How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A coffee grinder is a vital tool in the home coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you purchase? Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of slicing with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you be looking for in a burr mill? 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 shape allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs revolve around a single central point. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is a good thing because excessive heat can cause bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and become dull very quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones and other debris could damage the burrs over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance. A number of burr grinders offered for sale advertise themselves as "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders have large, flattened teeth. They are often paired up with weak motors which produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr mills and, contrary to what some people think, they do not provide the same quality grind as actual burr mills. Although some experts do not agree with this, others believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but have a strong grip on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans while flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts. This may or may not 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 know that for certain is to test the grinder using the beans you will be using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its operational features will have a bigger impact on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other aspects when evaluating a grinder, such as its reputation as well as customer reviews. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. Several reviewers praise it as a "time-tested option" that is a great value for money and is well suitable for pour-over, drip, French press, and cold coffee. The grinder employs rotating burrs made of metal instead of blades to grind beans, which creates more uniformly sized grounds as compared to a blender or burr grinder, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat, which preserves the bean's aroma and flavor. In contrast, blade grinders produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can impact the taste of the finished cup. Burr grinders also tend to be quieter than blade grinders, however this can vary depending on the model and manufacturer. Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face each other. These grinders aren't suitable for espresso because they are difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+. The grinders we tested allow you to choose the amount of time that the machine will grind, which can be useful if you are brewing espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are accurate to only a fraction of seconds. This feature isn't necessary for all brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 have an upgraded version of a windup clock. The cheapest models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means that you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort, but is a good option if you're looking to get a simple, compact, and inexpensive alternative that doesn't require electrical power. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also a budget-friendly alternative. It's louder than other models we've tried, but it's acceptable if you're not worried about some noise. In general, the pricier grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and the latest soundproofing technologies. 3. Easy to Use If you're just starting to explore the world of coffee-brewing at home There's one thing that every expert says is essential is a burr mill. These grinders produce a more consistent, finer grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. They also assist in making beverages that are more balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They are generally more reliable. As you would expect, a good burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and is a challenge to use. We sought advice from experts on the easiest electric burr grinders you can use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to a lot of people and those who don't wish to spend a lot of money. It has multiple settings that allow it to handle a variety options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, to drip coffee. And it was a success during our tests. It's also quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn't produce as much heat. This is crucial because too much heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-grinders is that it's designed at grinding on the coarse end of the scale which could be a problem for espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better option. Manual burr grinders, which are powered by cranking, are more simple to use and are ideal for those who drink only just a cup or two of coffee a day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to make just one portion of pour-over. Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder with 41 easily-adjustable settings and is capable of making an excellent brew regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine enough). It's simple to use by anyone for as long as they don't mind the occasional mess or chaff flying away. 4. Cost A good burr grinder can cost you around a hundred dollars, however, it's well worth the cost. 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 produce a little bit of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee that end up smaller than the official grind size you choose) however it won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers and it's a low price to pay for excellent-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds. Flat burrs, which are two discs that have cutting teeth facing each other, are less common in home units, however they are preferred by serious coffee geeks for their ability to produce a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for each kind of brew 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 cheaper than other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with an incredibly flat 64-mm burr set that's excellent for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets like those from SSP. The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a good record in our tests. The burrs aren't as precise as those found in more expensive models, but it has multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee lovers would prefer a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great entry 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 ideal for use on the go and for those who are able to make one or two cups at each time. These models, which employ the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, operate with an actual crank, not motors and are typically more quiet than electric models.