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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A grinder is one of the most essential tools in the coffee-making arsenal. What kind of grinder should you get? Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces, rather than cutting them using blades. coffee bean grinder machine Coffeee thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what features should you be looking for in a burr grinder? 1. Conical Burrs The name suggests that a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring inside another with angled teeth. This design allows for more efficient grinding, as the burrs rotate around a central point. The angle of the teeth cuts the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is a good thing since excessive heat can lead to bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs can warp and become dull very quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are more brittle as well, meaning that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise, and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. Many burr grinders that are offered for sale are marketed as “burr grinders,” yet they have flat or no burrs. These “false” burr grinders have large, flattened teeth and are often coupled with weak motors that produce uneven grounds. They aren't true burr grinders and, despite what some people believe they don't have the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders. Although some experts do not agree with this, others believe that the type of burrs in a grinder has an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely based on anecdotes however they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs enhance dark roasts. This could or might 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. Only by testing the grinder with the beans you intend to use can you be sure. The overall design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have a greater impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. This is the reason it's crucial to assess a grinder based on other criteria, such as the quality of the product 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 a number of reviewers as an “time tested choice” that offers great value for money, and is well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew. The grinder uses rotating burrs made of metal instead of blades for grinding beans, which creates more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinder, according to the company. In addition the burrs produce less heat while grinding and preserves more of the bean's flavor and aroma. Blade grinders, on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground which can affect the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this may vary based on the model and the brand. Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that are facing each opposite. We don't recommend these for espresso as they can be difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+. A few of the grinders we've tested permit you to set the length of time that the machine will grind for a specific period of time, which is helpful when making espresso. Others—including our top choice the Baratza Sette270 an inbuilt smart timer that can deliver precise split-second timing. However, this feature isn't required for most brewing methods, and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 are based on an upgraded version of a windup timer. The most affordable models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you need to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort, but is a good option if you're looking for simple, compact and inexpensive option that doesn't need electricity. 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 tried, but still tolerable if you don't mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder will generally be, the more expensive it is. This is due to the more advanced materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques. 3. Simple to Use If you're just beginning to discover the world of home coffee brewing there's one piece of equipment that everyone agrees is necessary is a burr mill. These grinders produce a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. They also allow you to make drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also tend to perform the job more consistently. But, as you might imagine, top-quality burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and are difficult to operate. We asked experts for their suggestions on the easiest electric burr grinders to use. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder to many people and those who don't want to spend a fortune. It comes with multiple settings to manage a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, to drip coffee. It also did well in our tests. It's also quieter than other electronic grinders that we tested and doesn't generate as much heat. This is important since excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder's biggest disadvantage is that it's only effective at grinding on the coarse end of the scale, which can be a problem for espresso. If you like to brew espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better option. Manual burr grinders, powered by cranking, are more simple to use and are perfect for those who consume only a cup or two of coffee every day. These grinders are great for those who travel, or only need to make only one cup of pour-over coffee. Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 adjustable settings that are capable of producing an excellent beverage regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine enough). It's easy for anyone to use so long as they're not frightened by the occasional mess or chaff flying away. 4. Cost A quality burr mill can cost you a few hundred bucks, but is very worthwhile. 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 ground that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you select), but this won't bother most average drinkers and it's a low price to pay for great-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds. Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that face one another. They are less common but are favored by coffee geeks due to their ability to provide a more consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may need to buy new burrs for every different brew type or roast level. According to our experts, the Baratza has the best combination of cost and capabilities for a burr mill. It's less than $200, which is a lot less than many competing models that don't have the same level of capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat burr set which is perfect for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade to other sets similar to the ones from SSP. The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a good performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise, as burrs in higher-end models however its user interface and the variety of settings are suitable for both French drip and press. While true coffee lovers may require a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a great starting point for most people. For those who prefer to crank their beans manually We also tried a few manual burr grinders, which are great for travel and for people who only need to make one or two cups at one time. These models, which utilize the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders use the use of a crank rather than a motor and are usually more quiet than electric models.