Introduction To The Intermediate Guide Towards Best Burr Grinder
How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is among the most essential tools in the coffee-making arsenal. But which one should you buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of cutting them with blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you be looking for in the burr mill?
1. Conical Burrs
The name suggests that a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring that is inside another ring with sharp teeth. This design allows it to grind more efficiently as the burrs turn around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can create bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat burrs. Flat burrs can warp and become dull very quickly, leading to unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are also more brittle as well, meaning that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also produce more noise, and require regular maintenance and cleaning.
A lot of burr grinders available on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or no burrs at all. These "false burr grinders" feature large flat teeth and are often coupled with motors that have weak components that produce inconsistent ground. They aren't genuine burr grinders and, despite what some people believe they don't have the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.
Some experts disagree with this claim However, some believe that the size and type of burrs used in a coffee grinder can influence the final taste. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. For example, some think that conical burrs help bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs can mellow and enhance dark roasts.
This may or not be the case. But it is something you should think about if your grinder will have an impact on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing a grinder with the beans that you are planning to use will you be sure. The overall design of the grinder and its operating features will have more of an impact on the final cup than the design or burrs. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder on other criteria such as the reputation of the brand as well as customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. Many reviewers have praised it as an "time-tested option" that provides excellent value for money and is well suitable for pour-over, drip, French press, and cold brew.
According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating metal burrs 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, which preserves the bean's aroma and flavor.
Blade grinders, on the other hand, can create excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which affects the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this could differ by model and brand.
Although the majority of burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, a few use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). We don't recommend these for espresso because they are more difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a top-of-the-line burr grinder that is flat like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
Some of the grinders that we tested allow you to select the amount of time the machine will grind, which could be helpful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, including our top pick Baratza Sette 270, have built-in timers that are precise to just only a fraction of one second. This feature is not necessary for the majority of brewing methods and the majority of burr grinders under $200 have a fancy version of a windup clock.
The most affordable models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you need to turn them manually yourself to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option if you're looking to get an easy, compact, and cost-effective alternative that doesn't require electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is an alternative that is affordable and features a burr grinder. It's louder than the other models we've tried however it's still acceptable for those who don't mind a bit of noise. In general, the pricier the grinder is more quiet it's likely to be due to improved materials and the latest soundproofing technologies.
3. Easy to Use
If you're just starting to learn about home coffee brewing There's one thing that experts agree is essential that's a burr grinder. These grinders create a finer, more consistent grind than a blade grinder, and can assist in creating brews that have more balance in acidity, flavor and body. They tend to be more reliable. But, as you might imagine, top-quality burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and are complicated to use.
So, we spoke to experts and received their suggestions for the most user-friendly electric burr grinders that are available on the market. Many people, including those with a budget would recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has several settings that can accommodate a variety of brewing methods including pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well during our tests.
It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't generate as much heat. This is important because too much heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder has only one drawback: it grinds best on the coarser end of its range. This can be problematic for espresso. If you're looking to make espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better choice.
Manual burr grinders, which are powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are great for those who only drink one or two cups of coffee per day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or need to make just one portion of pour-over.
Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making an excellent drink using any method you want, except espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine enough). It's a breeze for anyone to use so you don't mind the occasional mess or chaff flying away.
4. Cost
A quality burr mill can cost you a few 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 little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you select. However this isn't obvious to most coffee drinkers.
Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that are facing each other. They are less common but are favored by coffee geeks because they provide a more uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you may need to buy new burrs for each kind of brew or roast level.
According to our experts, the Baratza offers the most cost-effective combination of price and capabilities for burr mills. It's less than $200 and is far more affordable than many other models that have similar capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that is perfect for all brewing methods. You can easily upgrade to other sets, like the ones from SSP.
The OXO is a great, affordable alternative that has a great track record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as the ones found in higher-end models however, its user interface and a variety of settings are suitable for both French drip and press. While true coffee geeks will want a more advanced model but the OXO is a great starting point for the majority of people.
We also tested a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee with their hands. These are great for those who travel and who only require one or two cups of coffee at each time. These models, which utilize the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders work with a crank instead of a motor and are usually more quiet than electric models.