How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most essential tools in a home coffee-making arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?

Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of slicing with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical-shaped burr mill has angled teeth and the ring of a circular burr that is placed inside the other. This shape permits more efficient grinding, because the burrs are arranged around a central point. The conical teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly and produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can create bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs are prone to warping and becoming dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or debris could cause damage to the burrs over time. Additionally flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs whatsoever. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth. They are usually paired with motors that are weak, resulting in inconsistent grounds. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what some enthusiasts think, do not provide the same quality grind as actual burr mills.

Although some experts disagree some believe that the burrs that are used in the grinder have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee enthusiasts. For example, some think that conical burrs can bring out the individual flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs can soften and enhance dark roasts.

This could be true. But it is something you should think about in the event that your grinder has significant impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to be sure for sure is to test the grinder using the beans you will be using it with. The overall layout of the grinder and its features of operation will have more of an impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. This is the reason it's crucial to evaluate a grinder based on other factors, such as the reputation of the brand and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as a "time-tested choice" that is a great value for money and is well suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.

According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinders. Additionally, the burrs generate less heat when they grind and preserves more of the bean's flavor and aroma.

Blade grinders on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds which can affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this could vary by model and brand.

Some burr grinders employ flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that are facing each one. We don't recommend them for espresso machines because they tend to be more difficult to adjust and are generally less expensive than a premium, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders we've tested allow you to control the length of time that the machine will grind for a certain amount of time. This is handy if you're brewing espresso. Some, like our top choice the Baratza Sette 270 an integrated smart timer that can deliver precise split-second timing. This feature is not necessary for the majority of brewing methods and most burr grinders under $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.

The most affordable models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you need turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great option when you're looking for an easy compact and affordable alternative that doesn't require electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses burr mills and is also an affordable alternative. It's louder than the other models we've tested, but still tolerable if you don't mind a little noise. In general, the pricier the grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to improved materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.

3. Simple to Use

A burr grinder is an instrument that is recommended by every expert for those who are just getting started with home coffee brewing. These grinders produce an even, finer grind than a blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have better balance of the flavor, body and acidity. And they tend to perform the job more consistently. However, as you may imagine, top-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and many are difficult to operate.

We sought advice from experts on the easiest electric burr grinders you can use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for many people, including those who don't wish to spend a lot of money. It has various settings that can be used to handle a variety of methods of brewing such as pour-over, French press to drip coffee, and it worked well during our tests.

It's also a bit quieter than the other grinders with De'Longhi KG210 Electric Coffee Grinder Stainless Steel motors we've test, and it doesn't create the same amount of heat as others do. This is important since excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder's only drawback is that it's designed in grinding at the coarse end of its range, which can be a problem with espresso. If you like to brew espressos, a grinder with more advanced features, like the Baratza Encore may be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that run by cranking are easier to use and ideal for those who consume only a cup or so of coffee every day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to brew up a single portion of pour-over.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It has 41 settings that are easily adjustable and will make a fantastic coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding well enough). It's simple to use by anyone for as you don't mind a few messes or chaff that fly away.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you a few hundred bucks, but is very worthwhile. The grinding mechanism is simple enough that even a beginner can figure out how to get the most out of it, and you'll save money in the long run by ditching the pre-ground coffee and bad-for-the-environment coffee pods.

Conical burr grinders are the standard in Bodum Bistro Electric Blade Grinder - Matt Black home units, and they're a great choice for most people just starting out with this whole grinding-your-own-beans-at-home thing. The grinders create a tiny amount of fines, which are little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you select. However it's not obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs, which are basically two discs that have cutting teeth that are facing each other They are not as common in home units, however they are preferred by hardcore coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to produce a uniform size of grind which is ideal for espresso and French press. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for each roast level or brew type.

The Baratza ESP has the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr grinder, according to our experts. It's less than $200, which is a lot less than the majority of other models that don't offer the same capabilities. It has 64-mm flat burrs which is perfect for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a solid performance in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as the ones in more expensive models however, its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for French press and drip. The OXO is a great entry-level model for most people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious may want a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a good choice for them.

For those who prefer to grind their beans by hand, we also tested a few UNIFUN Manual Coffee Grinder - Adjustable Ceramic Burr (visit the up coming document) burr grinders, which are great for travel and for people who are able to make one or two cups at one time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, operate with an actual crank, not a motor and are usually more quiet than electric models.