Responsible For The Best Conical Burr Grinder Budget? 12 Top Ways To Spend Your Money Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

Grinding your own coffee beans is a great method to improve your morning cup. But, there are a variety of grinders on the market.

This OXO grinder uses conical burrs to produce a grinding system that is suitable for drip, French press and espresso. Hardcore coffee geeks may want more precision from this grinder, however it's an excellent choice for those who are just beginning.

OXO Brew

If you're into making your own coffee at home, you know that it requires a good grinder to produce the most flavorful coffee. A high-quality burr mill could cost upwards of $200, which is a huge amount for those who don't know whether they'll utilize it. The OXO Brew is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly ground coffee without spending hundreds of dollars.

The design of the OXO Brew may not be flashy, but it's stylish. The stainless steel body comes with an in-built water reservoir that is permanently located at the rear and a thermal caafe at the front. The carafe and tank are designed in a way that the body can be easily incorporated in smaller kitchens. The controls are hidden beneath the carafe to reduce the amount of clutter. There is also a light that lets you know when it's heating or making.

In our tests during our tests, the Oxo produced consistently. The water temperature was within a narrow range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test period which was measured by thermocouples in the basket for grounds and the water tank. Its brewing times were also very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended times for a high-quality drip.


Another benefit of the OXO Brew is it comes with one-serve functionality that allows you to pour the coffee directly into the cup. This feature isn't present in other models that are more expensive. It can be a great benefit for those who prefer to make individual portions of their coffee but don't want the hassle of making an entire carafe.

The only drawback to the OXO is that it has no clock or automatic start time. This could be a problem when you are on a strict timeframe. In addition, the water tank can be tricky to remove due to its lid that has to be removed to access the reservoir. It does have a built-in descaler, which helps prevent mineral deposits from building up in the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

If you're a coffee enthusiast seeking the top burr grinder, the Baratza Encore ESP is your top pick. This version of the classic Encore has been revamped with improvements that make it more compatible with a variety of brewing techniques and provide more flexibility than ever before. It's designed for baristas in the home who are just starting out and anyone who wants to have a range of brewing options in one grinder. It features steps for grinding and simple controls for beginners, along with notched and labeled settings to ensure consistency. The M2 burrs guarantee uniform grinds, and the hopper has a new quick release feature that makes cleaning simple.

The ESP utilizes the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor as the original Encore however, it operates at lower speeds to lessen static charge and heat during operation. It's also quieter than the classic Encore, and it has a new metal plate that improves stability and burr consistency. It's fitted with 40mm M2 conical burrs that are similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus that help it achieve better grind size distribution and more reliable shots.

The ESP grind adjustment features 9 microns between each step, offering excellent resolution for espresso and pour over. It comes with a dosing cup that can be used with both 54 and 58 mm portafilters which improves the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can be combined with the traditional grounds bin in the event that you prefer a hopper-based workflow.

The ESP's inconsistent performance in tests of consistency is a drawback however, it is better than other grinders in this price range. The settings for stepped grinds can also be inconsistent, making it difficult to determine the ideal setting for your particular style of brewing. The ESP is a versatile brewer that can be used to make a variety of brewing methods.

The Encore ESP is also a bit more expensive than many of the other models on this list, but it's worth the extra cost due to its amazing flexibility. It can grind espresso and filter brews, as well as use the included shims to maximize its performance for pour-over the brewing.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 grinder is a great one that works for pour-over brewing and espresso. The burrs can be upgraded to increase performance, and the hopper is able to accommodate different grind sizes. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain, with a minimal number of moving parts. This is a great option for anyone who wants an affordable, high-quality grinder.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a significant improvement over the previous model and should be hard to beat by any other grinders in the same price range. The new model comes with an entirely new style that is more appealing to the eyes. industrial coffee grinder has a simple, rounded-flat base that can hold up to 20 grams of beans at a single time and a single dose cradle. It also has a rubber bellows that pushes air through the grinder as you do your dose to push out excessive grinds and to reduce retention.

One of the major problems with the original DF64 was popcorning, which is when coffee beans bounce upward out of the burrs instead of grinding down. This is a common problem with hopper-based grinders that can affect the consistency of your grind. The new DF64 has a much-improved anti-popcorning system that eliminates this problem.

Other issues with the DF64 included a poor quality build, a loose design that caused gaps around the edges of the hopper, a heavyweight, a mandatory use of bellows, regular alignment challenges, a plastic adjust collar that mis-threaded easily, vinyl wrap instead of powder coating, and the all-but-mandatory need for two aftermarket upgrades (anti-popcorning, declumper). The DF64 Gen 2 addresses these issues and many more.

The DF64 has a powerful 250W motor that spins the burrs at about 1,400 RPM. This is a little faster than the Encore ESP, but it’s still slower than other popular burr grinders like the Mahlkönig EK43. The DF64 is also less noisy than the Encore ESP, making it easier to work with in a busy cafe environment.

The DF64 has an easy-to-read, step-by-step adjustment system that allows you to fine-tune your grind size for different brewing methods. It also comes with a wide selection of burrs, which makes it possible to experiment and find the perfect grind for your particular coffee bean. The DF64 also has a convenient dosing system, which allows you to direct the ground coffee directly into your portafilter or mug.
Fellow Ode

A popular maker of home coffee equipment, Fellow makes some seriously aesthetically appealing gear. Their kettles, French presses, and other home coffee brewing machines have an elegant and modern matte finish that suits any kitchen aesthetic. With this in mind, it should be no surprise that their grinders look equally as good. The Ode is a sleek and compact grinder with a number of easy-to-use features designed for precise, single-dose brewing.

The Ode is unique among coffee grinders because it uses flat burrs, rather than conical ones. Usually, you only see flat burrs on professional or commercial grinders due to their ability to reduce grind time and heat generation and improve grind particle consistency. The 64mm flat burrs in the Ode also give it a much smoother grind than you would find in a typical home appliance grinder. And they are designed with single-dosing in mind, meaning that the grinder shuts off as soon as the hopper is empty. This helps to prevent over-grinding, which can rob your brews of flavor and aroma.

The hopper itself holds 100 grams, which is enough for one large pour-over or two small cups of espresso. The Ode has a variety of other neat features, including a built-in scale and a cool grind size chart that is mapped out on the underside of the lid. This shows the brewing methods that each setting is most suitable for, with pour-over and cold brews on the fine end of the range, and French press on the coarse end.

Another great feature of the Ode is that it has a quiet, almost purr-like sound during operation and is very fast. The grinder has a high-force spring that knocks excess ground beans and chaff into the catch, which helps to reduce grind retention and make clean-up a breeze. It’s also very easy to disassemble and is compatible with coffee tablet cleaners.

Despite some minor hiccups in the initial launch, the Ode is still a top contender for those looking for an excellent and aesthetically pleasing conical burr grinder. Fortunately, the company is committed to improving the product and recently released the Gen 2 version, which addresses some of the issues with the original. However, for those who want a better-suited grinder for espresso, the Baratza DF64 is an excellent alternative that is both visually and functionally superior to the Fellow Ode.