How do I know if my grinder is aligned?
You can tell if your grinder is aligned by performing a 'marker test' on the burrs or by checking for consistency in your espresso shots. If your grind size is uneven, or if you notice that your shots are channeling despite proper puck preparation, it is likely that your burrs are misaligned and need adjustment.
Grinder alignment is the state where the two burrs—the stationary one and the rotating one—are perfectly parallel to each other. When they are misaligned, the gap between them is uneven, meaning some coffee particles are ground much finer than others. This lack of uniformity leads to inconsistent extractions, where some parts of your coffee bed are over-extracted while others are under-extracted.
The most common way to check for alignment is the marker test. You coat the surface of the burrs with a dry-erase marker, reassemble the grinder, and run it for a split second. When you remove the burrs, the marker should be worn off evenly across the entire surface. If the marker is only worn off on one side, it indicates that the burrs are not touching evenly and are therefore misaligned.
In practice, alignment is most critical for espresso. Because espresso relies on a very fine, uniform grind to create resistance against high-pressure water, even a slight misalignment can cause 'channeling.' Channeling occurs when water finds a path of least resistance through the coffee bed, resulting in a sour, thin, and unevenly extracted shot. If you are struggling to dial in your espresso despite using fresh beans and a good machine, your grinder's alignment is often the culprit.
Many modern high-end grinders are factory-aligned, but they can be knocked out of alignment during shipping or through heavy use. If you suspect your grinder is misaligned, check if your manufacturer offers an alignment tool or if the burr carrier has adjustment screws. If you are not comfortable performing this maintenance yourself, it is often worth taking the grinder to a professional technician.
Ultimately, a well-aligned grinder is the foundation of a great cup. It ensures that every particle of coffee is the same size, which allows for a predictable and delicious extraction. If you find that your coffee consistently lacks clarity or has a muddy, inconsistent flavor, checking your grinder's alignment is one of the best steps you can take to improve your home brewing.
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