How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a vital device in the coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy?

Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of cutting with blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should look for in a burr grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

Like its name suggests, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring inside another ring with the teeth angled. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, since the burrs revolve around a central point. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is ideal since excessive heat can result in bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso. 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 more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

A lot of burr grinders available for sale call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false burr grinders" have large flat teeth, and are often coupled with weak motors that produce uneven ground. They are not genuine burr mills and contrary to what many enthusiasts think, do not provide the same quality grind as genuine burr mills.

Some experts do not agree with this assertion However, some believe that the shape and size of burrs used in a coffee grinder could influence the final flavor. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but have a strong grip on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.

This may or not be true. However, it is something to consider when you are deciding whether your ceramic grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans that you plan to use can you be certain. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a greater impact on the final cup of stainless coffee grinder than the type of burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other factors when you evaluate the grinder, including its reputation and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

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

According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating metal burrs rather than blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinder. In addition the burrs produce less heat while they grind and preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.

Blade grinders, on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds, which affects the taste of the finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this can differ based on the model and the brand.

While the majority of the burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, a few use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing each other). These grinders are not recommended for espresso, as they are difficult to calibrate. They're also less expensive and more difficult than high-end flat-burr grinders like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

A few of the grinders we've tested permit you to choose the length of time that the machine will grind for a specific amount of time, which is useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to only a fraction of seconds. But this feature isn't necessary for most brewing methods, and the majority of grinders under $200 operate on what amounts to a fancier version of the windup timer.

The cheapest models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs, meaning you'll need to crank them yourself by hand to grind your coffee grinder compact. This requires more effort but is a great choice if you are seeking an easy small, affordable alternative that doesn't require electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tried, but still tolerable in the event that you're okay with some noise. In general, the more expensive the grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to improved materials and the latest soundproofing technology.

3. User-Friendliness

If you're just starting to discover the world of coffee-brewing at home There's one thing that every expert says is essential: a burr grinder. They produce a finer, more consistent grind than your standard blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have more balance in acidity, flavor and body. And they tend to achieve this more effectively. As you'd imagine, a top-quality burr mill can cost up to $200 and is difficult to use.

We asked experts for their suggestions on the easiest electric burr grinders to use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to a lot of people, including those who don't wish to spend a lot of money. It comes with multiple settings that can handle a variety of brewing methods, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well during our tests.

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

The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's designed at grinding on the coarse end of its range, which can be a problem with espresso. If you brew espresso, a higher-end burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.

Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking are simpler to use and ideal for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee a day. They're a great option for those who travel or need to make just one serving of pour-over.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Test Kitchen's director, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that are easily adjustable and produces a wonderful coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of flat stainless steel coffee grinder don't grind well enough). It's easy to use by anyone for as you don't mind the occasional mess 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 innovative coffee Grinders 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 can produce a bit of fines (the tiny pieces of ground coffee that are smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose) However, this won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers, and it's a small price to pay for great-tasting consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that face one another. They aren't as popular but are preferred by coffee geeks because they give a consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they can be expensive to purchase, and you may need to buy new burrs for every different roast level or brew type.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200 which is a lot less than the majority of other models that don't have the same capabilities. It has an incredibly flat 64-mm burr set which is perfect for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade to other sets similar to those from SSP.

The OXO is a decent, low-cost option that has a solid performance record in our tests. Its burrs aren't quite as precise as those found in higher-end models, but it has several settings that work well for drip and French press and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee geeks would prefer a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a great starter for the majority of people.

We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their coffee with their hands. They are ideal for those who travel and who are only able to make one or two cups of coffee at a time. These models employ the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, but operate using a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also generally quieter than electric models.