Burr Coffee Grinders

Burr coffee grinders are essential for espresso

Home espresso brewing demands a burr grinder, which can produce a grind fine enough for a pump-driven espresso machine. There are two basic types of burr grinders: wheel grinders and conical grinders. Wheel models, which are cheaper and spin faster, can be noisy and messy. Conical burr grinders aren't as messy, noisy or prone to clogging because they grind more slowly, but they're pricey. A new category of prosumer burr grinders bridges the gap between professional and regular consumer-grade burr grinders.

If you like stronger, slightly creamier coffee, you can use a burr grinder to prepare coffee for an automatic-drip coffee machine, but the more finely ground the coffee, the greater the risk of overextraction. The experts at one foodie magazine say that, in general, coarsely ground coffee is best for automatic-drip machines.

The Capresso 560.01 Infinity (*Est. $90) is the best budget burr grinder, according to users, many of whom say this would be a good choice for espresso novices. The Capresso burr grinder accumulates an average rating of 4 stars (out of a possible 5) in more than 850 Amazon.com reviews; more than 100 owners posting to Cooking.com contribute to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Owners posting to Epinions.com and CoffeeGeek.com give this Capresso grinder favorable reviews as well, saying it's an especially good conical burr grinder for the price. Reviews at all four sites say that the Infinity is well built and well designed; users say they especially like how the container that holds the grounds fits snugly into the base, which reduces coffee dust.

Users also say the Capresso 560.01 Infinity grinds consistently -- without making too much noise. A few gripe about static, but this seems to be a common problem with burr grinders in general. With its 16 settings, commercial-grade steel burrs and a black plastic housing, the Capresso Infinity can serve as a crossover grinder for automatic-drip machines as well as espresso (providing you're not too picky about consistency and fineness of grind). The Infinity is also available in a stainless-steel finish as the Capresso Infinity 565.05 (*Est. $140) , which a few owners suggest has fewer issues with static than the plastic version. Several owners say the Capresso Infinity 560.01 isn't ideal for use with superior-quality espresso machines, but works well with basic home models.

The Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-8 (*Est. $50) beats two other burr grinders and three blade grinders in a test of six inexpensive coffee grinders conducted by ConsumerReports.org and published on ABC7.com. It earns props from Specialty-Coffee-Advisor.com for its ease of use and cleaning. More than 200 owners offer similar feedback on Cooking.com (where it has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5). However, opinions are more mixed on Amazon.com, where the Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-8 maintains an average rating of 3 stars out of 5, based on more than 820 reviews. Owners report that the machine is noisy, and  although it looks stylish, its plastic construction contributes to static. Opinions are divided on grind; some say it's fairly even, while a few complain that it's inconsistent. Overall, most reviewers agree that perfect performance isn't expected of a $50 coffee grinder, and the majority are pleased with the quality and low price of this model.

Also middle-of-the-road in terms of price is the KitchenAid Pro Line KPCG100 (*Est. $200) , which earns recommendations from enthusiasts posting to CoffeeGeek.com and Cooking.com. About 85 owners posting to Cooking.com contribute to an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Most owners say they are impressed by the quality of the grind for a reasonable price compared to more expensive units. Owners say it's built like a tank and produces a consistent grind, even when a coarse grind is needed. More than 80 owners posting to Amazon.com have mixed opinions, contributing to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. Several have owned this model for several years and report no problems, although a few say an espresso-fine grind isn't achievable. More than half of reviewers rate the KitchenAid Pro Line KPCG100 4 stars or better.

The Baratza (also sold as Solis) line of coffee grinders has changed, with the formerly popular Maestro and Maestro Plus models discontinued. Reviews now point to the Baratza Virtuoso (*Est. $200) as the best buy in this line. The Baratza Virtuoso is recommended in a 2010 article by The New York Times, which focuses on the Toddy Brewing System. The author says the Baratza Virtuoso is "the fanciest coffee equipment I own." The Baratza Virtuoso is also a frequently recommended coffee grinder from coffee enthusiasts posting to Chowhound.com. About 40 owners posting to Amazon.com contribute to an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. Owners say they are impressed by the 40 grind settings, but several report ineffectiveness for grinding dark roast beans, because they don't feed well into the grinder. Overall, many owners say it's a good multifunction machine, capable of use with a French press, espresso or drip coffee maker.

