Aeropress has taken the coffee world by storm: offering people a new way to brew their coffee with lower acidity levels and an efficient brewing process that takes just 1 minute to produce 1 to 3 cups of deliciously smooth coffee.
While there is a lot to be said about the brewing method you choose for your coffee, equally important is the beans and the consistency to which you grind them. For the best tasting coffee, you’ll want to use medium to medium-fine ground coffee beans, and if you want to grind the beans yourself for extra freshness, you’ll require a grinder.
Contents
- 7 best burr grinder for Aeropress
- JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Settings
- Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
- Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
- Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
- 1Zpresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder
- KRUPS Precision Grinder Flat Burr Coffee
- Manual Coffee Grinder with Ceramic Burrs
- Buyer’s Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a burr grinder?
There are many different types of grinders on the market, from blade grinders to manual ones, to burr grinders.
Today we’ll be focusing on burr grinders. In our opinion, these are the only grinders you should be thinking about, as these provide the most consistent results.
Blade grinders tend to be less consistent: producing bitter and acidic flavors from over-extracted smaller particles while losing desirable, subtle notes in larger particles.
The blade grinder’s metal blades also have a tendency to generate significant amounts of heat, which can alter the flavor of the beans themselves, especially if they are a light roast.
Rather than using metal blades, burr grinders use a nested set of conical “burrs” that rub against each other to evenly crush the coffee beans. They can be manual or electric, and, while they’re a bit more expensive than blade grinders, they’ll give you more consistent grounds that extract evenly to produce a great-tasting cup of coffee, every time.
Why grind?
You might be wondering why you can’t just use pre-ground coffee for your Aeropress. While there’s nothing stopping you from doing so, whole bean coffee is definitely superior, as the whole beans retain their freshness a lot better than when they’re ground. Soon after grinding, coffee begins to go stale, and its oils and other flavorsome compounds start to evaporate and degrade at a faster rate due to the increased surface area exposed to air.
While a lot of pre-ground coffee comes vacuumed-sealed in an attempt to preserve its flavor, even airtight packaging cannot prevent the beans from becoming stale and losing their flavor.
For the freshest, best-tasting coffee, regardless of your brewing method, you should buy whole coffee beans and grind them minutes or seconds before brewing. This is the only way to ensure your coffee is as fresh and bold as possible and to lock in the subtleties of its flavors.
So, now that we’ve explained why grinding your own coffee is essential, and why a burr grinder is the best way to do this, let’s take a look at the best options on the market…
7 best burr grinder for Aeropress
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder with Adjustable Settings
This JavaPresse is not only one of the most affordable burr grinders available, but it’s also one of the most highly rated on Amazon. It features over 18 manual grind settings to ensure you have 100% precision and control over the coarseness of your grind so you can produce your perfect cup of coffee.
It features patented dual plated ceramic burr assembly, and these ceramic burrs go through three quality inspections and are designed to last 5 times longer than comparable stainless steel burrs.
The removable hand crank mechanism consistently eliminates over 90% of the noise that an electric coffee bean grinder would produce, and requires no batteries, power, or long plastic cords so you can easily grind at home or on the go.
Pros
- Over 18 manual grind settings
- Patented dual plated ceramic burrs
- Great price point
- Easy to use
- Quieter than electric burr grinders
Cons
- Manual grinders require more effort
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
If you’re using your Aeropress at home and you don’t require a burr grinder with a compact and portable design, you may wish to opt for an electric grinder instead, as these save you the effort required to operate a manual grinder.
Baratza has produced award-winning grinders, and it’s easy to see why. This best-selling grinder is enjoyed by professionals and home users alike. It has a user-friendly design, with a convenient, front-mounted pulse button, plus a simple ON/OFF switch that makes operation straightforward and hassle-free.
It has 40mm, hardened alloy steel conical burrs, and 40 grind settings that allow you to explore an extensive range of brew methods, from Aeropress to espresso and French Press. It has a powerful DC motor and commercial-grade burrs manufactured in Liechtenstein, Europe, to provide quality and durability.
