faster compared to lightly roasted beans, they both develop the oily sheen after several weeks.
How to avoid oily coffee beans?
According to the National Coffee Association USA, heat, light, and moisture are coffee beans’ greatest enemies.
For proper preservation, therefore, they should be stored in airtight containers in areas with cool temperatures. This method for storage works for light and medium roasted coffee beans that naturally become oily over time.
Please take note of the texture of your coffee once you use it. If the texture is oily, stop the roasting process before it turns blackish-brown the next time you roast.
Also, as mentioned before, the longer you expose your coffee beans to high temperatures, the greater the chance of becoming oily.
Remember, a coffee grinder is meant to enrich your coffee drinking experience by brewing better coffee. When your coffee beans are oily, however, this experience and your grinder are compromised.
Why Use A Coffee Grinder?
While some opt for instant coffee, a coffee grinder cannot be rivaled when it comes to a fresh cup. Not only does it provide coffee with more flavor, but also coffee that is aromatic and delicious.
The problem with purchasing pre-ground coffee is that you risk consuming stale coffee. This problem automatically ruins the coffee drinking experience. What happens is whole bean coffee stays fresh for a long time when compared to pre-ground coffee.
Once coffee beans are ground, it only has 30 minutes of freshness, and then it slowly loses its flavor and freshness. On the other hand, whole coffee beans can stay fresh for more than two weeks after being roasted.
With a coffee grinder at your disposal, you get to drink fresh coffee all the time. Then, when you don’t like the cup you made, you can easily brew another cup.
You can get manual and electric coffee grinders, as both are readily available. Choosing one over the other is dependent on the convenience and morning coffee ritual you wish to have.
Hand grinders, also known as manual grinders, require your physical effort to grind the coffee. They are a favorable option for travelers and people who love the outdoors. One can quickly figure out their designs, making them easy to use. Also, they are quieter compared to the electric ones.
When it comes to the electric kind, the key is to find high-end grinders. This way, you are assured of durability and high performance. Also, they are more convenient and offer several grind size settings.
How Does a Coffee Grinder Work?
To find out how a coffee grinder works, first, you need to understand the type of coffee grinder you have or are looking to buy. There are several grinders in the market. As much as the primary function of all the grinders is the same, the means and the output is different.
Blade grinders. These grinders are similar to blenders in that they both use a blade. These grinders are very economical. However, it isn’t easy to achieve a consistent grind size with this grinder.
Burr grinder. This grinder offers a range of sizes: fine, very fine, medium, and coarse coffee beans. They are pricier compared to blade grinders, but they offer a more precise output.
Burr grinders can be divided into disc grinders and conical grinders. Their difference is based on the burr shape. While burrs in conical grinders are cone-shaped with ridges, disc grinders have burrs that are serrated and ring-shaped.
FAQs
Can you dry oily coffee beans?
No, you cannot. All coffee beans contain oil which will eventually seep out. Therefore, you can only expertly grind the coffee beans to prevent the surface from becoming oilier.
How do you grind oily coffee beans?
When using automatic coffee machines, they risk malfunctioning over time. This malfunctioning tendency will require you to seek help from a service center (or buy a new machine).
That is why if you prefer oily coffee beans, you should opt for burr grinders. They are easier to clean since not much is required to take them apart.
How do you remove coffee bean oil from filters?
Filters and other parts of your machine get sticky if you’re an avid user of your coffee maker. Frequent cleaning will ensure it is properly maintained. However, you will need more than water since you’re dealing with oil.
In addition to water, make use of harsh cleansers or natural cleaners like vinegar.
