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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A grinder is one of the most important 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 slicing them with blades. They're considered to be superior to blade grinders. What features should you be looking for in a burr mill? 1. Conical Burrs A conical burr mill has angled teeth and the ring of a circular burr that is placed within the other. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs revolve around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly, and also produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can create bitter tastes in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs can be susceptible to warping and become dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground coffee that is not evenly ground. They are also more fragile, which means that small stones and other debris can damage them over time. Additionally, flat burrs generate more noise and require more frequent 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 flat teeth, and are often coupled with motors that are weak and produce uneven ground. They are not true burr grinders, and, despite what some enthusiasts believe they don't have the same quality of grind as real burr grinders. Some experts disagree with this claim However, some believe that the size and type of the burrs in a coffee grinder can affect the final taste. These theories are mostly speculative, but they have an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee enthusiasts. For instance, some believe that conical burrs can bring out the individual flavors of exotic beans while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts. It could 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 plan to use can you be certain. The design of the grinder as well as its operating features will have a bigger effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder based on other criteria such as the quality of the product and customer reviews. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Several reviewers praise it as an “time-tested choice” that provides excellent value for money. It is designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew. The grinder utilizes rotating metal burrs instead of blades for grinding beans, which creates larger, more uniformly-sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinder, according to the company. The burrs also produce less heat and preserve the flavor and aroma of the beans. Blade grinders however they can generate excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds that affect the flavor of your final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, however this may vary based on the model and brand. Some burr grinders use flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that face each opposite. We don't recommend them for espresso as they tend to be more difficult to calibrate and are generally less expensive than a premium burr grinder that is flat such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+. Some of the grinders we tested allow you to select the amount of time that the machine will grind, which could be helpful if you are brewing espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have an integrated timer that's precise to just only a fraction of seconds. This feature is not necessary for the majority of brewing methods, and most burr grinders under $200 have a fancy version of the windup clock. The cheapest models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means you need 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 simple, compact and cost-effective option that doesn't require electricity. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is also an affordable option. It's louder than the other models that we have tried, but it's acceptable if you're not worried about some sound. In general, the pricier a grinder is, the quieter it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and advanced soundproofing technologies. 3. Simple to Use A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders produce a more consistent, finer grind than you get from your regular blade grinder. They also allow you to make drinks that are more balanced in body, flavor and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. As you would imagine, a top-quality burr mill can cost anywhere from $200 to $200 and is a challenge to use. We spoke with experts and got their suggestions for the most user-friendly electric burr grinders 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 has various settings that can be used to handle a variety of coffee brewing techniques including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it performed well in our testing. It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested and doesn't generate as much heat. This is crucial, since excessive heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder has one drawback: it grinds best on the more coarse end of its range. This could be a problem for espresso. If you like to brew espressos, a burr grinder with more advanced features, like the Baratza Encore may be a better option. Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking are simpler to use and are ideal for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee a day. These grinders are ideal for those who travel, or who only require 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 brew using any method—except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding precisely enough). It's easy to use for anyone who isn't afraid of a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it's quiet. 4. Cost A good burr grinder can cost a few hundred dollars, however, it's well 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. They produce a small amount of fines (the tiny bits of ground coffee that end up smaller than the official grind size you choose), but this won't be noticeable to most average drinkers, and it's a small price to pay for excellent-tasting consistent coffee grounds. Flat burrs, that are two discs with cutting teeth facing one another They aren't as popular in home units, but are preferred by hardcore coffee enthusiasts due to their ability to provide an even grind size that is perfect for espresso and French press. They can be costly and you may need to buy new burrs each time you change the brew type or level of roast. According to our experts, the Baratza offers the best price and capabilities for a burr mill. It's priced at less than $200 and is far more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It has a 64-mm flat burr set that is ideal for any brewing method and is easy to upgrade to other sets similar to the ones from SSP. The OXO is another affordable option with a proven track record in our tests. The burrs on this model aren't as precise, as ones in more expensive models, but its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for French drip and press. While true coffee lovers will want a more advanced model but the OXO is a great starting point for most people. For espresso grinders who prefer to crank their beans manually, we also tested a few manual burr grinders that are ideal for those on the move and who only need to make one or two cups at a time. These models, which employ the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders use an actual crank, not a motor and are usually much quieter than electric units.