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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is one of the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy?
Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces rather than cutting them using blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you be looking for in a burr grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill is equipped with an angled set of teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted within the other. This design allows for more efficient grinding, because the burrs rotate around an axis. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is a good thing because excessive heat can cause bitter notes in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs are prone to warping and becoming dull quickly, leading to unevenly ground coffee. They also tend to be more brittle, which means that small stones or debris could damage the burrs over time. Additionally flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
Many burr grinders 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 coupled with weak motors that produce inconsistent grounds. They are not genuine burr mills and contrary to what many enthusiasts think, do not produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.
While some experts disagree with this, others believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder can have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly speculative however they hold an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. coffee bean grinder machine Coffeee believe that conical burrs bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs soften and enhance darker roasts.
This could or might not be the case however it is something to consider if you wish for your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. Only by testing a grinder with the beans that you intend to use can you be certain. The overall design of the grinder and its working features will have a bigger effect 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 burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. Several reviewers praise it as an "time-tested option" that offers great value for money. It is suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.
According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to crush beans. This results in more uniform grounds than a grinder, or other burr grinders. In addition the burrs create less heat while they grind and preserves more of the bean's flavor and aroma.
Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds that affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also known to be quieter than blade grinders, however this can differ based on the model and manufacturer.
While most of the burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, a few have flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They're also less expensive and more complicated than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders that we tested allow you to select the amount of time that the machine will grind. This can be useful for those who are making espresso. Others--including our top pick, the Baratza Sette 270--have an integrated smart timer that can deliver the precision of a split second. However, this feature isn't required for most brewing methods, and the majority of grinders under $200 operate on what amounts to a fancier 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 have to crank them by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious, but is a good option if you're looking for a simple, compact, and inexpensive option that doesn't require electrical power.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another option for those who want to save money and uses a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tested, but it's still acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some sound. The quieter a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it is. This is due to the more advanced materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.
3. Ease of Use
If you're just beginning to learn about home coffee brewing There's one thing that experts agree is essential that's a burr grinder. These grinders create a much smaller, more consistent grind than what you can get from a standard blade grinder and assist in making drinks that are more balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They are generally more reliable. As you would imagine, a top-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use.
We asked experts for their recommendations on the most efficient electric burr grinders to use. Many people, including those with a budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has several settings that can accommodate different methods of brewing such as pour-over, French press to drip coffee, and it did well in our testing.
It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested and doesn't generate more heat. This is important since too much heat can damage the delicate scents of your beans.
The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's designed in grinding at the coarse end of its range which could be a problem with espresso. If you're a fan of brewing espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better option.
Manual burr grinders that run by cranking are simpler to use and perfect for those who drink only about a cup of coffee per day. These grinders are ideal for those who travel, or only need to make a single cup of pour-over coffee.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that are easily adjustable and will make a fantastic brew using any method--except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding well enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who doesn't mind some messes and flyaway chaff, and it's quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr mill will cost you around a hundred bucks, but is 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. They can produce a bit of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee ground that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you select), but this won't be noticeable to most average drinkers and it's a low price to pay for excellent-tasting, consistent coffee grounds.
Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other. They aren't as popular but are preferred by coffee enthusiasts because they give a consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. They can be costly and you might have to purchase new burrs every time you alter the brew type or level of roast.
The Baratza ESP is the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with 64-mm flat burrs which is perfect for any brewing method 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 in this model aren't as precise as ones in more expensive models, but its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for both French press and drip. While true coffee enthusiasts may require a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great entry point for the majority of people.
We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their coffee by hand. These are great for traveling and for people who only need to make one or two cups of coffee at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders but operate with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also usually quieter than electric units.