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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is one of the most essential tools in the coffee-making arsenal. But which one should you buy?

Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They're generally thought 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 the ring of a circular burr that is placed inside the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs rotate around a single central point. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is a good thing because excessive heat can cause bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs can warp and dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or other debris can damage the burrs over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs, or no burrs even. These "false burr grinders" come with large flat teeth and are often paired with motors that have weak components that produce irregular grounds. They aren't genuine burr grinders and, contrary to what some enthusiasts believe they don't have the same quality of grind as real burr grinders.

Some experts do not agree with this assertion However, some believe that the size and type of burrs used in a industrial coffee grinder grinder could affect the final flavor. These theories are mostly anecdotal but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. 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.

It could be true. However, it is something to consider if your grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans you intend to use can 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 the reason it's crucial to evaluate a grinder based on other factors such as the quality of the product and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. A number of reviewers have praised it as a "time-tested option" that offers great value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew.

The grinder uses burrs that rotate instead of blades for grinding beans, which creates more uniformly sized grounds as compared to a blender or burr grinder, according to the company. In addition, the burrs generate less heat when they grind, which preserves more of the bean's aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders, on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which affects the taste of the finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this may differ based on the model and the brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face each one. We don't recommend them for espresso as they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a premium, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders we tested let you select the amount of time that the machine will grind. This could be helpful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, like our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to a fraction of a second. This feature isn't necessary for most brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 have the most expensive version of a windup clock.

The cheapest models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs. This means you'll have to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious but is a great option if you're looking to get simple, compact and cost-effective alternative that doesn't require electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It is louder than other models that we have tested, but it's still acceptable if you're not worried about some noise. In general, the pricier a grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due to improved materials and the latest soundproofing technology.

3. Easy of Use

A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just getting started with home coffee brewing. These grinders provide a finer, more consistent ground than you get from your standard blade grinder and help you produce drinks that are more balanced in body, flavor and acidity. They are typically more reliable. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and are complicated to use.

We asked experts for their suggestions for the Best Burr Grinder electric burr grinders you can use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to a lot of people as well as those who don't want to spend a fortune. It has multiple settings that allow it to manage a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. It also did well in our tests.

It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't generate more heat. This is important because excessive heat can destroy the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder has one drawback: it grinds best on the coarser end of its range. This can be problematic for espresso. If you brew espresso, a more advanced burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.

Manual burr grinders that run by cranking are easier to use and are ideal for those who consume only a cup or so of coffee per day. These grinders are great for those who travel or just need to make only 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 can be easily adjusted and will make a fantastic coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind precisely enough). It's simple for anyone to use, as long as they don't mind some messes or chaff that fly away.

4. Cost

A quality burr grinder will set you back 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 commercial coffee grinder 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 can produce a bit of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee that are smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose), but this won't be noticeable to the majority of people who drink coffee and is a minor price to pay for great-tasting consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs, which are basically two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other They are not as common in home units but are preferred by hardcore coffee grinder compact lovers due to their ability to provide a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. The downside is that they can be expensive to purchase, and you may have to purchase new burrs for each different roast level or brew type.

According to our experts, the Baratza offers the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for burr mills. It costs less than $200 and is far more affordable than many other models with similar capabilities. It has a 64-mm flat burr set that's excellent for any brewing method and is easy to upgrade with other sets, like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a proven track record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those in more expensive models, but it has various settings that work for drip and French press, and its user interface is easy to use. The OXO is a great starter model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts may require a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a good choice for them.

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