Best Conical Burr Grinder Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

It is possible to make your morning coffee more enjoyable by grinding your own beans. But, there are many different grinders out there.

This OXO grinder features conical burrs that create a grind suitable for French press espresso, drip and French press coffee. This grinder is a great choice for beginners, but the most dedicated coffee enthusiasts will require a more precise grind.

OXO Brew

You probably know if you make your own coffee that a high-quality grinder is essential to achieve the most flavor. However, a good burr grinder can cost upwards of $200, which may be a bit expensive for those who aren't certain if they'll be using it frequently or not. That's why the OXO Brew is an excellent alternative for those who want to enjoy freshly ground coffee without spending hundreds of dollars.

The OXO Brew's design isn't flashy but it looks solid. Its stainless steel body features an enduring water tank at the back and a thermal carafe at the front. The carafe and tank are designed so that the body can be fit into smaller kitchens. The controls are concealed beneath the carafe, which reduces clutter. There is also a light that lets you know when the carafe is heating or brewing.

Oxo consistently brewed well during our tests. The water temperature was within a small range (197.4 F to 205.0 F) for the entire test according to thermocouples in the grounds basket. The brewing times were very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's suggested time for a high-quality drip.

The OXO Brew also has a single-serve function that lets you to pour coffee directly into your cup. This isn't a feature found in other models with a higher price and can be an important benefit for those who like to make their own individual servings of coffee but do not wish to hassle with brewing the entire carafe of espresso.

The only downside to the OXO is that it has no clock or automatic start time. This can be a problem if you are on a tight timeframe. The water tank can be difficult to remove because it has a lid that has to be slid in order to get to the reservoir. It has a built-in mineral descaler that can help prevent mineral deposits from accumulating inside the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

The Baratza Encore is a top burr mill for coffee lovers. This version of the original Encore has been re-engineered with modernizations that allow it to be compatible with a broader range of brewing techniques and provide more flexibility than ever before. It is designed for home baristas who are just beginning their journey and anyone who wants to have a variety of brewing options with one grinder. It comes with a an adjustable stepped grind and simple controls for beginner baristas and also notched and labelled settings for consistency. Its M2 burrs ensure uniform grinds, and the hopper comes with a quick release feature that makes cleaning easy.

The ESP employs the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor as the original Encore but operates at lower speeds to lessen heat buildup and static charge during operation. It's also quieter than the classic Encore, and it has an upgraded metal plate which improves stability and consistency. It's fitted with 40mm M2 conical burrs similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus that help it achieve better grind size distribution and more consistently shot.

Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns, which provides excellent resolution when dialing in espresso, and more precise grinding for pour over. The new dosing cups fit both 54 and 58mm portafilters. This improves the ergonomics for manual dosing. The grinder can also be used in conjunction with traditional grounds bins for those who prefer the hopper-based method of working.

The ESP's inconsistent performance in tests of consistency is a problem however, it is better than other grinders in this price range. The stepped settings are too inconsistent making it difficult to find the ideal setting for your specific brewing method. However the ESP is well-suited for a wide range of brew methods and provides a remarkable value for its versatility.

The Encore ESP costs a little higher than other models but its versatility is well worth the price. It can grind for filter and espresso drinks. The shims included will optimize its performance for Pour Over making.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 grinder is a excellent one that is suitable for espresso and pour-over brewing. The burrs are upgradeable to improve performance and the hopper can be used to accommodate a variety of different grind sizes. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain, with few moving parts. This is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality grinder.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a huge improvement over the previous version and should be able to stand up to being beat by any other grinder at the same price. The new model is more appealing to the eye. It features a simple flat-rounded base that can withstand up to The cradle can hold 20 grams at one time. It also comes with a rubber bellows that will push air through the smart grinder pro when you do your dose to push out excess grinds and reduce retention.

One of the major problems with the original DF64 was popcorning, which is when coffee beans bounce upward out of the burrs instead of grinding down. This is a common problem with hopper-based grinders that can affect the consistency of your grind. The new DF64 has a much-improved anti-popcorning system that eliminates this problem.

Other issues with the DF64 included a poor quality build, a loose design that caused gaps around the edges of the hopper, a heavyweight, a mandatory use of bellows, regular alignment challenges, a plastic adjust collar that mis-threaded easily, vinyl wrap instead of powder coating, and the all-but-mandatory need for two aftermarket upgrades (anti-popcorning, declumper). The DF64 Gen 2 addresses these issues and many more.

The DF64 has a powerful 250W motor that spins the burrs at about 1,400 RPM. This is a little faster than the Encore ESP, but it’s still slower than other popular burr grinders like the Mahlkönig EK43. The DF64 is also less noisy than the Encore ESP, making it easier to work with in a busy cafe environment.

The DF64 has an easy-to-read, step-by-step adjustment system that allows you to fine-tune your grind size for different brewing methods. It also comes with a wide selection of burrs, which makes it possible to experiment and find the perfect grind for your particular coffee bean. The DF64 also has a convenient dosing system, which allows you to direct the ground coffee directly into your portafilter or mug.
Fellow Ode

A popular maker of home coffee equipment, Fellow makes some seriously aesthetically appealing gear. Their kettles, French presses, and other home coffee brewing machines have an elegant and modern matte finish that suits any kitchen aesthetic. With this in mind, it should be no surprise that their grinders look equally as good. The Ode is a sleek and compact grinder with a number of easy-to-use features designed for precise, single-dose brewing.

The Ode is unique among coffee grinders because it uses flat burrs, rather than conical ones. Usually, you only see flat burrs on professional or commercial grinders due to their ability to reduce grind time and heat generation and improve grind particle consistency. The 64mm flat burrs in the Ode also give it a much smoother grind than you would find in a typical home appliance grinder. And they are designed with single-dosing in mind, meaning that the grinder shuts off as soon as the hopper is empty. This helps to prevent over-grinding, which can rob your brews of flavor and aroma.

The hopper itself holds 100 grams, which is enough for one large pour-over or two small cups of espresso. The Ode has a variety of other neat features, including a built-in scale and a cool grind size chart that is mapped out on the underside of the lid. This shows the brewing methods that each setting is most suitable for, with pour-over and cold brews on the fine end of the range, and French press on the coarse end.

Another great feature of the Ode is that it has a quiet, almost purr-like sound during operation and is very fast. The grinder has a high-force spring that knocks excess ground beans and chaff into the catch, which helps to reduce grind retention and make clean-up a breeze. It’s also very easy to disassemble and is compatible with coffee tablet cleaners.

Despite some minor hiccups in the initial launch, the Ode is still a top contender for those looking for an excellent and aesthetically pleasing conical burr grinder. Fortunately, the company is committed to improving the product and recently released the Gen 2 version, which addresses some of the issues with the original. However, for those who want a better-suited grinder for espresso, the Baratza DF64 is an excellent alternative that is both visually and functionally superior to the Fellow Ode.