When storing coffee beans, I’ve come to realize that they gradually get quite oily sitting there in my pantry. Some coffee beans are oilier than others, as we all know, but most start to form a thin layer of glistening liquid over them with time.
After extensive research, I’ve compiled and ranked the best burr grinder for oily beans this year. Below is the summary:
Best overall: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder (Latest Price on Amazon)
Best budget option: OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder (Latest Price on Amazon)
Oily coffee beans can be tricky with some burr grinders, and that’s why it is absolutely essential to get a grinder that can handle coffee beans with a bit of shimmer. Keep reading for the interesting details!
Best burr coffee grinder for oily beans:
Here’s a list of 9 of the best burr coffee grinders for oily beans for you to choose from that will get your cup of coffee as close to perfection as possible.
1. Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore beats the Virtuoso+ in this list because the two models offer practically the same quality at different prices, Baratza Encore being the more affordable and delivering just as great value, or maybe even better as The Strategist would say.
The Baratza Encore has a solid build and comparable functionality with its grander cousin.
The machine is also equipped with 40 individual grind settings as well as the super-efficient stainless steel conical burrs and motor. While the capacity for both the grinders is exactly the same, the Encore is slightly slower.
It can output 1.1 grams of coffee per second – which is still quite impressive in my eyes. The Encore also does not have a timer but it uses a combination of gear and electronic speed to control the rotation of the burrs and avoid the beans getting over-heated and oily.
The Baratza Encore is also a popular choice with coffee-lovers because it is very intuitive and extremely easy to use. It has a minimalist exterior, available in both black and white colors, the latter being its newest look.
The only drawback with this appliance is that it cannot produce a grind that is fine enough for beverages like Turkish Coffee.
It can also be a little problematic with grinding coffee for espresso, but with a little game of trial and error with the all-manual settings, it is definitely possible.
Other than that, the Baratza Encore is packing all the goods.
2. OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder
In the same league as the Encore, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is another great option.
With 15 individual grind settings and additional micro settings, it is capable of producing coffee grounds that are good for espresso, cold brew, and everything in between.
According to Forbes, OXO’s workhorse grinder hits the sweet spot between affordability, versatility, and consistency.
The appliance is outfitted with a mechanism to reduce static when grinding and a hopper (with UV-blocking tint and an air-tight lid) you can remove to change out beans easily. It also has a programmable 30-second timer that helps to keep your beans safe and snug.
The OXO Coffee grinder’s capacity is also one of the largest, almost about a quarter pound from all the other contestants in the race. The machine is also great to look at and only takes up a tiny spot on the kitchen counter.
If you are looking for a little extra something, this appliance can be upgraded to a model that is equipped with a built-in intelligent scale, which can make your life much easier.
The OXO Brew Conical Curr Grinder with Integrated Scale simplifies the process of grinding coffee – all you need to do is enter your preferences (number of cups and coarseness), and the grinder outputs exactly that amount and in the desired condition.
3. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
If you are looking to go even cheaper but retain the quality, the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is your friend. With 18 different grind settings that will satisfy your needs for extra-coarse all the way to ultra-fine, it is an absolute steal.
According to GoodHousekeeping, it is the best grinder there is for Cold Brew and French Press. The Cuisinart Burr Mill’s other grinds are also comparable in quality.
The simple and elegant structure of the machine houses a powerful heavy-duty motor that is equipped to provide uniform grind and optimum flavor. The grinder has an electric timer that automatically shuts off after a grind cycle is complete, avoiding any sticky situations.
This versatile and durable appliance also comes with a huge grind chamber capable of holding ground coffee for 32 cups, one of the largest in any other comparable appliances.
Looking forward to having friends over for coffee? Don’t forget to invite the Cuisinart Burr Mill!
4. Baratza Virtuoso+
Recommended by coffee lovers and aficionados across the globe, the Baratza Virtuoso+ is a great grinder if you are looking for speed, durability, and consistency.
Its high-carbon stainless steel conical burrs can grind about 2.4 grams of coffee per second, It is an extremely versatile machine fitted with an efficient motor and a 40-second timer that keeps your beans cool, which means no extra oil is secreted when they are heated! guaranteeing a smooth, consistent grind.
The appliance lets you choose from 40 different grind settings, ensuring that you get them perfect for every type of coffee beverage. The maximum capacity of the hopper is about 8 ounces of coffee beans and the grounds bin can hold about 5 ounces.
The appliance is very user-friendly and also extremely easy on the eyes – complete with a digital display and a clear grounds bin that lets you keep an eye on your beans as they turn into tiny little particles of joy.
Essentially, the Virtuoso+ is a commercial-grade appliance with all the perks packed into a portable size for your kitchen.
The only drawback for the machine is that it can be a bit more expensive than most other grinders in the market. However, for all its features, I would say that it’s totally worth it. Don’t believe me – ask any professional barista what grinder they have at home!
5. Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder
A direct competitor of the Burr Mill, the Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder boasts of simplicity and value. It’s the number one contender on the HomeGrounds list of the top 7 grinders of 2021, and I couldn’t agree more.
With 12 essential grind settings and a high-performing motor, the appliance guarantees a consistent grind every single time. It is also equipped with a friction clutch which instantly forces the machine to stop operation if it senses any glitches (excess oil or a stone) inside the grinder.
The Bodum Bistro Grinder’s hopper holds just about 8 ounces of coffee beans and the borosilicate grounds bin prevents aby ground spillage making cleaning up after it a piece of cake.
The only drawback is that its fine grind setting does not produce the greatest grounds for espresso, but it’s not alarmingly terrible either.
With a stylish exterior made of scratch-resistant plastic comparable to a fancy restaurant gadget, the Bodum Bistro Grinder delivers a consistent grind along with the guarantee of an eye-turner on your kitchen countertop.
