Best Burr Grinder: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs 2022

A burr grinder is a coffee grinder that uses two burrs, or cutting surfaces, which are located inside the machine that work together to basically chop up your beans (chopping as opposed to slicing), dispensing them in small, consistently-sized pieces that are then perfect for coffee or espresso brewing.

There are a lot of coffee grinders on the market these days, but not all of them are created equal. If you're looking for the best burr grinder, look no further than the ones from Baratza. These grinders are precision-engineered to give you the most consistent grind possible every time. Whether you're a coffee lover or professional barista, a Baratza grinder is sure to meet your needs. So what are you waiting for? Check out our selection of Baratza grinders today!

Editors' Picks: Top Burr Grinders in 2022

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Black)
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• Bestseller No. 2
  
  OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  Fellow Ode Brew Grinder - Burr Coffee Grinder Electric - Coffee Bean Grinder with 31...
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill - 'Mini-Slim Plus' Manual Coffee Grinder 24g Coffee Capacity
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• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel, BCG820BSS
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Which Brewing Method Will You Use?

This is an entirely different way of grinding from your typical blade grinder, and it is the reason burr coffee grinders are the preferred type of grinders by pro baristas and coffee fans alike!

Here's a quick video explaining the difference between the two main types of grinders: burr grinders and blade grinders, and why burr grinders are generally superior.

When choosing a burr coffee grinder, the most important question to ask yourself is: What brewing method will I be using?

Some burr coffee grinders are designed to basically work with any brewing method, while other grinders are particularly excellent for one specific brewing method and perhaps not as strong with the others.

Above are the basic grind sizes most people are aiming for, except Turkish, which is even finer than the espresso grind shown below and is practically a powder.

What is "Burr" ?

The term "burr" can be used to describe many different types of coffee grinder mechanisms. However, the most commonly found type is the wheel burr. It works by using two serrated steel or ceramic discs-the burrs-that are ridged in order to grip the beans. The beans are placed between these two serrated surfaces, which are then rotated together, with one surface rotating slightly slower than the other.

The resulting motion is enough to break up the beans into smaller particles that can be ground very finely-depending on the speed of grinding and burr sharpness. Typically, when using a burr grinder, you won't have to worry about over-grinding your coffee beans since that will result in excessive heat being created by these types of machines.

Top 8 Best Burr Grinder Reviews in 2022

Are you in the market for a new burr grinder? If so, you're in luck! In this blog post, we will be sharing with you our top three picks for the best burr grinders on the market. Read on to learn more!

Bodum Bistro Coffee Grinder - Link

For those seeking for something a little more upscale than a blade grinder but less expensive than a flat burr grinder, this coffee grinder is an excellent middle-of-the-road option. Because of its straightforward and well labeled grind settings and timing, it would make an excellent first coffee grinder for beginners.

Its static-free borosilicate glass container, which prevents fine coffee grounds from adhering to the glass, is one of the many revolutionary characteristics of the Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder. It is also dishwasher safe. Additionally, the hopper lid features a chart that will help you through the grind timings for various varieties of coffee.

Aside from its many useful functions and usefulness, this coffee grinder is also extremely visually beautiful to look at. Even while the European company Bodum is most known for their modern pour-over and French press glassware, we believe its lightweight burr coffee grinder is just as fashionable.

This coffee grinder with Adjustable Grind is their top-of-the-line coffee grinder with an adjustable grind. In contrast to a blade grinder, this conical burr crushed beans rather than slicing them, resulting in consistent results while retaining the bean's natural taste and fragrance. It is possible to modify the fineness of the ground beans at any time by turning the top bean container on and off. To fine from coarse, you can give the optimal grind for each brewing process with 12 different settings.

This coffee grinder is accompanied with a static-free borosilicate glass container with a rubberized handle that catches and securely transfers the grinds while avoiding "jumping" coffee grounds during the grinding process. It also has a built-in measurement gauge, which helps keep the beans fresh longer. Prepare your brew by determining the amount and kind of your brew, as well as your preferred grind duration and setting, to guarantee a consistent and flawless grind always.

The conical burr grinder delivers a constant grind that does not need any sharpening throughout the course of its life. Due to the fact that the catcher is constructed of anti-static borosilicate glass, your fine coffee grinds will not stick to the surface. Its silicone band that wraps around the grinder's body avoids slippage and enables for a secure hold on the machine.

While cutting the coffee beans is not possible with the bistro burr grinder; instead, the beans are crushed between the conical burrs, preserving the coffee's distinctive flavor and fragrance. The variable settings of the grind may be altered by rotating the top bean canister, ranging from a coarse setting of the French press to an espresso fine ground, based on the brewing technique or personal preference.

