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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?

Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated, rotating surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They're generally regarded as superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you look for in a burr grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill has sharp teeth that are angled and the ring of a circular burr that is placed inside the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs turn around a central point. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is a good thing since 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 becoming dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise, and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

Many burr grinders that are available for sale call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth. They are usually paired with motors that are weak, resulting in uneven ground. They are not genuine burr mills and contrary to what some enthusiasts think, do not provide the same quality grind as actual burr mills.

While some experts disagree some believe that the type of burrs used in a grinder has an impact on the final taste of the stainless coffee grinder. 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 help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs enhance dark roasts.

This could be the case. However, it's something you should think about if your grinder will have an impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to determine for certain is to try a grinder out with the beans you'll be using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its features of operation will have a greater influence on the final cup than the type or burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other factors when you evaluate the grinder, including its reputation as well as customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. It has been praised by numerous reviewers as an "time tested choice" that is a great value for money, and is well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinder. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the flavor and aroma of the beans.

In contrast, blade grinders can create excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can impact the taste of the finished cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, but this may vary based on the model and manufacturer.

While most of the burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, a few make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). We don't recommend these for espresso as they are more 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+.

The grinders we've tested allow users to choose the length of time that the machine will grind for a certain period of time, which is useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to just only a fraction of one second. This feature is not required for all brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.

The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you have to turn them manually yourself to grind your exclusive coffee Grinders. This takes more effort, but is a good option if you're looking for a simple, compact, and cost-effective option 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 tried, but it's acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some background noise. The more quiet a grinder will generally be, the more expensive. This is due to the improved materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques.

3. Easy to Use

A burr grinder is an instrument that is recommended by every expert for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders produce a more consistent, finer grind than what you can get from a standard blade grinder and allow you to make brews that are better balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They also tend to do it more reliably. But, as you expect, top burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and are complicated to use.

So, we talked to experts and received their recommendations for the most simple-to-use electric burr grinders on the market. Many people, including those with a budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has several settings that can accommodate a variety of coffee brewing techniques including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well in 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 destroy the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder has one drawback that it is best suited to grinding at the coarser end of its range. This could be a problem for espresso. If you're making 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 user-friendly and are ideal for those who drink only a cup or two of coffee every day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to brew up a single serving of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 easily-adjustable settings and is capable of producing an excellent drink for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat steel burrs 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 quiet.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you around a hundred dollars, but it's well worth it. 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 the little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you choose. However, this is not obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another. They are not as common but are preferred by coffee geeks because they give a consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may require a new burr for each different roast level or brew type.

The Baratza ESP is the best home espresso grinder mix of cost and capability for a burr mill, according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200, which is a lot less than other models that don't have the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat burr set that is ideal for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade with other sets, like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a solid performance record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those of higher-end models, but it does have multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press, and its user interface is easy to use. The OXO is a great starter model for most people. True coffee geeks might prefer a more advanced model however the OXO is a good choice for them.

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