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 (when water is in contact with water too long). The experts at Cook's Illustrated 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 testers. It accumulates an average rating of four stars (out of a possible five) in more than 450 Amazon.com reviews. 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 three sites say that the Infinity is well built, well designed, and grinds consistently. A few gripe about static, but the container that holds the grounds fits snugly into the base, which reduces coffee dust. With its 16 settings, commercial-grade steel burrs and a sleek black plastic housing, the Capresso Infinity can serve as a crossover grinder for both automatic-drip machines as well as espresso (as long as 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. $100).

The Breville BCG450XL Ikon Conical Burr Grinder (*Est. $100), also known as the BarAroma Grinder, hasn't accumulated as many owner-written reviews as the Capresso Infinity, but reports indicate that it's just as good a value. Owners call the Breville Ikon coffee grinder attractive, consistent and relatively quiet. It earns very high average ratings at CoffeeGeek.com and Amazon.com, where more than half the owners posting reviews give it a perfect five-star rating. Users like this Breville burr grinder's wide range of grind settings, built-in timer, and cord storage, but a few note that the plastic bin that catches the grounds is a little flimsy-looking. We found a few recent reports regarding durability issues with the power switch, and one owner says he was unable to get the unit fixed, because a repair shop recommended on the Breville website no longer services the machine due to the skyrocketing price of replacement parts.

Top-quality burr grinders are much more expensive than the Capresso Infinity and Breville Icon grinders above. The very best models, which allow users to fine-tune their grind to a fanatical degree -- are popular with connoisseurs, but they cost upwards of $300. They have a geeky appeal for those who really like to fiddle with how their coffee beans, grinder and espresso machine work together.

Since their emergence in 1991, both Rancilio Rocky models -- doser (*Est. $360) and doserless (*Est. $350) -- have won raves. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com award the Rancilio Rocky 8.5 stars (out of a possible 10) in more than 60 reviews, while the doserless model has an average rating of 8.4 stars based on over 30 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 4.7 star rating (out of a possible five) by 50 owners posting to WholeLatteLove.com. The Rancilio Rocky has 55 grind settings and measures 14 inches tall, 10 inches deep and 5 inches wide. 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. $300) is a slightly less expensive burr grinder that receives good feedback from owners reviewing it at WholeLatteLove.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. Over 30 reviewers on Amazon.com give the Gaggia MDF an average rating of four stars out of five, 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. At WholeLatteLove.com, more than 35 owners give the Gaggia MDF burr grinder an average of 4.4 stars out of five, with feedback comparable to that found on Amazon.com. One reviewer notes that he has owned his Gaggia MDF since 1999 and has made only a few minor repairs during that time.

Put plainly, the Mazzer Mini (*Est. $660), is expensive. This die-cast aluminum doser-style burr coffee grinder can be finished in silver, polished aluminum, dark grey, 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. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com love the Mazzer Mini, rating it an average of 9.3 stars (out of a possible 10) in more than 45 reviews. In fact, the Mini is the website's highest-rated burr grinder among those accumulating over 10 reviews. Owners say that Mazzer Mini is a sturdy, relatively quiet and easy to use coffee grinder. Users posting feedback at WholeLatteLove.com are equally fond of the Mazzer Mini, calling it quick, powerful and consistent. It now features a shorter hopper, designed to fit under most kitchen cabinets. At $660, however, the Mazzer Mini prices itself into the kitchens of only the most obsessive (or deep-pocketed) espresso fiends.

Choosing 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, which also works for automatic-drip machines. Those who want a better grind quality and are willing to pay a bit more for it, should consider the Gaggia MDF. Demanding espresso enthusiasts should look to the Rancilio Rocky or, if they have the budget for it, the Mazzer Mini.