Coffee Burr Grinder or Blade Grinder?

[Asithappens 974]

I have a blade grinder but have read that burr grinders are better.

Has anyone noticed a difference in taste when using a burr grinder?

I'm skeptical. 

[HookEm 2468]

Well, if you use a French Press, do you like to have a half inch of mud at the bottom of your coffee mug?

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

i have both. the only time i use my burr grinder is when i’m sexually frustrated. otherwise the convenience and speed of the blade is too much to ignore.

as far as burr being better, i’ve heard the same thing but my palate isn’t refined enough to tell. whether i’m using a French press, my Chemex or firing up my Breville for espresso, there’s not enough difference to tell.

[SurlyORama 164]

I know it's just what everyone says about them, but burr grinders give a much more consistent grind. I prefer the coffee or espresso that I get using my burr grinder (Rancilio Rocky) vastly over the blade grinders I had before.

[NoName 16407]

Everyone that I know that is serious about coffee has a burr grinder (most of them are making espresso most of the time with a rare pour overs or french press)

Every website/review place I have read that does coffee reviews recommends a burr grinder

Burr grinders are absolutely "better" if you are seriously into it.

If you are just making drip coffee? Doubt it really matters.

If you are trying to consistently pull a shot, then from what I understand it does actually matter and isn't really close.

 

Edited April 25, 2019 by NoName

[jimmyjazz 46189]

1 hour ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

i have both. the only time i use my burr grinder is when i’m sexually frustrated. otherwise the convenience and speed of the blade is too much to ignore.

Yes, for me it's much more convenient to press "start" on my blade grinder than on my burr grinder.

To answer the original question:  yes, the difference is noticeable, and all I do is pourover using Chemex filters.

[Your Mom 4852]

 I’ve never owned a blade grinder but I can’t imagine it’s any simpler than my burr grinder. I dump the coffee in the hopper, I turn a knob, and it starts grinding. That’s it.  

 I mean I guess you have the complication of being able to change the size of the grind. But once you set it it stays there. 

Edited April 25, 2019 by Your Mom

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

 I’ve never owned a blade grinder but I can’t imagine it’s any simpler than my burr grinder. I dump the coffee in the hopper, I turn a knob, and it starts grinding. That’s it.  
 I mean I guess you have the complication of being able to change the size of the grind. But once you set it it stays there. 

[Your Mom 4852]

Oh THAT kind of burr grinder.  No, I'm not hand cranking it.  Well, I am.. but thats for a different thread.  For coffee I go electric, but it's an electric burr grinder, not a blade.  When it's coffee for just one or two I use a chemex, when it's coffee for a group like a family gathering I use a big french press.  They each require a different size grind, that's why I went with a burr grinder over a blade.

I started with a Porlex and graduated to a Virtuoso.  The Porlex is outstanding and I over-researched the shit out of it when I was shopping.  It seemed superior to the Hario grinder at the time, don't remember why.  But I was always happy with it. 

Treated myself to this a few years ago and love it.  Consistent grinds, any size I want, the little knob on the side gets it going.  Turn it and walk away.  10 seconds later you have grinds waiting for you.

Edited April 25, 2019 by Your Mom

[gyroprotagonist 2595]

a guy from the 'wives and the Stupid....' thread is apparently the new owner of this bad boy:  https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rocket-espresso-macinatore-fausto-grinder

 

[Asithappens 974]

And.... there's price.

I have a Braun blade grinder, probably cost me $20.

I've read that burr grinders can be hundreds, up to a $1,000.

 

[Asithappens 974]

8 minutes ago, gyroprotagonist said:

a guy from the 'wives and the Stupid....' thread is apparently the new owner of this bad boy:  https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rocket-espresso-macinatore-fausto-grinder

 

Holy crikey.

At least it's not $1,000. 

[hopkinsnhorns 533]

We got this from our wedding registry.  Use it every morning.

https://smile.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Conical-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=burr+grinder&qid=1556205221&s=gateway&sr=8-7

[Smax 3800]

We got this from our wedding registry.  Use it every morning.

https://smile.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Conical-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=burr+grinder&qid=1556205221&s=gateway&sr=8-7

I have this one too, works great

[Dutch 4479]

1 hour ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

 

 

I got one of these few years ago and haven't looked back (not Surly 1%, but you can easily spend $ for a burr grinder).  There's an expensive version (~$50 Hario Skeleton) and one that is exactly the same but about half the price (~$25 Khaw-Fee HG1B).  It does a very good at getting course enough for French Press or fine enough for drip; haven't used it for espresso since my Breville has a built-in grinder.  It takes some practice at manually adjusting grind size at first, but isn't hard thereafter.  

