How you grind is such an important aspect to making the finest coffee, with subtle nuances making a huge difference in the resulting brew. One such consideration is that of choosing between a conical burr grinder and a flat burr grinder – what can these two different burr types offer for coffee enthusiasts, and which produces the finest coffee?
At Niche Coffee we have a particular passion for bringing professional grinding to home coffee brewing - let us share our grinding experience with you as we explore the difference between conical and flat burr coffee grinders.
Let's get brewing!
Why should I use a grinder with conical or flat burrs?
As is often discussed when talking about making good coffee, consistency is key. It is the first reason to reject a blade grinder. Blade grinders - those that chop through the coffee beans rather than truly grinding them - result in a chaotic and haphazard arrangement of coffee particles, with far less consistency than is needed for a good cup of coffee. This is especially true of espresso, where grind size and consistency is essential in getting an even extraction, leading to a quality brew.
Burr grinders crush rather than chop the beans and give you precise control over the size of your grind, allowing you to use the grinder for a range of brewing methods, from espresso to pour over. They also generate less heat, which preserves the aromatic oils and flavours of the beans.
What’s the difference between conical and flat burrs?
The design of conical and flat burrs is quite different:
- Conical Burrs - The outside burr is ring-shaped, with a cone-shaped burr sitting inside it. The coffee is ground vertically and falls out of the bottom, making gravity an essential factor.
- Flat Burrs - Two disc-shaped burrs are layered, with an adjustable gap between them that determines the final particle size. When the burrs are accurately aligned and truly parallel, the grounds are exceptionally consistent. Centrifugal force causes the grind to exit the burrs with less reliance on gravity.
These contrasting methods of grinding lead to several differences for both the coffee and the user:
- Particle Distribution - Flat burr grinders lead to a uniform particle size, while conical burrs produce a bimodal particle distribution, meaning that they create both smaller and larger-sized particles.
- Speed and Heat - Flat burr grinders typically rotate at greater speeds and generate more heat than conical burr grinders. This means that if in constant use, flat burr grinders can need to be given time to cool down or risk affecting the taste of the coffee through early heat transference.
- Noise - Conical burrs are quieter machines thanks to the lower speeds at which they run. This can be of benefit in home environments.
- Flavour Profile - Due to the particle size, it is generally considered that flat burrs produce greater flavour separation, allowing the drinker to better taste the individual nature of the beans unique characteristics. In contrast, conical burrs produce a more traditional body with blended flavours.
As with all things coffee, personal taste has a lot to do with which of these experiences you may prefer, leading to the determination that neither conical nor flat burrs is definitively better.
Even the team at Niche Coffee have differing preferences, with some preferring conical and others flat. This is why we produce two distinct grinders - the conical burr Niche Zero and the flat burr Niche Duo. Both offer virtually zero retention and can be adjusted to produce perfect grinds for any coffee brew.
Does burr size matter?
When it comes to the technical specifications of your grinding process, one factor that crops up regularly is burr size. Does burr size matter? Absolutely.
A greater surface area means larger burrs grind more beans without generating as much heat that risks the oils essential to the coffee taste and aroma. This is true for both flat burr and conical burr grinders.
The Niche Zero conical burr grinder uses premium 63mm conical burrs, while the Niche Duo flat burr grinders are an impressive 83mm - perfect for both home and professional café use.
Is a conical or flat burr better for espresso?
So… conical vs. flat burr grinder for espresso? It’s a conversation that’s gone on between baristas for many years. And does it make a difference if you’re brewing at home vs. in a commercial setting?
First, whether you go for flat or conical burrs in your grinders, it’s essential that you pick a premium grinder. When the design and manufacture of the grinder is of a high standard, you’re going to get a better and more consistent grind than making do with poor quality products - your grinder is an investment that will last for years of coffee making. Because consistency is one of the most important considerations when brewing espresso, finding a good quality grinder is essential.
Flat burrs generate a more uniform particle size, which typically creates a much cleaner espresso shot that demonstrates the flavour notes of the roast. As mentioned above, many coffee connoisseurs enjoy the more separated flavour profile of a flat burr espresso shot. However, flat burrs are typically less forgiving than conical burrs and require more accuracy when dialling in your grind size.
Premium quality conical burr grinders also create a fantastic espresso, but with a more traditional espresso shot texture and blended flavour. Conical burrs are typically more forgiving when dialling in, which may be better for beginners or those with limited time.
There is no right answer, and personal preference will ultimately dictate which burr type is right for your espresso – coffee perfection is an art that is wonderfully subjective.
Is a conical or flat burr better for pour over?
Many who brew pour over are looking for a coffee drink with greater clarity, something that is helped by the uniform grind size of a flat burr. This leads to fewer fines in the bed of the coffee and prevents the drink from becoming gritty.
However, a flat burr that’s developed for espresso is typically not as good for filter coffee – and vice versa. Home baristas often find themselves forced to compromise on one brewing method. Thankfully, the Niche Duo comes with dedicated burr sets for both espresso and filter coffee, giving you a perfect grind for either brew.
In contrast, conical burrs provide a perfect all-rounder that offers pour over coffee brews greater texture and body. Obtaining a good grind with a conical burr is often easier, as they are more forgiving when dialling in, making them appealing for home coffee enthusiasts.
Yet again, it will come down to your personal palate.
What else should I be considering in a grinder?
Burrs are important but there’s more to consider when purchasing a grinder. The following are all key considerations when choosing your grinder:
Budget and Quality
Cost is often a limiting factor when looking at grinders, but like many things in life, you do get what you pay for. A cheap grinder may seem appealing but is likely to show itself up as a poor investment. Grinding is the first step in brewing your coffee, so a mistake made in this early stage affects the whole process - you can have the best espresso machine on the market, but feed it poorly ground coffee and it’ll struggle to produce a drinkable brew, let alone an enticing one. Look for quality in your burr grinder.
Single Dosing for Home Use
If you’re making coffee at home, it’s valuable to have a single dose grinder. Not only does it eliminate waste, it also ensures that your coffee is as fresh as possible. Once ground, coffee deteriorates quickly, absorbing the moisture and flavours from the air and environment, so going straight from beans to drink with no holdover grounds helps make sure each brew is as vibrant as the last.
Low Retention
Retention in your grinder is a problem that can both ruin your coffee measurements and add additional effort in cleaning. If the grinds get stuck in the grinder, they will go stale, ruining all future brews until they are cleaned out.
Look for a burr grinder with as little retention as possible, ensuring that all your coffee makes it from bean to filter.
Simple Workflow
You don’t want to take ages to make your coffee, no matter how enjoyable and relaxing the experience. Your grinder should be an effortless part of the operation, delivering freshly ground coffee without taking more of your time than absolutely necessary. Choose a grinder that’s easy to use: weigh, pour, flick switch - done!
Clean and Quiet
A beautiful and professional coffee grinder is a delight to use, not a burden that makes a huge noise while spraying coffee across your kitchen work surface! Select a quality flat burr or conical burr grinder that doesn’t sound (and feel) like there are roadworks going on just outside the window!
When it comes to coffee grinder excellence, the Niche Zero conical burr grinder and Niche Duo flat burr grinder provide everything a true enthusiast needs to grind perfect coffee at home. Our passion for coffee perfection means our grinders meet our every desire and expectation - and they’ll meet yours, too! In the debate of conical vs. flat burr grinder, the answer is Niche.