The Ross Droplet Technique (RDT) is an innovative method for eliminating static electricity when grinding coffee. It involves adding a few drops of water to the coffee beans before grinding to reduce static-loaded grinds and grind retention. This technique can help ensure consistent, high-quality coffee grinds and enhance the brewing experience.
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The Science Behind Static Electricity (And RDT)
Static electricity is caused by the imbalance of positive and negative charges between two objects. When these objects come into contact, electrons are transferred from one thing to another, resulting in an electric current.
In the case of grinding coffee, static electricity can cause the grounds to stick together or cling to surfaces like grinder chutes, containers, or countertops.
Why is static electricity a problem for grinding coffee?
It goes beyond grinding. It’s about the mess around, wastage, and coffee grounds retention. The latter is the worse because retention can ruin taste and aroma, mixing stale fines with freshly ground coffee.
Static electricity makes it difficult to clean up and causes grounds to be wasted. In addition, some of the finer particles fly like dust and spread around.
Who created the Ross Droplet Technique?
The Ross Droplet Technique was first developed by David Ross in 2005. He created this technique to combat static electricity in coffee grinders while single dosing.
How Does RDT Work?
RDT neutralizes static electricity by adding moisture to the coffee beans before grinding. This moisture helps reduce static cling and grind retention, allowing for more consistent and higher-quality grinds. For this technique, you will need a spray bottle filled with water and a spoon or other utensil for stirring.
It’s essential to remember that RDT only works well when single-dosing. It’s not safe nor practical to spray beans inside a hopper.
RDT Step-by-Step Instructions
- Measure out your desired coffee beans and place them in a tray or small container.
- Take your spray bottle filled with water and lightly mist the top of your coffee beans until they are slightly dampened but not wet – about 1-2 drops should do it!
- Shake the beans lightly around to distribute the moisture throughout them evenly.
- Grind away! Your coffee grounds should now be free from any unwanted static electricity that could have caused them to stick together or cling onto surfaces like walls or countertops.
- Enjoy your freshly brewed cup of coffee!
Benefits of the Ross Droplet Technique (RDT)
Reducing static may be enough for many, but if that doesn’t convince you, check all the benefits we found of using the RDT:
- Reduced static cling (duh!): the mess that causes flying coffee grounds that stick around is annoying. The RDT helps to discharge static electricity and reduce static cling.
- Consistent grinds: The RDT can help ensure consistent, high-quality coffee grinds by reducing grind retention. As a result, fewer coffee grounds stick together inside the chute, and you get only freshly ground coffee without stale coffee residues.
- Improved grinder performance: The RDT can help prevent clogs, which can eventually damage and/or deteriorate your grinder.
- Easy to use: The RDT is a simple and inexpensive technique requiring only a misting water-filled bottle.
It’s important to note that spraying the beans with water before grinding will change the taste the first few times if the grinder chute has grounds residue or fines. Additionally, some people have reported that using the RDT with certain grinders, such as the Niche Zero, can cause clogs and damage to the grinder. However, many coffee enthusiasts have found the RDT to be a helpful technique for reducing static cling and improving grinder performance.
In summary, the Ross Droplet Technique can be useful for single-dose grinding, reducing static cling and improving grind consistency. However, it’s important to clean the grinder chute carefully before using it and use it carefully -or simply avoid it- with low-retention grinders.
The Potential Risks of Using the Ross Droplet Technique with Non-Stainless Steel Burr Grinders
While RDT has been proven effective, there are potential risks associated with using a non-stainless steel burr grinder. The water droplets can cause rust on the burrs, which may reduce their performance and lifespan. Additionally, if the moisture is not evenly distributed throughout the beans, it could cause them to clump together inside the hopper, resulting in an uneven grind. To ensure your grinder stays in tip-top shape, check you’re using stainless steel burrs before using RDT.
Why Stainless Steel is Preferred Over Other Materials
When choosing a burr grinder for use with RDT, stainless steel is preferred over other materials due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Non-stainless steel burrs can rust over time due to exposure to water droplets, leading to inconsistent grind size and poor extraction quality.
Alternative Tips & Safeguards For Appropriate Use Of The Ross Droplet Technique
If you don’t have access to a stainless steel burr grinder but still want to use the Ross Droplet Technique, there are some alternative tips and safeguards you can take:
- Use distilled or filtered water instead of tap water, as it contains fewer minerals that could corrode your grinder’s burrs over time.
- Choose a spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle to control how much moisture is applied at any given time.
- Clean your grinder regularly after each use, as this will help prevent buildup from occurring around the burrs and inside the chute, which could affect performance in the long run.
By following these tips and safeguards, you can safely enjoy all the benefits of using the Ross Droplet Technique while using a non-stainless steel burr grinder.
Final thoughts: Should you use the RDT?
RDT is an easy way to combat static cling when grinding coffee, resulting in more consistent, high-quality grinds that will help enhance your overall brewing experience!
With a few simple steps and tools, you can eliminate any unwanted static electricity that could have otherwise caused problems with your coffee brewing workflow. So why not give it a try today?
