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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most essential tools in a home coffee-making arsenal. But which one to buy?

Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces instead of slicing them using blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

As its name implies, a conical burr grinder has one circular burr ring that is inside another ring with the teeth angled. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, since the burrs revolve around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is good because excessive heat can result in bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other particles could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also create more noise, and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

Many burr grinders on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs, or no burrs even. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth. They are often coupled with motors that are weak, resulting in uneven ground. These are not true burr mills and contrary to what some people believe, don't offer the same grind as real burr mills.

Some experts aren't convinced however, others believe that the size and type of the burrs in a grinder for coffee can affect the final taste. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold a firm grip on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For example, some think that conical burrs can bring out the individual flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs can mellow and enhance dark roasts.

This may or may not be the case however it is something to think about if you want your ceramic grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to know for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you'll be using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have a greater effect on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. It's important to consider other factors when evaluating the grinder, including its reputation and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. Several reviewers praise it as an "time-tested choice" that is a great value for money. It is suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating metal burrs rather than blades to crush beans. This produces more uniformly-sized grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinders. The burrs also produce less heat which preserves the bean's aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders also tend to be quieter than blade grinders, however this can differ based on the model and manufacturer.

While the majority of the burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, some make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing each other). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso as they can be difficult to calibrate. They're also less expensive and more difficult than high-end flat-burr machines like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The grinders we've tested allow you to choose how long the machine will grind for a specific amount of time. This is useful when you're making espresso. Others, including our top choice the Baratza Sette270 a built-in smart timer that delivers split-second precision. But this feature isn't necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and the majority of grinders coffee beans under $200 use what's an improved version of the windup timer.

The most affordable 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 by hand to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option when you're looking for an easy compact and affordable option without electrical power.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is also a budget-friendly alternative. It's louder than 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 grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and the latest soundproofing technology.

3. Ease of Use

If you're just starting to explore the world of home coffee brewing There's one thing that everyone agrees is necessary is a burr mill. These grinders produce a finer, more consistent grind than a blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have better balance in acidity, flavor and body. They are generally more reliable. However, as you may expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and many are complicated to use.

We sought advice from experts for the best electric burr grinders to use. Many people, including those on a tight budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with multiple settings to manage a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. And it performed well during our testing.

It's also a bit quieter than the other grinders that we tested, and it doesn't create as much heat as some other grinders do. This is important since excessive heat can ruin the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder has one drawback: it grinds best on the more coarse end of its range. This can be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are user-friendly and are perfect for those who drink only just a cup or two of coffee per day. They're a good choice for those who travel or need to make a single serving of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 easily-adjustable settings and is capable of producing an excellent brew using any method you want, except espresso (the flat burrs of steel don't grind as finely as they should). It's easy for anyone to use, as you don't mind a few messes or chaff that fly away.

4. Cost

A quality burr grinder will cost about a hundred dollars but it's well worth the cost. 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 grinder compact 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 bits of coffee ground that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose), but it won't be noticeable to the majority of people who drink coffee, and it's a small price to pay for great-tasting consistent coffee grounds.

Flat burrs, which are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another They are not as common in home units but are preferred by hardcore coffee lovers due to their ability to produce a uniform size of grind which is ideal for espresso and French press. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may require a new burr for each different kind of brew or roast level.

According to our experts, the Baratza is the best espresso coffee grinder price and capabilities for a burr mill. It's priced at less than $200, which is a lot less than the majority of other models that lack the same level of capabilities. It has 64-mm flat burrs that's excellent for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets, like those from SSP.

The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a solid performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as burrs in higher-end models, but its user interface and the variety of settings are suitable for French press and drip. The OXO is a great entry-level model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts may want a more sophisticated model however the OXO is a good choice for the majority of people.

We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their coffee with their hands. These are great for traveling and for people who only need to make two or three cups of coffee at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but work with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also usually quieter than electric models.