How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a vital device in the coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?

Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces, rather than slicing them with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you look for in the burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill is equipped with angled teeth and a circular burr ring inserted between the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs revolve around a single central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is ideal because excessive heat can cause bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs can warp and become dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also create more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

Many burr grinders that are available for sale call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false burr grinders" have large flat teeth and are often coupled 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 actual burr grinders coffee beans.

Some experts aren't convinced, but others believe that the shape and size of burrs used in a coffee niche grinder could influence the final taste. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but they have a powerful hold on the minds and hearts of coffee enthusiasts. For instance, some believe that conical burrs can bring out the individual flavors 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 effect on the quality of your coffee. Only by testing the grinder with the beans that you intend to use can you be certain. The grinder's overall design and operational features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. This is why it's important to assess a commercial grinder based on other criteria, such as the reputation of the brand and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

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

According to the company, the grinder uses rotating metal burrs rather than blades to grind beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder or other burr grinders. The burrs also produce less heat, which preserves the bean's aroma and flavor.

In contrast, blade grinders produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can impact the flavor of the final cup. Burr grinders also tend to be quieter than blade grinders, however this can vary depending on the model and brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical burrs. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face each opposite. These grinders are not recommended for espresso, as they can be difficult to calibrate. They're 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 we've tested allow you to set the length of time that the machine will grind for a specific amount of time, which is handy if you're brewing espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette 270 a built-in smart timer that delivers split-second precision. But this feature isn't necessary for most brewing methods, and most under-$200 burr grinders are based on a fancier version of the windup timer.

The cheapest models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, have manual burrs. This means that you have to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This is more laborious, but is a great option in the event you're seeking a simple, 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 some of the other models we've tested however it's still acceptable for those who don't mind a bit of noise. The quieter a grinder will generally be, the more expensive it is. This is due to the improved materials and advanced soundproofing technology.

3. Easy of Use

A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders create an even, finer grind than a blade grinder. They can help you make brews with better balance of flavor, body and acidity. They are typically more reliable. As you would 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 budget espresso grinder electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, even those with a budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with multiple settings to manage a variety of different brewing methods, from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. It did well in 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 destroy the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's designed in grinding at the coarse end of the scale which could be a problem for espresso. If you're brewing 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 easy to use and ideal for those who drink just about a cup of coffee a day. They're an excellent choice for people who travel or want to make just one serving 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 making an excellent drink for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine enough). It's simple to use by anyone so you don't mind a few messes or chaff flying away.

4. Cost

A good burr grinder will set you back about a hundred dollars however, it's well 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 bits of coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose), but it won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers and it's a low price to pay for excellent-tasting consistently-sized coffee beans grinder machine grounds.

Flat burrs, which are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another They are not as common in home units but are favored by coffee lovers due to their ability to provide an even grind size that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you might have to buy new burrs each when you change the type of brew or the level of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200 which is far lower than other models that don't offer the same level of capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that's ideal for all brewing methods. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, such as the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a great, affordable alternative that has a great performance record in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as the ones in more expensive models however, its user interface and the variety of settings work well for both French drip and press. While true coffee lovers may require a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a great entry point for the majority of people.

For those who prefer to grind beans by hand We also tried a handful of manual burr grinders that are perfect for travel and for people who only need to make one or two cups at one time. These models utilize the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, but operate with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also generally quieter than electric units.