How to Choose the Best Burr Artisan Coffee Grinders Grinder

A grinder is among the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?

Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces, rather than cutting them with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. What are the features you should look out for in the burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill is equipped with angled teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted inside the other. This design allows for more efficient grinding, as the burrs are arranged around the central point. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly and generate less heat, which is a good thing because excessive heat can lead to bitter flavor notes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are more brittle as well, meaning that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

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, flattened teeth. They are usually paired with weak motors that produce inconsistent grounds. They are not genuine burr mills and contrary to what many people think, they do not produce the same quality grind as actual burr mills.

Although some experts disagree, others claim that the type of burrs in the grinder have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely anecdotal however they hold gained a strong hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For example, some think that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts.

This may or may not be true, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to know that for certain is to test the grinder using the beans you'll be using it with. The design of the grinder as well as its operational features will have a bigger effect on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder based on other factors, such as the reputation of the brand and reviews from customers.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as an "time-tested option" that provides excellent value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to crush beans. This results in more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinder. Additionally the burrs produce less heat while grinding which helps preserve the beans' aroma and flavor.

Blade grinders, on the other hand, produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can impact the flavor of the final cup. Burr grinders are also known to be quieter than blade grinders, however this may vary based on the model and the brand.

While the majority of the burr grinders coffee we test feature conical burrs, there are some that make use of flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). We do not recommend them for espresso machines because they tend to be more difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.

Some of the grinders that we tested let you choose the amount of time the machine will grind. This can be useful if you are brewing espresso coffee grinder. Certain grinders, such as our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are precise to only a fraction of a second. This feature isn't necessary for most brewing techniques and most burr grinders that cost less than $200 use the most expensive version of the windup clock.

The cheapest models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This is more laborious, but is a great choice when you're looking for a simple, compact and inexpensive alternative that doesn't require electricity.

The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill, and is also an affordable option. It's louder than some of the other models we've tested however it's still acceptable if you don't mind a little noise. The quieter a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies.

3. User-Friendliness

If you're just beginning to learn about home coffee machine and grinder brewing, there's one tool every expert says is essential that's a burr grinder. They produce an even, finer grind than a blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have more balance in the flavor, body and acidity. They are generally more reliable. As you'd imagine, a top-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use.

We spoke with experts and obtained their recommendations for the most simple-to-use electric burr grinders that are available on the market. Many people, including those on a tight budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings to handle a variety brewing methods from pour-over, French press, to drip coffee. It also was a success during our tests.

It's also quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn't produce the same amount of heat. This is important because excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans.

The OXO grinder's main drawback is that it's best in grinding at the coarse end of the spectrum, which can be a problem for espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better option.

Manual burr grinders powered by cranking are easier to use and are ideal for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee a day. They're a good choice for people who travel or want to make a single portion of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 easily-adjustable settings and is capable of making an excellent brew regardless of the method you prefer, with the exception of espresso (the flat burrs of steel don't grind well enough). It's a breeze to use by anyone so long as they're not frightened by some messes or chaff flying around.

4. Cost

A quality burr mill can 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 produce a small amount of fines, which are the small pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you select. However, this is not noticeable to most coffee drinkers.

Flat burrs, which are basically two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other, are less common in home units, however they are preferred by hardcore coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to create a more uniform grind size that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be costly and you might have to purchase new burrs every when you change the brew type or level of roast.

According to our experts, the Baratza has the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200, which is a lot 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 with other sets like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a solid track record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise, as ones in more expensive models, but its user interface and the variety of settings are suitable for both 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 grind their beans manually, we also tested a few manual burr grinders that are perfect for those on the move and who need to make just one or two cups at one time. These models, which use the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, use a crank instead of motors and are typically more quiet than electric models.