Best Conical Burr Grinder Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

Grinding your own beans for your coffee is a great way to improve your morning cup. However, there are a lot of different grinders out there.

This OXO grinder uses conical burrs that create an excellent grind for drip, French press and espresso. Hardcore coffee geeks may want more precision from this grinder, however it's a fantastic option for those who are just beginning.

OXO Brew

If you're into making your own coffee at home, you probably know that it requires a high-quality grinder to give you the best flavor. However, a good burr grinder can cost upwards of $200, which could be prohibitive for someone who isn't certain if they'll be using it frequently or not. The OXO Brew is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy freshly ground coffee grinders makers without having to spend hundreds of pounds.

The OXO Brew's design isn't extravagant, but it's solid. The stainless steel manual coffee grinder stainless steel grinder body has an in-built water tank that is permanently located at the back, and a thermal carafe at the front. The tanks and carafe are designed so that the body is easily installed in smaller kitchens. The controls are recessed beneath the carafe to reduce clutter, and there is an indicator light that informs you when it's heating or making.

In our tests in our tests, the Oxo brewed consistently well. The water temperature was within a precise range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test run according to thermocouples in the basket for grounds and the water tank. Its brewing times were also very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's suggested time for a quality drip.

Another advantage of the OXO Brew is that it has the single-serve feature that lets you to brew your coffee directly into your cup. This isn't a feature found in other models of high-end and is an important benefit for those who prefer to make their own servings of coffee grinder, but don't want the hassle of brewing an entire carafe of coffee.

The only downside to the OXO is that it has no clock or automated start time. This can be a problem when you are on a tight timeframe. The water tank can be difficult to remove because it has a lid which needs to be slid to access the reservoir. It is equipped with a mineral descaler that helps to keep mineral deposits from building up inside the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

The Baratza Encore is the most popular burr mill for coffee enthusiasts. This version of the classic Encore was revamped to include enhancements that make it compatible with a wider range of brewing methods, and offer greater versatility than ever before. It's designed for beginner home baristas as well as anyone who wants to keep their options for brewing open by using a single grinder. It has stepped grind adjustments and simple controls for beginners, with labeled and notched settings for consistency. Its M2 burrs ensure uniform grinds, and the hopper has a new quick release feature that makes cleaning easy.

The ESP uses the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor as the original Encore however, it operates at lower speeds to lessen static charge and heat buildup during the operation. It's also quieter than the classic Encore and has a metal plate that increases burr stability and consistency. It's outfitted with 40 mm conical M2 burrs that are identical to those of the more expensive Virtuoso Plus that help it achieve better grind size distribution and more reliable shots.

Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns, which gives excellent resolution when dialing in espresso and more precise grinding for pour over. It features a new dosing cup that fits both 54 and 58 mm portafilters, which enhances the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can also be used with a traditional grounds bin for those who prefer a hopper-based workflow.

The ESP's inconsistency in tests of consistency is a problem but it still performs better in comparison to other grinders at this price point. The stepped settings are inconsistant, making it difficult to determine the best setting for your particular brewing process. However the ESP is ideal for many brewing methods and offers a great value for the versatility it offers.

The Encore ESP costs a little higher than other models however its versatility is worth it. It can grind for filter and espresso coffee brews. The shims included can optimize the performance of Pour Over Brewing.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 grinder is a good one that works well for pour-over and espresso brewing. The burrs can be upgraded to increase performance, and the hopper can be used to accommodate different grind sizes. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain, with few moving parts. This is a great choice for anyone who is looking for an affordable, high-quality grinder.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a significant improvement over the initial version and will be able to stand up to being beaten by any other grinder at the same price. The new model features an entirely new appearance that is more appealing to the eye. It is a flat-rounded base that can stand up to 20 grams of beans at a time and a single dose cradle. It also has an hose made of rubber that pushes air through the grinder, thereby forcing out any extra grinds.

One of the major problems with the original DF64 was popcorning, which is when coffee beans bounce upward out of the burrs instead of grinding down. This is a common problem with hopper-based grinders that can affect the consistency of your grind. The new DF64 has a much-improved anti-popcorning system that eliminates this problem.

Other issues with the DF64 included a poor quality build, a loose design that caused gaps around the edges of the hopper, a heavyweight, a mandatory use of bellows, regular alignment challenges, a plastic adjust collar that mis-threaded easily, vinyl wrap instead of powder coating, and the all-but-mandatory need for two aftermarket upgrades (anti-popcorning, declumper). The DF64 Gen 2 addresses these issues and many more.

The DF64 has a powerful 250W motor that spins the burrs at about 1,400 RPM. This is a little faster than the Encore ESP, but it’s still slower than other popular burr grinders like the Mahlkönig EK43. The DF64 is also less noisy than the Encore ESP, making it easier to work with in a busy cafe environment.

The DF64 has an easy-to-read, step-by-step adjustment system that allows you to fine-tune your grind size for different brewing methods. It also comes with a wide selection of burrs, which makes it possible to experiment and find the perfect grind for your particular coffee bean. The DF64 also has a convenient dosing system, which allows you to direct the ground coffee machine and grinder directly into your portafilter or mug.
Fellow Ode

A popular maker of home coffee equipment, Fellow makes some seriously aesthetically appealing gear. Their kettles, French presses, and other home coffee brewing machines have an elegant and modern matte finish that suits any kitchen aesthetic. With this in mind, it should be no surprise that their grinders look equally as good. The Ode is a sleek and compact grinder with a number of easy-to-use features designed for precise, single-dose brewing.

The Ode is unique among coffee grinders because it uses flat burrs, rather than conical ones. Usually, you only see flat burrs on professional or commercial grinders due to their ability to reduce grind time and heat generation and improve grind particle consistency. The 64mm flat burrs in the Ode also give it a much smoother grind than you would find in a typical home appliance grinder. And they are designed with single-dosing in mind, meaning that the grinder shuts off as soon as the hopper is empty. This helps to prevent over-grinding, which can rob your brews of flavor and aroma.

The hopper itself holds 100 grams, which is enough for one large pour-over or two small cups of espresso. The Ode has a variety of other neat features, including a built-in scale and a cool grind size chart that is mapped out on the underside of the lid. This shows the brewing methods that each setting is most suitable for, with pour-over and cold brews on the fine end of the range, and French press on the coarse end.

Another great feature of the Ode is that it has a quiet, almost purr-like sound during operation and is very fast. The grinder has a high-force spring that knocks excess ground beans and chaff into the catch, which helps to reduce grind retention and make clean-up a breeze. It’s also very easy to disassemble and is compatible with coffee tablet cleaners.

Despite some minor hiccups in the initial launch, the Ode is still a top contender for those looking for an excellent and aesthetically pleasing conical burr grinder. Fortunately, the company is committed to improving the product and recently released the Gen 2 version, which addresses some of the issues with the original. However, for those who want a better-suited grinder for espresso, the Baratza DF64 is an excellent alternative that is both visually and functionally superior to the Fellow Ode.