7 Simple Secrets To Totally Rocking Your Best Burr Grinder How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder

A grinder is among the most essential tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. What is the best one to purchase?

Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving serrated surfaces instead of slicing them using blades. They're generally thought to be superior to blade grinders. What features should you look out for in the burr mill?

1. Conical Burrs

A conical burr mill has sharp teeth that are angled and a circular burr ring inserted between the other. This shape allows it to grind more efficiently, since the burrs revolve around a single central point. The angled teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly, and they produce less heat. This is good because excessive heat can result in bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat ones. Flat burrs are susceptible to warping and dulling quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are also more fragile, meaning that small stones and other particles can cause damage over time. Flat burrs also create more noise and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning.

Many burr grinders on the market claim to be "burr grinders," but they have flat burrs or no burrs at all. These "false burr grinders" come with large flat teeth, and are often paired with motors that are weak and produce irregular grounds. They aren't true burr grinders and, contrary to the opinions of some enthusiasts, don't produce the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders.

Some experts aren't convinced However, some believe that the type and size of burrs used in a coffee grinder could influence the final taste. These theories are mostly anecdotal but have a strong grip on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. Some believe that conical burrs help bring out the distinctive flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs mellow and enhance darker roasts.

This may or not be true. However, it's something you should think about in the event that your grinder has an impact on the quality of your espresso. The only way to know for sure is to test a grinder out with the beans you will be using it with. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a larger effect on the final cup of coffee than the design of burrs. This is the reason it's crucial to assess a grinder on other factors like the reputation of the brand and customer reviews.

2. Convenience

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that many coffee lovers swear by. It has been praised by numerous reviewers as a "time tested option" that is a great value for money and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.

According to the company, the grinder makes use of rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to grind beans. This creates more uniform grounds than a grinder or other burr grinder. Additionally the burrs create less heat while they grind, which preserves the beans' flavor and aroma.

Blade grinders however, can produce excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds that can alter the taste of your cup. Burr grinders also tend to be quieter than blade grinders, however this can differ based on the model and the brand.

Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead of conical. These are two discs that have cutting edges that face 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 machines like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+.

The grinders we tested allow you to select the amount of time that the machine will grind, which is useful when you're making espresso. Some grinders, like our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to just only a fraction of a second. 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 most affordable models 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 is more laborious, but is a good choice if you want a simple, 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 still tolerable for those who don't mind some noise. In general, the pricier grinder is the quieter it's likely to be due in part to the improved materials and advanced soundproofing technology.

3. Ease of Use

If you're just starting to explore the world of coffee-brewing at home, there's one tool everyone agrees is necessary: a burr grinder. These grinders produce a more consistent, finer grind than what you can get from a standard blade grinder, and can allow you to make drinks that are more balanced in flavor, body, and acidity. They are generally more reliable. As you might imagine, a top-quality burr mill could cost up to $200 and is difficult to use.

We asked experts for their recommendations on the most efficient electric burr grinders you can use. Many people, even those on a tight budget are recommending the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with various settings that can be used to handle different 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 that we tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. This is crucial because too much heat can damage the delicate scents of your beans.

The OXO grinder has just one drawback It grinds the best on the more coarse end of its range. This could be a problem for espresso. If you like to brew espressos, a burr mill with more advanced features such as the Baratza Encore may be a better option.

Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more user-friendly and are perfect for those who only drink just a cup or two of coffee a day. They're an excellent choice for those who travel or require to brew up a single portion of pour-over.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder, which has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and is capable of making a great drink for any method you choose--except espresso (the flat burrs of steel do not grind fine enough). It's a breeze to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of a little messes and flyaway chaff, and it's quiet.

4. Cost

A good burr grinder will cost about a 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. The grinders produce a small amount of fines, which are little bits of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of the official grind you select. However, this is not noticeable to most coffee drinkers.


Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that face one another. They aren't as popular but are favored by coffee geeks because they provide a more consistent grind size, perfect for French press and espresso. The downside is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr for each roast level or brew type.

According to our experts, the Baratza offers the best 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 has a 64-mm flat burr set which is perfect for all brewing methods and easy to upgrade with other sets, like the ones from SSP.

The OXO is another affordable option with a proven performance record in our tests. Coffeee in this model aren't as precise as the burrs in higher-end models however, its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for French drip and press. The OXO is a great entry-level model for a lot of people. True coffee enthusiasts might prefer a more advanced model, but the OXO is a good choice for them.

We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their coffee by hand. These are great for traveling and for people who only require one or two cups of coffee at a time. These models utilize the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders, but operate by hand instead of a motor. They are also typically quieter than electric models.