How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is among the most important tools in the coffee-making arsenal. Which one should you buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. What are the features you should look out for in the burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
As its name implies, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring within another with the teeth angled. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs revolve around a single central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is a good thing since excessive heat can lead to bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs can warp and become dull very quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are more fragile, which means that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.
Many burr grinders on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have 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 are not true burr grinders, and, despite what some enthusiasts believe they don't have the same quality of grind as genuine burr grinders.
While some experts do not agree, others claim that the type of burrs used in the grinder have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are largely based on anecdotes however they hold a firm grip on the minds of coffee lovers. For example, some think that conical burrs can help bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs can soften and enhance dark roasts.
This may or may not be the case however it is something to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to determine for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you plan on using it with. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a greater impact on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. It's important to consider other aspects when evaluating the quality of a grinder, like its reputation and customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as an "time-tested choice" that offers great value for money. It is suitable for pour-over, drip, French press, and cold coffee.
According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This results in more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinders. In addition the burrs produce less heat while they grind and preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.
In contrast, blade grinders produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which affects the taste of the final 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 that have cutting edges that face each opposite. We do not recommend them for espresso as they tend to be more difficult to adjust and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders we've tested allow users to set how long the machine will grind for a certain amount of time. This is useful when you're making espresso. Others, including our top choice the Baratza Sette270 an integrated smart timer that delivers the precision of a split second. However, this feature isn't required for all brewing methods and most under-$200 burr grinders use what's an upgraded version of the windup timer.
The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you need to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This is more laborious, but is a great choice when you're looking for a simple, compact and inexpensive option without electrical power.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses burr mills and is also a budget-friendly alternative. It's louder than the other models we've tried, but still tolerable in the event that you're okay with a bit of noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to generally be the more expensive. This is due to the upgraded materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.
3. Easy of Use
A burr grinder is a device that all experts recommend to those who are just getting started with home coffee making. These grinders produce an even, finer grind than a blade grinder. They can help you create brews with better balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They also do it more reliably. As you might expect, a high-quality burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and can be difficult to use.
We asked experts for their recommendations for the best electric burr grinders to use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to a lot of people as well as those who don't wish to spend a fortune. It has multiple settings that allow it to manage a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. It also was a success during our tests.
It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't produce as much heat. This is crucial because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder's only disadvantage is that it's only effective at grinding on the coarse end of its range, which can be a problem for espresso. If you brew espresso, a more advanced burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more user-friendly and are ideal for those who only drink just a cup or two of coffee a day. These grinders are great for those who travel or only need to make one cup of pour-over coffee.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. electric coffee bean grinder has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and will make a fantastic brew using any method--except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind precisely enough). It's easy to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of some messes and flyaway chaff, and it's relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A quality burr grinder will cost a few hundred dollars, but it's worth the cost. 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 little bit of fines (the tiny pieces of ground coffee that are smaller than the official grind size you select), but this won't bother most average drinkers and is a minor price to pay for great-tasting, consistent coffee grounds.
Flat burrs, that are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another, are less common in home units but are preferred by serious coffee geeks for their ability to provide a more uniform grind size that is perfect for espresso and French press. The downside is that they can be expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for each roast level or brew type.
According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for burr mills. 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 comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that is perfect for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP.
The OXO is a decent, low-cost alternative that has a great record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as ones found in higher-end models however its user interface and the variety of settings are suitable for French drip and press. The OXO is a great starter model for most people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious may want a more sophisticated model however the OXO will work well for those who are.
We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee by hand. They are ideal for those who travel and who only need to make one or two cups of coffee at each time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, work with a crank instead of motors, and are generally quieter than electric models.