Burr Grinders

Burr coffee grinders: 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. Pricier conical burr grinders aren't as messy, noisy or prone to clogging because they grind more slowly. A new category of "prosumer" burr grinders bridges the gap between professional and home 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 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, say testers. This grinder garners an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of a possible 5) in more than 200 Amazon.com reviews. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com give this grinder favorable reviews as well, saying it's an especially good conical burr grinder for the price. Reviews at both sites say that the Infinity is well built, consistent and well designed. 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 are not too picky about consistency and fineness of grind). The Infinity is also available in stainless steel as the Capresso Infinity 565.05 (*Est. $140).

The Breville BCG450XL Ikon Conical Burr Grinder (*Est. $100) (also known as the BarAroma Grinder) has not been on the market long enough to accumulate as many owner-written reviews as the Capresso Infinity, but early reports indicate that it is just as good a value. Owners call it attractive, consistent and relatively quiet. The BCG450XL earns very high average ratings at CoffeeGeek.com and Amazon.com. Owners like this coffee grinder's wide range of grind settings, built-in timer, and cord storage, but a few say that the plastic bin that catches the grounds looks a little flimsy.

The Starbucks Barista Burr Grinder (*est. $120) receives an average of just over 8 stars (out of a possible 10) in more than 130 CoffeeGeek.com reviews. Owners say the Barista burr grinder is relatively quiet and generates little coffee dust. However, several owners complain that the grind range is inadequate, and a few complain about the plastic housing. Owners report that the grinder is compact and relatively easy to clean. Overall, this looks like a hardworking, attractive grinder at a moderate price. Owners warn that this machine can't grind coarsely enough for French-press coffee, and that the Capresso Infinity costs $30 less.

The Baratza Maestro Plus Conical Burr Grinder (*Est. $150) receives an average of 7.1 stars (out of a possible 10) in over 40 owner-written ratings at CoffeeGeek.com. This burr grinder, which weighs 7.5 pounds, has a black metal housing, a weighted base and a 40-step grind adjustment. Some owners report that their Maestro Plus grinders broke as a result of coffee dust buildup on the grind adjuster. To avoid this problem, it's best to clean this grinder at least once a week. The Maestro Plus grinder receives mixed reviews from owners posting to Amazon.com. Some say that it is stable and quiet, while others say they've had to resort to using "creative" cleaning tools, including cotton swabs and paper clips. Overall, say owners, this grinder performs adequately for the price, but the cheaper Capresso Infinity does just as good a job and is easier to clean.

The KitchenAid Pro Line KPCG100 (*Est. $200) burr grinder's glass and die-cast metal housing sets it apart. Although it's heavy and somewhat bulky, this coffee grinder earns high marks from more than 80 owners posting to Amazon.com, who say it's exceptionally consistent and sturdy. The KPCG100 has 15 grind settings and a two-year warranty. Owners say that this grinder is quiet and that its glass hopper and coffee bin are less prone to static than plastic versions. Several users say that they used the manufacturer's instructions to modify the grinder for espresso-machine use, but users posting to CoffeeGeek.com are divided on the question of whether it grinds finely enough for espresso connoisseurs. Most say the KitchenAid coffee grinder is nearly as good as more expensive models, and many agree that it is the best midrange grinder available. But for the very finest, most consistent grind, you'll likely want something more expensive.

Since their emergence in 1991, both Rancilio Rocky models -- doser (*Est. $320) and doserless (*Est. $310) -- have won raves. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com award the Rancilio Rocky 8.5 stars (out of a possible 10) in more than 50 reviews. Owners generally prefer the doserless model. 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. The Rocky has 55 grind settings and measures 14 inches tall, 10 inches deep and 5 inches wide. If you are looking for a 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 say that if you own a high-end espresso machine, you should spring for an equally upmarket grinder.

The Mazzer Mini (*Est. $400) , a die-cast aluminum coffee grinder with a hefty price tag, comes in black, silver, red, gold or dark gray. It has a 250-watt motor and a 60-second timer, and it weighs 22 pounds. Owners posting to CoffeeGeek.com give this doser-style burr grinder an average of 9.3 stars (out of a possible 10) in more than 40 reviews. In fact, the Mazzer Mini is the site's highest-rated burr grinder among those reviewed more than ten times. Designed for commercial use, the Mini has been repurposed for home use. Owners say that this grinder is sturdy, relatively quiet and easy to use. Users posting to WholeLatteLove.com are equally fond of this grinder, which they call quick, powerful and consistent. This grinder's height of 16.5 inches makes it nearly impossible to store under standard kitchen cabinets, however.

At $400, the Mazzer Mini is hardly the most expensive burr grinder on the market. The Pasquini Moka (*Est. $500) and the LaCimbali Junior (*est. $600) both earn high marks in owner-written reviews.

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 a more display-worthy design should consider the KitchenAid Pro Line KPCG100. Demanding espresso enthusiasts should look to the Rancilio Rocky or Mazzer Mini.