Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders
Grinding your own coffee beans is a great method to improve your morning cup. There are a variety of grinders.
This OXO grinder features conical burrs that create the perfect grind for French press, espresso and drip coffee. This grinder is a great option for those who are just beginning, however those who are serious about coffee will require an exact grind.
OXO Brew
You're probably aware if you make your own coffee that a high-quality grinder is necessary to achieve the most flavor. A high-quality burr mill could cost up to $200, which is prohibitive for those who don't know whether they'll make use of it. This is why the OXO Brew is a great alternative for anyone looking to enjoy freshly ground coffee without spending hundreds of dollars.
The OXO Brew's design isn't flashy but it looks solid. The stainless steel body has a permanent water reservoir at the rear and a thermo caafe at the front. The carafe and tank have been shaped so that the body can be easily fit into smaller kitchens. The controls are recessed below the carafe to minimize clutter, and there's an indicator light that indicates when it's heating or making.
Oxo consistently brewed well during our tests. The water temperature was within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test run which was measured by thermocouples located in the grounds basket and the water tank. Its brewing time was also very close to what the Specialty Coffee Association recommends for an excellent drip.
The OXO Brew also has a single-serve feature that allows you to pour coffee directly into your cup. This feature is not found in other models that are more expensive. It's an advantage for those who prefer to make individual portions of their coffee but don't like the hassle of brewing an entire carafe.
The only issue with the OXO Brew is that it doesn't include a clock or an automatic start time, which could be a problem when you have a hectic schedule. The water tank is difficult to remove since it has a lid that must be lifted to access the reservoir. It does have an integrated descaler that assists in preventing mineral deposits from building up within the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
If you're a coffee enthusiast seeking the top burr grinder, the Baratza Encore ESP is your top pick. This version of the original Encore was redesigned to incorporate upgrades that make it more adaptable to a wider range of brewing techniques and offer more flexibility than ever before. It is designed for home-brewed beginner baristas as well as anyone who wants to keep their options for brewing open by using a single grinder. It comes with steps for grinding and simple controls for beginners, with notched and labeled settings to ensure consistency. The M2 burrs provide uniform grinds, and the hopper comes with a quick release feature that makes cleaning simple.
The ESP makes use of an electric motor with high-torque and gear reduction, much like the original Encore. However, it runs at lower speeds to reduce heat and static charge. It's also quieter than the original Encore and features a steel plate that increases burr consistency and stability. It's outfitted with 40 mm conical M2 burrs that are similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus which allows it to attain a better distribution of the size of the grind and more reliable shots.
The ESP grind adjustment is 9 microns between each step, providing excellent resolution for espresso and pour over. It has a new dosing cup that is compatible with both 54 and 58 mm portafilters which enhances the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can also be used in conjunction with a traditional grounds bin for those who prefer the hopper-based method of working.
The ESP's inconsistent performance during tests of consistency is a drawback, but it still performs better in comparison to other grinders at this price. The stepped settings are too inconsistent, making it difficult to locate the right setting for your brewing method. The ESP is a versatile brewer that can be used for different brewing methods.
The Encore ESP is also a little more expensive than some of the other models on this list, but it's well worth the extra cost for its impressive versatility. It can grind for filter and espresso brews. The shims that come with it can optimize the performance of Pour Over Brewing.
Baratza DF64
The Baratza DF64 grinder is a good one that works well for espresso and pour-over brewing. The burrs can be upgraded to increase performance and the hopper is large enough for a variety of sizes of grind. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain, with only a few moving parts. This is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a top-quality, budget-friendly grinder.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a significant improvement over the previous model and should be hard to beat by other grinder within the same price range. The new model has an entirely new design that is a lot more appealing to the eyes. It features a simple flat-rounded base that can stand up to The cradle is able to hold 20 grams at each time. It also has an elastic bellows that pushes air through the grinder when you take your dose to push out the excess grinds and decrease 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, stainless steel coffee grinder 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.
The hopper itself holds 100 grams, which is enough for one large pour-over or two small cups of espresso. The Ode has a variety of other neat features, including a built-in scale and a cool grind size chart that is mapped out on the underside of the lid. This shows the brewing methods that each setting is most suitable for, with pour-over and cold brews on the fine end of the range, and French press on the coarse end.
Another great feature of the Ode is that it has a quiet, almost purr-like sound during operation and is very fast. The grinder has a high-force spring that knocks excess ground beans and chaff into the catch, which helps to reduce grind retention and make clean-up a breeze. It’s also very easy to disassemble and is compatible with coffee tablet cleaners.
Despite some minor hiccups in the initial launch, the Ode is still a top contender for those looking for an excellent and aesthetically pleasing conical burr grinder. Fortunately, the company is committed to improving the product and recently released the Gen 2 version, which addresses some of the issues with the original. However, for those who want a better-suited grinder for espresso, the Baratza DF64 is an excellent alternative that is both visually and functionally superior to the Fellow Ode.