How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a vital device in the coffee maker's arsenal. But which one to buy?

Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated, rotating surfaces instead of slicing with blades. They're considered to be superior to blade grinders. What features should you look for in the burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

Like its name suggests, a conical burr grinder has one circular burr ring inside another ring with the teeth angled. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, since the burrs revolve around a central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is a good thing because excessive heat can result in bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and become dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs at all. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are often coupled with weak motors that produce uneven grounds. They aren't true burr mills and, contrary to what some people think, they do not provide the same quality grind as real burr mills.

Some experts aren't convinced however, others believe that the type and size of the burrs in a grinder for coffee can influence the final flavor. These theories are mostly anecdotal but they have a powerful hold on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.

This could be true. However, it is something you should consider in the event that your grinder has significant impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to be sure that for certain is to test a grinder out with the beans you plan on using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its working features will have a bigger effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder on other factors such as the reputation of the brand 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 an "time-tested choice" that offers great value for money and is suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.

According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to crush beans. This creates more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinder. Additionally the burrs create less heat while grinding and preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.

Blade grinders, on the other hand they can generate excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds that can alter the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders organic coffee beans also tend to be quieter than blade grinders, but this may vary based on the model and brand.

Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead of conical burrs. These are two discs with cutting edges that are facing each other. These grinders aren't recommended for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as 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. This is useful if you are brewing espresso. Certain grinders, such as our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to just one-tenth of seconds. This feature is not necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and most burr grinders that cost less than $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.

The most affordable models in our selection, like the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs, meaning you'll need to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious however, it's a good option if you're looking for a simple, compact, and inexpensive option that doesn't require electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It's louder than other models that we have examined, but it's acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some noise. In general, the more expensive grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and advanced soundproofing technologies.

3. Easy to Use

If you're just starting to discover the world of home coffee brewing there's one piece of equipment that everyone agrees is necessary: a burr grinder. These grinders create a much finer, more consistent ground than what you can get from a regular blade grinder. They also allow you to make drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. And they tend to do it more reliably. As you would expect, a good burr mill can cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use.

We asked experts for their suggestions for the best electric Coffee bean Grinder burr grinders to use. Many people, even those with a budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings to accommodate a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. It also was a success during our tests.

It's also quieter than other electronic grinders that we tested and doesn't produce as much heat. That's important, as excess heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder has just one disadvantage: it grinds best coffee bean grinders on the coarser end of its range. This can be a problem for espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a grinder with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are ideal for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee every day. These grinders are perfect for those who travel or only need to make one cup of pour-over coffee.

Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It has 41 settings that are easily adjustable and produces a wonderful coffee using any method, except for espresso (the flat-steel burrs don't grind well enough). It's simple for anyone to use for as long as they don't mind a few messes or chaff flying around.

4. Cost

A good burr grinder can cost you a few hundred dollars, however, it's well worth the price. 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 the tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of the official grind you select. However, this is not obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs, that are two discs that have cutting teeth facing each other, are less common in home units, but are favored by coffee lovers due to their ability to produce an even grind size that's perfect for espresso and French press. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may require a new burr for every different brew type or roast level.

The Baratza ESP offers the best mix of cost and capability for a burr grinder according to our experts. It costs less than $200 and is cheaper than other models with similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that's perfect for all methods of brewing. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, such as those from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a good performance record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those in more expensive models, but it comes with multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press, and its user interface is easy to use. While true coffee geeks will want a more advanced model but the OXO is a great starter for most people.

For those who prefer to grind their beans by hand, we also tested a handful of manual burr grinders that are ideal for use on the go and for those who are able to make one or two cups at one time. These models, which employ the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders use the use of a crank rather than a motor and are usually quieter than electric models.