Espresso grinders

Do Conical and Flat Burrs Make a Real Difference for Espresso?

Published · By the Espresso Shortlist editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

Less than the debate suggests. Both conical and flat burrs are used in grinders built for espresso, and two grinders with the same burr shape can differ more from each other than from a grinder with the other shape. Burr size, the adjustment system, the motor, and how you dose all change with the model, so compare whole grinders, not burr shapes.

Three espresso grinders, two burr shapes

Baratza Encore ESPFellow Opus 2Eureka Mignon Specialità
Burrs40 mm conical, hardened alloy steel48 mm conical, stainless steel55 mm flat, hardened steel
Adjustment40 numbered steps (1 to 20 for espresso)Stepless side dialStepless micrometric
DosingHopperSingle dose, 100 g load bin300 g hopper, 2 programmable timed doses
Power rating70 W300 W310 W, 1,350 rpm
Weight3.1 kg (7 lb)2.3 kg (5.1 lb)5.6 kg
US list price$199.95$199.95Not listed on Eureka's site

The two conical grinders sell for the same price and share almost nothing else. One has numbered steps and a hopper; the other is stepless, single dose, and draws more than four times the power. If you picked between them by burr shape, you wouldn't be choosing at all.

What the shapes are

A conical set is a cone-shaped burr turning inside a ring, with the beans ground as they move down between them. A flat set is two parallel discs facing each other, with the beans ground as they travel outward from the center. Both are cut steel, and both appear here in grinders marketed for espresso.

Why taste claims about burr shape are hard to test

You'll read that flat burrs give more clarity and conical burrs more body. Look at the table and the problem is plain: moving from the Encore ESP to the Mignon Specialità changes the burr diameter from 40 to 55 mm, the power rating from 70 to 310 W, and the dosing from hopper to timed at the same time. Any difference in the cup could come from any of those. A fair comparison would need two grinders that match on everything except burr shape, and home grinders almost never do.

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Sources

  1. Baratza — Encore ESP Product Sheet
  2. Baratza — Encore™ ESP
  3. Fellow — Opus 2 Conical Burr Grinder
  4. Eureka — Mignon Specialità

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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