Why No One Cares About Best Burr Grinder
How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is an essential tool for any home coffee maker's arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?
Burr grinders crush beans between two rotating serrated surfaces, rather than cutting them with blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should look for in a grinder?
1. Conical Burrs
A conical burr mill has sharp teeth that are angled and a circular burr ring inserted inside the other. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, because the burrs revolve around an axis. The conical 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 flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and dull quickly, resulting in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle as well, meaning that small stones and other particles could cause damage over time. Additionally flat burrs produce more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
A number of burr grinders sold on the market are marketed as "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders have large, flattened teeth. They are often paired up with weak motors that produce uneven ground. They aren't true burr mills and contrary to what many enthusiasts think, do not offer the same grind as actual burr mills.
While some experts disagree with this, others believe that the type of burrs in the grinder can have an impact on the finished taste of the coffee. These theories are mostly anecdotal but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. Some believe that conical burrs can bring out the unique flavor of exotic beans. Flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.
This may or may not be true, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee. The only way to be sure for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you'll 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. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder 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. Many reviewers have praised it as an "time-tested choice" that provides excellent value for money. It is suited for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold coffee.
According to coffee machine grinder , the grinder makes use of rotating burrs of metal instead of blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform ground than a grinder or other burr grinder. The burrs also produce less heat which preserves the flavor and aroma of beans.
Blade grinders, on the other hand, produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds, which affects the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders can also be quieter than blade grinders, but this can differ based on the model and the brand.
While the majority of the burr grinders we tested have conical burrs, a few use flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso because 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+.
A few of the grinders we've tested allow you to choose the length of time that the machine will grind for a certain period of time, which is useful when you're making espresso. Some, like our top pick the Baratza Sette270 a built-in intelligent timer that can provide precise split-second timing. However, this feature isn't required for the majority of brewing methods, and most under-$200 burr grinders use what's an upgraded version of the windup timer.
The cheapest models, such as the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, use manual burrs. This means 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 for 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 in the event that you're okay with a little noise. The more quiet a grinder will generally be the more expensive it is. This is due to the more advanced materials and advanced soundproofing technology.
3. Easy of Use
A burr grinder is a device that every expert recommends for those who are just getting started with home coffee making. These grinders create a much finer, more consistent ground than what you can get from a regular blade grinder. They also assist in making brews that are better balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They tend to be more reliable. But, as you might expect, high-quality burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and some are difficult to use.
So, we spoke to experts and got their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders available on the market. Many people, even those on a budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings that allow it to accommodate a variety of options for brewing, from pour-over to French press, and drip coffee. And it performed well during our testing.
It's also a bit quieter than some other grinders that we tried, and doesn't produce as much heat as some others do. This is important because too much heat can damage the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder has one flaw: it grinds best on the coarser side of the spectrum. 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, powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are perfect for those who consume only one or two cups of coffee per 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, loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It comes with 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and produces a wonderful beverage using any method - except for espresso (the burrs made of steel aren't grinding precisely enough). It's easy to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of some messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A good burr grinder can set you back a few 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. They produce a small amount of fines (the tiny pieces of ground coffee that end up smaller than the officially designated grind size you choose) However, it won't be noticeable to the majority of drinkers and it's a low cost to pay for delicious, consistent coffee grounds.
Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that are facing each other. They aren't as popular but are favored by coffee geeks due to their ability to provide a more consistent size of grind, ideal 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 you use or the amount of roast.
The Baratza ESP offers the best mix of cost and capability for a burr grinder, according to our experts. It's less than $200, which is a lot less than many competing models that don't have the same capabilities. It is equipped with a 64-mm flat brewer set that is perfect for all brewing methods. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, including the ones from SSP.
The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a proven performance in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those of pricier models, but it does have several settings that work well for drip and French press, and its user interface is easy to use. The OXO is a great starter model for the majority of people. True coffee geeks may require a more sophisticated model, but the OXO is suitable for the majority of people.
For those who prefer to crank their beans by hand, we also tested a handful of manual burr grinders, which are great for those on the move and who need to make just one or two cups at a time. These models, which employ the same grinding mechanism as electric burr grinders use an actual crank, not a motor and are usually more quiet than electric models.