How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is one of the most essential tools in the coffee-making arsenal. But which one to buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting with blades. They're considered to be superior to blade grinders. But what features should you look for in a grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
As its name implies, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring inside another one with angled teeth. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, since the burrs turn around a single central point. The conical teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly and produce less heat. This is good because excessive heat can create bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and become dull very quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris could cause damage over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise and require regular maintenance and cleaning.
Many burr grinders on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs, or no burrs at all. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth and are often paired up with weak motors that produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr grinders and, despite what some enthusiasts believe they don't have the same quality of grind as genuine burr grinders.
Some experts do not agree with this assertion However, some believe that the size and type of the burrs in a grinder for coffee can influence the final taste. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold a firm grip on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the distinctive 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 the grinder with the beans that you intend to use can you be certain. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a bigger effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. It is therefore crucial to take into consideration other factors when evaluating a grinder, such as its reputation and customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. It has been praised by a number of reviewers as a "time tested option" that is great value for money, and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This results in more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinders. In addition the burrs create less heat when they grind and preserves the beans' aroma and flavor.
Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds that affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders are also known to be quieter than blade grinders, though this can vary depending on the model and brand.
Although the majority of burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, a few use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso, as they are difficult to calibrate. They're also cheaper and less difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders that we tested let you choose the amount of time the machine will grind. This could be helpful when you're making espresso. Others--including our top pick, the Baratza Sette 270--have an integrated intelligent timer that can provide split-second precision. This feature is not necessary for all brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 have a fancy version of the windup clock.
The most affordable models in our selection, like the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs. This means you'll need to crank them by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious, but is a great option in the event you're looking for a simple, compact and inexpensive alternative that doesn't require 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 tested, but still tolerable for those who don't mind a little noise. In general, the pricier a grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and the latest soundproofing technology.
3. User-Friendliness
A burr grinder is a device that is recommended by every expert for those who are just getting started with home coffee making. These grinders provide a finer, more consistent ground than what you can get from a standard blade grinder and allow you to make drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They are typically more reliable. But, as you might expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and are difficult to operate.
So, we talked to experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders available on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for many people and those who don't want spend a lot of money. It comes with several settings that can accommodate a variety of methods of brewing including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well during our tests.
It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't produce as much heat. That's important, as excess heat can damage the delicate aromas in your beans.
The OXO grinder's only drawback is that it's designed when grinding at the coarse end of the scale which could be a problem with espresso. If you're a fan of brewing espressos, a burr grinder with more advanced features, like the Baratza Encore may be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more user-friendly and are ideal for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee per day. They're a good choice for those who travel or require to brew up a single portion of pour-over.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Test Kitchen's director, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and can produce a great brew using any method--except for espresso (the flat-steel burrs don't grind well enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who doesn't mind some messes and flyaway chaff, and it's quiet.
4. Cost
A quality burr grinder will cost you around a hundred dollars, however, 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.
coffeee grinder 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 small amount of fines (the tiny bits of coffee that are smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose) however this won't bother the majority of drinkers and is a minor price to pay for excellent-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds.
Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that are facing each other. They are not as common but are favored by coffee enthusiasts because they produce a more consistent size of grind, ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they can be expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for each brew type or roast level.
The Baratza ESP is the most cost-effective combination of price and capability for a burr mill, according to our experts. It's less than $200, which is much less than many competing models that don't have the same capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's ideal for all methods of brewing. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, such as those from SSP.
The OXO is a great, affordable alternative that has a great track record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise, as ones found in higher-end models however, its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for French drip and press. While true coffee lovers will want a more advanced model however, the OXO is a great starting point for most people.
For those who prefer to crank beans by hand We also tested a handful of manual burr grinders, which are great for those on the move and who only need to make one or two cups at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but operate by hand instead of a motor. They are also generally quieter than electric ones.