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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a vital device in the coffee maker's arsenal. What kind of grinder should you get?

Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces, rather than cutting them with blades. They're considered superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a burr grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical-shaped burr mill has angled teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted within the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, since the burrs turn around a single central point. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is ideal because excessive heat can cause bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs are prone to warping and become dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. coffee maker with grinder create more noise, and require regular maintenance and cleaning.

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

Some experts aren't convinced however, others believe that the size and type of burrs used in a coffee grinder could affect the final taste. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs can bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.

This may or may not be the case however it is something to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. 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 operational features will have more of an impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. This is why it's important to evaluate a grinder based on other factors like 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. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as an "time tested choice" that offers great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.

The grinder uses rotating metal burrs instead of blades for grinding beans, which creates more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinders, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the flavor and aroma of beans.

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

Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs that have cutting edges that are facing each one. These grinders aren't recommended for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more complicated than high-end flat-burr grinders like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders that we tested allow you to select the amount of time that the machine will grind. This could be helpful for those who are making espresso. Certain grinders, such as our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are accurate to only a fraction of a second. This feature isn't necessary for most brewing techniques and the majority of burr grinders under $200 use an upgraded version of a windup clock.

The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, have manual burrs. This means you have to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great choice when you're seeking an easy, compact and inexpensive alternative that doesn't require 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 if you don't mind some noise. In general, the pricier a grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.

3. Easy of Use

If you're just beginning to explore the world of home coffee brewing, there's one tool everyone agrees is necessary is a burr mill. These grinders create a much finer, more consistent ground than you get from your standard blade grinder, and can help you produce brews that are better balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also do it more reliably. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upward of $200, and some are difficult to use.

So, we spoke to experts and obtained their recommendations for the most simple-to-use electric burr grinders on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to many people as well as those who don't want to spend a lot of money. It has multiple settings to accommodate a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. And it was a success during our tests.

It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't generate more heat. That's important, as excess heat can ruin the delicate aromas in your beans.





The OXO grinder has one drawback: it grinds best on the coarser side of the spectrum. This can be problematic for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder, such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are easy to use and are great for those who consume only just a cup or two of coffee per day. These grinders are great for those who travel or only 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 that has 41 adjustable settings that are capable of making a great drink for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat burrs of steel don't grind well enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it's relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you around a hundred bucks, but is very worthwhile. 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 bits of ground coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you select) However, this won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers and is a minor cost to pay for delicious consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs, which are basically two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other They are not as common in home units, but are favored by coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to create a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might have to purchase new burrs for every different roast level or brew type.

According to our experts, the Baratza has the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr mill. It costs less than $200 and is far cheaper than other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all types of brewing techniques. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, such as those from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a good performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as the burrs in higher-end models, but its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for French drip and press. While true coffee geeks will want a more advanced model however, the OXO is a great entry point for most people.

For those who prefer to grind their beans by hand We also tried a handful of manual burr grinders that are ideal for those on the move and who are able to make one or two cups at a time. These models, which use the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders use the use of a crank rather than motors and are typically quieter than electric models.