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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. But which one should you buy? Burr grinders grind beans between two rotating, serrated surfaces instead of cutting them with blades. They're generally regarded as superior to blade grinders. What characteristics should you be looking for in the burr mill? 1. Conical Burrs As its name implies, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring that is inside another with angled teeth. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, because the burrs revolve around the central point. The angled teeth are more efficient at cutting the beans evenly and produce less heat. stainless coffee grinder is beneficial since excessive heat can create bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs also last longer than flat ones. Flat burrs are prone to warping and dulling quickly, which results in unevenly ground coffee that is unevenly ground. They are also more brittle, meaning that small stones or debris can damage the burrs over time. Flat burrs also produce 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 whatsoever. These “false” burr grinders feature large, flattened teeth. They are often coupled with weak motors that produce inconsistent grounds. They aren't genuine burr grinders and, despite what some people believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders. Some experts aren't convinced however, others believe that the shape and size of the burrs in a grinder for coffee can influence the final taste. These theories are mostly anecdotal but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee lovers. For instance, some people believe that conical burrs can bring out the individual flavor of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts. This could be true. However, it is something you should consider when you are deciding whether your grinder will have a significant effect on the quality of your espresso. Only by testing a grinder with the beans 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 type of burrs. This is why it's essential to assess a grinder based on other criteria, such as the reputation of the brand as well as reviews from customers. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore burr grinder is one that a lot of coffee enthusiasts swear by. A number of reviewers have praised it as a “time-tested option” that offers great value for money and is well designed for drip, pour-over, French press, and cold brew. According to the company, the grinder uses rotating burrs made of metal rather than blades to crush beans. This produces more uniformly-sized ground than a grinder or other burr grinder. In addition the burrs create less heat while they grind which helps preserve more of the bean's aroma and flavor. Blade grinders on the other hand are prone to producing excessive heat and unevenly-sized grinds that affect the taste of your finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this may differ based on the model and the brand. While most of the burr grinders that we test have conical burrs, some have flat burrs (two discs with cutting teeth facing one another). These grinders aren't recommended for espresso as they are difficult to calibrate. They are also cheaper and less difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+. Some of the grinders that we tested let you choose the amount of time the machine will grind, which is useful for those who are making espresso. Some grinders, including our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to just a fraction of a second. However, this feature isn't essential for the majority of brewing methods, and the majority of burr grinders priced under $200 use what's a fancier version of the windup timer. The cheapest models, like the Porlex II or the Capresso infinity, utilize manual burrs. This means you need to turn them by hand yourself to grind your coffee. This takes more effort, but is a good choice if you want simple, compact and inexpensive alternative that doesn't require electrical power. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses burr mills and is a reasonable option. It's louder than other models that we have tested, but it's still acceptable if you're willing to tolerate some sound. The quieter a grinder will be, in general the more expensive it will be. This is due to the more advanced materials and sophisticated soundproofing technologies. 3. Ease of Use A burr grinder is a tool that every expert recommends for those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee making. These grinders create a much finer, more consistent ground than the regular blade grinder. They also allow you to make beverages that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. And they tend to achieve this more effectively. As you might expect, a good burr mill can cost up to $200 and is a challenge to use. So, we spoke to experts and obtained their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders on the market. Many people, including those on a budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It has multiple settings that allow it to manage a variety of brewing methods from pour-over, French press, and drip coffee. It performed well during our testing. It's also quieter than other electric grinders we've tested and doesn't generate the same amount of heat. That's important, as excess heat can harm the delicate aromas in your beans. The OXO grinder has just one disadvantage: it grinds best on the coarser side of the spectrum. This could be a problem for espresso. If you're making espresso, a higher-end burr grinder like the Baratza Encore might be a better choice. Manual burr grinders, which are powered by cranking, are more easy to use and are ideal for those who drink only one or two cups of coffee per day. These grinders are great for those who travel, or who only require a single cup of pour-over coffee. 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 a great brew for any method you choose—except espresso (the flat steel burrs don't grind as finely as they should). It's easy to use for anyone who isn't afraid of some messes and flyaway chaff, and it's relatively quiet. 4. Cost A good burr grinder can cost you around a 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 can produce a bit of fines (the tiny pieces of coffee ground that end up smaller than the official grind size you select) however this won't be noticeable to the majority of people who drink coffee and it's a low price to pay for great-tasting consistently-sized coffee grounds. Flat burrs, which are two discs that have cutting teeth facing each other They are not as common in home units but are preferred by serious coffee geeks for their ability to produce a uniform size of grind which is ideal for espresso and French press. The drawback is that they are expensive to purchase, and you might require a new burr 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 a burr mill. It's less than $200 which is much less than the majority of other models that don't have the same level of capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm, flat brewer set that is perfect for all methods of brewing. You can easily upgrade to other sets, such as those from SSP. The OXO is a great, affordable option that has a solid record in our tests. The burrs in this model aren't as precise as ones in more expensive models however, its user interface and multiple settings are suitable for both French drip and press. The OXO is an excellent starter model for the majority of people. True coffee geeks may require a more sophisticated model however the OXO is a good choice for them. We also tested a couple of manual burr grinders for those who prefer to grind their coffee with their hands. They are ideal to take on trips and for those who only need to make two or three cups of coffee at one time. These models, which employ the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, use a crank instead of a motor and are usually quieter than electric models.