Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

Grinding your own beans for your coffee is a great way to improve your morning cup. There are a myriad of different kinds of grinders.

This OXO smart grinder utilizes conical burrs to produce a grinding system that is suitable for drip, French press and espresso. Hardcore coffee geeks may want more precision from this grinder, however it's a fantastic option for beginners.

OXO Brew

If you're into making your own coffee at home, you are aware that it requires a high-quality grinder to produce the best conical burr grinder flavor. A good burr mill can cost as much as $200, which is expensive for those who aren't certain if they will utilize it. The OXO Brew is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy freshly ground coffee without having to spend hundreds of pounds.

The design of the OXO Brew isn't flashy, however it looks solid and expensive. Its stainless steel coffee grinder steel body features an in-built water tank that is permanently located at the back, and an thermal carafe on the front. The carafe and tanks have been shaped so that the body can be installed in smaller kitchens. The controls are concealed beneath the carafe, which reduces the amount of clutter. There is also a light that lets you know when it's heating or making.

Oxo consistently brewed well during our tests. Its water temperature remained within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test run, as measured by thermocouples located in the grounds basket and the water tank. Its brewing times were also very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended times for a quality drip.

The OXO Brew also has the single-serve option that lets 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 servings of their coffee, but aren't keen on the hassle of making an entire carafe.

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 strict schedule. Additionally, the water tank can be difficult to remove due to its lid that must be lifted off to access the reservoir. It does have an integrated descaler that helps to avoid mineral deposits from accumulating in the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

If you're a coffee enthusiast looking for the best burr grinder the Baratza Encore is your top pick. This version of the classic Encore has been re-engineered with improvements that make it more compatible with a variety of brewing techniques and offers more flexibility than ever before. It's designed for baristas in the home who are just beginning out and anyone looking to have a range of brewing options with one grinder. It comes with steps for grinding and simple controls for beginners, with notched and labeled settings for consistency. The M2 burrs guarantee uniform grinds. The hopper features a new quick release feature that makes cleaning easy.

The ESP makes use of a high-torque DC motor with gear reduction, similar to the original Encore. However it operates at lower speeds in order to lower heat and static charge. It's also more quiet than the classic Encore and has an upgraded metal plate which improves stability and consistency. It is equipped with 40 mm conical burrs similar to those that are found in the more expensive Virtuoso plus. This helps to attain a greater grind size distribution and uniform shots.

The ESP grind adjustment features 9 microns between each step, offering excellent resolution for espresso and pour over. The new dosing cups fit portafilters of 54 and 58mm. This improves the ergonomics for manual dosing. The grinder can also be used with traditional grounds bins for those who prefer a hopper-based workflow.

The ESP's inconsistency in tests of consistency is a drawback but it still performs better in comparison to other grinders at this price point. The stepped settings can be inconsistent as well, making it difficult to determine the ideal setting for your particular brewing process. However the ESP is ideal for many brewing methods and provides a remarkable value for its versatility.

The Encore ESP costs a little bit more than other models but its versatility is worth it. It can grind for filter or espresso drinks. The included shims can optimize the performance of Pour Over Brewing.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 grinder is a great one that works for pour-over brewing and espresso. The burrs can be upgraded to increase performance, and the hopper can accommodate various grind sizes. The DF64 has a small number of moving parts, making it simple to maintain and use. This is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality grinder.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a major improvement over the initial model and is expected to be difficult to beat by other grinders in the same price range. The new model comes with an entirely new appearance that is more appealing to the eyes. It features a simple, flat, rounded base that can hold up to The cradle is able to hold 20 grams at each time. It also has a rubber bellows that will push air through the blade grinder when 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 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.