Burr grinders generally give you a more uniform grind size, which helps deliver a better cup.  I use this for French Press and pour overs, and IMHO it helps make a better cup than the my old blade grinder, which has since been relegated to grinding spices for chili.  

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

I got a $30 Burr grinder (plate not cone) after my blade grinder sucked for too long.  (I would have some beans that we're barely cut in half)

It works better.  I get mostly uniform grounds but also some powder,no matter the setting it's on.

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

Also I'll add, it does make a better pot, only in the sense that it's more consistent.  I haven't had a bad pot since I bought it, but I wasn't like "holy shit this is good" either.

https://www.amazon.com/Chefman-Coffee-Grinder-Burr-Freshly-Dishwasher/dp/B077SBFR8K/

 

Edited April 25, 2019 by dingleberryswitzer

[Chewbacca 7787]

5 hours ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

 

 

That's what we have.  Plus a Chemex.

[TornACL 7722]

I prefer the burr grinder. I am not spending $1000 on a burr grinder. But the last one I bought for 79 or whatever died after 6 months. My new one sounds like a fucking jet engine taking off in the kitchen. It scares the shit out of visitors when I punch that thing. 

 

[Rimbo 26136]

9 hours ago, Asithappens said:

I have a blade grinder but have read that burr grinders are better.

Has anyone noticed a difference in taste when using a burr grinder?

I'm skeptical. 

I use a French press. Not only have I found a difference with a burr grinder, I've found a difference between flat and conical burrs. You want a conical burr grinder. You also want to use a slow grind speed that won't heat up the beans.

I would say there is as much a difference between flat burrs and a blade grinder as there is between a blade grinder and pre-ground coffee, and that again for the difference between conical and flat. I found the difference pretty vast. For French press, it really makes a difference.

I got one of these. It's lasted me for years and years and it isn't terribly loud, all things considered. I did have to fix the lid, only because I dropped it. Just do remember to be careful with the mechanical dial. My only complaint with it is that it's kind of hard to clean.

Edited April 25, 2019 by Rimbo

[Apep 645]

bump

I have a Hario Skerton Pro. It works fine, but I'd like to be able to stop grinding by hand. I bought and returned two Baratza Encores. On the first one, the plastic impellers broke off during manual cleaning after it clogged on the third use. The second one clogged after the first use. I don't believe I overfilled it and I was grinding a Tanzanian peaberry. I'm not sure that's oily enough to cause major problems after a single use. I prefer a finer grind to go with my Aeropress. Any suggestions on a reliable and easy-to-clean burr grinder?

[luke duke 6414]

I’ve had this one for 7mo and I’ve been happy with it. I never clean the thing, so I can’t speak to that.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSKGLMM/

[texasjacket 289]

On 6/16/2021 at 9:42 AM, luke duke said:

I’ve had this one for 7mo and I’ve been happy with it. I never clean the thing, so I can’t speak to that.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSKGLMM/

How noisy is it? Will it wake the world up in the morning?

[luke duke 6414]

How noisy is it? Will it wake the world up in the morning?

Yes. I’m guessing that the only quiet ones are the manual ones.

[RiverwalkMiner 257]

I bought the Solis Scala burr grinder last month, and I'm loving it. Check out the Seattle Coffee Gear review on YouTube.

I'm unboxing my new Moccamaster this weekend, so I can't wait to play with the grind settings. 

[luke duke 6414]

Get a couple of these

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/key-coffee-grinder-by-weber-workshops

[nycHorn 3042]

I bought the Solis Scala burr grinder last month, and I'm loving it. Check out the Seattle Coffee Gear review on YouTube.
I'm unboxing my new Moccamaster this weekend, so I can't wait to play with the grind settings. 

Still like the Scala? I have a Virtuoso that is good but not amazing. Do all burr grinders accumulate half ground beans that never get processed? Maybe I just have too high expectations.

Also I’m waiting for my current coffee maker to kick the bucket to get a Moccamaster.

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

I bought one of these a few years ago. It's been great.

[HoustonHorn 1062]

21 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

I bought one of these a few years ago. It's been great.

I have this. It's great other than being a little messy. But never had a single issue with it in a couple years.

[RiverwalkMiner 257]

On 7/10/2021 at 3:14 PM, nycHorn said:

Still like the Scala? I have a Virtuoso that is good but not amazing. Do all burr grinders accumulate half ground beans that never get processed? Maybe I just have too high expectations.

Also I’m waiting for my current coffee maker to kick the bucket to get a Moccamaster.

Yes, I'm happy with the Scala. There is a small post grind static issue but I've read that's a issue among lots of grinders. Yes, there are some leftover grind, I tilt it forward and tap the back, (like burping a baby) before removing the dispenser. It is less expensive than the Encore. 

