Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders
Grinding your own coffee beans is a great method to improve your morning cup. There are many different types of grinders.
This OXO grinder has conical burrs that create a grind suitable for French press espresso, drip and French press coffee. For www.coffeee.uk who are serious about coffee, they may require more precision from this grinder, however it's a great option for those who are just beginning.
OXO Brew
If you make your own coffee that a quality grinder is necessary to ensure the best flavor. However, a high-quality burr grinder can run upwards of $200, which can be a bit expensive for someone who's not sure if they'll use it frequently or not. The OXO Brew is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly ground coffee without having to spend hundreds of dollars.
The design of the OXO Brew isn't extravagant, but it appears sturdy and expensive. The stainless steel body has a permanent water tank at the back, and an thermal carafe on the front. The carafe and tank have been shaped so that the body can be easily fitted into smaller kitchens. The controls are hidden under the carafe, reducing clutter. There is also a light that lets you know when the carafe is heating or making.
In our tests during our tests, the Oxo brewed consistently well. The temperature of the water remained within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test period which was measured by thermocouples in the basket for grounds and the water tank. The brewing time was very close to what the Specialty Coffee Association recommends for a good drip.
Another advantage of the OXO Brew is it comes with one-serve functionality that allows you to pour the coffee directly into the cup. This feature isn't available in other models that are more expensive. It's an excellent benefit for those who prefer to make individual servings of their coffee but don't want the hassle of brewing the entire carafe.
The only issue with the OXO Brew is that it doesn't come with an alarm clock or a timer that can be set to automatically start time, which could be a hassle for those with a busy schedule. Furthermore the water tank could be difficult to get rid of due to its lid that must be lifted off to access the reservoir. It has a built-in mineral descaler to stop mineral deposits from accumulating inside the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
If you're a coffee enthusiast seeking the top burr grinder, the Baratza Encore ESP is the best choice. This version of the classic Encore has been revamped with upgrades that make it more compatible with a variety of brewing techniques and provide 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 on one grinder. It has a the ability to adjust the grind in a step and has simple controls for beginner baristas, as well as marked and notched settings to ensure consistency. The M2 burrs provide uniform grinding, and the hopper comes with a quick release feature that makes cleaning easy.
The ESP employs the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor as the original Encore but operates at lower speeds to lessen static charge and heat buildup during operation. It's also quieter than the classic Encore and comes with a metal plate that helps improve burr stability and consistency. It's outfitted with 40 mm M2 conical burrs identical to those of the more expensive Virtuoso Plus, which helps it attain a better distribution of the size of the grind and more reliable shots.
The ESP grind adjustment has 9 microns between each step, providing excellent resolution for espresso and pour over. The new dosing cups fit both 58mm and 54mm portafilters. This makes it easier to use for manual dosing. The grinder can be used with the traditional grounds bin for those who prefer a hopper based workflow.
One disadvantage of the ESP is its inconsistent performance during back-to-back consistency tests however, it still performs better than many other grinders in this price range. The stepped settings can be too inconsistent making it difficult to determine the right setting for your particular brewing process. The ESP is a brewer that can be used in a variety of ways that can be used for various brewing techniques.
The Encore ESP is also a little more expensive than some of the other models on this list, but it's worth the extra cost due to its impressive flexibility. It can grind for espresso and filter brews, as well as use the included shims to maximize its performance for pour over brewing.
Baratza DF64
The Baratza DF64 is a good grinder that is compatible with pour-over brewing and espresso. The burrs can be upgraded to increase efficiency and the hopper can be used to accommodate a variety of different grind sizes. The DF64 is also simple to use and maintain, with few moving parts. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium grinder at an affordable price.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a major improvement over the initial model and is expected to be difficult to beat by other grinder in the same price range. The new model comes with a new style that is more appealing to the eye. It has a simple, flat, rounded base that can hold up to The cradle can hold 20 grams at a time. It also comes with an elastic bellows that is able to push air through the grinder as you take your dose to force 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, 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.
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.