How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is one of the most important tools in the coffee-making arsenal. But which one should you buy?
Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces, rather than slicing them using blades. They’re 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 has sharp teeth that are angled and a circular burr ring inserted within the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs rotate around a single central point. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is desirable since excessive heat can result in bitter notes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and become dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other particles can damage them over time. Additionally flat burrs produce more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance.
A lot of burr grinders available on the market claim to be “burr grinders,” but they have flat burrs, or no burrs whatsoever. These “false” burr grinders have large, flattened teeth. They are often paired up with weak motors which produce inconsistent grounds. They aren’t true burr mills and, contrary to what some people believe, don’t produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.
Although some experts do not agree with this, others believe that the type of burrs in the grinder can have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly speculative but they hold an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. Some believe that conical burrs can bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs enhance dark roasts.
This could be the case. However, it is something you should think about when you are deciding whether your grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. The only way to be sure for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you’ll be using it with. The grinder’s overall design and working features will have a bigger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. It’s therefore important to consider other aspects when evaluating a grinder, such as its reputation and customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. A number of reviewers have praised it as an “time-tested option” that offers great value for money and is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.
The grinder employs burrs that rotate instead of blades to crush the beans, resulting in more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or another burr grinder, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the bean’s aroma and flavor.
Blade grinders however are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that can alter the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this can vary by model and brand.
Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face each one. These grinders aren’t recommended for espresso, as they are difficult to calibrate. They are also cheaper and less difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders we tested let you select the amount of time the machine will grind. This is useful for those who are making espresso. Others–including our top pick the Baratza Sette270 an inbuilt intelligent timer that can provide precise split-second timing. This feature isn’t necessary for all brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.
The cheapest models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you have turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort however, it’s a good option if you’re looking to get a simple, compact, and cost-effective option that doesn’t require electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It’s louder than other models that we have tried, but it’s acceptable if you’re willing to tolerate some noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to be, in general, the more expensive it will be. This is due to the more advanced materials and advanced soundproofing technology.
3. Easy of Use
If you’re just starting to learn about coffee machine and grinder-brewing at home, there’s one tool every expert says is essential that’s a burr grinder. These grinders produce a more consistent, finer grind than the standard blade grinder, and can assist in making beverages that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also perform the job more consistently. As you would imagine, a top-quality burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and is difficult to use.
We asked experts for their suggestions on the easiest electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, including those on a tight budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with various settings that can be used to handle various methods of brewing, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well during our tests.
It’s quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn’t generate as much heat. That’s important, as excess heat can damage the delicate aromas in your beans.
The OXO grinder has only one drawback that it is best suited to grinding at the more coarse end of its range. This can be a problem for espresso. If you’re making espresso, a more advanced burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better option.
Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are easier to use and are ideal for those who drink just one or two cups of coffee every day. These grinders are perfect for those who travel, or only need to make only one cup of pour-over coffee.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Test Kitchen’s director, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and will make a fantastic beverage using any method – except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don’t grind finely enough). It’s easy to operate for anyone who doesn’t mind a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it’s quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder can set you back 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 produce a small 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 obvious to most coffee grinder types drinkers.
Flat burrs, that are two discs with cutting teeth facing each other They are not as common in home units, however they are preferred by serious coffee geeks for their ability to provide an even grind size which is ideal 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 or the level of roast.
The Baratza ESP offers the best mix of cost and capability for a burr grinder, according to our experts. It’s priced at less than $200, which is far lower than other models that lack the same capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that’s ideal for all methods of brewing. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, including those from SSP.
The OXO is a decent, low-cost option that has a good record in our tests. Its burrs aren’t quite as precise as those of pricier models, but it does have several settings that work well for drip and French press and its user interface is easy to use. While true coffee enthusiasts may require a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a great starting point for the majority of people.
For those who prefer to crank their beans manually, we also tested a handful of manual burr grinders that are perfect for those on the move and who need to make just one or two cups at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but work with a hand crank instead of motors. They are also usually quieter than electric units.
