Best Conical Burr
Coffee Grinders
It is possible to make your morning coffee better by grinding your own beans. There are a lot of different grinders on the market.
This OXO grinder utilizes conical burrs to produce an excellent grind for drip, French press and espresso. This grinder is an excellent choice for novices, however, those who are serious about coffee will require an even more precise grind.
OXO Brew
You're probably aware if you make your own coffee that a quality grinder is essential to ensure the best flavor. However, a good burr grinder can cost upward of $200, which could be a bit expensive for someone who isn't certain if they'll use it regularly or not. That's why the OXO Brew is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly ground coffee without spending hundreds of dollars.
The OXO Brew's design isn't extravagant, but it's solid. The stainless steel body has an enduring water tank at the back and an insulated thermal carafe in the front. The tanks and carafe have been shaped so that the body can be easily fit into smaller kitchens. The controls are recessed below the carafe to minimize the clutter, and there's an indicator light that indicates whether it's heating up or brewing.
In our tests in our tests, the Oxo produced consistently. The temperature of the water was within a narrow range (197.4 F to 205.0 F) throughout the entire test according to thermocouples located in the grounds basket. Its brewing times were also very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended time for a quality drip.
Another advantage of the OXO Brew is that it has one-serve functionality that allows you to brew a cup of coffee directly into the mug. This isn't a feature found in other high-end models and can be an important benefit for those who like making their own servings of coffee, but don't wish to hassle with brewing an entire carafe of coffee.
The only downside to the OXO is that it has no clock or automatic start time. This can be a problem when you are on a strict timeframe. Additionally the water tank can be tricky to remove, as it has a lid that must be lifted off to access the reservoir. It also has an inbuilt descaler, which assists in preventing mineral deposits from building up in the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore is the most popular burr mill for
coffee grinder compact enthusiasts. This version of the classic Encore was revamped to include improvements that make it compatible with a wider range of brewing techniques and offer more flexibility than ever before. It's for baristas in the home who are just starting out and anyone who wants to have a range of brewing options with one grinder. It has a the ability to adjust the grind in a step and has simple controls for novice baristas, as well as labeled and notched settings for consistency. The M2 burrs guarantee uniform grinding, and the hopper has a new quick release feature that makes cleaning a breeze.
The ESP uses a high-torque DC motor with gear reduction, much like the original Encore. However it runs at lower speeds to minimize static charge and heat. It's also more quiet than the classic Encore and comes with a a new metal plate that improves stability and burr consistency. It comes with conical burrs of 40 millimeters, similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso plus. This helps to get a better size of grind distribution and uniform shots.
The ESP grind adjustment is 9 microns between each step, ensuring excellent resolution for espresso and pour over. The new dosing cups can be used with both 58mm and 54mm portafilters. This makes it easier to use for manual dosing. The grinder can also be used with a traditional grounds bin for those who prefer a hopper-based workflow.
One disadvantage of the ESP is its inconsistent performance when it comes to back-to-back consistency tests however, it is still superior to many other grinders in this price range. The stepped grind settings can also be inconsistant, making it difficult to determine the right setting for your style of brewing. The ESP is a versatile brewer that can be used to make various brewing techniques.
The Encore ESP is also a bit more expensive than many of the other models on this list, but it's worth the extra expense for its amazing capabilities. It can grind for filter or espresso coffee brews. The shims that come with it will maximize its performance for Pour Over Brewing.
Baratza DF64
The Baratza DF64 grinder is a excellent one that is suitable for pour-over brewing and
espresso machine with grinder. The burrs can be upgraded to increase performance, and the hopper can be used to accommodate different grind sizes. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain with only a few moving parts. This is a great choice for anyone who wants a top-quality, budget-friendly grinder.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a major improvement over the initial model and should be hard to beat by other grinders that are priced similarly. The new model features a new appearance that is more appealing to the eyes. It features a simple flat-rounded base that can stand up to The cradle can hold 20 grams at a time. It also comes with a rubber bellows that pushes air through the grinder when you are taking your dose to push out excess grinds and 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.