Why Burr Grinders Really Are The Superior Coffee Grinding Tool

If you're a coffee aficionado, you probably already know about burr grinders, widely considered to be the superior choice if you plan on grinding your own coffee for the perfect cup of joe. What is it that makes this device the ideal tool for grinding beans? The truth is that there are many coffee-brewing gadgets that aren't worth investing in and some that are worth saving your pennies for.  The burr grinder falls under the second category, as it delivers a precise grind that can make the difference between an exceptional brew and a so-so cup of joe.

According to coffee expert Matt Woodburn-Simmonds of Home Coffee Expert, there are two types of burr grinders that can do the job: a flat burr grinder and one with a conical burr. Woodword-Simmonds explains that flat burr grinders allow users to "perfectly dial in" their preferred grind size. However, he admits the conical grinders, such as this OXO burr grinder, are easier to use. 

Woodburn-Simmons has strong opinions on the rival style of blade grinders, which you may see sold alongside burr varieties. "Blade grinders don't grind to a consistent size; they just smash the beans to pieces, so your extraction will be uneven," he says. Blade grinders typically have two rotating blades that spin to break the coffee into pieces. By contrast, burr grinders more evenly grind the beans between sharp surfaces of the burrs, allowing you to get a more precise and cohesive grind for your brewing method.

Woodburn-Simmonds also has some distinct takes on using pre-ground coffee. "Ground coffee starts to lose its flavor after around 40 minutes, so pre-ground coffee will lose a lot of its flavor before you finish the bag," he says. According to him, the oils should still be intact when brewing in order to ensure a consistently tasty cup of coffee, which means that freshly-ground beans really are the best way to go.

Finding the right setting for your brewing method is important, too. The settings allow the user to adjust the distance between the plates and, thus, adjust the size of the grind. Brewing with a French press (an underrated but expert-approved coffee brewing method)? Put the grinder on a coarse setting. Prefer a pour-over? Fine grind fits the bill for that method. You can also check your grinder's guide to dial things in.

If a burr grinder is out of your price range — they can sell for as much as $250 – a blade grinder will do in a pinch. With this variety of grinder it's important to know ahead of time what the grind should look like so you can keep an eye on when it's reached your desired grind size. Giving a blade grinder a shake as it's grinding will ensure no bean gets left behind.