It also comes with an elegant, static-free borosilicate glass presso container that neatly lies inside the base of the device to collect ground coffee while in use, as well as a non-slip silicone band to ensure safe handling of the grinder. A variety of materials are used to construct the bistro electric burr grinder, including borosilicate glass, stainless steel, plastic, rubber, and silicone.

Product description

Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Grind is their top-of-the-line coffee grinder with an adjustable grind. This conical burr grinder crushed beans rather than slicing them, resulting in consistent results while retaining the bean's natural taste and fragrance. The bistro electric burr grinder delivers a constant grind that does not need sharpening throughout the course of its life. It comes with a static-free borosilicate glass container with a rubberized handle that catches and transfers the grinds while avoiding "jumping" coffee grounds.

Features

• Affordable
• Clear labelling
• Attractive designs

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder - Link

Baratza Encore, which is an excellent choice for beginner brewers or those on a tight budget. However, despite the fact that it is an entry-level model, this coffee grinder offers an astounding variety of capabilities, including 40 grind settings and the same strong motor found in the more expensive Virtuoso version.

When it comes to operation, the Baratza Encore is simple and basic, featuring an on/off toggle for continuous grinding and a pulse button for shorter grinding spurts. There's a capacity of eight ounces in the hopper, which is about what you'd expect for a coffee grinder with this pricing and style. You may now purchase this Baratza burr coffee grinder in either black or white, depending on your preference. It also comes with a one-year guarantee, which provides further piece of mind in case anything goes wrong.

It has a burr set that is a bit quicker and more consistent than the Encore's, and it is a fantastic grinder overall. Furthermore, the grind range of the Virtuoso+ is somewhat wider, for both fine and coarse grinding. Unlike the Encore, this grinder features a precise digital timer, which enables you to grind the same quantity of coffee every time allowing you to load the hopper with beans rather of measuring them each time you make coffee, saving you time and money.

Product description

The Baratza Encore is an entry-level coffee grinder. However, it offers an astounding variety of capabilities. It has a burr set that is a bit quicker and more consistent than the Encore's. Also comes with a one-year guarantee, which provides further piece of mind.

Features

• Simple functionality

Rancilio Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder - Link

The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine has a partner that is perfect for it. The Rocky SD is a burr coffee grinder that uses 50mm plate grinding burrs, which are typically seen in entry-level commercial grinders, to ground coffee. The Rocky SD is capable of grinding up to 7.7lbs per hour, which means it will be able to keep up with your demands.

The Rocky SD is equipped with a metal detachable fork that helps to keep your porta filter in position. The grinds are sent straight to your porta filter. 166-watt direct drive motor provides highly strong performance in the Rocky SD's motor. The speed is 1725 revolutions per minute.

During operation, this powerful grinder is quite silent. Rocky SD is equipped with straightforward controls. With a simple unlocking of the lever and a fast rotation of the bean hopper, you may adjust the grind setting to your liking. A fine powder or course grind of coffee may be achieved in seconds with this machine. The Rocky SD's colored bean hopper holds little more than 1/2 pound of whole bean coffee, which may be ground on demand when the machine is turned on.

Product description

The Rocky SD is a burr coffee grinder that uses 50mm plate grinding burrs to grind coffee. 166-watt direct drive motor provides highly strong performance in the grinder's motor. The machine can grind up to 7.7lbs per hour, and its speed is 1725 revolutions per minute.

Features

• Tinted hopper
• Quiet operation motor

Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder - Link

The Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder is ideal for grinding fresh whole beans shortly before brewing for the finest tasting, most delicious cup of coffee. In all, there are 16 different fineness settings on this commercial-grade solid conical steel burr grinder, allowing it to grind anything from ultra-fine Turkish to coarse for all types of coffee preparation. Set the timer to anywhere between 5 and 60 seconds, or use the pulse grinding option to ground up to 4 oz of coffee beans at a time using the pulse grinding option. It is elegant and has user-friendly design, with a safety lock mechanism and an auto-off feature included.

The conical burs, which are manufactured and assembled in Switzerland, are engineered for accurate fit. In order to provide the greatest precision grinding from Turkish fine to percolator coarse, its multiple gear motor generates the slowest grinding action (450 rpm) possible. The top conical burr is easily removed for cleaning, which is a convenient feature.

