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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A grinder is among the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. But which one should you buy? Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting with blades. They're 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 has angled teeth and a circular burr ring inserted inside the other. This design allows for more efficient grinding process, since the burrs rotate around an axis. The inclined teeth are more effective at cutting the beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can create bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are susceptible to warping and dulling quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, meaning that small stones or other debris can damage the burrs over time. Flat burrs also generate more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning. A number of burr grinders available for sale advertise themselves as “burr grinders,” yet they have flat or no burrs. These “false burr grinders” have large flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that have weak components that produce inconsistent ground. They aren't genuine burr grinders and, contrary to what some people believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as genuine burr grinders. While some experts disagree some believe that the type of burrs in the grinder can have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs soften and enhance darker roasts. This may or may not be the case however it is something to consider if you wish for your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to be sure for sure is to test the grinder with the beans you'll be using it with. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a bigger impact on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. This is why it's important to assess a grinder based on other factors, such as the quality of the product and customer reviews. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. Several reviewers praise it as a “time-tested choice” that offers great value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee. The grinder uses rotating metal burrs instead of blades for grinding the beans, which produces larger and more evenly-sized beans as compared to a blender or burr grinders, according to the company. In addition, the burrs generate less heat while grinding which helps preserve the beans' aroma and flavor. Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unbalanced-sized ground that affect the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this can vary depending on the model and brand. Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs that have cutting edges facing each one. These grinders aren't recommended for espresso because they are difficult to calibrate. They are 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 we've tested allow you to control the amount of time it will grind for a certain period of time, which is useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, including our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to only a fraction of seconds. This feature is not required for most brewing techniques, and most burr grinders that cost less than $200 use the most expensive version of a windup clock. The most affordable models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs, meaning you'll have to crank them manually by hand to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option if you're looking to get simple, compact and inexpensive option 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 is louder than other models that we have tested, but it's still acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some sound. In general, the pricier grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due to better materials and sophisticated soundproofing technology. 3. User-Friendliness If you're just starting to explore the world of home coffee brewing there's one piece of equipment that everyone agrees is necessary: a burr grinder. These grinders produce a smaller, more consistent grind than what you can get from a standard blade grinder and help you produce brews that are better balanced in flavor, body, and acidity. And they tend to achieve this more effectively. However, as you may expect, top burr grinders can cost upward of $200, and are difficult to use. We asked experts for their suggestions on the easiest electric burr grinders to use. Many people, even those on a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with multiple settings to manage a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, to drip coffee. It performed well during our testing. It's also quieter than some other grinders that we tested, and it does not produce more heat than others do. This is crucial, since excessive heat can ruin the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder's biggest drawback is that it's designed at grinding on the coarse end of the scale, which can be a problem for espresso. If you're brewing espresso, a more advanced 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 are perfect for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee a day. They're an excellent choice 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 are easily adjustable and will make a fantastic beverage using any method – except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding finely enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who doesn't mind small messes and flying chaff, and it's quiet. 4. Cost coffeee.uk can cost you about a hundred dollars but it's worth the cost. 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 tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you choose. However this isn't evident to the majority of coffee drinkers. Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that are facing each other. They aren't as popular but are preferred by coffee geeks because they give a consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may have to purchase new burrs each when you change the type of brew or the level of roast. According to our experts, the Baratza has the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for a burr mill. It's less than $200 which is far lower than many competing models that lack the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that's ideal for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, like those from SSP. The OXO is a decent, low-cost alternative that has a great performance record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise, as ones found in higher-end models, but its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for both French press and drip. While true coffee geeks will want a more advanced model, the OXO is a great entry point for the majority of people. For those who prefer to crank their beans by hand We also tested a handful of manual burr grinders that are perfect for those on the move and who only need to make one or two cups at one time. These models employ the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but work using a hand crank instead of motors. They are also generally quieter than electric ones.