How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is an essential tool for any home coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you purchase?

Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces, rather than slicing them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What are the features you should be looking for in the burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill is equipped with an angled set of teeth and a circular burr ring inserted between the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, since 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 cause bitter notes in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull very quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are more fragile, which means that small stones and other particles can damage them over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

A lot of burr grinders available on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or no burrs even. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are usually paired with weak motors that produce uneven grounds. They are not true burr grinders, and, despite what some enthusiasts believe they don't provide the same quality of grind as real burr grinders.

While some experts do not agree, others claim that the burrs that are used in a grinder has an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal however they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs enhance dark roasts.

This could be the case. But it is something you should think about in the event that your grinder has significant impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans you plan to use can you be certain. The overall layout of the grinder and its features of operation will have a greater impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. This is why it's important to evaluate a grinder based on other factors such as the quality of the product and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as a "time-tested choice" that provides excellent value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating metal burrs rather than blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinders. In addition the burrs produce less heat when they grind and preserves more of the bean's aroma and flavor.

In contrast, blade grinders can create excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can affect the flavor of the final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, though this may vary based on the model and brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical burrs. These are two discs that have cutting edges facing each opposite. We don't recommend these for espresso machines because they are more difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a premium burr grinder that is flat such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

A few of the grinders we've tested permit you to set how long the machine will grind for a certain amount of time, which is helpful when making espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette270 a built-in smart timer that delivers precise split-second timing. This feature is not required for the majority of brewing methods and most burr grinders that cost less than $200 use a fancy version of a windup clock.

The cheapest models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means that you have to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option if you're looking to get simple, compact and affordable option that doesn't need electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is also an affordable alternative. It is louder than other models that we have tried, but it's acceptable if you're not worried about some noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to generally be, the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.

3. Easy to Use

If you're just beginning to explore the world of home coffee brewing there's one piece of equipment that everyone agrees is necessary is a burr mill. These grinders provide a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your standard blade grinder (source for this article) and allow you to make beverages that are more balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They also tend to achieve this more effectively. But, as you expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and are difficult to operate.

So, we talked to experts and received their recommendations for the most simple-to-use electric burr grinders available on the market. Many people, including those with a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with several settings that can accommodate different methods of brewing including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well during our tests.

It's also quieter than other electronic grinders we've tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. This is important because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder has only one disadvantage that it is best budget espresso grinder suited to grinding at the coarser side of the spectrum. This can be problematic for espresso. If you're making espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that run by cranking are easy to use and are ideal for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee every day. They're a great option for those who travel or require to make just one serving of pour-over.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It has 41 settings that are easily adjustable and produces a wonderful brew using any method--except for espresso (the flat-stainless steel manual coffee grinder burrs don't grind finely enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who doesn't mind a little messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A good burr mill will cost you around a hundred dollars, but it's 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 create a tiny amount of fines, which are small pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you select. However this isn't obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another. They aren't as popular but are preferred by coffee geeks because they provide a more consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may have to buy new burrs each time you change the brew type or level of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza has the best combination of cost and capabilities for burr mills. It's priced at less than $200, which is far lower than many competing models that don't offer the same capabilities. It comes with 64-mm flat burrs that's excellent for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade with other sets, like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a good track record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those found in more expensive models, but it has several settings that work well for drip and French press and its user interface is simple. The OXO is a great starter model for most people. True coffee geeks may want a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is suitable for those who are.

For those who prefer to crank their beans manually We also tried a few manual burr grinders that are perfect for those on the move and who are able to make one or two cups at one time. These models utilize the same grinding mechanism as non electric coffee grinder burr grinders but operate with a hand crank instead of motors. They are also typically quieter than electric units.