Pros
- Super easy to use
- Hardened alloy steel conical burrs
- Over 40 grind settings
- Powerful DC motor
Cons
- Not ideal if you’re looking for a portable option
Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder
One of the advantages of the Aeropress is that its portable and lightweight design makes it great for traveling, or for use at the office. If you chose the Aeropress for its portability, you’ll want an equally compact burr grinder to match.
For this, we suggest the Porlex mini. Made in Japan, it measures 47 mm diameter and stands 130 mm tall, and has an elegant stainless steel design for durability. You can even fit it inside the Aeropress – which is super handy for traveling.
According to the manufacturer, the Porlex mini has been updated to grind faster, easier, and more evenly than Porlex I, and its ceramic burrs will not absorb water, odors and are resistant to rust. It has an approximate capacity of 20g and is praised for its robust and sturdy design which will last you for years. The drawback of a manual grinder is of course the manual effort that comes with it!
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- Durable stainless steel design
- Fits inside the Aeropress
- Updated design
Cons
- Manual grinders require more effort!
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
The Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill from Cuisinart is perfect for home grinding, and features 18 different grind levels, from ultra-fine to extra-coarse. It has an elegant brushed stainless steel design and an automatic stop so that your beans are guaranteed to be consistently ground to the right grade, maximizing the oils, aromas, and flavors for great taste.
You can grind enough coffee to make 4-18 cups, and store any remaining grounds in the chamber so that it’s there for you to use whenever you need it. The grinder also features handy cord storage, a separate one-touch power bar, a heavy-duty motor, and a scoop/cleaning brush for easy maintenance.
Pros
- 18 different grind levels
- Automatically stops when grind cycle is complete
- Store any remaining grounds in handy chamber
- Sturdy and stylish brushed stainless steel design
Cons
- Not an option if you’re looking for a portable grinder
1Zpresso Q2 Manual Coffee Grinder
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The Q grinder is super compact, measuring just 4.6 x 13.8 cm, so it’s smaller than a can of coke! It will also fit inside the plunger of your AeroPress, making it perfect for traveling and camping. It’s made from premium materials including stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and wood, and has a dual bearing and triaxial design for increased stability and consistency of the grind.
The grinder easily comes apart so you can thoroughly clean it without the need for special tools, and there’s a numerical adjustable internal setting to easily adjust the grind consistency. This grinder has a sleek, contemporary look with an ergonomic wooden ball on the handle for easy grinding.
Pros
- Compact, sturdy design
- Fits inside Aeropress
- Adjustable internal settings
- Easy to clean
Cons
- More expensive than other manual grinders
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KRUPS Precision Grinder Flat Burr Coffee
KRUPS is a big name in the coffee world, so it’s no surprise that their flat burr grinder has made it onto our list. This precision grinder has been optimized for a 33% greater grinding range to accommodate a range of coffee brewing methods, as well as 12 different grind consistencies to choose from.
You can also customize the number of cups you want to grind for, from 2-12, and this feature will automatically stop the grind to produce the exact quantity you require. The 8-ounce whole coffee bean hopper and removable grounds container have the capacity to produce grinds for 30-32 cups of coffee, while the flat burrs have been designed to ensure a consistent grind every time.
Pros
- Flat burrs for more consistent grind
- 12 different consistencies to choose from
- Adjustable quantity
- Can produce grounds for up to 30-32 cups
- Cleaning brush included
Cons
- Electrical grinders aren’t portable
Manual Coffee Grinder with Ceramic Burrs
This manual coffee grinder is available for a great price, making it ideal for those on a budget. The ceramic burrs ensure heat is not produced when grinding, helping to preserve the original flavors of the coffee, while the elongated stainless steel handle minimizes the amount of effort required when grinding the beans.
This grinder is adjustable so you can choose between a fine and coarse grind consistency, and the anti-slip silicone pad keeps the product in place while you grind.
It’s also super easy to clean, as the coffee mill is easily disassembled for washing. It also comes with a handy scoop and a cleaning brush.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Ceramic burrs
- Adjustable consistency
- Anti-slip bottom for grip
Cons
- May not be as durable as other grinders
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Buyer’s Guide
Size
This is going to be a big factor when it comes to choosing the ideal burr grinder for you. As we said earlier, one of the key selling points of the Aeropress is its portability and compact design, and for this reason, you may not wish to purchase a bulky electrical burr grinder that you can’t take with you to work, on road trips or camping.
