Don't Make This Silly Mistake On Your Best Burr Grinder
How to Choose the Best Burr Coffee Grinder
A grinder is one of the most important tools in a coffee maker's arsenal. Which one should you buy?
Burr grinders grind beans between two serrated surfaces that rotate instead of cutting 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
The name suggests that conical burr grinders have one circular burr ring that is inside another one with the teeth angled. This design allows it to grind more efficiently, as the burrs rotate around a central point. The angled teeth cut the beans more evenly and creates less heat, which is a good thing since excessive heat can lead to bitter flavors in your coffee. Conical burrs are also more durable than flat burrs. Flat burrs tend to warp and dull quickly, which results in unevenly ground espresso that is not evenly ground. They are also more brittle, which means that small stones or other debris can damage the burrs over time. In addition flat burrs create more noise and require regular cleaning and maintenance.
A number of burr grinders available for sale call themselves "burr grinders," yet they have flat or no burrs. These "false" burr grinders have large, flattened teeth. They are usually paired with motors that are weak, resulting in inconsistent grounds. They are not genuine burr mills and contrary to what some people think, they do not provide the same quality grind as real burr mills.
Although some experts disagree with this, others believe that the burrs that are used in the grinder have an impact on the final taste of the coffee. These theories are largely based on anecdotes but they hold an unshakeable hold on the minds of coffee lovers. For instance, some people believe that conical burrs can bring out the distinct flavors of exotic beans, while flat burrs are able to soften and enhance dark roasts.
This could or might not be the case however it is something to think about if you want your grinder to have a significant effect on the quality of your coffee. The only way to determine for sure is to test the grinder using the beans you plan on using it with. The grinder's overall design and operating features will have a greater effect on the final cup of coffee than the kind of burrs. It's important to consider other aspects when evaluating the quality of a grinder, like its reputation as well as customer reviews.
2. Convenience
The Baratza Encore is a burr grinder that many coffee enthusiasts swear by. It has been praised by several reviewers as an "time tested option" that is great value for money and well-suited for French press, French drip, and cold brew.
According to the company, the grinder utilizes rotating metal burrs rather than blades to crush beans. This produces more uniformly-sized ground than a grinder or other burr grinders. In addition the burrs create less heat while grinding which helps preserve the beans' flavor and aroma.
Blade grinders, on the other hand, can produce excessive heat and unevenly sized grounds, which can affect the taste of the finished cup. Burr grinders are also quieter than blades grinders. However, this could differ based on the model and the brand.
Some burr grinders utilize flat burrs instead, rather than conical ones. These are two discs with cutting edges that are facing each other. We don't recommend these for espresso as they are more difficult to calibrate and are generally more expensive than a top-of-the-line, flat-burr burr grinder like the Fellow Ode Gen 2 or the Baratza Virtuoso+.
A few of the grinders we've tested allow users to choose how long the machine will grind for a certain period of time, which is useful when you're making espresso. Certain grinders, such as our top choice Baratza Sette 270, have a built-in timer that is precise to just a fraction of seconds. This feature isn't necessary for most brewing techniques, and most burr grinders under $200 use the most expensive version of the windup clock.
The cheapest models in our lineup--such as the Porlex II and the Capresso Infinity--use manual burrs. This means you'll have to crank them yourself by hand to grind your coffee. This requires more effort but is a great option when you're seeking a simple compact and affordable alternative that doesn't require electricity.
The Breville Smart Grinder Pro uses a burr mill and is a reasonable option. It's louder than the other models we've tried however it's still acceptable in the event that you're okay with a bit of noise. The quieter a grinder will generally be, the more expensive it will be. This is due to the upgraded materials and advanced soundproofing technology.
3. Easy of Use
If you're just starting to learn about home coffee brewing There's one thing that experts agree is essential is a burr mill. These grinders produce a finer, more consistent ground than you get from your standard blade grinder and allow you to make beverages that are more balanced in body, flavor, and acidity. They also tend to perform the job more consistently. However, as you may imagine, top-quality burr grinders can be priced upwards of $200, and many are difficult to operate.
So, we spoke to experts and got their recommendations for the easiest-to-use electric burr grinders on the market. They recommend the OXO conical burr grinder for many people as well as those who don't wish to spend a lot of money. 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 was a success during our tests.
It's quieter than other electric grinders we've tested, and doesn't generate as much heat. This is important because excessive heat can harm the delicate aromas of your beans.
The OXO grinder has just one disadvantage: it grinds best on the coarser end of its range. This can be problematic for espresso. If you're a fan of brewing espressos, a grinder with more advanced features like the Baratza Encore may be a better option.
Manual burr grinders that are powered by cranking, are more simple to use and are ideal for those who only drink a cup or two of coffee every day. These grinders are perfect for those who travel, or only need to make one cup of pour-over coffee.
smart grinder pro Coffeee , Bon Appetit Director of Test Kitchen, is a fan of the Fellow Ode Gen 2 Burr Grinder. It has 41 settings that can be easily adjusted and produces a wonderful coffee using any method, except for espresso (the burrs made of flat steel don't grind finely enough). It's easy to use for anyone who doesn't mind some messes and flyaway particles, and it's also relatively quiet.
4. Cost
A quality burr grinder will cost you a few hundred dollars, but it's well worth the price. 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 tiny pieces of coffee ground that are smaller than the size of the official grind you select. However this isn't noticeable to most coffee drinkers.
Flat burrs are two discs that have cutting teeth that are facing each other. They are less common but are preferred 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 may need to buy new burrs for each different brew type or roast level.
The Baratza ESP is the best mix of cost and capabilities for a burr grinder according to our experts. It's priced at less than $200 and is cheaper than other models with similar capabilities. It has 64-mm flat burrs that is ideal for all brewing methods and is easy to upgrade with other sets like the ones from SSP.
The OXO is another affordable option with a good performance in our tests. Its burrs aren't quite as precise as those found in more expensive models, but it does have multiple settings that perform well for drip and French press, and its user interface is intuitive. While true coffee lovers would prefer a more sophisticated model however, the OXO is a great starting point for the majority of people.
We also tried a few manual burr grinders for those who prefer grinding their beans by hand. They are ideal to take on trips and for those who only require two or three cups of coffee at a time. These models utilize the same grinding mechanism of electric burr grinders but operate using a hand crank instead of a motor. They are also usually quieter than electric units.