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 uses conical burrs that create a grinding system that is suitable 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 great option for those who are just beginning.
OXO Brew
You probably know if you make your own coffee that a quality grinder is necessary to achieve the best flavor. A quality burr mill can cost upwards of $200, which is expensive for those who don't know whether they'll use it. The OXO Brew is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy freshly-ground coffee without having to spend hundreds of dollars.
The OXO Brew's design isn't flashy, but it's stylish. The stainless steel body features an in-built water reservoir that is permanently located at the rear and a thermal caafe on the front. The tanks and carafe have been shaped so that the body is easily fitted into smaller kitchens. The controls are recessed below the carafe in order to minimize clutter, and there's an indicator light that indicates when it's heating or making.
Oxo consistently brewed well during our tests. The water temperature was within a tight range--197.4 F to 205 F--for the entire test period, as measured by thermocouples in the basket for grounds and the water tank. Its brewing time was also very close to what the Specialty Coffee Association recommends for the best drip.
The OXO Brew also has a single-serve function that lets you to brew coffee directly into your cup. This feature isn't available on other models with a higher price. It can be an excellent benefit for those who prefer to make individual portions of their coffee, but aren't keen on the hassle of making the entire carafe.
The only drawback to the OXO is that there is no clock or an automatic start time. This could be a problem if you are on a tight timeframe. In addition the water tank can be difficult to get rid of, as it has a lid that has to be slid off to access the reservoir. It also has an inbuilt descaler, which assists in preventing mineral deposits from building up inside the machine.
Baratza Encore ESP
The Baratza Encore is the most popular burr mill for coffee enthusiasts. This version of the classic Encore has been revamped with improvements that allow it to be compatible with a broader range of brewing methods and offer greater flexibility than ever before. coffee beans and grinder Coffeee is designed for home-brewed beginner baristas and anyone who wants to keep their options for brewing open by using just one grinder. It comes with step-up grind adjustments and easy controls for novices, along with notched and labeled settings for consistency. Its M2 burrs ensure uniform grinding, and the hopper has an easy-to-clean quick release feature.
The ESP uses 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 the operation. It's also quieter than classic Encore, and it has a new metal plate which improves stability and consistency. It's fitted with 40mm M2 conical burrs that are similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso Plus that help it achieve better grind size distribution 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. The new dosing cups are compatible with both 58mm and 54mm portafilters. This improves the ergonomics for manual dosing. The grinder can be used with the traditional grounds bin for those who prefer a hopper based workflow.
The ESP's inconsistency in tests of consistency is a problem however, it is better in comparison to other grinders at this price. The stepped settings are inconsistent as well, making it difficult to find the right setting for your specific brewing method. The ESP is a versatile brewer that can be used for different brewing methods.
The Encore ESP costs a little bit more than other models but its versatility is worth the cost. It can grind for filter or espresso brews. The included shims can optimize the performance of Pour Over Brewing.
Baratza DF64
The Baratza DF64 is a good grinder that works well with pour-over brewing and espresso. The burrs can be upgraded to increase performance, and the hopper can be used to accommodate a variety of different grind sizes. The DF64 has a small number of moving parts, making it easy to maintain and operate. It's a great choice for those looking for a high-quality grinder for a reasonable price.
The DF64 Gen 2 is a massive improvement over the original version and will be difficult to be defeated by any other grinder that is priced in the same range. The new model has an entirely new design that is a lot more appealing to the eyes. It is a flat-rounded base that can withstand up to The cradle is able to hold 20 grams at a time. It also comes with a rubber bellows that will push air through the grinder as you take the dose, to eliminate 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.