Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders
It is possible to make your morning coffee more enjoyable by grinding your own beans. There are many different grinders out there.
This OXO grinder utilizes conical burrs to create a grinding system that is suitable for drip, French press and espresso. This grinder is an excellent choice for those who are just beginning, however those who are serious about coffee will require a more precise grind.
OXO Brew
If you're into making your own coffee at home, then you know that it requires a high-quality grinder to give you the most flavorful coffee. A quality burr mill can cost up to $200, which is expensive for those who aren't sure whether they'll actually utilize it. This is why the OXO Brew is an excellent option for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly ground coffee without spending hundreds of dollars.
The design of the OXO Brew isn't flashy but it looks solid. Its stainless steel body is fitted with an in-built water tank that is permanently located at the back and an insulated thermal carafe in the front. The carafe and tank are designed to ensure that the body can be fit 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 brewing.
In our tests in our tests, the Oxo produced consistently. Its water temperature remained within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test according to thermocouples located in the grounds basket and the water tank. Its brewing times were also very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended time for a high-quality drip.
The OXO Brew also comes with a single-serve function that lets you brew coffee directly into your cup. This isn't an option that's available in other models of high-end, and it can be an important benefit for those who prefer to make their own individual portions of coffee but do not wish to hassle with brewing an entire carafe of coffee.
The only downside to the OXO Brew is that it doesn't include an alarm clock or a timer that can be set to automatically start time, which can be a problem when you have a hectic schedule. The water tank can be difficult to remove since it has a lid which must be lifted to access the reservoir. It comes with an integrated descaler that helps to avoid mineral deposits from accumulating within the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore is the best burr mill for coffee enthusiasts. This version of the classic Encore was redesigned to incorporate improvements that make it adaptable to a wider range of brewing methods and provide greater versatility than ever before. It's for baristas at home who are just beginning out and anyone looking to have a variety of brewing options in one grinder. It features steps for grinding and simple controls for beginners, along with notched and labeled settings to ensure consistency. Its M2 burrs ensure uniform grinding, and the hopper features a new quick release feature that makes cleaning easy.
The ESP uses a DC motor that has high torque and gear reduction, much like the original Encore. However it operates at lower speeds to minimize heat and static charge. It's also more quiet than the classic Encore and comes with a new plates made of metal which improves stability and consistency. It's outfitted with 40 mm conical M2 burrs that are similar to those in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus, which helps it get a better distribution of grind size and more consistent shots.
Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns, which gives excellent resolution when dialing in espresso and smaller grinding for pour over. It has a new dosing cup that is compatible with both 54 and 58 mm portafilters, which improves 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 in tests of consistency is a drawback however, it is better in comparison to other grinders at this price point. The stepped settings are inconsistant, making it difficult to locate the ideal 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 a variety of brewing methods.
The Encore ESP is also a bit 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 or espresso brews. The included shims 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 are upgradeable to increase performance, and the hopper is able to accommodate various grind sizes. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain, with a minimal number of moving parts. This is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality grinder.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a massive improvement over the original version and should be difficult to be beat by any other grinder that is priced in the same range. The new model is more attractive to the eye. It features a simple flat-rounded base that can withstand up to 20 grams of beans at a single time and a single dose cradle. It also comes with an hose made of rubber that pushes air through the grinder, thereby forcing out any grinds that are not needed.
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 stainless steel coffee grinder Coffeee 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.