Capresso's commercial-grade Infinity grinder can handle up to 8.5 ounces of coffee beans at a time, making it ideal for grinding huge volumes of coffee beans for a big group of coffee drinkers. A total of sixteen distinct settings, four for each of the four coffee grind categories of extremely fine, fine, normal, and coarse, allow you to customize your grind to the precise blend of coffee you're brewing and the technique you're using.

The finest setting is great for brewing Turkish coffee, which is a characteristic that is hard to come across in a grinder of this caliber and quality. A built-in timer allows you to set the grind for any length of time between 5 and 60 seconds, allowing you to walk away without having to continually push a button to keep the grinding process going. The Infinity is equipped with a sophisticated conical burr design made of steel, which is often seen exclusively on professional grinders of this caliber.

This burr design slows down the gears and lowers the amount of friction and heat generated, allowing the taste and fragrance of the coffee to be preserved. The coffee jar can store up to 4 ounces of ground coffee and maintains its seal while being processed. In order for the Infinity to function properly, the bean container must also be secured in place for safety reasons. To make cleaning a breeze, the bean container and top burr are both removable, allowing you to thoroughly clean the grinding chamber with a brush provided and wipe off the heavy-duty zinc die-cast casing.

Product description

Capresso's commercial-grade Infinity grinder can handle up to 8.5 ounces of coffee beans at a time. It has 16 different settings, allowing it to grind anything from Turkish fine to percolator coarse. The top conical burr is easily removed for cleaning, which is a convenient feature. The coffee jar can store up to 4 ounces of ground coffee and maintains its seal while being processed. A built-in timer allows you to set the grind for any length of time between 5 and 60 seconds. The burr design slows down the gears and lowers the amount of friction and heat generated.

Features

• Wide grinding range
• Large capacity
• Easy to clean

Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill - Link

This burr mill by Cuisinart uses conical steel burrs to give you an ideal grind time after time. Like many of the burr grinders on this list, it has a stainless steel exterior with easily-removable parts for fast and simple cleanup.

The Cuisinart DBM-8 also features 18 different settings for you to choose from, so whether you're grinding beans for French press, drip coffee, or espresso you'll know you'll be getting the perfect grind for your brew method.

There are some reviews that suggest this one isn't the quietest on the market, but it's hard to complain about that when you're getting such even ground coffee at such an affordable price.

This coffee bean grinder is one of the most popular you will find in the market. This has been made with a stainless steel material that makes it very durable. It also has a transparent lid that protects from dust and humidity, as well as blade lock system for safety purposes.

Features

• This product measures 6 x 6 x 9 inches and only weighs 4.2 pounds.
• It comes with a power cord storage on the rear of this coffee grinder.
• For easy cleaning, you can simply remove the stainless steel blade from the unit. It is also dishwasher safe so you can always keep it clean and shiny after every use.
• Comes with 18 different settings which allow you to grind coffee beans from coarse to fine.

Pros

• This product comes with a built-in cord storage.
• It has a very powerful motor for quick grinding of coffee beans.
• Comes with a transparent lid so you can see how your coffee is being ground while it is being done. Cons Grinding only lasts for about one minute.
• Some customers complain about coffee pieces jamming between the grinding blades and the storage case.

Customer Reviews

At its price range, this product has received a lot of raving reviews from consumers all over the world. The majority of users are very pleased with what this can do in terms of fine to coarse grinding, as well as quickness in getting the job done.

One review states that this coffee bean grinder is indeed very easy to use, even for beginners who are still trying to get used to operating it. It also works well that customers like the fact that it can grind beans fast. For its price range, this product has received a lot of 5 star ratings from consumers.

Capresso Infinity - Link

The Capresso Infinity costs roughly between $90 to $150 depending on the model you get (black, brushed silver, stainless steel). It has received scores of buyer reviews and maintains a 4 star average rating pretty anywhere you look on the web.

QUICK FEATURES

• Extremely wide range from Turkish fine to coarse for all kinds of coffee preparation
• Clearly marked fineness settings, 4 each for extra fine, fine, regular and coarse with a total of 16 settings
• Commercial grade solid conical steel burrs with advanced cutting design for high precision grinding
• Gear reduction motor grinds slow with reduced noise and little static build-up
• Slowest grinding speed in its class creates less friction and heat build up preserving maximum aroma and flavor in any grind setting
• Safety lock system
• Upper conical burr removable for easy cleaning
• Tight fitting ground coffee container (holds up to 4 oz. of ground coffee)
• See through bean container holds up to 8.8 oz. of beans
• Timer can be set to grind from 5 to 60 seconds
• Cleaning brush and measuring scoop included
• Heavy duty zinc metal die-cast housing

=> Read our full review of the Capresso Infinity here

Breville Smart Grinder - Link

The Breville Smart Grinder costs roughly $200. It has received over 800 buyer reviews, and has an average rating on Amazon.com of 4 stars.

