Best Conical Burr Coffee Grinders
It is possible to make your morning coffee better by grinding your own beans. There are a lot of different grinders out there.
This OXO grinder features conical burrs that produce the perfect grind for French press espresso, drip coffee and French press. For those who are serious about coffee, they may require more precision from this grinder, however it's a great option for people who are new to the world of coffee.
OXO Brew
If you're interested in making your own coffee at home, then you know that it requires a high-quality grinder to get the best flavor. A quality burr mill can cost up to $200, which is prohibitive for those who aren't certain whether they'll actually use it. The OXO Brew is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy freshly-ground coffee without having to spend hundreds of pounds.
Coffeee of the OXO Brew isn't flashy, but it looks solid and expensive. 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 fitted into smaller kitchens. The controls are concealed beneath the carafe, which reduces clutter. There is also a light to let you know when it is heating or making.
In our tests during our tests, the Oxo brewed consistently well. The water temperature was within a small range (197.4 F to 205.0 F) throughout the entire test according to thermocouples in the basket for the grounds. The brewing time was close to the time that the Specialty Coffee Association recommends for an excellent drip.
Another plus for the OXO Brew is it comes with the single-serve feature that lets you to pour the coffee directly into the mug. This isn't something you can find in other high-end models and can be a big benefit for people who prefer to make their own individual servings of coffee, but do not wish to hassle with brewing the entire carafe of espresso.
The only downside to the OXO is that there is no clock or automated start time. This could be a problem when you are working on a tight schedule. The water tank is difficult to remove because it has a lid which must be lifted in order to access the reservoir. It is equipped with a mineral descaler that can help prevent mineral deposits from accumulating within the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore is a top burr mill for coffee lovers. This version of the original Encore was redesigned to incorporate improvements that make it compatible with a wider range of brewing techniques and offer more flexibility than ever before. It's designed for beginners in home baristas and anyone who wants to keep their brewing options open by using a single grinder. It features steps for grinding and simple controls for novices, along with labeled and notched settings for consistency. The M2 burrs guarantee 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 it operates at lower speeds to reduce heat buildup and static charge during operation. It's also quieter than classic Encore and comes with a an upgraded metal plate that improves stability and burr consistency. It's outfitted with 40 mm conical M2 burrs that are similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus that help it achieve better grind size distribution and more consistently shot.
The ESP grind adjustment features 9 microns between each step, ensuring 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 also be used with traditional grounds bins for those who prefer the hopper-based method of working.
The ESP's inconsistent performance during consistency tests is a downside but it still performs better in comparison to other grinders at this price point. The stepped settings are too inconsistent, making it difficult to determine the best setting for your brewing method. However, the ESP is well-suited for various brewing methods and offers an amazing value for its versatility.
The Encore ESP is also a little more expensive than some of the other models on this list, but it's well worth the extra expense for its amazing capabilities. It can grind for filter and espresso coffee brews. The shims that come with it will optimize its performance for Pour Over making.
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 a variety of different grind sizes. The DF64 has a small number of moving parts, making it simple to maintain and operate. This is a great option for anyone who wants a top-quality, budget-friendly grinder.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a huge improvement over the original model and should be hard to beat by any other grinder that are priced similarly. The new model has an entirely new appearance that is more appealing to the eyes. It features a simple, flat-rounded base that can support up to The cradle can hold 20 grams at one time. It also has a rubber hose that pushes air through the grinder, thereby forcing out any excess grinds.
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.