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Nothing is more satisfying than enjoying a cup of fresh coffee early in the morning before you head out for the day.
Pre-ground coffee is always the most convenient for those who want a hands-off, quick brew. But the thing is, it isn’t the freshest brew. The coffee in the bag will probably have a drop in quality and you may end up with a dull cup of coffee.
But, grinding your own coffee beans using a Cuisinart burr coffee grinder, ensures you always drink fresh brew that is full of flavor. In today’s guide, we will provide you with important tips on how to grind coffee beans in a Cuisinart.
What Is a Cuisinart?
It’s a coffee enthusiast’s most important apparatus in the kitchen. The Cuisinart burr grinder is uniquely designed to produce optimum flavor and uniform grind. With multiple grind settings, you can select from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, depending on your brewing method.
What Ground Should You Expect?
Unlike conventional grinding devices, the Cuisinart burr grinder comes with pre-programmed grind settings that allow you to select the type of grind you want. The following are the most popular grind levels you can select, depending on how you plan to use the ground coffee.
Fine Grind
It is usually finer than the salt you use in the kitchen. You should consider this type of grind if you are planning to make espresso.
Medium Grind
This grind has a sandy texture and it is probably the most popular one in your local stores. It is the perfect grind for Aeropress and drip coffee makers.
Coarse Grind
If you are a French Press enthusiast, then settle for coarse ground coffee. It provides the ideal surface area for making French Press coffee.
How to Grind Coffee Beans in a Cuisinart
Now that you have a little bit of knowledge of what a Cuisinart is and the types of grind levels you can expect, it’s time we learned how to grind coffee beans in a Cuisinart.
What You Will Need
Cuisinart burr grinder
Light, medium, or dark roast beans
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Select the Ideal Roast Type
It isn’t just about grinding coffee, you need to select the ideal roast type. Roasting brings out the flavor in the bean and determines the smoothness, mellowness, and richness of the ground coffee.
A light roast is light brown and the surface of the beans doesn’t have any oil. This roast normally has a bright flavor, a mellow body, and a crisp acidity. A medium roast is brown with a less oily surface and it has a rounded flavor profile and a medium body and acidity.
A dark roast, on the other hand, is dark brown with an oily surface. It has darker flavors, a heavy body, and a low acidity level. Of the three types of roast, the medium one offers the best of both worlds.
Step 2: Set Up the Cuisinart
Place the Cuisinart on a flat surface on the table. Pour your light, medium, or dark roast coffee beans into the hopper, and then close the lid.
Select the appropriate grind size, depending on the type of extraction you will be doing. The typical Cuisinart burr grinder usually has 18 grind settings. The first six settings are for fine grind or porter filter (espresso grind). Then, you have your auto-drip, which starts from seven through 12. The remaining settings (13 to 18) are for French Press style.
Next, use the slide dial to choose the number of cups you want to grind for, which can be any number from 4 to 18.
Step 3: Start Grinding
After the set-up is complete, hit the start button and the Cuisinart will automatically grind the exact amount of coffee beans that you want. The device usually comes with a chamber that collects the coffee ground. But, instead of the chamber, you can use a cupcake paper filter or a permanent reusable filter.
Step 4: Remove the Ground Chamber
The Cuisinart will stop grinding after the set number of cups is reached. Remove the chamber, paper filter, or permanent filter full of coffee grounds. You don’t even have to re-measure your coffee. Just transfer it to your coffee maker and start making the freshest, most flavorful brew possible.
Step 5: Clean the Cuisinart
You have to clean your grinder or it will bog down, get clogged, and burn out the motor after a given period. To effectively clean the Cuisinart burr grinder, you’ll need to disassemble the unit.
Start by taking the lid off the hopper. Turn the hopper counterclockwise towards the coarse settings until it comes out. The hopper will simply unscrew from the base.
Use a small portable brush to clean the base of the hopper, including the upper burr and the threads. You can use a damp piece of cloth to clean the inside of the hopper by hand. Then, use the small brush to clean the lower burr at the base of the unit to push any buildup to come out through the exit chute. Use a small brush to clean the exit chute.
Don’t forget to clean the ground chamber by hand.
Re-attach the hopper. Carefully insert it into the base of the machine and turn it clockwise until it locks into place. Finally, store the Cuisinart burr grinder in a dry place.
Final Words
As you have seen, the Cuisinart burr grinder is one of the easiest grinders to use. But, in case you needed additional help on how to use the machine, this guide is your go-to trainer until you master how to use the Cuisinart flawlessly. It’s important you learn how to set the number of cups you want to grind beans for and the correct grind setting for the extraction method you will be using. Also, know how to clean the device after every use to avoid clogging and damaging the motor.
