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 buy?

Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should look for in a burr grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill has an angled set of teeth and a circular burr ring inserted within the other. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs turn around a central point. The angled teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly and produce less heat. This is good because too much heat can cause bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull very quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They also tend to be more brittle, meaning that small stones or other debris could damage the burrs over time. In addition flat burrs create more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.

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

Some experts aren't convinced, www.coffeee.uk but others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a coffee grinder could affect the final flavor. These theories are mostly speculative, but they have a firm grip on the minds of coffee lovers. For example, some think that conical burrs can help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts.

This may or not be true. But it is something to consider in the event that your grinder has an impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans that you intend to use can you be sure. The overall design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have a greater impact on the final cup than the type or burrs. It's important to consider other factors when evaluating the quality of a grinder, like its reputation as well as customer reviews.

2. Convenience

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

The grinder employs rotating burrs made of metal instead of blades for grinding beans, which creates larger, more uniformly-sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinders, according to the company. In addition the burrs create less heat when they grind and preserves more of the bean's aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders, on the other hand they can generate excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that can alter the taste of your cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this can vary depending on the model and manufacturer.

Although the majority of burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, there are some that use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso because they are difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders we tested allow you to choose the amount of time that the machine will grind, which can be useful when you're making espresso. Others--including our top pick the Baratza Sette270 an inbuilt smart timer that can deliver split-second precision. This feature is not necessary for all brewing techniques and most burr grinders under $200 have the most expensive version of the windup clock.

The cheapest models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option when you're seeking a simple, compact and inexpensive option without electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is also an affordable option. It is louder than other models we've tested, but it's still acceptable if you don’t mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder will generally be, the more expensive. This is due to the more advanced materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Simple to Use

A burr grinder is an instrument that every expert recommends for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee brewing. They produce more consistent, finer grind than your standard blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have better balance of flavor, body and acidity. They also tend to do it more reliably. As you'd imagine, a top-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use.

So, we spoke to experts and obtained their suggestions for the most user-friendly electric burr grinders available on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for a lot of people and those who don't want spend a fortune. It has multiple settings that allow it to accommodate a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, and drip coffee. It was a success during our tests.

It's also quieter than some other electric grinders we tested, and it doesn't produce as much heat as some others do. This is important since too much heat can damage the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder has only one drawback It grinds the best on the coarser end of its range. This could be a problem for espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a grinder with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better option.

Manual burr grinders, powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are great for those who drink only a cup or two of coffee every day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to brew up a single portion of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 adjustable settings that are capable of producing an excellent drink regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso machine with grinder (the flat burrs made of steel do not grind fine enough). It's simple to use by anyone, as long as they don't mind a few messes or chaff that fly away.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you around a 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. The grinders produce a small amount of fines, which are little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you choose. However it's not obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another. They are less common but are preferred by coffee geeks because they provide a more uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may need to purchase new burrs every time you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.

The Baratza ESP is the best combination of cost and capability for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200, which is much less than the majority of other models that don't have the same level of capabilities. It has an incredibly flat 64-mm burr set that is ideal for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets, like the ones from SSP.

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

We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their beans by hand. They are ideal to take on trips and for those who only require one or two cups of coffee at a time. These models employ the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders but operate by hand instead of a motor. They are also generally quieter than electric models.