tea grinder

Types of tea grinders

Using an appropriate method to break down the tea leaves, tea grinders come in many types. Their designs often vary according to traditional practices and modern technology.

• Hammer mill

  This large machine uses impact forces to break down tea leaves. It has a rotating metal drum with hammers inside that swing around. As the hammers hit the leaves, they tear, compress, and crush them into smaller pieces. The grinder can adjust the final tea leaf size by changing the drum speed or selecting different-sized screens. Hammer mills work quickly and handle large volumes but produce more leaf dust.

• Ultrafine tea powder grinder

  This machine makes the finest tea powder. It disperses crushed leaves using air flow and vibration. The larger particles fall back down and get recycled, while the lighter, finer particles move up and out. This machines creates a uniform size of tea powder and minimizes leftovers. Air flow controls heat, which is important because excess heat can ruin the tea's flavor.

• Roller mill

  To grind the tea leaves, the roller mill uses pressure and shear force. The leaves are squeezed between two highly polished metal cylinders with grooves. Ideally, leaves get crushed and ripped apart by the moving cylinders' textured surfaces. The cylinders come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

• Oscillating granulator

  The oscillating granulator is a machine that crushes tea leaves into granules or particles of specific sizes. It effectively breaks down larger leaf pieces of tea into the desired granule size through the oscillation of its rotating blade across a screen. The granulator allows for the precise control of the final product by varying the screens used in the machine. Granulators are commonly used in the tea processing industry to produce tea in different forms, such as loose-leaf granules or powdered granules. They are an essential tool for achieving desirable particle sizes and ensuring consistency in tea production.

Specifications and maintenance of a tea grinder

Specifications

• Sizes and capacities

  Tea grinders come in a range of sizes, each appropriate for a certain scale of output. Larger industrial-sized grinders have the capacity to process several hundred kilograms of tea every hour to meet high-volume production requirements. In contrast, smaller domestic models are designed for more modest use, with the capacity to grind around 5 - 10 kilograms of tea on a monthly basis.

• Grinder blade materials

  Tea grinder blades are often manufactured from stainless steel. This is a corrosion-resistant and strong material that can maintain its cutting performance over time without dulling or degrading, even with regular exposure to moist tea leaves. The use of stainless steel for grinder blades ensures durability and longevity, making it an ideal choice for tea grinders.

• Grind sizes

  Tea grinders typically offer the choice of several different sizes. The finer grind is ideal for extracting maximum flavor and nutrients, while the coarser one is more suitable for longer-lasting storage and brewing.

• Power

  The power of a tea grinder is an important factor in its productivity and grinding capacity. Generally, tea grinders are driven by electric motors ranging from 0.5 HP to 20 HP. Smaller machines for home use may have motors around 1 - 2 HP, while commercial-grade grinders have more powerful motors in the range of 5 - 15 HP, allowing them to process larger volumes of tea. Some industrial tea grinders can even reach up to 20 HP of motor power.

Maintenance

Tea grinders require regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure their proper functioning, long lifespan, and good grinding results. Here are some maintenance tips for tea grinders:

• Daily cleaning:

  After grinding tea leaves, it is important to clean the grinder thoroughly. Remove the ground tea residue and tea fragrance from all parts of the machine. Use a brush or a soft cloth to wipe away the remains, ensuring no residue is left in the corners.

• Periodic deep cleaning:

  In addition to daily cleaning, deep cleaning should be done periodically based on usage frequency. Disassemble the main parts of the grinder, such as the grinding blades and grinding chamber, and clean them thoroughly. Pay attention to ensure all parts are securely assembled after cleaning to avoid any looseness or instability during use.

• Lubrication:

  Regular lubrication is required for some parts of the tea grinder, such as bearings and transmission components, to maintain their smoothness and stability. Use appropriate lubricant or grease and apply it in small amounts to keep the machine operating smoothly.

Usage Scenarios

• Tea Processing Plants:

  In large-scale tea processing facilities, customized industrial tea grinders are indispensable for breaking down tea leaves to enhance flavor release. Their ability to produce consistent particle sizes aligns with the demands of commercial tea production.

• Supplement Manufacturing:

  Many health supplements are produced in powder form that include tea extracts for their antioxidant properties and health benefits. In the manufacturing of such supplements, tea grinders are used to finely mill tea leaves, ensuring uniform dispersion and bioavailability of active compounds within the final product.

• Cosmetics and Personal Care:

  Some personal care and cosmetics products incorporate tea extracts for their beneficial properties. Manufacturers that consider this often use grinders to mill tea leaves into a fine powder that can be easily integrated into creams, lotions, or scrubs.

• Contract Packing and Private Labeling:

  Contract packing companies that offer private labeling services to restricted brands may need to customize tea grinders to produce specific tea blends or flavored tea blends. This allows them to meet the distinct formulations and branding requirements of their customers, ensuring a tailored and exclusive product.

How to choose tea grinder

Business buyers should carefully consider the following factors when choosing a tea mill.

• Quality of Ground Product:

  The tea particle size after grinding determines the flavor and aroma of the brewed tea. Fine powders release maximum flavor and aroma, while coarser grinds result in less intense brews. Irrespective of the production capacity of the tea grinder, its main purpose is to produce quality tea dust, fanning, and leaves that will please end-users.

• Machine Durability:

  A durable machine is necessary for large production volumes. The material of construction, especially for high-wear parts like screens, hoppers, and whippers, is vital. Typically, stainless steel combined with resilient polymers for screens ensures a long-lasting grinder.

• Production Capacity:

  A low-capacity grinder may be sufficient for small, specialized teas that target niche markets. However, the preferred choice is still large-scale production. Continuous operation without excessive downtime is necessary. The ability to adjust the production speed or capacity of the tea grinder is also essential to adapt to different tea types.

• Ease of Operation:

  This includes the ease of disassembly and cleaning, as well as the need for frequent replacement of parts. It is vital to consider whether the tea grinder requires specialized knowledge or training to operate efficiently.

• Flexibility in Product Range:

  Industries that process a variety of teas in large volumes need flexibility. They should be able to easily change the final tea product grind and the tea types they process without incurring high costs.

• Cost-Efficiency:

  Cost is not the initial purchasing price but the total lifetime cost. This includes the operating expenses, energy required, cleaning and replacement of parts, and repair services over tea grinder machine's entire lifespan.

• Service Availability:

  The availability of repair services near the business is vital to minimize downtime. Long-distance supply chains are not a preferred option of most businesses, so the local supply chain's proximity will become essential.

Tea grinder FAQ

Q1: How does a tea grinder work?

A1: Most tea grinders use impact-based mechanisms or blades to break down particles. The feed hopper then places the tea leaves into the grinding chamber, where they collide with the grinding elements. The leaves break apart into smaller particles due to the high-speed rotation. The ground tea particles are then released through the designated outlet.

Q2: What is the difference between a crusher and a grinder?

A2: The primary difference between a tea crusher and a grinder lies in their functions and the end product. Crushers use high energy to break down large tea leaves into smaller pieces. Tea grinders further process the crushed leaves to produce a finer tea powder. Moreover, crushers use kinetic energy, but grinders use mechanical energy.

Q3: Should businesses invest in large-scale tea grinders?

A3: Businesses looking to maximize production, streamline processes, and meet large-scale demands should consider investing in large-scale tea grinders.