Single-dosing grinders have been all the rage in coffee grinders for several years now. The desired amount of coffee is measured outside the coffee grinder using a scale, poured into the grinder, and, with good grinders, dispensed precisely. In addition to minimal dead space, precise grinding adjustment and consistency from shot to shot are important for a single-dosing grinder. The best way to describe a single-dosing grinder in German is "Einzelportionmühle" (single-portion grinder). Single-dosing grinders are used for both espresso and filter coffee.
What is a single dosing grinder?
A single-dosing grinder doesn't have a bean hopper. Instead, it has a single-dosing spout into which the desired amount of coffee is added with each grinding. Depending on the coffee and recipe, for example, 19 grams of coffee are added to the bean inlet. The grinder then grinds these 19 grams of coffee directly to the appropriate preset grind size. Depending on the brewing method and preference, the coffee is ground directly into the portafilter or into a coffee measuring cup . If you're looking for a nice gift for yourself, the Subscale from Subminimal combines a measuring cup and scale.
Advantages of single dosing grinders
The Single Dosing grinder has significant advantages over conventional grinders due to its operating principle.
- The coffee is always fresh and does not age, exposed to oxygen and light in the bean container.
- Adjusting the grind size uses less coffee and is easier to perform. There's no need to grind coffee between the bean hopper slider and the grinding discs each time the grind size is adjusted.
- It's easy to switch between different coffees. If someone prefers decaffeinated espresso , they simply weigh the coffee, adjust the grind to the recipe, and grind the coffee. The single-dosing grinder is the perfect grinder for getting to know different coffees.
- Cleaning the Single Dosing Grinder is quicker and easier as part of your daily routine, as there is no need to remove the beans and bean container first.
- The Single Dosing Grinder promotes precise work with the scales, brewing recipes and brewing ratios .
Disadvantages of the single dosing grinder
Single-dosage grinders have one major disadvantage: They're less suitable for brewing large quantities of espresso or filter coffee in a short amount of time. These grinders therefore have their limitations in a high-frequency dining environment.
Some top specialty coffee shops also use single-dosing grinders as standard for preparing espresso and filter coffee. They do so out of conviction and a commitment to quality, accepting the loss of performance in favor of quality.
What characterizes a good single dosing grinder?
The full benefits of a single-dosage grinder only come into play if the grinder performs in the important core categories. The three most important are:
- No dead space, or at least very little dead space.
- Precise and easily repeatable grind setting. When returning to a specific grind setting, the particle distribution should match the last distribution.
- A good particle distribution with a narrow main peak corresponding to the desired grinding degree. The size of the fine particles should be proportional to this.
Other criteria such as volume, speed or temperature development of the grinding discs are important, but do not play a special role in the single dosing principle.
The situation is different, for example, with the grind adjustment. If the grinder doesn't exactly match the previous grind setting after adjusting it forwards and backwards, the principle isn't working. It's then impossible to simply switch between coffees, which can be one of the main strengths of single dosing.
Single Dosing Grinders We Tested
- DF64V - Single Dosing Grinder with Speed Adjustment
- Acaia Orbit Single Dosing Mill in the test
- G-Iota DF83 V2 espresso grinder - single dosing test
- Varia VS3 espresso grinder in the test
- Niche DUO espresso grinder review
- Eureka Mignon Single Dose in the test
- Espresso grinders Timemore Sculptor 78s and 64s in test
- Varia VS6 Single Dosing Grinder Review
- Ceado Life in review – All-round grinder with potential (and problems)
- EMIL EM1 Single Dose in review
- Weber Key MK2 review
- Option-O Lagom P64 review
- Mazzer Philos espresso grinder review