Since their emergence in 1991, both Rancilio Rocky models -- doser (*Est. $375) and doserless (*Est. $375) -- have won raves. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com award both the Rancilio Rocky and the doserless model 8.4 stars (out of a possible 10); the Rocky with doser gets nearly 70 reviews, and the doserless model has nearly 40 reviews. Although dosers make it possible to grind, hold and dispense enough grounds for several cups of espresso, home baristas who plan to pull one or two espresso shots a day probably don't need one. Many reviewers recommend going with the doserless model, which has earned an impressive 4.6 star rating (out of a possible 5) by nearly 55 owners posting to WholeLatteLove.com.

The Rancilio Rocky has 55 grind settings and measures 14-inches-by-10nches-by-5-inches. If you are looking for a burr coffee grinder that straddles the line between consumer and commercial quality and costs about $100 less than its nearest competitor, this is it. Owners say that the Rocky's consistency of grind outshines cheaper machines. Many connoisseurs say that if you own a high-end espresso machine, you should spring for an equally upmarket grinder.

The Gaggia MDF (*Est. $250) is a slightly less expensive burr grinder that receives good feedback from owners reviewing it at WholeLatteLove.com, CoffeeGeek.com and Amazon.com. This commercial-grade burr grinder includes a doser and offers 34 grind settings. Up to 10 ounces of beans can fit into the Gaggia MDF's hopper, and its doser has a maximum capacity of 8 ounces of ground coffee. Nearly 40 reviewers on Amazon.com give the Gaggia MDF an average rating of 4 stars out of 5, with most praising its consistent grind and sturdy construction; however, many users complain about the doser causing a mess or not working with different espresso machines. We found a few isolated complaints about plastic breaking off the doser gear, making it difficult to remove ground coffee from the machine.

At WholeLatteLove.com, more than 40 owners give the Gaggia MDF burr grinder an average of 4.5 stars out of 5, with feedback comparable to that found on Amazon.com. Likewise, nearly 30 enthusiasts posting to CoffeeGeek.com offer similar opinions, contributing to an average rating of 7.9 out of 10. One reviewer describes the Gaggia MDF as a "great entry level espresso grinder that should keep you happy for years to come."  

Put plainly, the Mazzer Mini (*Est. $700) , is expensive. This die-cast aluminum doser-style burr coffee grinder can be finished in silver, polished aluminum, dark gray, black, dark red or gold. Designed for commercial duty, the Mini has been repurposed for home use. It has a 250-watt motor and a 60-second timer, and it's no lightweight at 22 pounds, either. The primary feature differentiating this grinder from other burr grinders is that it is "stepless," meaning that consumers aren't limited to choosing pre-selected grind settings. Instead, the grind can be adjusted to infinite settings with an adjustment lever.

Most consumers who splurge on the Mazzer Mini are pleased with their decision, however. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com say they love the Mazzer Mini, rating it an average of 9.3 stars (out of a possible 10) in about 55 reviews. In fact, the Mini is the website's highest-rated burr grinder among those accumulating more than 10 reviews. Owners say that Mazzer Mini is a sturdy, relatively quiet and easy to use coffee grinder. Nearly 25 users posting feedback at WholeLatteLove.com are equally fond of the Mazzer Mini, calling it quick, powerful and consistent. It features a shorter hopper, designed to fit under most kitchen cabinets. At $700, however, the Mazzer Mini prices itself into the kitchens of only the most obsessive (or deep-pocketed) espresso fiends. The Mazzer Mini has few reviews on Amazon.com and isn't available from Cooking.com.

Your choice of a burr grinder depends on what type of espresso drinker you are. Casual home baristas who aren't picky about getting the finest, most consistent grind will be happy with the Capresso Infinity 560.01, which also works for automatic-drip machines. True bargain hunters would likely be satisfied by the Cuisinart Supreme Grind DBM-8 at nearly half the price of the Capresso Infinity. Demanding espresso enthusiasts should look to the Rancilio Rocky or, if they have the budget for it, the Mazzer Mini.