How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is among the most important tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?
Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces instead of slicing them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you look out for in the burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
The name suggests that a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring inside another with angled teeth. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, as the burrs are arranged around a central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is ideal since excessive heat can result in bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and dull very quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris 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 have no burrs at all. These "false burr grinders" come with large, flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that are weak and produce irregular grounds. These are not true burr mills and, contrary to what some people think, they do not produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.
Although some experts disagree with this, others believe that the type of burrs in a grinder has an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal but they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans. coffee grinders types and enhance darker roasts.
It could be true however it is something to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to determine for sure is to test the grinder using the beans you plan on using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its operating features will have a greater impact on the final cup of coffee than the type of burrs. This is why it's important to assess a grinder based on other factors, such as the reputation of the brand and 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 a "time tested choice" that is great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
The grinder employs burrs that rotate instead of blades to crush the beans, which produces larger, more uniformly-sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinders, according to the company. Additionally the burrs produce less heat while grinding, which preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.
In contrast, blade grinders can create excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can affect the taste of the finished cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, though this can vary depending on the model and manufacturer.
While the majority of the burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, some use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other). We do not recommend them for espresso because they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders we tested let you select the amount of time that the machine will grind. This can be useful when you're making espresso. Others, including our top pick the Baratza Sette270 a built-in smart timer that can deliver precise split-second timing. However, this feature isn't required for all brewing methods and the majority of grinders under $200 use what's a fancier version of a windup timer.
The cheapest models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs, meaning you'll have to crank them by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious however, it's a good choice if you want a simple, compact, and affordable alternative that doesn't require electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is also a budget-friendly option. It's louder than the other models we've tried however it's still acceptable if you don't mind a little noise. In general, the pricier the grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.
3. Easy of Use
A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee making. They produce more consistent, finer grind than a blade grinder. They can help you make brews with more balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They are generally more reliable. But, as you might expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and some are difficult to operate.
We asked experts for their recommendations on the most efficient electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, including those on a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has various settings that can be used to handle a variety of methods of brewing, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well during our tests.
It's also quieter than other electronic grinders we've tested, and doesn't produce as much heat. This is crucial, since excessive heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder's only drawback is that it's best at grinding on the coarse end of its range, which can be a problem with espresso. If you're making espresso, a more sophisticated burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are perfect for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee a day. These grinders are perfect for those who travel or only need to make one cup of pour-over coffee.
Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of producing an excellent beverage using any method you want, except espresso (the flat steel burrs do not grind fine enough). It's easy to use for anyone who doesn't mind small messes and flying chaff, and it's relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder will cost you a few hundred dollars, but it's 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 the tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of the official grind 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 aren't as popular but are preferred by coffee geeks because they give a consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for each 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 far cheaper than other models that have similar capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all brewing methods. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, such as the ones from SSP.
The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a good track record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise, as ones found in higher-end models, but its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for French drip and press. While true coffee geeks may require a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a great starter for the majority of people.
We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their beans by hand. They are ideal for traveling and for people who only require two or three cups of coffee at each time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, operate with the use of a crank rather than a motor and are usually quieter than electric models.