10 Apps That Can Help You Manage Your Best Conical Burr Grinder

best coffee bean grinders Conical Burr Coffee Grinders

Grinding your own coffee beans is a great way to improve your morning cup. There are many different grinders coffee beans (read this post here) available.

This OXO grinder uses conical burrs to create a grind that works well for drip, French press and espresso. This grinder is a great option for novices, however, hardcore coffee geeks will want an exact grind.

OXO Brew

If you're into making your own coffee at home, you are aware that it requires a good grinder to produce the best flavor. A quality burr mill can cost up to $200, which is prohibitive for those who don't know if they will utilize it. The OXO Brew is an excellent option for those looking to enjoy freshly-ground coffee without having to spend hundreds of pounds.

The OXO Brew's design isn't extravagant, but it's solid. The stainless steel body features a permanent water reservoir at the rear, and a thermal caafe in the front. The carafe and tank are designed in such that the structure is able to fit in smaller kitchens. The controls are located below the carafe to minimize clutter, and there is an indicator light that lets you know when it's heating or making.

Oxo consistently brewed well in our tests. The temperature of the water was within a narrow range (197.4 F to 205.0 F) throughout the entire test according to thermocouples that were located in the grounds basket. Its brewing time was also very close to what the Specialty Coffee Association recommends for a good drip.

The OXO Brew also has a single-serve function that lets you to brew coffee directly into your cup. This feature isn't present in other models that are more expensive. It's an advantage for those who want to make individual portions of their coffee but don't like the hassle of brewing an entire carafe.

The only drawback to the OXO is that there is no clock or an automatic start time. This can be a problem when you are on a strict schedule. The water tank is difficult to remove because it has a lid which has to be slid in order to access the reservoir. It also has an integrated descaler that helps prevent mineral deposits from accumulating inside the machine.

Baratza Encore ESP

The Baratza Encore is the most popular burr mill available for coffee lovers. This version of the original Encore was re-engineered to include upgrades that make it more adaptable to a wider range of brewing methods, and offer more versatility than ever before. It's for home baristas who are just beginning their journey and anyone looking to have a range of brewing options in one grinder. It has a an adjustable stepped grind and simple controls for novice baristas as well as marked and notched settings to ensure consistency. The M2 burrs provide uniform grinding, and the hopper comes with a quick release feature that makes cleaning a breeze.

The ESP utilizes the same high-torque gear reduction DC motor as the original Encore however, it operates at lower speeds to reduce heat buildup and static charge during the operation. It's also quieter than the original Encore and has a metal plate that helps improve burr consistency and stability. It is equipped with 40 mm conical burrs, similar to those found in the more expensive Virtuoso plus. This helps it achieve a better grind size distribution and uniform shots.

Each step of the ESP's grind adjustment is 9 microns, which provides high resolution when dialing in espresso and more precise grinding for pour over. The new dosing cups can be used with both 54 and 58mm portafilters. This enhances the ergonomics of manual dosing. The grinder can also be used in conjunction with a traditional grounds bin for those who prefer a hopper-based workflow.

One disadvantage of the ESP is its inconsistency during back-to-back consistency tests however, it is still superior to many other grinders in this price range. The settings for stepped grinds can also be inconsistant, making it difficult to find the perfect setting for your brewing style. The ESP is a brewer that can be used in a variety of ways that can be used to make a variety of brewing methods.

The Encore ESP costs a little less than other models, but its versatility is worth the cost. It can grind for espresso and filter brews and utilize the shims included to optimize its performance for pour-over brewing.

Baratza DF64

The Baratza DF64 grinder is a excellent one that is suitable for espresso coffee grinder and pour-over brewing. The burrs can be upgraded to increase efficiency and the hopper can be used to accommodate a variety of different grind sizes. The DF64 is also easy to use and maintain with only a few moving parts. This is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for an affordable, high-quality grinder.

The DF64 Gen 2 is a significant improvement over the previous model and is expected to be difficult to beat by any other grinders within the same price range. The new model has a new style that is more appealing to the eyes. It has a simple flat-rounded base that can withstand up to The cradle can accommodate 20 grams at a time. It also has a bellows made of rubber that will push air through the grinder when you do 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 beans grinder 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 coffee grinder 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.