Manual grinders tend to be more compact and lightweight, and don’t require any power to use. Some are also small enough to fit inside the Aeropress for easy storage. If you’re using your Aeropress at home, this won’t be an issue. You can opt for a manual grinder or an electrical one, depending on your personal preference and budget.
Manual vs Electric
In this article we’ve provided a combination of both manual and electric burr grinders, though if you’re still undecided, here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
Manal
- More portable
- Less noisy
- Require more effort
- Great for using on the go
Electric
- More efficient and easier to use
- May feature more extensive grind settings
- Not portable
- Require electricity
- Best for using at home
Durability
When it comes to a coffee grinder, you may be using it daily, and in this case, you should ensure the grinder is designed to withstand regular use and daily wear and tear. Stainless steel or ceramic burrs are the most durable, and you want to pay attention to the overall sturdiness of the design too. If it’s a manual grinder, pay attention to how robust the handle mechanism is, as you don’t want this breaking off mid-grind.
Settings and adjustability
Burr grinders are meant to produce the most consistent grind, but it’s also useful if your burr grinder is adjustable. For example, some grinders feature a range of grind options to accommodate different brewing methods, and some even have an adjustable capacity so you can simply select how many cups of coffee you’re making and the grinder will grind the exact amount.
These types of grinders also usually feature an auto-off option that will automatically stop grinding when the cycle is up.
Cleaning
Keeping your grinder clean is key to prolonging its durability, but this is also dependent on how easy the design is to clean.
Many manual grinders come apart so you can easily and thoroughly clean them, while some electric grinders have parts you can put in the dishwasher which is even more convenient.
Price
Burr grinders are generally more expensive than blade varieties, but they’re also available at different prices depending on the quality and brand you opt for. The models we’ve featured on this page range from around the 20 dollar mark to over 100 dollars, so there is a wide range of options available for different budgets.
You’re likely to get the most bang for your buck around the middle price point however, as this is where you can get a good quality and durable product that won’t break the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grind for Aeropress?
According to the brand’s website, the best grind for Aeropress is a fine drip or espresso grind. While espresso grind takes longer to press and requires skill and patience for multiple scoops, it will produce a richer brew more quickly due to more particle surface area.
Do you need a burr grinder for Aeropress?
Because Aeropress suggests you use a fine drip or espresso grind for the best results, a burr grinder is the easiest way to achieve this. Burr grinders are able to produce a more consistent and uniform grind for a range of coffee brewing methods, from fine espresso to coarser grounds for use in the French press.
Blade grinders won’t do a good job, as they chop the coffee beans, resulting in inconsistent grind size. The AeroPress only requires a spoonful of grinds for a single serving of coffee, and for this reason, a compact manual grinder that produces smaller quantities is ideal.
Of course, if you’ll be making multiple cups of coffee and prefer hands-free operation as opposed to manual grinding, you may wish to opt for an electric grinder instead, as these produce more efficient results.
Why are blade coffee grinders bad?
Many coffee experts agree that a blade grinder is simply the wrong tool for the job. It uses a metal blade that works in a similar motion to a propeller on an airplane, and this spins at high speed to pulverize your coffee beans, producing a mixture of odd-sized chunks and fine powder.
This mixture of different-sized coffee grounds produces an equally irregular brew, as there will be different amounts of surface area exposed on each piece of coffee, making the overall taste unpredictable.
As well as this, the small-sized coffee ground particles known as “fines” will over-extract some of the chemical compounds that cause bitterness, while the larger-sized particles may remain under-extracted, and this means you won’t be able to enjoy the natural flavors of the coffee.
Why are coffee grinders so expensive?
Coffee grinders, particularly the burr variety, are usually expensive due to their build quality. They tend to use more metal and less plastic and the spinning burrs are quality controlled to ensure consistency every time. While a burr grinder may seem like a bit of an investment, it’s definitely worth it.
You’ll notice that your coffee will be fresher, more consistent, and more flavorsome, and if you opt for a good quality grinder it’ll last you for years to come.