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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you purchase?

Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting with blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. What are the features you should look out for in the burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

Like its name suggests, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring within another with sharp teeth. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, since the burrs turn around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly, and Portable Coffee Grinders also produce less heat. This is beneficial since excessive heat can create bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and become dull quickly, leading to unevenly ground Portable Coffee Grinders that is not evenly ground. They also tend to be more brittle, meaning that small stones or debris could damage the burrs over time. Additionally flat burrs create more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders coffee beans," but they have flat burrs, or no burrs whatsoever. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are often coupled with weak motors that produce uneven grounds. They aren't genuine burr grinders, and, despite what some people believe they don't have the same quality of grind as real burr grinders.

While some experts do not agree with this, others believe that the type of burrs in the grinder have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly anecdotal but they have a powerful hold on the minds and hearts of coffee enthusiasts. For instance, some believe that conical burrs bring out the distinct flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts.

It could be true, but it is important to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to be sure for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you'll be using it with. The overall layout of the grinder and its features of operation will have a greater impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. This is the reason it's crucial to assess a grinder based on other criteria such as the reputation of the brand and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. A number of reviewers have praised it as a "time-tested option" that offers great value for money and is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.

The grinder employs rotating metal burrs instead of blades for grinding the beans, resulting in larger and more evenly-sized beans than a blender or another burr grinder, according to the company. Additionally the burrs create less heat while they grind and preserves more of the bean's aroma and flavor.

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

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

Some of the grinders we tested allow you to choose the amount of time the machine will grind, which could be helpful when you're making espresso. Others, including our top choice, the Baratza Sette 270--have an inbuilt smart timer that can deliver split-second precision. This feature isn't necessary for all brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 use a fancy version of a windup clock.

The most affordable models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual vs electric coffee grinder burrs. This means you have to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort however, it's a good choice if you want a simple, compact coffee grinder, and inexpensive option that doesn't need 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 however it's still acceptable for those who don't mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to generally be, the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Simple to Use

If you're just beginning to learn about coffee-brewing at home, there's one tool everyone agrees is necessary: a burr grinder. They produce a finer, more consistent grind than a blade grinder. They can help you create brews with better balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They are generally more reliable. As you would imagine, a top-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and can be difficult to use.

So, we spoke to experts and obtained their suggestions for the most user-friendly bistro electric coffee grinder burr grinders available on the market. Many people, including those on a budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings to handle a variety options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. It was a success during our tests.

It's also a bit quieter than some other grinders with non electric coffee grinder motors we've test, and it does not produce as much heat as some other grinders do. This is crucial because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's best when grinding at the coarse end of the scale which could be a problem for espresso. If you're brewing espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that run by cranking are simpler to use and ideal for those who drink only about a cup of coffee per day. They're a good choice for those who travel or require to make just one serving of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 adjustable settings that are capable of making an excellent drink for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat burrs of steel don't grind well enough). It's easy to operate for those who don't mind a little messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A quality burr grinder will cost about a hundred dollars but it's well worth the price. 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 pieces of ground coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose), but this won't be noticeable to most average drinkers and it's a low price to pay for excellent-tasting consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another. They are less common but are preferred by coffee geeks because they provide a more consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might have to purchase new burrs for every different brew type or roast level.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr mill. It's less than $200 and is far more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that is perfect for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a solid performance record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those found in higher-end models, but it has multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press and its user interface is simple. 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 them.

For those who prefer to grind their beans manually, we also tested a handful of manual burr grinders that are perfect for those on the move and who are able to make one or two cups at each time. These models, which utilize the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, work with the use of a crank rather than motors and are typically much quieter than electric units.