Wet grinder

A tabletop wet grinder for preparing food.

A wet grinder can refer to either a tool for abrasive cutting of hard materials, or a food preparation appliance used especially in Indian cuisine for grinding food grains to produce a paste or batter. A wet grinder for abrasive cutting uses fluid for lubrication or cooling, whereas one for food preparation uses water to combine with ground grain to produce batter.

Abrasive cutting wet grinders[]

Some angle grinders, most tile saws, and some grinders for sharpening blades used in woodworking are wet grinders. The fluid helps with lubrication of the cutting process and with cooling to avoid cracking or damaging the cutting tool or the workpiece.

Food preparation wet grinders[]

Traditional wet grinding stone, Rubbu Rolu (Telugu) or Attu Kallu (Malayalam - Tamil)

Wet grinding is rare in western cuisine but common in Indian cuisine. Wet grinders are used to make pastes from grains and lentils, such as those used in cooking dosas and idlis in South Indian cuisine.^[1] These grinders generally consists of a few granite stone plates that are rolled against another stone plate with the items to be ground between them. Wet grinders have two advantages over electric mixers or blenders. First, the stone grinder generates less heat than a mixer; heat affects the flavor of the food. Second, the stones remain sharp for a greater time than do metal blades.

Types of wet grinders[]

Wet Grinders are classified as per their usage and four types are popular.

• Old Stone wet grinders
• Table Top Wet Grinders
• Tilting Table Top Wet grinders
• Commercial wet grinders

Traditional Stone Wet Grinders are used in early days, even now they are being used in villages and small towns. Table Top Wet Grinders also use the same old stones inside a stainless steel drum and serves the same purpose. However, a tabletop wet grinder is smaller, easy to use and powered by an electrical motor. Moreover, tabletop Wet grinder is fit for home use.

Types Of Wet Grinder Stones[]

Modern wet grinders are using old stones in different shapes and numbers for better grinding, these are two types.

• Circular Stones
• Conical Stones

Some wet grinder brands are using 2 circular stones in their wet grinders and some others using 2 or 3 conical types tones. In Conical stones, more area of the stone comes in contact with the ingredients. So, wet grinder becomes effective and efficient.

Dosa is made from a batter obtained by wet-grinding rice and pulses

Wet grinders are largely manufactured in Coimbatore because granite is easily available in this region.^[1] Beginning in March 2006, the label "Coimbatore Wet Grinder" is a registered geographical indication for Tamil Nadu.^[2]

References[]