[nycHorn 3042]

Yes, I'm happy with the Scala. There is a small post grind static issue but I've read that's a issue among lots of grinders. Yes, there are some leftover grind, I tilt it forward and tap the back, (like burping a baby) before removing the dispenser. It is less expensive than the Encore. 

Nice. Thanks. How are you liking the Moccamaster? What did you have before?

[After irth 1245]

On 7/10/2021 at 4:40 PM, Seasick Sailor said:

I bought one of these a few years ago. It's been great.

I’ve had mine for a year. Love it. 

Year-old Moccamaster is excellent, too. 

[RiverwalkMiner 257]

On 7/12/2021 at 4:42 PM, nycHorn said:

Nice. Thanks. How are you liking the Moccamaster? What did you have before?

I was doing French Press almost exclusively. 

The Moccamaster is pulling out new and different flavors from the beans. I fell in love with the design at first, but reading and watching videos sold me.  My girlfriend complains that her coffee is not hot enough, and I tell her that's because she used to her cheap drip boiling her coffee.

[Johnny Chimpo 479]

Did you guys find that the moccamaster makes a weaker cup? My girlfriend and I have been drinking french press and aero press and the moccamaster I got has not really impressed us. My girlfriend complains the coffee is watery compared to French press. I have the baratza encore so it’s a fine grinder for press and drip.

Do I need to change up the grind size? I played with that some but didn’t have much luck. 

[MajorMajor 109]

Did you guys find that the moccamaster makes a weaker cup? My girlfriend and I have been drinking french press and aero press and the moccamaster I got has not really impressed us. My girlfriend complains the coffee is watery compared to French press. I have the baratza encore so it’s a fine grinder for press and drip.
Do I need to change up the grind size? I played with that some but didn’t have much luck. 

Adjust the bloom/soak time and drip rate with the basket controls. Of course, grind adjustment will also make a difference.

We have a technivorm and make our coffee very strong with this setup.

[Dutch 4479]

2 hours ago, Johnny Chimpo said:

Did you guys find that the moccamaster makes a weaker cup? My girlfriend and I have been drinking french press and aero press and the moccamaster I got has not really impressed us. My girlfriend complains the coffee is watery compared to French press. I have the baratza encore so it’s a fine grinder for press and drip.

Do I need to change up the grind size? I played with that some but didn’t have much luck. 

I'm not using a Moccamaster, but Id think it would apply as well.  This has helped me dial in french press and pour overs.

https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/the-coffee-compass/

Edited July 15, 2021 by Dutch

['stache 21882]

Burr for sure. Here's mine, a little noisy, but does the job.

https://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Conical-Grinder/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=asc_df_B0000AR7SY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167144008776&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13721006921303859171&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1024352&hvtargid=pla-465686412632&psc=1

[After irth 1245]

8 hours ago, Johnny Chimpo said:

Did you guys find that the moccamaster makes a weaker cup? My girlfriend and I have been drinking french press and aero press and the moccamaster I got has not really impressed us. My girlfriend complains the coffee is watery compared to French press. I have the baratza encore so it’s a fine grinder for press and drip.

Do I need to change up the grind size? I played with that some but didn’t have much luck. 

My Encore is set on 12.  I use 6 Tb grounds to 1 liter water.  Suits me just fine.  

If that helps at all...

[Johnny Chimpo 479]

Thanks man. I’ll give that a shot. 

[tigol 2405]

I have this one:   https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/coffee-products/coffee-grinders/p.burr-coffee-grinder.kcg8433bm.html?productcategory=coffee_makers_and_grinders&cmp=kad%3Awp_sda%257c01%257c00365%257czz%257csh%257ct02%257cp77%257czz%257cv04_kasa_ppc%3Aga%3Aps%3Atxt%3Atxt%3Acpc%3Ashop_smartshop_rob%3Ana%3Ana%3A12269786280%3A117807492936%3Ac&gclid=Cj0KCQjwub-HBhCyARIsAPctr7wW-H8XS4_jMKhJ0iKKjVktkPMCRDEbVZnbN-4Z82gBb2OS5cELplIaAhahEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I previously had the Bodum burr grinder and it was fine, but really loud.  The Kitchenaid cut the noise at least in half for me.

Edited July 16, 2021 by tigol
Bad link.

[SurlyORama 164]

On 4/25/2019 at 6:51 AM, SurlyORama said:

I know it's just what everyone says about them, but burr grinders give a much more consistent grind. I prefer the coffee or espresso that I get using my burr grinder (Rancilio Rocky) vastly over the blade grinders I had before.

I also have the Rocky, and it's amazing. The thing is built like a tank. Have had it for 20+ years, and still works exactly like new.

Quoted my own post, apparently I need coffee.

Edited July 16, 2021 by SurlyORama