How to Choose the best espresso grinder Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is an essential device in the coffee maker's arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?
Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you look for in the burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
As its name implies, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring within another one with the teeth angled. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, because the burrs revolve around a central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is desirable because excessive heat can cause bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and become dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They also tend to be more brittle, meaning that small stones or debris could damage the burrs over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise, and require regular maintenance and cleaning.
Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs at all. These "false" burr grinders have large, flattened teeth and are often coupled with weak motors which produce inconsistent grounds. They aren't true burr grinders, and, despite the opinions of some enthusiasts they don't have the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.
While some experts disagree with this, others believe that the burrs that are used in the grinder can have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but have a strong grip on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs can bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.
It could be the case. But it is something you should consider if your grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing the grinder with the beans you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall design of the grinder as well as its operational features will have a greater impact on the final cup than the type or burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other factors when evaluating the quality of a grinder, like its reputation and customer reviews.
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 a "time tested option" that offers great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
The grinder employs rotating burrs made of metal instead of blades to crush the beans, which produces more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinders, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat, which preserves the flavor and aroma of beans.
Blade grinders on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds that can alter the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, though this may vary based on the model and the brand.
Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical burrs. These are two discs with cutting edges that face each other. These grinders aren't suitable for espresso, as they can be difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more complicated than high-end flat-burr grinders like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.
The grinders we tested allow you to select the amount of time that the machine will grind, which can be useful for those who are making espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette 270 an inbuilt smart grinder timer that can deliver split-second precision. But this feature isn't necessary for all brewing methods and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 are based on a fancier version of a windup timer.
The most affordable models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you have turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort however, it's a good option if you're looking for simple, compact and affordable option that doesn't need electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another option for those who want to save money and uses a burr grinder. It's louder than some of the other models we've tried, but still tolerable for those who don't mind a bit of noise. In general, the more expensive grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to improved materials and advanced soundproofing technology.
3. Simple to Use
A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee making. They produce an even, finer grind than a blade grinder, and can help you create brews with more balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They also tend to do it more reliably. As you would imagine, a top-quality burr mill can cost up to $200 and can be difficult to use.
So, we talked to experts and got their recommendations for the most simple-to-use electric burr grinders that are available on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for many people as well as those who don't want spend a fortune. It has multiple settings to handle a variety brewing methods from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. And it performed well during our testing.
It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't produce as much heat. This is important because excessive heat can destroy the delicate scents of your beans.
The OXO grinder has only one disadvantage It grinds the best on the more coarse end of its range. This could be a problem for espresso. If you're brewing espresso, a more advanced burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option.
manual vs electric coffee grinder burr grinders, powered by cranking, are easy to use and are great for those who only drink one or two cups of coffee per day. They're an excellent choice for people who travel or want to brew up a single portion of pour-over.
Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 adjustable settings that are capable of making an excellent brew using any method you want, except espresso (the flat burrs made of steel do not grind fine enough). It's easy to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of some messes and flyaway chaff, and it's quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder will set you back about a hundred dollars but it's 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 small pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you choose. However, this is not evident to the majority of coffee drinkers.
Flat burrs, that are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another They aren't as popular in home units, but are preferred by serious coffee geeks for their ability to create a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for every different kind of brew or roast level.
The Baratza ESP has the most cost-effective combination of price 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 level of capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat burr set which is perfect for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade with other sets, like the ones from SSP.
The OXO is a decent, low-cost option that has a solid performance record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those in higher-end models, but it has multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee enthusiasts will want a more advanced model however, the OXO is a great starting point for the majority of people.
We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee by hand. They are ideal to take on trips and for those who are only able to make two or three cups of coffee at one time. These models utilize the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but operate with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also generally quieter than electric models.