QUICK FEATURES

• 25 Grind Settings for french press, drip, percolator, and espresso coffee.
• Backlit LCD Screen clearly shows grind setting, number of cups or shots and customized grind amount.
• Auto dosing system calibrates each adjusted dose
• Bean Hopper with air tight lid and locking system for easy removal storage and transfer of coffee beans.
• Accessories include two porta-filter cradles, grind contaner and conical burr cleaning brush
• Please refer the User Manual for Instructions and troubleshooting

=> Read our full review of the Breville Smart Grinder here

Krups GX5000 Professional - Link

The Krups GX5000 costs roughly $100. It has received thousands of positive buyer reviews and maintains an average star rating of 4 stars.

QUICK FEATURES

• Metallic burr grinder with Burr mill system to avoid overheating, and preserve aroma
• Fineness selector: from extremely fine (espresso) to coarse (French press); 45 settings divided in 9 steps
• Quantity selector from 2 to12 cups; 8 oz. anti-static clear bean container
• Auto stop safety mechanism
• 110 watts; 2-year limited warranty

=> Read our full review of the KRUPS GX5000 here

Always Grind Fresh!

As a home barista, one should always start out with fresh whole beans before you grind. That's step one, and its an important one. Whether you plan on making espresso, drip coffee, or pour over coffee, fresh beans are key to a great tasting cup of coffee.

You can choose any type of bean you like based on your tastes, but the whole point of buying a coffee grinder is so you aren't using pre-ground beans. Here are some related articles which focus on the topic of freshness:

• Best Arabica Coffee Beans - Koffee Kult, Don Pablo, & More!
• Coffee Vaults
• Espresso Tips & Tricks
• Home Coffee Bean Roasters

Buying Guide for Choosing a Burr Grinder

What You Want Most in a Coffee Grinder

Before making your purchase, you should take some time to consider what you want most in a coffee grinder. If portability is your primary concern, for instance, then perhaps an automatic burr grinder with built-in batteries would suit you best. However, if flavor is important to you, then you may want to go with the more laborious but flavorful option.

Your Budget

When evaluating your options, you should also consider your budget. If it is on the higher end, then you might want to purchase a sturdy and reliable manual burr grinder. If not, however, an automatic machine may be more economical. Keep in mind that many of the most advanced grinders generally come with higher price tags.

How Often You Plan to Use the Burr Grinder

Finally, if you only plan to use your grinder every once in a while, then perhaps an inexpensive model would suit you best. If, however, you grind your beans on a daily basis, then sturdiness and durability should be two of your main concerns. Look for burr grinders that boast all metal gears and carry long-term warranties.

What Is a Burr Grinder and Why Do You Need One?

The concept of the burr grinder was introduced by Italian company Mazzer back in 1955. It was designed as a low cost alternative to other more expensive commercial grinding solutions available at the time. Mazzer's burr grinder was an affordable option that was quick to produce. This allowed it to proliferate very quickly, and soon became the standard for high-volume commercial coffee establishments.

The idea of using two revolving abrasive surfaces-the burrs-is the key to the burr grinder. Burrs are typically constructed from steel, ceramic or durable plastic materials. When beans are placed inside the grinding chamber between these two surfaces, they will be pulled into the grinder's teeth and crushed along a flat plane. This means that your coffee grounds are more likely to have a more consistent particle size and, as a result, a more uniform extraction during the brewing process.

The grinding time of your coffee beans can be influenced by several factors including: the number of beans you intend to grind; the coarseness or fineness of your grind; and how much noise your grinder is making while it's working. If you are grinding below 200g of beans, the noise should not be too loud to prevent hearing loss or damage to your grinder.

Coffee aficionados swear by manual burr grinders because they believe the process of grinding is integral to the taste of brewed coffee. Manual grinding allows one to exert control over each step, so that every ounce tastes just as perfect as the last. Moreover, hand-cranked burr grinders tend to be less expensive than their automated counterparts.

Still, manual grinding can prove rather laborious and may be out of reach for those who suffer from hand cramps. Some individuals also despise the sound of metal gears grinding together.

Blade coffee grinders, as mentioned earlier, possess spinning blades that slice beans into fine particles. Unfortunately, because the blades are spinning so quickly, they can heat up. Therefore, coffee ground in a blade grinder may end up tasting burnt or bitter. Even if you don't mind that taste, your blade grinder might not produce consistent grounds because it only chops the beans instead of crushing them between gears.

