Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders
It is possible to make your morning coffee more enjoyable by grinding your own beans. However, there are a lot of different grinders out there.
This OXO grinder has conical burrs that produce a grind suitable for French press espresso, drip and French press coffee. Coffee enthusiasts who are hardcore may require more precision from this grinder, however it's an excellent choice for those who are just beginning.
OXO Brew
If you're planning to make your own coffee at home, then you are aware that it requires a good grinder to produce the most flavorful coffee. However, a high-quality burr grinder can cost upwards of $200, which can be a bit expensive for someone who's not certain if they'll be using regularly or not. This is why the OXO Brew is a great alternative for those who want to enjoy freshly ground coffee without spending hundreds of dollars.
The design of the OXO Brew may not be extravagant, but it's solid. The stainless steel body features an in-built water reservoir that is permanently located at the rear and a thermal caafe in the front. The tanks and carafe are designed in such that the body can be easily incorporated in smaller kitchens. The controls are placed beneath the carafe to reduce the clutter, and there's an indicator light that indicates when it's heating or making.
Oxo consistently brewed well during our tests. Its water temperature remained within a precise range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test which was measured by thermocouples in the basket for grounds and the water tank. The brewing time was very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended time for a
High-Quality Coffee Grinders drip.
The OXO Brew also has a single-serve function that lets you to pour coffee directly into your cup. This isn't an option that's available in other models of high-end and is an enormous benefit for those who prefer to make their own individual portions of coffee but don't wish to hassle with brewing a full carafe of coffee.
The only downside to the OXO is that there is no clock or automated start time. This can be a problem when you are on a tight schedule. Additionally, the water tank can be difficult to remove due to its lid that has to be slid off to access the reservoir. It does have a built-in descaler, which helps prevent mineral deposits from building up inside the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
If you're a lover of coffee and are looking for the
best coffeee grinder burr grinder the Baratza Encore ESP is your top pick. This version of the original Encore has been revamped with modernizations that allow it to be more compatible with a wider range of brewing methods and offer greater flexibility than ever before. It's designed for baristas at home who are just starting out and anyone who wants to have a range of brewing options in one grinder. It has a stepped grind adjustment and simple controls for novice baristas and also notched and labelled settings for consistency. The M2 Burrs guarantee uniform grinding, and its hopper has an easy-to-clean quick release feature.
The ESP utilizes an electric motor with high-torque and gear reduction, much like the original Encore. However it runs at lower speeds in order to minimize static charge and heat. It's also quieter than the classic Encore and comes with a new plates made of metal that improves stability and burr consistency. It's outfitted with 40 mm M2 conical burrs that are similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus that help it achieve better grind size distribution and more consistently shot.
Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns, which gives excellent resolution when dialing in espresso and finer grinding for pour over. The new dosing cups are compatible with portafilters of 54 and 58mm. This makes it easier to use for
manual vs electric coffee grinder dosing. The grinder can also be used in conjunction with a traditional grounds bin for those who prefer a hopper-based workflow.
The ESP's inconsistency in tests of consistency is a drawback however, it is better in comparison to other grinders at this price. The stepped grind settings can also be inconsistent, making it hard to determine the ideal setting for your brewing style. The ESP is a versatile brewer that can be used to make different brewing methods.
The Encore ESP costs a little higher than other models but its versatility is worth it. It can grind for filter or espresso drinks. The shims included will optimize its performance for Pour Over Brewing.
Baratza DF64
The Baratza DF64 is a good grinder that is compatible with espresso and pour over brewing. The burrs can be upgraded to improve performance and the hopper is large enough for a variety of sizes of grind. The DF64 has a small number of moving parts, making it simple to maintain and operate. It's a great choice for anyone seeking a top-quality grinder at an affordable price.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a massive improvement over the original version and should be able to stand up to being beat by any other grinder in the same price range. The new model comes with a new appearance that is more appealing to the eye. It has a simple flat-rounded base that can support up to 20 grams of beans at a time and a single dose cradle. It also has a rubber bellows that pushes air through the grinder as you take your dose to force 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 maker with grinder 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 coffee 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.