How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is an essential device in the coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy?
Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces, rather than cutting them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a burr grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill is equipped with sharp teeth that are angled and a circular burr ring inserted between the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, since the burrs rotate around a central point. The inclined teeth are more effective in cutting beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since too much heat can cause bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and dulling quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones and other debris can damage the burrs over time. Flat burrs also create more noise, and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.
A lot of burr grinders available on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or no burrs whatsoever. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are often paired up with motors that are weak, resulting in inconsistent grounds. They aren't genuine burr grinders and, contrary to the opinions of some enthusiasts, don't produce the same quality of grind as genuine burr grinders.
Although some experts do not agree some believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal but they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. 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.
This could be the case. But it is something you should think about in the event that your grinder has significant impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans that you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall design of the grinder as well as its features of operation will have a greater influence on the final cup than the style or burrs. This is why it's essential to evaluate a grinder based on other factors like the reputation of the brand as well as reviews from customers.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as an "time tested option" that offers great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
According to the company, the grinder uses rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinders. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the flavor and aroma of the beans.
Blade grinders however, can produce excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground which can affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this may differ based on the model and the brand.
While the majority of the burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, there are some that make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). We don't recommend them for espresso machines because they are more difficult to adjust and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders we've tested allow users to control the amount of time it will grind for a certain amount of time, which is useful when you're making espresso. Certain grinders, such as our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to one-tenth of one second. This feature isn't necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and most burr grinders that cost less than $200 use the most expensive version of the windup clock.
The cheapest models in our selection, like the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs. That means you'll need to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This takes more effort but is a great choice if you want an easy, compact, and affordable option that doesn't need electrical power.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It's louder than some of the other models we've tested however it's still acceptable in the event that you're okay with some noise. In general, the pricier the grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due to improved materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.
3. User-Friendliness
A burr grinder is a tool that is recommended by every expert for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee making. These grinders provide a finer, more consistent ground than the standard blade grinder and assist in making beverages that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also achieve this more effectively. As you'd expect, a good burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and is difficult to use.
best coffeee grinder asked experts for their suggestions for the best electric burr grinders to use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for a lot of people, including those who don't want spend a lot of money. It has multiple settings to manage a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. It did well in our tests.
It's also a bit quieter than some other grinders with electric motors we've tested, and it does not produce as much heat as some others do. This is crucial, since excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas in your beans.
The OXO grinder has only one flaw It grinds the best on the coarser side of the spectrum. This can be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder, such as the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking are easier to use and perfect for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee per day. These grinders are ideal for those who travel or just 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 comes with 41 settings that are easily adjustable and will make a fantastic brew using any method--except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding well enough). It's a breeze to operate for those who don't mind some messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr mill will cost you a few hundred bucks, but is 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. The grinders create a tiny amount of fines, which are the small pieces 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, which are basically two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other They aren't as popular in home units, but are preferred by hardcore coffee lovers due to their ability to create an even grind size that's perfect for espresso and French press. They can be costly and you may need to buy new burrs each when you change the type of brew or the level of roast.
The Baratza ESP offers the best combination of cost and capability for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's less than $200, which is a lot less than many competing models that don't have the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all types of brewing techniques. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, including those from SSP.
The OXO is a decent, low-cost option that has a good record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as the ones found in higher-end models, but its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for French drip and press. The OXO is a great starter model for a lot of people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious may require a more sophisticated model, but the OXO is suitable for them.
For those who prefer to crank beans by hand We also tried a few manual burr grinders that are ideal for those on the move and who are able to make one or two cups at one time. These models use the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, but work with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also typically quieter than electric ones.