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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A grinder is among the most essential tools in the coffee-making arsenal. Which one should you buy? Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated, rotating surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. But what features 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 the ring of a circular burr that is placed inside the other. This design allows for more efficient grinding process, since the burrs are arranged around a central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is ideal because excessive heat can lead to bitter notes in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or debris could damage the burrs over time. In addition, flat burrs generate 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” feature large flat teeth, and are often paired with motors that are weak and produce uneven grounds. They are not true burr grinders and, contrary to the opinions of some enthusiasts they don't have the same quality of grind as real burr grinders. Although some experts disagree, others claim that the type of burrs used in the grinder have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are largely based on anecdotes, but they have an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee lovers. For instance, some people believe that conical burrs can bring out the individual flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts. It could be true however it is something to consider if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to determine for sure is to test the grinder with the beans you plan on using it with. The overall design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have more of an impact on the final cup than the style or burrs. It's important to consider other factors when you evaluate 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 tested option” that offers great value for money and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew. The grinder employs burrs that rotate instead of blades to crush beans, which creates larger and more evenly-sized beans than a blender or another burr grinder, according to the company. In addition the burrs create less heat while grinding which helps preserve the beans' flavor and aroma. Blade grinders however are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground which can affect the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this can differ based on the model and the brand. While the majority of the burr grinders we test feature conical burrs, some have flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing each other). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso because they are difficult to calibrate. They're also cheaper and less difficult than high-end flat-burr grinders like 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. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette270 a built-in smart timer that delivers the precision of a split second. This feature isn't necessary for the majority of brewing methods and the majority of burr grinders under $200 have the most expensive version of a windup clock. The cheapest models in our lineup—such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs, meaning you'll need to crank them yourself by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious however, it's a good option if you're looking for simple, compact and affordable option that doesn't require electricity. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also a budget-friendly option. espresso machine with grinder than some of the other models we've tried but is still a good choice in the event that you're okay with a little noise. In general, the pricier a grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and advanced soundproofing technology. 3. Easy of Use A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee brewing. They produce more consistent, finer grind than a blade grinder, and will help you create brews with better balance in flavor, body and acidity. And they tend to do it more reliably. But, as you expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upward of $200, and many are complicated to use. We spoke with 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 wish to spend a fortune. It has several settings that can accommodate different methods of brewing including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well during our tests. It's also quieter than the other grinders that we tested, and it does not produce more heat than other grinders do. This is crucial because too much heat can damage the delicate scents of your beans. The OXO grinder has only one drawback It grinds the best on the coarser side of the spectrum. 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 option. Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking are easy to use and ideal for those who drink only a cup or so of coffee every day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to make just one portion of pour-over. 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 can produce a great beverage using any method – except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding finely enough). It's easy to use by anyone so you don't mind the occasional mess or chaff that fly away. 4. Cost A quality burr grinder will set you back 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 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 people who drink coffee, and it's a small price to pay for excellent-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds. Flat burrs, which are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other, are less common in home units but are preferred by serious coffee lovers due to their ability to create a uniform size of grind that is perfect for espresso and French press. The drawback is that they can be expensive to purchase, and you might have to purchase new burrs for every different brew type or roast level. According to our experts, the Baratza offers the best price and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200, which is much less than the majority of other models that don't have the same level of capabilities. It comes with an incredibly flat 64-mm burr set that is ideal for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade to other sets similar to the ones from SSP. The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a good track record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those found in pricier models, but it has various settings that work for drip and French press, and its user interface is simple. The OXO is a great entry-level model for the majority of people. True coffee geeks may want a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is suitable for those who are. For those who prefer to grind their beans by hand We also tested a handful of manual burr grinders that are ideal for use on the go and for those who only need to make one or two cups at a time. These models use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders, but work using a hand crank instead of motors. They are also usually quieter than electric ones.