How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

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

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

1. Conical Burrs

The name suggests that a conical burr grinder has one circular burr ring within another with the teeth angled. This design allows for more efficient grinding process, since the burrs rotate 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 taste in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs can warp and dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other debris can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also create more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

A number of burr mill grinder grinders sold on the market advertise themselves as "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false burr grinders" have large, flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that have weak components that produce irregular grounds. They aren't true burr grinders and, despite the opinions of some enthusiasts they don't have the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.

While some experts do not agree with this, others believe that the type of burrs in a grinder has an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. For instance, some believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs can mellow and enhance dark roasts.

This could be the case. However, it is something you should consider in the event that your grinder has an impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to know for certain is to try the grinder using the beans you will be using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its operational features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. This is the reason it's crucial to assess a grinder based on other criteria, such as the reputation of the brand as well as customer reviews.

2. Convenience

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

According to the company, the grinder uses rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinders. The burrs also produce less heat which preserves the flavor and aroma of the beans.

Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also known to be quieter than blade grinders, though this can differ based on the model and brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical burrs. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face each other. These grinders aren't suitable for espresso, as they can be difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more complicated than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The grinders we've tested allow you to control how long the machine will be grinding for a particular period of time, which is handy if you're brewing espresso. Some grinders, including our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are precise to just a fraction of seconds. But this feature isn't necessary for all brewing methods and the majority of grinders under $200 operate on what amounts to an upgraded version of a windup timer.

The most affordable models in our lineup--such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs, meaning you'll have to crank them by hand to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great option in the event you're seeking an easy compact and affordable alternative without electricity.

The Breville smart grinder (read this) Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tried, but still tolerable for those who don't mind a little noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to be, in general the more expensive. This is due to the more advanced materials and advanced soundproofing technology.

3. Easy of Use

If you're just starting to learn about home coffee brewing There's one thing that experts agree is essential: a burr grinder. These grinders coffee beans produce a smaller, more consistent grind than what you can get from a standard blade grinder, and can help you produce brews that are better balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They are typically more reliable. But, as you expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and some are difficult to operate.

We asked experts for their suggestions on the most efficient electric burr grinders to use. Many people, including those on a tight budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings that allow it to manage a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, and drip coffee. It was a success during our tests.

It's also a bit quieter than the other grinders that we tried, and doesn't create the same amount of heat as other grinders do. That's important, as excess heat can harm the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder's only disadvantage is that it's only effective at grinding on the coarse end of the spectrum, which can be a problem with espresso. If you're brewing espresso, a more advanced burr grinder, such as the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.

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

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 can produce a great brew using any method--except for espresso (the burrs made of flat stainless steel coffee grinder electric don't grind well enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of small messes and flying particles, and it's also relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A good burr grinder can cost you around 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 industrial coffee grinder 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 bits of coffee ground that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose), but this won't bother the majority of drinkers and it's a low cost to pay for delicious consistent stainless steel coffee grinder electric grounds.

Flat burrs, which are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other They aren't as popular in home units, however they are favored by coffee lovers due to their ability to provide a more uniform grind size that's perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you may have to purchase new burrs each time you change the brew type or level of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for a burr mill. It's less than $200 which is a lot less than the majority of other models that lack the same level of capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that is perfect for all methods of brewing. You can easily upgrade to other sets, including the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a good performance in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as burrs in higher-end models, but its user interface and the variety of settings work well for both French drip and press. The OXO is an excellent starter model for the majority of people. True coffee enthusiasts may want a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is suitable for those who are.

We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their coffee by hand. These are great to take on trips and for those who are only able to make two or three cups of coffee at one time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders work with an actual crank, not motors and are typically much quieter than electric units.