A single dose coffee grinder is designed to grind exactly the amount of coffee beans you need at a time. So you don't store your coffee in a full hopper, but weigh each dose beforehand.
Sounds like extra work? Not really. Especially if you regularly switch between coffees, espresso and filter, or, for example, drink decaf, single dosing can actually be a lot more convenient. But is it also something for you?
What is a single dose coffee grinder?
A single dose coffee grinder grinds one dose of coffee beans at a time. For example, you weigh 18 grams of coffee, put it in the grinder, and grind the entire dose.
After grinding, little coffee remains in the grinder. This makes it easy to use a different coffee every time and prevents cross-contamination of coffees.
Is single dosing better?
It is mainly a different way of grinding coffee.
Do you drink the same coffee every day? Then a grinder with a hopper can be very easy. Do you often switch between coffee types and brewing methods? Then single dosing offers more flexibility and freshness.
So it's mainly about what suits your coffee habits.
Why should I choose single dosing?
The biggest advantages are flexibility, freshness, and control.
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You can easily switch between different coffees.
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You can alternate between regular coffee and decaf.
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You can often use the same grinder for espresso and filter.
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You don't have to store all your coffee beans in the hopper. You can keep the coffee as fresh as possible.
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You determine exactly how much coffee you use per brew.
For coffee drinkers who like to try different and fresh coffees, single dosing is quite handy.
Can't I just single dose with a grinder that has a hopper?
In principle, yes. You can empty a grinder with a hopper, weigh your dose, and then grind it. But hopper grinders are clearly not designed for this.
Because if you often switch coffees, it quickly becomes unnecessarily bothersome. There might still be beans or ground coffee in the hopper and grinding chamber. This means you mix coffee beans and get flavors you'd rather not have. You would then have to empty the grinder as thoroughly as possible before starting with a different coffee.
A hopper is therefore most pleasant to use if you have one favorite coffee and prefer to drink the same espresso every time and do not want to switch to filter coffee. Or if you want to enjoy the benefits such as a grind-by-weight or grind-by-time.
What coffee habits suit a single dose grinder?
Single dosing suits you well if you:
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regularly drink different coffees;
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alternate between espresso and filter;
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sometimes drink decaf;
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like trying new coffee beans;
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use different grind settings;
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prefer not to store your coffee beans in a hopper for a long time.
Do you drink the same coffee every day and mainly want to make your espresso quickly? Then a grinder with a hopper might be just as logical.
Can I single dose if I drink both espresso and filter coffee?
Yes, precisely! There are plenty of single dose grinders suitable for both espresso and filter coffee.
Pay attention to the grinding range of the grinder. Not every single dose grinder is capable of grinding fine enough for espresso and coarse enough for filter. Pay attention to the burrs in a grinder.
Do you want a grinder for both brewing methods? So for both espresso and filter coffee. Then specifically choose a model designed for this, such as the:
I find it annoying to weigh my coffee every time. Is there a solution for that?
Yes: weigh your doses beforehand in separate jars.
For example, you can prepare several portions of coffee in small, tightly sealed jars. We ourselves simply use small spice jars for this.
For example, do you drink 18 grams per espresso? Then prepare a few jars of 18 grams. Grab a jar, put the beans in the grinder, and start grinding.
This way you maintain the benefits of single dosing without having to fumble with a scale every morning.
What is retention in a coffee grinder?
Retention is the amount of coffee that remains in the grinder after grinding.
Low retention is important with single dosing. For example, if you switch from an Ethiopian to a Colombian coffee, you naturally want to take as little old coffee as possible into your next dose.
Low retention therefore makes switching between coffees easier. Note: no grinder practically has literally zero coffee remaining, but with a blowing hopper, you come pretty close.
What are the disadvantages of single dosing?
The biggest disadvantage is simple: you have to weigh your coffee before grinding.
That takes a few seconds, but also an extra action. Also, a grinder with a hopper can be more practical if you make many cups in a row with the same coffee. Or if you want to enjoy the benefits such as a grind-by-weight or grind-by-time.
Single dosing is therefore mainly about flexibility and control. If you don't need that, a grinder with a hopper might be a better choice.
How do I know if a single dose coffee grinder is right for me?
Ask yourself the question:
Do I regularly switch coffees?
Yes? Then a single dose coffee grinder is probably interesting for you.
No, I almost always drink the same coffee? Then a traditional coffee grinder with a hopper might be more suitable.
And do you drink both espresso and filter, regularly decaf, or do you just enjoy trying different coffees? Then single dosing becomes even more interesting.
In short: a single dose coffee grinder is not automatically better. It is mainly better if the way you drink coffee suits it.
What do we at FREKKO think?
We are fans of single dosing. FREKKO was started because Freek was looking for a good single dose coffee grinder.
Trying a new bean, drinking decaf in the evening, or suddenly making filter coffee? With a single dose grinder, you simply grab the right coffee and grind exactly what you need.
But we also see that single dosing is not necessary for everyone. We ourselves also see the benefits of a grind-by-weight grinder.
For us, the power of single dosing lies mainly in the freedom. No full hopper with one type of coffee, but deciding for yourself every time which coffee, how fresh that coffee is, and as little retention as possible. And that suits how we at FREKKO like to drink and discover coffee.
