How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is an essential device in the coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?
Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving, serrated surfaces rather than cutting them using blades. They're considered superior to blade grinders. But what characteristics should you be looking for in a burr grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill has angled teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted within the other. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs revolve around a single central point. The inclined teeth are more effective at cutting the beans evenly and produce less heat. This is beneficial since excessive heat can result in bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable 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 more fragile, meaning that small stones and other debris can damage them over time. In addition flat burrs create more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
A number of burr grinders available for sale advertise themselves as "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth. They are often paired up with weak motors which produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr grinders and, contrary to what some people believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.
Some experts do not agree with this assertion However, some believe that the shape and size of burrs used in a grinder for coffee can influence the final taste. These theories are mostly anecdotal but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans. Flat burrs enhance dark roasts.
This may or not be true. But it is something you should think about when you are deciding whether your grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. The only way to know for sure is to test the grinder with the beans you will be using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its operational features will have a greater impact on the final cup than the type or burrs. It's important to consider other aspects when evaluating 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. Many reviewers have praised it as an "time-tested choice" that is a great value for money and is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.
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 grounds than a grinder or other burr grinders. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the bean's aroma and flavor.
Blade grinders on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that can alter the taste of your cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this can vary depending on the model and manufacturer.
Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that face each other. These grinders are not recommended for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They are also less expensive and more difficult than high-end flat-burr machines like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders we've tested allow users to choose the length of time that the machine will be grinding for a particular amount of time, which is helpful when making espresso. Others, including our top choice the Baratza Sette270 an integrated intelligent timer that can provide precise split-second timing. This feature is not necessary for most brewing techniques and the majority of burr grinders that cost less than $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock.
The most affordable models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means that you have to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This is more laborious but is a great option if you're looking to get an easy, compact, and affordable option that doesn't need electrical power.
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 is still a good choice if you don't mind some noise. The more quiet a grinder is likely to be, in general, the more expensive. This is due to the more advanced materials and advanced soundproofing technology.
3. Simple to Use
A burr grinder is a tool that is recommended by every expert for those who are just starting to learn about home coffee making. These grinders produce a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. They also assist in making drinks that are more balanced in body, flavor and acidity. And they tend to do it more reliably. But, as you might expect, top burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and many are complicated to use.
So, we talked to experts and got their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders available on the market. Many people, including those on a tight budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has various settings that can be used to handle a variety of coffee brewing techniques such as pour-over, French press to drip coffee, and it did well in our tests.
It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested and doesn't generate more heat. This is crucial because excessive heat can destroy the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder's only disadvantage is that it's only effective when grinding at the coarse end of its range, which can be a problem with espresso. If coffe grinders Coffeee like to brew espressos, a grinder with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better option.
Manual burr grinders, powered by cranking, are simple to use and are ideal for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee per day. These grinders are perfect for those who travel or only need to make only one cup of pour-over coffee.
Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that are easily adjustable and can produce a great coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind precisely enough). It's easy to use for those who don't mind small messes and flying particles, and it's also relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder will cost a few 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.
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 tiny amount of fines, which are the tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you select. However, this is not obvious to most coffee drinkers.
Flat burrs, which are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another They are not as common in home units, however they are preferred by hardcore coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to provide a more uniform grind size that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be expensive and you may need to buy new burrs each time you alter the type of brew you use or the amount of roast.
The Baratza ESP is the most cost-effective combination of price and capability for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's less than $200 which is far lower than other models that don't offer the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that's ideal for all methods of brewing. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, including the ones from SSP.
The OXO is a similar model that is affordable with a proven track record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those in pricier models, but it comes with multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press, and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee enthusiasts may require a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great entry point for the majority of people.
For those who prefer to grind beans by hand We also tried a handful of manual burr grinders that are ideal for use on the go and for those who need to make just one or two cups at each time. These models, which use the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders operate with an actual crank, not a motor and are usually much quieter than electric units.