Why We Are In Love With Best Burr Grinder (And You Should Too!)

How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most important tools in a home coffee-making arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?

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

1. Conical Burrs

A conical-shaped burr mill has an angled set of teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted between the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs turn around a single central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is desirable since excessive heat can lead to bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or no burrs at all. These "false burr grinders" feature large flat teeth, and are often paired with motors that are weak and produce uneven grounds. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what many people think, they do not provide the same quality grind as real burr mills.

Although some experts disagree, others claim that the burrs that are used in the grinder can have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal however they hold an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For instance, some believe that conical burrs bring out the distinct flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts.

This may or not be the case. However, it's something you should think about if your grinder will have significant impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing a grinder with the beans that you intend to use can you be certain. The overall design of the grinder and its working features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. This is why it's important to assess a grinder based on other factors such as the reputation of the brand and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as an "time tried and tested product" that is 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 burrs of metal instead of blades to crush beans. This creates more uniform grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinders. Additionally, the burrs generate less heat while grinding which helps preserve the beans' flavor and aroma.

Blade grinders, on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds that affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this could differ based on the model and the brand.

Some burr grinders employ flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that face each opposite. We do not recommend them for espresso because they can be difficult to adjust and are generally less expensive than a premium burr grinder that is flat such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders we tested let you choose the amount of time the machine will grind. This can be useful if you are brewing espresso. Some, like our top choice, the Baratza Sette 270--have an inbuilt intelligent timer that can provide precise split-second timing. But this feature isn't necessary for most brewing methods, and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 are based on an upgraded version of a windup timer.

The most affordable models in our selection, like the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs, meaning you have to crank them yourself by hand to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great option when you're looking for a simple small, affordable option without electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It is louder than other models we've tested, but it's still acceptable if you don’t mind some sound. In general, the more expensive a grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and the latest soundproofing technology.

3. Simple to Use

A burr grinder is a device that is recommended by every expert for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee making. These grinders produce a finer, more consistent ground than what you can get from a standard blade grinder and help you produce beverages that are more balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. As you would imagine, a top-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and can be difficult to use.

We sought advice from experts on the most efficient electric burr grinders to use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for many people and those who don't want to spend a fortune. It has various settings that can be used to handle different methods of brewing including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well in our tests.

It's also a bit quieter than the other grinders with electric motors we've test, 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 has just one disadvantage that it is best suited to grinding at the more coarse end of its range.  smart grinder  can be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders, powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are ideal for those who drink only a cup or two of coffee per day. They're a great option for people who travel or want to make a single portion of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making a great brew regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine 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 good burr grinder will set you back a few hundred dollars, but it's 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. The grinders create a tiny amount of fines, which are little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you choose. However this isn't evident to the majority of coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other. They are less common but are preferred by coffee enthusiasts because they produce a more consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you might have to purchase new burrs every time you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza offers the best price and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200 and is far cheaper than other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat 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 different option that is priced reasonably with a good track record in our tests. Its burrs aren't quite as precise as those in pricier models, but it comes with multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee geeks would prefer a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great starting point for most people.

For those who prefer to crank their beans manually, we also tested a few manual burr grinders, which are great for those on the move and who only need to make one or two cups at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, but operate with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also generally quieter than electric models.