Notes

15 Terms Everyone Involved In Best Burr Grinder Industry Should Know
How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most important tools in the coffee-making arsenal. Which one should you purchase?

Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of slicing with blades. They're generally regarded as superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should be looking for in a burr grinder?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill has an angled set of teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted within the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs revolve 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 tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs are susceptible to warping and dulling quickly, leading to unevenly ground coffee. They are also more fragile, meaning that small stones and other particles can damage them over time. Additionally, flat burrs generate more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Many burr grinders that are sold on the market call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false burr grinders" come with large flat teeth, and are often paired with weak motors that produce uneven grounds. They are not true burr grinders and, despite the opinions of some enthusiasts they don't provide the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.

Some experts aren't convinced, but others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a grinder for coffee can affect the final flavor. These theories are largely anecdotal, but they have gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.

This could or might not be true, but it is important to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to know for certain is to try the grinder using the beans you plan on using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have a larger effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. This is the reason it's crucial to assess a grinder on other criteria such as the reputation of the brand and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

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

According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating metal burrs rather than blades to crush beans. This results in more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinder. In addition the burrs create less heat when they grind which helps preserve the beans' aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders however, can produce 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 may vary based on the model and the brand.

While most of the burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, some have flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso, as they are difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more complicated than high-end flat-burr machines like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The grinders we've tested permit you to set how long the machine will be grinding for a particular period of time, which is handy if you're brewing espresso. Certain grinders, such as our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are precise to just 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 upgraded version of the windup timer.

burr mill grinder in our selection, like the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs. That 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 seeking an easy, compact and inexpensive alternative without electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also an affordable option. It's louder than the other models we've tested however it's still acceptable for those who don't mind a bit of noise. The quieter a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it is. This is due to the upgraded materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.

3. Simple to Use

If you're just beginning to learn about home coffee brewing, there's one tool everyone agrees is necessary that's a burr grinder. They produce an even, finer grind than a blade grinder, and can help you create brews with better balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They also achieve this more effectively. As you'd expect, a high-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and is difficult to use.


We spoke with experts and obtained their suggestions for the most user-friendly electric burr grinders available on the market. Many people, even those on a budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with various settings that can be used to handle a variety of coffee brewing techniques, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well during our tests.

It's also quieter than other electronic grinders that we tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. This is important since excessive heat can destroy the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder has just one drawback It grinds the best on the more coarse end of its range. This can 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 burr grinders that run by cranking are easier to use and are ideal for those who consume only a cup or so of coffee a 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 with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of producing an excellent drink using any method you want, except espresso (the flat burrs made of steel do not grind fine enough). It's simple to use by anyone for as you don't mind some messes or chaff flying away.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill will cost you a few hundred dollars, but it's definitely 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 create a tiny amount of fines, which are tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you choose. However this isn't obvious to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs, that are two discs with cutting teeth facing each other They are not as common in home units, but are preferred by serious coffee lovers due to their ability to create a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you may need to purchase new burrs every when you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.

The Baratza ESP has the best mix of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder 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 level of capabilities. It has 64-mm flat burrs which is perfect for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade with other sets, like those from SSP.

The OXO is another affordable option with a proven performance in our tests. Its burrs aren't quite as precise as those in pricier models, but it has various settings that work for drip and French press and its user interface is easy to use. The OXO is an excellent starter model for most people. True coffee enthusiasts 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 travel and for people who are able to make one or two cups at each time. These models utilize the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, but work by hand instead of motors. They are also typically quieter than electric ones.

Website: https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-grinders