Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

It is possible to make your morning coffee grinder more enjoyable by grinding your own beans. There are many different types of grinders.

This OXO grinder has conical burrs that produce the perfect grind for French press espresso, drip coffee grinder compact and French press. Hardcore coffee geeks may want more precision from this grinder, but it's a great option for people who are new to the world of coffee.

OXO Brew

If you're interested in making your own coffee at home, then you know that it requires a high-quality grinder to get the most flavorful coffee. But a quality burr grinder can cost upwards of $200, which may be prohibitive for those who aren't certain if they'll use it frequently 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's solid. The stainless steel body features a permanent water reservoir at the rear and a thermal caafe on the front. The carafe and tanks have been shaped so that the body can be easily fit into smaller kitchens. The controls are recessed beneath the carafe, which reduces the clutter. There is also a light to let you know when it's heating or making.

In our tests, the Oxo brewed consistently well. Its water temperature remained within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test period which was measured by thermocouples in the grounds basket and the water tank. The brewing times were very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended time for a good drip.

Another plus for the OXO Brew is that it has one-serve functionality that allows you to pour your coffee directly into the cup. This feature isn't present in other models that are more expensive. It can be an advantage for those who want to make individual portions of their coffee, but don't want the hassle of brewing an entire carafe.

The only downside to the OXO is that it has no clock or an automatic start time. This can be a problem if are working on a tight timeframe. Furthermore the water tank could be difficult to remove, as it has a lid that has to be slid off to access the reservoir. It also has a built-in descaler, which helps to avoid mineral deposits from accumulating inside the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

If you're a coffee enthusiast looking for the best burr grinder the Baratza Encore ESP is your best choice. This version of the classic Encore was redesigned to incorporate upgrades that make it more compatible with a greater variety of brewing methods, and offer greater versatility than ever before. It's designed for baristas at home who are just starting out and anyone looking to have a range of brewing options on one grinder. It comes with step-up grind adjustments and easy controls for novices, along with notched and labeled settings for consistency. Its M2 burrs ensure uniform grinding, and its hopper is easy to clean with its quick release feature.

The ESP makes use of a DC motor that has high torque and gear reduction, just like the original Encore. However it runs at lower speeds in order to lower static charge and heat. It's also quieter than classic Encore and has an upgraded metal plate which improves stability and consistency. It comes with conical burrs that measure 40 millimeters similar to those used in the more expensive Virtuoso plus. This helps it achieve a better grind size distribution and consistent shots.

Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns. This gives excellent resolution when dialing in espresso and more precise grinding for pour over. It comes with a dosing cup that fits both 54 and 58 mm portafilters which improves the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can be used with the traditional grounds bin if you prefer a hopper based workflow.

The ESP's inconsistent performance in consistency tests is a downside, but it still performs better in comparison to other grinders at this price. The stepped grind settings can also be inconsistent, making it hard to determine the ideal setting for your particular style of brewing. However the ESP is ideal for various brewing methods and provides a remarkable value for the versatility it offers.

The Encore ESP is also a bit more expensive than many of the other models on this list, but it's well worth the extra cost for its amazing capabilities. It can grind espresso or filter brews and utilize the shims included to optimize its performance for pour-over making.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 is a good grinder that works well with pour-over brewing and espresso. The burrs are upgradeable to improve performance and the hopper can be used to accommodate a variety of different grind sizes. The DF64 has few moving parts, making it simple to maintain and use. This is a great choice for anyone who is looking for an affordable, high-quality grinder.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a huge improvement over the previous version and will be able to stand up to being beat by any other grinder in the same price range. The new model comes with a new design that is a lot more appealing to the eyes. It has a simple flat-rounded base which can withstand up to 20 grams of beans at a time and a single dose cradle. It also comes with an elastic bellows that pushes air through the grinder as you are taking the dose, to eliminate the excess grinds and decrease retention.

One of the major problems with the original DF64 was popcorning, which is when bistro electric coffee grinder 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.