How to Choose Coffeee is among the most important tools in the coffee-making arsenal. Which one should you purchase?
Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of cutting with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you look for in the burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
The name suggests that a conical burr grinder has one circular burr ring that is inside another with sharp teeth. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs turn around a central point. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is a good thing because excessive heat can cause bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and becoming dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, meaning that small stones or other debris can damage the burrs over time. Additionally, flat burrs generate more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
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" come with large flat teeth, and are often coupled with weak motors that produce inconsistent grounds. They are not true burr grinders and, contrary to what some enthusiasts believe they don't provide the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.
Some experts disagree with this claim however, others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a coffee grinder could affect the final taste. These theories are mostly anecdotal but have a strong grip on the minds and hearts of coffee enthusiasts. Some believe that conical burrs can bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.
It could be the case, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to be sure for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you plan on using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its operational features will have a larger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. It's important to consider other factors when evaluating the quality of a grinder, like its reputation and customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as a "time tried and tested product" that offers great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
The grinder uses rotating metal burrs instead of blades to crush the beans, resulting in larger, more uniformly-sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinder, according to the company. In addition, the burrs generate less heat while grinding which helps preserve more of the bean's aroma and flavor.
Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that affect the taste of your cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this could differ based on the model and the brand.
Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face each one. We don't recommend them for espresso because they are more difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a high-end burr grinder that is flat such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders we've tested permit you to set the amount of time it will grind for a specific period of time, which is helpful when making espresso. Certain grinders, such as our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to only a fraction of one second. This feature is not required for the majority of brewing methods and the majority of burr grinders under $200 use a fancy version of a windup clock.
The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you need to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort but is a great option if you're looking to get simple, compact and inexpensive option that doesn't need electrical power.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It's louder than other models we've examined, but it's acceptable if you don’t mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it is. This is due to the more advanced materials and advanced soundproofing technology.
3. Ease of Use
A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee making. They produce a finer, more consistent grind than your standard blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have more balance in flavor, body and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. As you would expect, a good burr mill could cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use.
So, we spoke to experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders that are available on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to many people, including those who don't want to spend a lot of money. It comes with multiple settings to manage a variety of different brewing methods, from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. It also was a success during our tests.
It's also quieter than other electronic grinders we've tested and doesn't generate more heat. This is important because excessive heat can ruin the delicate scents of your beans.
The OXO grinder has one drawback that it is best suited to grinding at the coarser end of its range. This can be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore might be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are simpler to use and are ideal for those who drink just a cup or so of coffee per day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to make a single portion of pour-over.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It has 41 settings that are easily adjustable and produces a wonderful beverage using any method - except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind finely enough). It's simple for anyone to use so you don't mind some messes or chaff that fly away.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder will cost you about a hundred dollars but it's well 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. They can produce a bit of fines (the tiny bits of coffee that are smaller than the official grind size you select) however this won't bother the majority of people who drink coffee, and it's a small price to pay for great-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds.
Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another. They aren't as popular but are favored by coffee geeks because they give a uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. They can be costly and you might have to purchase new burrs every when you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.
The Baratza ESP offers the most cost-effective combination of price and capability for a burr grinder, according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200 and is cheaper than other models with similar capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's perfect for all types of brewing techniques. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, such as those from SSP.
The OXO is a good affordable option that has a good performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as ones in more expensive models however, its user interface and a variety of settings work well for both French drip and press. The OXO is a great entry-level model for most people. Coffee enthusiasts who are serious may want a more sophisticated model however the OXO is suitable for the majority of people.
For those who prefer to grind beans by hand We also tested a handful of manual burr grinders that are perfect for travel and for people who are able to make one or two cups at a time. These models, which utilize the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders operate with the use of a crank rather than motors and are typically much quieter than electric units.