Burr Coffee Grinder
Burr grinders are generally considered the best for home coffee grinding. They can range in price from around $40 on the low end to well over $300 at the higher end. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good burr grinder though.
Burr grinders use two different spinning surfaces that crush the beans between them. There are different styles and sizes, some using two similar sized and shaped cylinders, and others which use conical metal grinders of different sizes. The benefit of a burr grinder is that the coffee is crushed with very little friction, which can be a problem with blade grinders. The way the beans are crushed in a burr grinder releases much of the flavor oils inside the coffee, and thus should not be stored after grinding, but rather brewed directly after grinding. Your coffee will taste far better this way.
Burr Coffee Grinder – Automatic or Manual?
Burr grinders come in both manual and automatic versions. There is no huge difference between a manual coffee mill and an electric one, other than the effort involved. Manual versions may require 4-5 minutes of grinding for a a typical full pot size, which can become tiring.
Both typically allow for the space between the grinding surfaces to be adjusted for a finer or coarser grind. The great thing about a burr grinder is the uniform ground size it produces. With other methods, some very fine coffee grinds might be created which can clog even the best coffee maker filter.
The ability to set the grind size for your grinder makes them ideal for the home brewer. From the fine particles required for an espresso grind to the large chunks necessary for a french press, a burr grinder can do it all. Most burr grinders will have trouble producing the very very fine powder required for Turkish coffee, requiring some post processing with a mortar and pestle to achieve the right consistency. There are also specific Turkish mills on the market that are ideally suited for this specialized task.
Materials For Burr Coffee Grinders
The best burr coffee grinders use steel wheels, where the hard surface allows for a slower grinding process, creating less friction and less static to build up in the grounds. Conical burr grinders are typically slower than disk burr grinders, but can cost as much as 50% less. For most home brewers, the amount that must be ground before your grinder starts to heat up won’t typically be a concern.
