How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a vital device in the coffee maker's arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?

Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of slicing with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what features should you look for in a grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill has an angled set of teeth and the ring of a circular burr that is placed within the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, since the burrs rotate around a single central point. The inclined teeth are more effective in cutting beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can result in bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are prone to warping and becoming dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or debris could cause damage to the burrs over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

A number of burr grinders sold on the market advertise themselves as "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are often coupled with weak motors that produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr grinders, and, despite what some enthusiasts believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as real burr grinders.

Some experts do not agree with this assertion, but others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a coffee grinder could affect the final taste. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. For example, some think that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs can soften and enhance dark roasts.

This could or might not be true however it is something to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to determine for sure is to test the grinder using the beans you plan on using it with. The overall layout of the grinder and its operating features will have more of an impact on the final cup than the design or burrs. It's therefore important to consider other factors when evaluating the grinder, including its reputation and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as an "time tried and tested product" that is a great value for money, and is well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to crush beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder or other burr grinder. The burrs also produce less heat which preserves the flavor and aroma of the beans.

Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds which can affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders also tend to be quieter than blade grinders, but this may vary based on the model and brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges facing each other. These grinders aren't suitable for espresso machine with grinder, as they are difficult to calibrate. They're also less expensive and more complicated than high-end flat-burr machines like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the coffe grinders we tested let you select the amount of time the machine will grind, which can be useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to just a fraction of seconds. But this feature isn't necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and the majority of grinders under $200 are based on an upgraded version of the windup timer.

The most affordable 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 stainless coffee grinder. This is more laborious, but is a great choice when you're looking for a simple small, affordable option without electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also an affordable option. It's louder than some of the other models we've tried, but still tolerable in the event that you're okay with some noise. The more quiet a grinder will generally be the more expensive it will be. This is due to the more advanced materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Easy of Use

A burr grinder is a tool that is recommended by every expert for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders produce a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your standard blade grinder and assist in making beverages that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also tend to do it more reliably. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and are difficult to operate.

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

It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested and doesn't produce as much heat. This is important since too much heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's designed at grinding on the coarse end of the spectrum which could be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a more advanced burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.

Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking are simpler to use and are ideal for those who drink only about a cup of coffee a day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to make just one portion of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making an excellent brew regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat steel burrs don't grind as finely as they should). It's easy to use for those who don't mind some messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.

4. Cost

A good burr mill will cost you around a hundred dollars, but is definitely 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 pieces of coffee ground that end up smaller than the official grind size you choose) However, it won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers, and it's a small price to pay for excellent-tasting, consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other. They aren't as popular but are preferred by coffee geeks due to their ability to provide a more consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may need to purchase new burrs each when you change the type of brew or the level of roast.

The Baratza ESP is the best mix of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's less than $200 which is a lot less than many competing models that don't have the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that's perfect for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, such as the ones 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 the ones found in higher-end models however, its user interface and the variety of settings are suitable for French press and drip. The OXO is an excellent starter model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts may require a more sophisticated model however the OXO is suitable for those who are.

We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their beans by hand. These are great for traveling and for people who only need to make two or three cups of coffee at a time. These models use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders but operate using a hand crank instead of motors. They are also generally quieter than electric models.