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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is an essential tool in the home coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy?

Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of slicing with blades. They're considered superior to blade grinders. What features should you look for in a burr mill?





1. Conical Burrs

A conical-shaped burr mill has an angled set of teeth and a circular burr ring inserted between the other. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs turn around a single central point. The inclined teeth are more effective in cutting beans evenly, and also produce less heat. This is good because too much heat can cause bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones and other debris could damage the burrs over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise, and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs, or no burrs whatsoever. These "false burr grinders" have large flat teeth, and are often coupled with motors that are weak and produce irregular ground. They aren't true burr mills and, contrary to what some people believe, don't produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.

Some experts disagree with this claim, but others believe that the type and size of burrs used in a coffee grinder can affect the final flavor. These theories are largely based on anecdotes however they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For example, some think that conical burrs can bring out the distinct flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs can mellow and enhance dark roasts.

It could be true, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to know for sure is to test the grinder with the beans you will be using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its operating features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. This is why it's important to evaluate a grinder based on other factors like the reputation of the brand as well as reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee lovers swear by. Several reviewers praise it as a "time-tested choice" that provides excellent value for money and is suitable for pour-over, drip, French press, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinder. In addition the burrs produce less heat when they grind, which preserves more of the bean's aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders, on the other hand they can generate excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds which can affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this can differ based on the model and the brand.

Although the majority of burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, a few make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing each other). We don't recommend them for espresso as they tend to be more difficult to adjust and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line burr grinder with a flat-burr such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders we tested let you select the amount of time the machine will grind, which can be useful when you're making espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette270 an inbuilt smart timer that can deliver split-second precision. But this feature isn't necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 are based on an improved version of the windup timer.

The cheapest models in our lineup--such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs. best home espresso grinder means you'll need to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great choice if you are looking for an easy, compact and inexpensive alternative without electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've examined, but it's acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some sound. In general, the more expensive a grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due to improved materials and advanced soundproofing technology.

3. Simple to Use

A burr grinder is an instrument that all experts recommend to those who are just getting started with home coffee making. These grinders produce a finer, more consistent grind than your standard blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have better balance in flavor, body and acidity. They also perform the job more consistently. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upward of $200, and many are complicated to use.

We asked experts for their suggestions on the easiest electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, including those on a tight budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has various settings that can be used to handle different brewing methods, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it worked well in our testing.

It's quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn't produce the same amount of heat. This is important since excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder has just one disadvantage It grinds the best on the more coarse end of its range. This can be a problem for espresso. If you brew espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.

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

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder with 41 easily-adjustable settings and is capable of producing an excellent beverage regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs made of steel don't grind well enough). It's a breeze for anyone to use for as long as they don't mind the occasional mess or chaff flying away.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you a few hundred dollars, but is well worth it. 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 can produce a bit of fines (the tiny bits of ground coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you select) however it won't be noticeable to most average drinkers and it's a low price to pay for excellent-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds.

Flat burrs, that are two discs with cutting teeth facing each other They are not as common in home units, but are preferred by serious coffee lovers due to their ability to provide an even grind size that's perfect for espresso and French press. They can be costly and you may need to buy new burrs each when you change the brew type or level of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr mill. It's priced at less than $200 and is cheaper than other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that's ideal for all brewing methods. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a proven track record in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as the ones in more expensive models, but its user interface and a variety of settings work well for both French drip and press. While true coffee lovers 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 that are perfect for use on the go and for those 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 operate with an actual crank, not motors and are typically more quiet than electric models.