How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is an essential device in the coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of cutting with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you look out for in a burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill is equipped with an angled set of teeth and the ring of a circular burr that is placed between the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs rotate around a central point. The conical teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can create bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are susceptible to warping and dulling quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise and require more frequent 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. They are often paired up with weak motors which produce inconsistent grounds. They are not true burr grinders, and, despite what some people believe they don't provide the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.
While some experts do not agree some believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly anecdotal but have a strong grip on the minds and hearts of coffee enthusiasts. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.
This may or may not be true, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. Only by testing a grinder with the beans that you plan to use can you be certain. The overall design of the grinder and its operational features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. It's important to consider other factors when you evaluate the grinder, including 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 an "time-tested choice" that offers great value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.
The grinder uses rotating metal burrs instead of blades to crush the beans, which produces larger and more evenly-sized beans than a blender or another burr grinder, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the flavor and aroma of beans.
Blade grinders on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds that affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this could differ by model and brand.
While most of the burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, some have flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). We don't recommend them for espresso machines because they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders that we tested allow you to choose the amount of time the machine will grind, which could be helpful if you are brewing espresso. Others--including our top pick, the Baratza Sette 270--have an integrated intelligent timer that can provide precise split-second timing. This feature isn't necessary for most brewing techniques and the majority of burr grinders under $200 have an upgraded version of the windup clock.
The cheapest 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 option if you're looking to get a simple, compact, and inexpensive option that doesn't need electrical power.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It is louder than other models we've examined, but it's acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some noise. In general, the more expensive a grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and the latest soundproofing technologies.
3. coffee grinders types -Friendliness
A burr grinder is a device that all experts recommend to those who are just getting started with home coffee brewing. These grinders create a much more consistent, finer grind than you get from your standard blade grinder, and can help you produce drinks that are more balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They also tend to do it more reliably. As you'd imagine, a top-quality burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and can be difficult to use.
We spoke with experts and got their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders that are available on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to a lot of people and those who don't want spend a fortune. It has multiple settings that allow it to accommodate a variety of different brewing methods, from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. It also was a success during our tests.
It's also a bit quieter than some other electric grinders we tested, and it doesn't produce more heat than other grinders do. This is crucial because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder's only disadvantage is that it's only effective in grinding at the coarse end of the scale, which can be a problem with espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a grinder with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are user-friendly and are perfect for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee every day. They're a good choice for those who travel or require to brew up a single portion of pour-over.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and will make a fantastic coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind finely enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who doesn't mind a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it's relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr mill will cost you a few hundred dollars, but is very worthwhile. 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 small pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you select. However it's not evident to the majority of coffee drinkers.
Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that are facing each other. They are less common but are favored by coffee enthusiasts because they give a consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may need to purchase new burrs every when you change the type of brew or the level of roast.
According to our experts, the Baratza offers the best combination of cost and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models with similar capabilities. It has a 64-mm flat burr set which is perfect for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets like the ones from SSP.
The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a solid track record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as ones in more expensive models, but its user interface and a variety of settings work well for both French drip and press. The OXO is a great starter model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts may want a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is suitable for the majority of people.
For those who prefer to crank their beans manually, we also tested a few manual burr grinders that are ideal for use on the go and for those 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 an actual crank, not motors and are typically quieter than electric models.