From the transparent coffee bean hopper to the classic black and red color combination, everything about the appliance screams style. If the beauty outside is just as important to you as on the inside, the Bodum Bistro Grinder is your lady!
6. KRUPS Adjustable Burr Grinder GX500050
In about the same price range as the Cuisinart and Bodum models, the KRUPS Adjustable Burr Grinder GX500050 is perhaps the best value for money if you are looking for a basic, quality burr grinder.
With 9 main grind settings and 5 intermediary steps that go from fine to coarse, it is as good a grinder as any in the price of a blade grinder. While there is not much experimentation and customization you can do, the KRUPS Grinder is a great appliance to have if you are simply looking to up your morning coffee game.
It is also extremely user-friendly with just a one-touch mechanism and easy to clean with a removable top burr and a dedicated cleaning brush. The Strategist votes it the best (less expensive) coffee grinder.
The KRUPS Grinder is fitted with flat metal burrs that provide grind consistency and an auto-stop feature that accounts for the safety of the beans, especially from any oily disasters.
It is a compact device with a capacity of about 7 ounces of coffee beans. So, for essential needs and minimal damage to your wallet, the KRUPS Adjustable Burr Grinder is definitely your best bet.
7. Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder
This is for the tech geeks who love themselves quality caffeine. The Breville BCG820BSS Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder is built to mimic your very own little coffee-providing robotic pal.
The quirky model has an LCD screen that shows grind setting, grind time, and the number of shots or cups you have selected. That’s not all, as the name suggests, it is actually a smart grinder that comes programmed with intelligent settings to help you achieve the perfect grind for every kind of cup or shot.
According to GoodHousekeeping, the Breville Smart Grinder’s “finest setting produces powdery results that don’t clump together, while the coarsest resembles the ground coffee you’d buy in a store”.
The Breville Smart Grinder is the closest any home appliance can get to a commercial-grade coffee grinder. With an 18-ounce bean capacity and superior stainless steel conical burrs, it is the grinder of every coffee aficionado’s dreams.
The conical burrs combined with the 0.2-second electronic timer help to preserve the bean oils.
The machine is equipped to grind coffee at 60 individual settings and as a bonus feature allows you to grind directly into a portafilter or paper filter (calling all the espresso and filter coffee drinkers!).
8. De’Longhi Dedica Digital Coffee Grinder KG521M
Giving the Breville appliance a run for its money, the De’Longhi Dedica Digital Coffee Grinder KG521M has the capability to grind directly into portafilters. However, the De’Longhi Dedica’s looks are a tad bit more on the classy side than quirky.
The appliance also doesn’t offer as many settings as it’s a smart rival, but the 18 grind preferences that it does have cover all the essentials and a few more.
The machine also offers 3 individual strength settings – light, normal, and strong – so you can easily monitor the oil secretions. It is able to hold about 12 ounces of coffee beans and has a removable upper burr to facilitate easy cleaning.
The extra air-tight storage container that keeps your grounds smelling fresh and incredible is an additional bonus feature with this appliance.
Equipped with a stainless steel exterior and conical burrs made of the same material, the machine is extremely durable.
The Coffee Maven gives it a high rating, and while I am not completely convinced because it is priced quite high, the various customer reviews tell me otherwise. If a classic look and ease of use are what you are after, the De’Longhi Dedica definitely delivers.
9. Capresso 565.05 Infinity Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder
While I would not trade my grinder for anything in the world, sometimes the sounds that the machine makes scare me to death, or worse wake up my entire household too early.
If you suffer from the same issue, look no further. This is the quietest burr coffee grinder there is, according to GoodHousekeeping, the Capresso 565.05 Infinity Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder makes only a low, muffled sound while it works its magic on your beans.
Offering 16 different grinds setting under 4 major categories – extra-fine, fine, medium, and coarse – it is also undoubtedly one of the best home grinders for super-fine grounds. Any Turkish Coffee fans? Here’s your dream come true.
Fitted with commercial-grade conical steel burrs, an adjustable time that ranges from 5 to 60 seconds and a safety lock system, the appliance is consistent and great at what it does.
In the case of oily beans, the slowest grinding speed ensures less friction and heat build-up preserving maximum aroma and flavor.
The appliance also offers pulse grinding and can hold up to 8 ounces of coffee beans. Like several of its classmates, it has a removable upper conical burr to cater for easy cleaning.
The Capresso Grinder has an elegant, timeless design and won’t take up too much space on the kitchen countertop.
Final Thoughts
If you are anything like me, you know that the first cup of coffee can absolutely make or break your day. But, as we all know, a great cup of coffee does not come easy – it takes quality beans, an expert burr grinder, and only the best coffee maker to produce the perfect caffeine-filled masterpiece.
Most people overlook the grinder and go straight for the pre-ground coffee powder, which works if you don’t mind a mediocre cuppa. I personally prefer purchasing my own coffee beans and grinding them at home. It’s the best way to ensure quality.
A good coffee grinder is a secret to my smile most mornings. In fact, some days even the loud noise is music to my ears. It has dramatically changed the way I drink my coffee and I would recommend it to anyone who begins their day with a cuppa.
Perhaps, it’s time for you to go get that one appliance that will change your coffee, or even life, for the better, oily or not (sans a little bit of disruptive noise, unless you go for the Capresso, of course)? All you have to do is scroll up to that one model that satisfies all your needs, and order away!
I hope this article was helpful in finding your coffee grinder soulmate, and you can already taste that home-ground, freshly brewed cup of quality coffee.
If you still have questions about the different coffee grinders mentioned above or want to suggest another model that’s been working wonders for you, feel free to jump in on the comments and get in touch with me.
