Why We Why We Best Burr Grinder (And You Should Too!)

How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A grinder is one of the most important tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. But which one to buy? Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated 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 within the other. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs rotate around a central point. The angled teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can result in bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs are prone to warping and become dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are also more fragile, meaning that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise and require regular maintenance and cleaning. A number of burr grinders offered for sale advertise themselves as “burr grinders,” yet they have flat or no burrs. These “false” burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are usually paired with motors that are weak, resulting in uneven ground. These are not true burr mills and contrary to what some enthusiasts think, do not provide the same quality grind as actual burr mills. Some experts do not agree with this assertion However, some believe that the size and type of the burrs in a coffee grinder can 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 mellow and enhance darker roasts. This may or not be true. However, it is something to consider if your grinder will have significant impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to be sure for certain is to try the grinder using the beans you'll be using it with. The grinder's overall design and working features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. This is why it's important to assess a grinder on other factors such as the reputation of the brand as well as reviews from customers. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Many 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 brew. The grinder utilizes burrs that rotate instead of blades to crush the beans, which produces more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or another 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 are prone to producing excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds which can affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, but this can vary depending on the model and brand. While the majority of the burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, a few use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They're also cheaper and less difficult than high-end flat-burr machines like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+. The grinders we tested allow you to choose the amount of time that the machine will grind. This can be useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, like our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is accurate to one-tenth of a second. However, this feature isn't required for the majority of brewing methods, and most under-$200 burr grinders operate on what amounts to an improved version of a windup timer. The most affordable models in our lineup—such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs. This means you'll need to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious but is a great choice if you want simple, compact and inexpensive option that doesn't require electrical power. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tried, but still tolerable in the event that you're okay with a little noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to be, in general the more expensive it is. This is due to the more advanced materials and advanced soundproofing technology. 3. Easy of Use If you're just starting to explore the world of coffee-brewing at home, there's one tool every expert says is essential: a burr grinder. best coffee bean grinders produce a finer, more consistent grind than a blade grinder. They can assist in creating brews that have better balance of flavor, body and acidity. And they tend to achieve this more effectively. As you'd imagine, a top-quality burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and can be difficult to use. We asked experts for their suggestions on the easiest electric burr grinders you can use. 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 that allow it to manage a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. It performed well during our testing. It's quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn't generate as much heat. This is important since too much heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder has only one drawback that it is best suited to grinding at the coarser side of the spectrum. This could be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder, such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option. Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are easy to use and perfect for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee per day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need 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 producing an excellent beverage regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs made of steel don't grind well enough). It's easy to operate for those who don't mind a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it's quiet. 4. Cost A good burr grinder can cost a few hundred dollars, but it's well 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 create a tiny amount of fines, which are tiny 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 are two discs that have cutting teeth that face one another. They are less common but are preferred by coffee enthusiasts because they produce a more uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may need to buy new burrs for each different brew type or roast level. According to our experts, the Baratza has the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr mill. It costs less than $200 and is cheaper than other models that have similar capabilities. It has 64-mm flat burrs that is ideal for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets, like those from SSP. The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a solid performance in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise as burrs in higher-end models however, its user interface and the variety of settings work well for both French drip and press. The OXO is a great entry-level model for the majority of people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious may require a more sophisticated model, but the OXO is suitable for those who are. We also tried a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee with their hands. These are great for traveling and for people who only need to make one or two cups of coffee at a time. These models, which employ the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders work with an actual crank, not a motor and are usually quieter than electric models.