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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 grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of cutting with blades. They're generally considered to be superior to blade grinders. What features should you be looking for in the burr mill? 1. Conical Burrs A conical burr mill is equipped with an angled set of teeth and an elongated burr ring that is inserted within the other. This shape lets it grind more efficiently, as the burrs turn around a single central point. The conical teeth cut the beans more evenly, and produce less heat, which is desirable because excessive heat can cause bitter notes in your coffee. Conical burrs last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and become dull very quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They also tend to be more brittle, meaning that small stones or debris can damage the burrs over time. Additionally flat burrs create more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance. A lot of burr grinders available on the market claim to be “burr grinders,” but they have flat burrs, or no burrs even. These “false” burr grinders have large, flattened teeth. They are often coupled with weak motors that produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr grinders and, contrary to what some people believe they don't have the same quality of grind as genuine burr grinders. Some experts aren't convinced however, others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a coffee grinder can influence the final taste. These theories are largely based on anecdotes however they hold a firm grip on the minds of coffee lovers. For example, some think that conical burrs can help bring out the unique flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs can soften and enhance dark roasts. best espresso coffee grinder could 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. Only by testing a grinder with the beans that you plan to use can you be sure. The overall design of the grinder as well as its features of operation will have more of an influence on the final cup than the type or burrs. This is why it's essential to evaluate a grinder based on other factors, such as the reputation of the brand as well as reviews from customers. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. A number of reviewers have praised it as a “time-tested option” that provides excellent value for money and is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew. According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating metal burrs rather than blades to grind beans. This results in more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinders. In addition the burrs create less heat while grinding and preserves more of the bean's flavor and aroma. Blade grinders, on the other hand they can generate excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds that can alter the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, but this can differ based on the model and manufacturer. Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that face each one. We do not recommend them for espresso as they tend to be more difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a high-end burr grinder with a flat-burr such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+. The grinders we tested allow you to choose the amount of time the machine will grind. This could be helpful for those who are making espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette270 an integrated smart timer that can deliver precise split-second timing. This feature isn't necessary for most brewing techniques and the majority of burr grinders under $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock. The cheapest models in our selection, like the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs. This means you have to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option when you're looking for an easy compact and affordable option without 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 some of the other models we've tried but is still a good choice for those who don't mind a little noise. In general, the pricier the grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and advanced soundproofing technology. 3. Easy of Use If you're just beginning to discover the world of coffee-brewing at home there's one piece of equipment that experts agree is essential: a burr grinder. These grinders create an even, finer grind than a blade grinder, and will help you create brews with more balance in flavor, body and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. As you might expect, a high-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use. So, we spoke to 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 a lot of people, including those who don't want to spend a fortune. It comes with several settings that can accommodate various methods of brewing, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well in our tests. It's also quieter than some other grinders that we tested, and it does not produce as much heat as some others do. That's important, as excess heat can ruin the delicate aromas in your beans. The OXO grinder's only disadvantage is that it's only effective in grinding at the coarse end of its range, which 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 powered by cranking are easier to use and perfect for those who drink only about a cup of coffee every day. They're a great option for people who travel or want to brew up a single portion of pour-over. 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 can be easily adjusted and can produce a great beverage using any method – except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding well enough). It's simple to use by anyone, as long as they're not frightened by some messes or chaff flying around. 4. Cost A quality burr grinder will cost you 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. They produce a small amount of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the official grind size you select) However, it won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers and is a minor price to pay for great-tasting consistent coffee grounds. Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that face one another. 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. They can be costly and you may need to purchase new burrs each when you change the type of brew you use or the amount of roast. According to our experts, the Baratza has the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr mill. It costs less than $200 and is more affordable than many other models with similar capabilities. It comes with an incredibly flat 64-mm burr set that's excellent for any brewing method and is easy to upgrade to other sets similar to the ones from SSP. The OXO is a decent, low-cost option that has a solid performance record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those in more expensive models, but it has several settings that work well for drip and French press, and its user interface is simple. While true coffee geeks may require a more sophisticated model, the OXO is a great starting point for most people. We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their beans by hand. These are great to take on trips and for those who only need to make one or two cups of coffee at each time. These models use the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but work by hand instead of motors. They are also typically quieter than electric models.