Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

It is possible to make your morning coffee more enjoyable by grinding your own beans. There are a variety of grinders out there.

This OXO grinder makes use of conical burrs that create a grinding system that is suitable for drip, French press and espresso. Hardcore coffee geeks may want more precision from this grinder, however it's a fantastic option for beginners.

OXO Brew

You probably know if you make your own coffee that a quality grinder is necessary to achieve the best flavor. However, a good burr grinder can cost upward of $200, which can be a bit expensive for someone who isn't sure if they'll use regularly or not. The OXO Brew is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy freshly-ground coffee without spending hundreds of pounds.

The design of the OXO Brew isn't extravagant, but it appears sturdy and expensive. The stainless steel body has an enduring water tank at the back and an thermal carafe on the front. The carafe and tanks have been shaped so that the body can be installed in smaller kitchens. The controls are located below the carafe in order to minimize the clutter, and there's a light that indicates when it's heating or brewing.

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

Another plus for the OXO Brew is it comes with the single-serve feature that lets you to brew a cup of coffee directly into the cup. This isn't an option that's available in other models with a higher price, and it can be an enormous 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 drawback to the OXO is that it has no clock or automatic start time. This can be a problem if are working on a tight schedule. The water tank is also difficult to remove since it has a lid which has to be slid in order to get to the reservoir. It also has a built-in descaler, which assists in preventing mineral deposits from accumulating inside the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

If you're a coffee lover looking for the best conical Burr Grinder burr grinder the Baratza Encore ESP is the best choice. This version of the classic Encore has been re-engineered with modernizations that make it more compatible with a wider range of brewing techniques and offers greater flexibility than ever before. It's designed for beginners in home baristas and anyone who wants to keep their options for brewing open by using a single grinder. It features an adjustable stepped grind and simple controls for beginner baristas, as well as marked and notched settings to ensure consistency. Its M2 Burrs ensure uniform grinding, and the hopper is easy to clean with its quick release feature.

The ESP utilizes the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor that was used in the original Encore, but it operates at lower speeds in order to minimize heat buildup and static charge during operation. It's also quieter than the classic Encore and comes with a metal plate that improves burr consistency and stability. It comes with conical burrs that measure 40 millimeters, similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso plus. This allows it to get a better size of grind distribution and consistent shots.

The ESP grind adjustment has 9 microns between each step, providing excellent resolution for espresso and pour over. The new dosing cups are compatible with portafilters of 54 and 58mm. This enhances the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can be used with the traditional grounds bin in the event that you prefer a hopper based workflow.

One downside of the ESP is its inconsistent performance when it comes to back-to-back consistency tests although it is still superior to other grinders in this price range. The stepped settings are too inconsistent making it difficult to determine the best setting for your particular brewing process. The ESP is a versatile brewer that can be used for a variety of brewing methods.

The Encore ESP is also a bit more expensive than some of the other models on this list, but it's worth the extra cost due to its amazing flexibility. It can grind for filter or espresso drinks. The included shims will maximize its performance for Pour Over Brewing.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 grinder is a good one that works well for pour-over and espresso brewing. The burrs are upgradeable to increase efficiency and the hopper can be used to accommodate different grind sizes. The DF64 has only a few moving parts, making it simple to maintain and operate. It is a great option for those looking for a premium grinder at an affordable price.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a major improvement over the initial model and will be hard to beat by other grinder that are priced similarly. The new model is more attractive to the eye. It features a simple flat-rounded base that can withstand up to The cradle is able to hold 20 grams at each time. It also comes with a rubber bellows that is able to push air through the grinder when you are taking your dose to push out the excess grinds and decrease 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.