How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is a vital tool in the home coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of slicing with blades. They're considered to be superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should look for in a burr grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical-shaped burr mill has an angled set of teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted inside the other. This shape permits more efficient grinding process, since the burrs rotate around an axis. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is desirable because excessive heat can lead to bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs tend to warp and become dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or debris could cause damage to the burrs over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise, and require regular maintenance and cleaning.
A lot 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. They are usually paired with motors that are weak, resulting in uneven grounds. They aren't 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 with this, others believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly anecdotal but they have a powerful hold on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs soften and enhance darker roasts.
It could 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 a grinder with the beans you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall layout of the grinder and its operational features will have a greater impact on the final cup than the type 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 lovers swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as a "time tested choice" that is a great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to crush beans. This results in more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinder. Additionally, the burrs generate less heat while grinding which helps preserve more of the bean's flavor and aroma.
In contrast, blade grinders can produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can affect the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this could differ by model and brand.
Although the majority of burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, there are some that make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). These grinders aren't suitable for espresso as they can be 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 grinders we tested let you select the amount of time that the machine will grind, which can be useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to only a fraction of seconds. This feature is not necessary for the majority of brewing methods and the majority of burr grinders that cost less than $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.
The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, have manual burrs. This means you need to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great option in the event you're looking for an easy small, affordable option without electrical power.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also a budget-friendly option. It's louder than other models that we have tried, but it's acceptable if you don’t mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it will be. This is due to the improved materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.
3. Easy of Use
A burr grinder is a tool that all experts recommend to those who are just starting to learn about home coffee making. They produce a finer, more consistent grind than a blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have better balance of acidity, flavor and body. They are typically more reliable. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and many are complicated to use.
We asked experts for their recommendations for the best electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, even those on a tight budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings that allow it to accommodate a variety of different brewing methods, from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. And it performed well during our testing.
It's also quieter than other electronic grinders we've tested, and doesn't generate as much heat. This is important because excessive heat can destroy the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder's biggest drawback is that it's designed in grinding at the coarse end of the spectrum which could be a problem with espresso. If coffeee.uk like to brew espressos, a grinder with more advanced features, like the Baratza Encore may be a better option.
Manual burr grinders, powered by cranking, are easy to use and are perfect for those who only drink just a cup or two of coffee per day. They're a great option for people who travel or want to make a single portion of pour-over.
Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making a great beverage for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat burrs made of steel do not grind fine enough). It's easy to use for anyone who isn't afraid of small messes and flying chaff, and it's quiet.
4. Cost
A quality burr mill will cost you around a hundred bucks, 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. The grinders produce a tiny amount of fines, which are little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you choose. However it's not evident to the majority of coffee drinkers.
Flat burrs, that are two discs with cutting teeth facing each other, are less common in home units, but are preferred by serious coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to produce a more uniform grind size that's perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you might have to purchase new burrs every time you alter the type of brew or the level of roast.
According to our experts, the Baratza offers the best combination of cost and capabilities for burr mills. It's priced at less than $200, which is a lot 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's ideal for all types of brewing techniques. You can easily upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP.
The OXO is another affordable option with a solid performance record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those of higher-end models, but it comes with multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press and its user interface is easy to use. The OXO is an excellent starter model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts may require a more sophisticated model however the OXO will work well for the majority of people.
For those who prefer to grind beans by hand, we also tested a few manual burr grinders that are ideal for use on the go and for those who are able to make one or two cups at a time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, operate with a crank instead of motors and are typically more quiet than electric models.