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 them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What are the features you should look out for in the burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill has angled teeth and a circular burr ring inserted inside the other. This shape permits more efficient grinding, because the burrs rotate around the central point. The inclined teeth are more effective at cutting the beans evenly, and also produce less heat. This is beneficial since excessive heat can result in bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and become dull very quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or other debris can damage the burrs over time. Flat burrs also create more noise, and require regular maintenance and cleaning.
A number of burr grinders available for sale call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders have large, flattened teeth and are often paired up with weak motors that produce uneven grounds. They are not true burr grinders and, contrary to what some people believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.
While some experts do not agree, others claim that the burrs that are used in the grinder can have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly speculative but they hold a firm grip on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For example, some think that conical burrs can help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs can soften and enhance dark roasts.
It could be true. However, it's something to consider if your grinder will have an impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing a grinder with the beans that you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall design of the grinder and its operational features will have a greater effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder based on other factors such as the quality of the product and customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee lovers swear by. Several reviewers praise it as an "time-tested option" that provides excellent value for money. It is suitable for pour-over, drip, French press, and cold brew.
According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to crush beans. This results in more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinders. Additionally, the burrs generate less heat when they grind, which preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.
Blade grinders on the other hand they can generate excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also known to be quieter than blade grinders, though this can differ based on the model and the brand.
While most of the burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, some make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). We do not recommend them for espresso as they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line burr grinder that is flat like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
A few of the grinders we've tested allow you to set the amount of time it will grind for a specific amount of time, which is handy if you're brewing espresso. Some grinders, like our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's accurate to one-tenth of one second. But this feature isn't necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and the majority of grinders under $200 are based on a fancier version of a windup timer.
The cheapest models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means that you have turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option if you're looking to get an easy, compact, and affordable option that doesn't need electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is a reasonable alternative. It's louder than the other models we've tried but is still a good choice if you don't mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder will be, in general, the more expensive it is. This is due to the improved materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.
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 making. These grinders produce a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. coffee grinder assist in making drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body, and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. However, as you may expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and are difficult to use.
So, we spoke to experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for many people, including those who don't want spend a fortune. It has multiple settings that can handle a variety of coffee brewing techniques such as pour-over, French press to drip coffee, and it performed well during our tests.
It's also a bit quieter than the other grinders with electric motors we've tried, and doesn't produce as much heat as some other grinders do. This is important since excessive heat can destroy the delicate scents of your beans.
The OXO grinder's only drawback is that it's best at grinding on the coarse end of its range, which can be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better option.
Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are easy to use and ideal for those who drink only a cup or so of coffee per day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or require to brew up a single 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 using any method you want, except espresso (the flat steel burrs do not grind fine enough). It's a breeze to operate for those who don't mind a little messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A quality burr mill will cost you a few hundred dollars, but it's very worthwhile. 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 small amount of fines (the tiny bits of coffee ground that end up smaller than the official grind size you choose) However, this won't be noticeable to the majority of people who drink coffee and it's a low price to pay for great-tasting, consistent coffee grounds.
Flat burrs, that are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another They are not as common in home units, however they are preferred by hardcore coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to produce a more uniform grind size that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you may need to purchase new burrs every time you change the type of brew or the level of roast.
According to our experts, the Baratza is the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr mill. It costs less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models with similar capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all methods of brewing. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP.
The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a good performance record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those found in higher-end models, but it does have several settings that work well for drip and French press and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee lovers would prefer a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great entry point for the majority of people.
We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their coffee with their hands. These are great for traveling and for people who are only able to make two or three cups of coffee at one time. These models, which employ the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders work with an actual crank, not motors, and are generally quieter than electric models.