"Ask Me Anything:10 Responses To Your Questions About Best Conical Burr Grinder
Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders
Grinding your own coffee beans is a great method to enhance your morning cup. But, there are a variety of grinders available.
This OXO grinder makes use of conical burrs that create an excellent grind for drip, French press and espresso. For those who are serious about coffee, they may require more precision from this grinder, however it's a fantastic option for people who are new to the world of coffee.
OXO Brew
You're probably aware if you make your own coffee that a quality grinder is essential to get the most flavor. However, a high-quality burr grinder can cost upwards of $200, which could be a bit expensive for someone who's not certain if they'll use it frequently or not. The OXO Brew is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy freshly-ground coffee without having to spend hundreds of dollars.
The design of the OXO Brew isn't extravagant, but it looks solid and expensive. The stainless coffee grinder steel body comes with an in-built water reservoir that is permanently located at the rear, and a thermal caafe at the front. The carafe and tanks have been shaped so that the body is easily fit into smaller kitchens. The controls are recessed under the carafe, reducing the amount of clutter. There is also a light that lets you know when it is heating or making.
Oxo consistently brewed well in our tests. The temperature of the water remained within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test which was measured by thermocouples located in the grounds basket and the water tank. The brewing time was very close to the Specialty Coffee Association's recommended times for a high-quality drip.
The OXO Brew also comes with a single-serve feature that allows you to brew coffee directly into your cup. This isn't a feature found in other models with a higher price and is an important benefit for those who prefer to make their own individual portions of coffee but do not wish to hassle with brewing a full carafe of coffee.
The only real downside of the OXO Brew is that it does not include a clock or an automated start time, which could be a pain for those with a busy schedule. The water tank is difficult to remove since it has a lid which has to be slid in order to get to the reservoir. It comes with an inbuilt descaler, which helps to avoid mineral deposits from building up within the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
If you're a coffee grinders makers lover seeking the top burr grinder, the Baratza Encore ESP is your top pick. This version of the classic Encore has been revamped with modernizations that allow it to be compatible with a broader range of brewing methods and offer more flexibility than ever before. It's designed for beginner home baristas, as well as anyone looking to keep their brewing options open with a single grinder. It has a stepped grind adjustment and simple controls for beginner baristas as well as labeled and notched settings for consistency. The M2 burrs provide uniform grinds, and the hopper has a new quick release feature that makes cleaning a breeze.
The ESP uses the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor as the original Encore however, it operates at lower speeds to reduce static charge and heat during operation. It's also quieter than the classic Encore, and it has an upgraded metal plate which improves stability and consistency. It's outfitted with 40 mm M2 conical burrs that are similar to those in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus, which helps it attain a better distribution of the size of the grind and more reliable shots.
Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns, which gives high resolution when dialing in espresso, and more precise grinding for pour over. It comes with a dosing cup that can be used with both 54 and 58 mm portafilters, which improves the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can be combined with the traditional grounds bin in the event that you prefer a hopper based workflow.
One disadvantage of the ESP is its inconsistency in back-to-back consistency tests, although it is still superior to many other grinders in this price range. The stepped grind settings are also inconsistent, making it hard to determine the right setting for your style of brewing. However the ESP is ideal for various brewing methods and provides a remarkable value for the versatility it offers.
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 capabilities. It can grind for filter and espresso coffee grinder coffee brews. The included shims will optimize its performance for Pour Over making.
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 is able to accommodate various grind sizes. The DF64 has few moving parts, making it simple to maintain and use. This is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable grinder.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a significant improvement over the initial version and should have a hard time being beaten by any other grinder that is priced in the same range. The new model features a new appearance that is more appealing to the eyes. It features a simple flat-rounded base that can stand up to The cradle can accommodate 20 grams at each time. It also comes with a rubber hose that pushes air through the grinder to push out any extra grinds.
One of the major problems with the original DF64 was popcorning, which is when electric coffee bean grinder 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 mini electric coffee grinder 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 Bistro electric coffee grinder 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.