How to Choose the best burr grinder Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is a vital tool for any home coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. But what features should you be looking for in a burr grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill is equipped with sharp teeth that are angled and an elongated burr ring that is inserted within the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs revolve around a central point. The inclined teeth are more effective at cutting the beans evenly and produce less heat. This is good because excessive heat can create bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and become dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other particles could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also create 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 feature large, flattened teeth. They are usually paired with weak motors which produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what some people believe, don't offer the same grind as genuine burr mills.
Some experts aren't convinced however, others believe that the size and type of the burrs in a coffee grinder could influence the final taste. These theories are mostly speculative, but they have gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs can bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs soften and enhance darker roasts.
This may or not be true. However, it is something you should consider if your grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. The only way to know for sure is to test the grinder using the beans you'll be using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its operational features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. It's therefore important to consider other factors when you evaluate a grinder, such as its reputation and reviews from customers.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. A number of reviewers have praised it as a "time-tested choice" that is a great value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.
The grinder utilizes rotating metal burrs instead of blades to crush beans, which creates larger, more uniformly-sized grounds as compared to a blender or burr grinders, according to the company. Additionally the burrs create less heat when they grind and preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.
In contrast, blade grinders can create excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can affect the flavor of the final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, though this may vary based on the model and the brand.
While the majority of the burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, there are some that make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing each other). These grinders are not recommended for espresso because they can be difficult to calibrate. They're also cheaper and less difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.
A few of the grinders we've tested allow users to control the length of time that the machine will grind for a certain amount of time, which is handy if you're brewing espresso. Some grinders, including our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to a fraction of one second. However, this feature isn't required for most brewing methods, and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 operate on what amounts to an upgraded version of a windup timer.
The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort but is a great choice if you want a simple, compact, and affordable alternative that doesn't require electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses burr mills and is a reasonable option. It's louder than the other models we've tested, but still tolerable if you don't mind a bit of noise. In general, the more expensive a grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and the latest soundproofing technology.
3. User-Friendliness
A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee making. These grinders provide a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your standard blade grinder and assist in making brews that are better balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They are typically more reliable. However, as you may imagine, top-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and are complicated to use.
We spoke with experts and obtained their suggestions for the most user-friendly non electric coffee grinder burr grinders 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 various settings that can be used to handle different methods of brewing including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well during our tests.
It's also quieter than other electronic grinders we've tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. This is important because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder has just one disadvantage: it grinds best conical burr grinder on the coarser end of its range. This can be problematic for espresso. If you brew espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more simple to use and are perfect for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee per day. They're a great option for those who travel or require to make just one portion of pour-over.
Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making a great drink regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who doesn't mind some messes and flyaway chaff, and it's relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder can cost 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 grinders types 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 produce a little bit of fines (the tiny bits of coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you select) However, this won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers and is a minor price to pay for great-tasting consistent coffee grinders grounds.
Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that face one another. They are not as common but are preferred by coffee geeks because they provide a more consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you might have to purchase new burrs every when you change the brew type or level of roast.
The Baratza ESP is the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr mill, according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200, which is a lot less than the majority of other models that lack the same capabilities. It has a 64-mm flat burr set that's excellent 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 good performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as the burrs in higher-end models, but its user interface and multiple settings work well for both French press and drip. The OXO is a great entry-level model for most people. True coffee enthusiasts might prefer a more advanced model however, the OXO is a good choice for those who are.
For those who prefer to crank their beans by hand We also tested a few manual burr grinders that are ideal for travel and for people who are able to make one or two cups at a time. These models, which utilize the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders work with the use of a crank rather than motors, and are generally quieter than electric models.