How to Choose the Best burr Grinder Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is one of the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. What kind of grinder should you get?

Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces rather than slicing them using blades. They're considered to be superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

Like its name suggests, a conical burr grinder has one circular burr ring inside another one with angled teeth. This design allows for more efficient grinding, because the burrs revolve around the central point. The angled teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly, and also produce less heat. This is beneficial since too much heat can cause bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and dull very quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other debris can damage them over time. In addition, flat burrs generate more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

A number of burr grinders offered for sale call themselves "burr grinders coffee beans," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false burr grinders" come with large, flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that are weak and produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what some people think, they do not produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.

Although some experts disagree some believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder can have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal but they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. For example, some think that conical burrs bring out the individual flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs can soften and enhance dark roasts.

It could be true. However, it's something you should think about in the event that your grinder has a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall layout of the grinder and its operational features will have more of an impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. It's important to consider other factors when evaluating the grinder, including its reputation and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee lovers swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as a "time tested choice" that is a great value for money and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating metal burrs rather than blades to grind beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinders. Additionally, the burrs generate less heat while grinding, which preserves more of the bean's flavor and aroma.

In contrast, blade grinders can create excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds, which can affect the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this may vary based on the model and the brand.

Although the majority of burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, a few make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing each other). We do not recommend them for espresso as they tend to be more difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a premium, flat-burr burr grinder such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The grinders we tested let you select the amount of time the machine will grind, which can be useful if you are brewing espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette 270 a built-in smart timer that can deliver split-second precision. This feature is not required for most brewing techniques and the majority of burr grinders under $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.

The cheapest models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort but is a great choice if you want a simple, compact, and inexpensive option that doesn't need electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is also an affordable option. It's louder than other models that we have tested, but it's still acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some noise. The more quiet a grinder will be, in general, the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Simple to Use

A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders create a much finer, more consistent ground than the regular blade grinder. They also assist in making beverages that are more balanced in flavor, body, and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. However, as you may expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and some are complicated to use.

We sought advice from experts on the easiest electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, even those on a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings that can handle various brewing methods including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it worked well in our tests.

It's also a bit quieter than other grinders that we test, and it doesn't produce the same amount of heat as other grinders do. This is crucial because excessive heat can ruin the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder has just one disadvantage that it is best suited to grinding at the coarser end of its range. This can be a problem for espresso. If you like to brew espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better choice.

Manual burr grinders, which are powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are great for those who consume only a cup or two of coffee a day. These grinders are great for those who travel, or who only require only one cup of pour-over coffee.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and can produce a great coffee using any method, except for espresso (the flat-steel burrs don't grind well enough). It's easy to use for anyone who doesn't mind a little messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you a few hundred bucks, but is well worth it. 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 electric home units, and they're a great choice for most people just starting out with this whole grinding-your-own-beans-at-home thing. They produce a small amount of fines (the tiny bits of coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose) however it won't be noticeable to most average drinkers and it's a low price to pay for great-tasting, consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another. They are less common but are favored by coffee geeks because they produce a more uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. They can be costly and you might have to buy new burrs each when you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.

The Baratza ESP has the best mix of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder, according to our experts. It costs less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It has 64-mm flat burrs that's excellent for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade to other sets similar to those from SSP.

The OXO is another affordable option with a good performance in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those in more expensive models, but it comes with multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press, and its user interface is intuitive. The OXO is an excellent starter model for most people. True coffee enthusiasts might prefer a more advanced model however, the OXO is a good choice for the majority of people.

For those who prefer to crank their beans manually, we also tested a few manual burr grinders that are ideal for use on the go and for those who need to make just one or two cups at one time. These models employ the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, but operate with a hand crank instead of motors. They are also typically quieter than electric units.