For individuals who want to grind coffee while they sleep, an automated burr grinder may be the best option. These devices use blade technology to quickly slice beans before funneling them into a container. Still, automatic grinders cannot compete with manual ones when it comes to flavor.

How Does a Burr Grinder Work, and What Are the Benefits Over Other Types of Grinders?

A burr grinder, unlike a blade grinder, possesses actual gears that help to grind the caffeinated beverage into even particles. Burr grinders have two sets of teeth within which beans are crushed. Afterward, the grounds fall through a series of screens before they rest in a container at the bottom of the device. The longer it spends inside the burr grinder, the finer it becomes.

Burr grinders are typically more expensive than other types of coffee grinders, but if you really want to get the best flavor out of your morning cup of joe, they are definitely worth it.

Crush Beans Into Small Bits of Different Sizes

A burr grinder uses two revolving abrasive surfaces to crush beans into small bits of different sizes. Compared with blade grinders, which use a sharp metal blade to chop beans into bits of the same size, burr grinders deliver a more even and consistent size for better flavor extraction. Check out this illustration from Baratza, which shows how different types of grinders chop your coffee beans:

Quieter and More Durable

On top of delivering an even extraction, burr grinders are also quieter and more durable than blade grinders. Burr grinders can also be adjusted to a finer or coarser setting, which means you have complete control over the texture of your coffee brew.

More expensive burr grinders come with features such as timers, so you can preset them before bedtime so that all you have to do in the morning is flip a switch. That makes burr grinders perfect for early-risers or busy people who don't have time to fuss with grinding beans before their morning rush.

More Versatile

Burr grinders are also more versatile than blade grinders because they can be used not only for coffee but also spices, herbs, nuts and seeds, grains, and even pet food.

"Quality burr grinders are more expensive, but they'll last for many years," says Thomas J. Mackey of Heartland Payment Systems in a recent Coffee Magazine article.

I bought my first in 1984 and have added several more since then. They each have 'only' lasted 10-12 years, but that is truly phenomenal life span for an appliance. And, their replacement cost divided out over that time is manageable.

Burr Grinder vs Blade Grinder

A blade grinder creates a whirling metal blade that spins at high speed against the hard surface of the grinding wheels to slice or chop coffee beans into small pieces. You can think of it like a blender, only with ground coffee instead of whole fruits and vegetables.

There are two major problems with blade grinders. The first is that the blade creates an unequal distribution of coffee grounds in your drink, which means you'll end up with some chunks of beans in every cup (or every pot) that you brew.

The second problem is that it can be hard to control how finely ground your coffee beans are with a blade grinder. Blade grinders typically have only one speed, so if you're grinding for French press, that's all the coarseness you get. A finnicky brew method like pour over can't be consistently replicated with a blade grinder because it has no settings to adjust the level of the grind.

The other option is a burr grinder, which uses one or two pairs of flat metal plates called burrs to grind coffee beans into uniform grounds. Burr grinders typically allow you to adjust coarseness using dials that control the distance between the burrs; this is usually displayed in number of clicks, so if your dial is marked with numbers 1 through 10, each click will produce a finer grind.

A burr grinder also creates less heat than a blade grinder. Heat is bad for your coffee beans because it can destroy their flavors and aromas (this is what you're paying top dollar for after all!), so the less heat applied during grinding the better.

Now that you know all there is to know about burr grinders, let's take a look at some of the best burr grinder options available.

Flat Burrs VS Conical Burrs

Burr grinders use either flat burrs or conical burrs that chop up your coffee beans to the desired consistency or grind. Both are good, but they are different in how they grind.

The following video shows the difference between three commonly used burr sets:

• Flat masticating burrs (found in many retail grinders)
• Flat cutting burrs (found in commercial grinders)
• Conical burrs (found in all types, including manual grinders / coffee mills)

Buy them at eBay, Etsy, Walmart (quality guaranteed)

Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Digital Timer Display - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder, 1 EA, Black - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Black) - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

Rancilio Rocky Espresso Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

Baratza Vario Flat Burr Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder, Black 8.8 oz - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

Fellow Ode Brew Grinder - Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, 31 Settings for Drip, French - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Baratza Sette 270 Conical Burr Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder - KCG8433 - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

Conclusion for Burr Grinder Buyers

So, what is the best burr grinder for your needs? If you are looking to get started with coffee grinding and want an affordable option that will still give you great results, we recommend the Baratza Encore. If you are looking for a more advanced machine that can handle heavier use, go with the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. No matter which machine you choose, remember to calibrate it regularly and keep those burrs clean!