How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A coffee grinder is an essential device in the coffee maker's arsenal. What is the best one to purchase? Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of slicing with blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you look for in the burr mill? 1. Conical Burrs Like its name suggests, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring inside another with sharp teeth. This shape permits more efficient grinding, as the burrs revolve around a central point. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is desirable because excessive heat can result in bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and dulling quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are more fragile, meaning that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also create more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Many burr grinders that are on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or have no burrs whatsoever. These "false burr grinders" feature large flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that are weak and produce uneven ground. They aren't genuine burr grinders, and, despite what some people believe they don't provide the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders. Although some experts do not agree with this, others believe that the type of burrs used in the grinder can have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal, but they have an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs enhance dark roasts. This may or may not be true however it is something to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. Only by testing a grinder with the beans you intend to use can you be sure. The overall layout of the grinder and its features of operation will have a greater impact on the final cup than the type or burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other aspects when evaluating the grinder, including its reputation and customer reviews. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by numerous reviewers as a "time tried and tested product" that is a great value for money and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew. According to the company, the grinder uses rotating metal burrs rather than blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinder. In addition, the burrs generate less heat while they grind, which preserves the beans' aroma and flavor. Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds that can alter the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this could differ based on the model and the brand. While the majority of the burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, there are some that use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso because they are difficult to calibrate. They're also less expensive and more complicated than high-end flat-burr grinders like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+. Some of the grinders we've tested allow you to set the amount of time it will grind for a specific amount of time. This is useful when you're making espresso. Others--including our top pick, the Baratza Sette 270--have an inbuilt smart timer that can deliver precise split-second timing. This feature is not necessary for all brewing techniques and most burr grinders that cost less than $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock. The cheapest models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, have manual burrs. This means you have to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a great choice when you're looking for an easy compact and affordable alternative without electricity. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It is louder than other models we've tried, but it's acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some background noise. The quieter a grinder will generally be the more expensive. This is due to the upgraded materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies. 3. Simple to Use If you're just starting to learn about coffee-brewing at home there's one piece of equipment that every expert says is essential that's a burr grinder. These grinders create a much finer, more consistent ground than what you can get from a regular blade grinder. They also assist in making drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also achieve this more effectively. As you might expect, a high-quality burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and is a challenge to use. We spoke with experts and received their suggestions for the most user-friendly electric burr grinders that are available on the market. Many people, even those on a tight budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with multiple settings to handle a variety different brewing methods, from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. It also performed well during our testing. It's also quieter than other electronic grinders we've tested and doesn't produce as much heat. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-grinders is crucial, since excessive heat can harm the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's designed at grinding on the coarse end of the scale, which can be a problem with espresso. If you like to brew espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features, like the Baratza Encore may be a better choice. Manual burr grinders that run by cranking are simpler to use and are ideal for those who consume only about a cup of coffee a day. These grinders are ideal for those who travel or who only require a single cup of pour-over coffee. Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making an excellent beverage for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat burrs made of steel do not grind fine enough). It's simple to use by anyone, as long as they don't mind some messes or chaff that fly away. 4. Cost A quality burr mill will cost you around a hundred dollars, but it's well 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. The grinders create a tiny amount of fines, which are tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of the official grind you choose. However this isn't evident to the majority of coffee drinkers. Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth facing one another. They are less common but are favored by coffee enthusiasts because they give a consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may require a new burr for each brew type or roast level. According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for a burr mill. It costs less than $200 and is far more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, including those from SSP. The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a solid performance record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those in higher-end models, but it does have multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press, and its user interface is easy to use. The OXO is a great starter model for most people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious might prefer a more advanced model, but the OXO will work well for those who are. We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their beans by hand. These are great for those who travel and who are only able to make two or three cups of coffee at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, but work with a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also usually quieter than electric ones.