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How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder A coffee grinder is an essential device in the coffee maker's arsenal. What kind of grinder should you get? Burr grinders crush beans between two revolving, serrated surfaces rather than cutting them using blades. They are considered superior to blade grinders. But what are the features you should look for in a burr grinder? 1. Conical Burrs As its name implies, a conical burr crusher has one circular burr ring that is inside another one with sharp teeth. This shape allows for a more efficient grinding, as the burrs rotate around the central point. The angled teeth are more efficient in cutting beans evenly, and also produce less heat. This is a good thing since excessive heat can result in bitter taste in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs are more prone to warping and dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is unevenly ground. They also tend to be more brittle, meaning that small stones or other debris could damage the burrs over time. In addition flat burrs produce more noise and require more frequent cleaning and maintenance. Many burr grinders that are 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 coupled with motors that are weak and produce uneven grounds. They aren't genuine burr grinders and, contrary to what some enthusiasts believe, don't produce the same quality of grind as actual burr grinders. Some experts do not agree with this assertion however, others believe that the size and type of burrs used in a coffee grinder could affect the final flavor. These theories are mostly based on anecdotes but hold a firm grip on the minds and hearts of coffee drinkers. For instance, some believe that conical burrs can bring out the distinct flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts. It could be true, but it is important to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to know for certain is to try the grinder using the beans you'll be using it with. The overall design of the grinder and its operating features will have a bigger effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. It's important to consider other aspects when evaluating a grinder, such as its reputation and customer reviews. 2. Convenience The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that a lot of coffee lovers swear by. It has been praised by several reviewers as an “time tried and tested product” that is a great value for money and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew. The grinder uses rotating metal burrs instead of blades to grind the beans, resulting in more uniformly sized grounds than a blender or other burr grinders, according to the company. Additionally the burrs produce less heat while grinding, which preserves the beans' flavor and aroma. Blade grinders, on the other hand, can create excessive heat and unevenly-sized grounds, which can impact the taste of the final cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blade grinders. However, this can differ by model and brand. Some burr grinders employ flat burrs instead of conical burrs. These are two discs with cutting edges that are facing each one. These grinders aren't recommended for espresso because they are difficult to calibrate. They're also cheaper and less difficult than top-end flat-burr grinders such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 and the Baratza Virtuoso+. The grinders we tested allow you to choose the amount of time that the machine will grind, which is useful when you're making espresso. Others, including our top pick the Baratza Sette270 an inbuilt intelligent timer that can provide split-second precision. This feature isn't necessary for all brewing techniques and the majority of burr grinders that cost less than $200 use an upgraded version of the windup clock. The cheapest models we have in our lineup, such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity—use manual burrs, meaning you have to crank them yourself by hand to grind your coffee. This is more laborious, but is a great option when you're seeking a simple small, affordable option without electrical power. The Breville Smart Grinder Pro is another affordable option that uses a burr grinder. It's louder than other models that we have tested, but it's still acceptable if you're not worried about some noise. The more quiet a grinder will be, in general, the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and the advanced soundproofing techniques. 3. Easy of Use A burr grinder is a device that all experts recommend to those who are just beginning to learn about home coffee brewing. These grinders provide a smaller, more consistent grind than you get from your standard blade grinder, and can allow you to make beverages that are more balanced in flavor, body and acidity. They also tend to achieve this more effectively. However, as you may expect, high-quality burr grinders can cost upwards of $200, and some are difficult to operate. We sought advice from experts on the easiest electric burr grinders to use. Many people, including those with a budget, recommend the OXO Conical Burr Grinder. It comes with various settings that can be used to handle various methods of brewing, from pour-over to French press to drip coffee, and it did well in our testing. It's also quieter than other electric grinders that we tested and doesn't generate more heat. This is important since excessive heat can destroy the delicate aromas of your beans. The OXO grinder has one flaw: it grinds best on the coarser side of the spectrum. Coffeee could be a problem 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 that are powered by cranking are easy to use and ideal for those who drink only about a cup of coffee every day. They're an excellent choice for people who travel or want to brew up a single portion of pour-over. Bon Appetit Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco loves the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder that has 41 adjustable settings that are capable of producing an excellent brew for any method you choose—except espresso (the flat steel burrs don't grind as finely as they should). It's easy to operate for anyone who isn't afraid of small messes and flying chaff, and it's relatively quiet. 4. Cost A quality burr mill can cost you a few hundred bucks, but is definitely 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 the small pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of grind you select. However this isn't evident to the majority of coffee drinkers. Flat burrs are two discs with cutting teeth that face one another. They are not as common but are preferred by coffee geeks because they produce a more uniform grind size, which is ideal for French press and espresso. They can be expensive and you may have to purchase new burrs every when you change the brew type or level of roast. According to our experts, the Baratza is the best price and capabilities for burr mills. It's priced at less than $200, which is a lot less than many competing models that don't offer the same capabilities. It comes with a 64-mm flat brewer set that is perfect for all types of brewing techniques. It is easy to upgrade to other sets, like the ones from SSP. The OXO is a different option that is priced reasonably with a good performance record in our tests. Its burrs may not be as precise as those found in pricier models, but it does have several settings that work well for drip and French press, and its user interface is simple. The OXO is a great entry-level model for the majority of people. True coffee geeks may require a more sophisticated model however, the OXO will work well for those who are. For those who prefer to crank their beans by hand We also tested a few manual burr grinders, which are great for those on the move and who are able to make one or two cups at one time. These models, which employ the same mechanism for grinding as electric burr grinders, work with the use of a crank rather than a motor and are usually more quiet than electric models.