Grinder Burrs Explained

The grinder shapes the cup as much as the machine does. Two choices matter most: burr geometry (flat vs conical) and adjustment (stepped vs stepless).

Conical vs flat burrs

Conical burrs use a cone spinning inside a ring. They produce a slightly wider particle-size distribution, which tends to give a heavier body, sweeter, more forgiving cup that's easier to dial in. Good for milk drinks and for beginners.

Flat burrs use two parallel rings facing each other. Their more uniform grind yields a cleaner, higher-clarity, more articulate cup that separates flavors — but the narrower window of good results is less forgiving and rewards accuracy.

• Conical: Hand Grinder (38mm), Compact (40mm)
• Flat: Vortex (64mm), Precision (83mm)

Stepped vs stepless

Stepped adjustment clicks between preset notches. It's simple and repeatable, but for espresso the ideal grind can fall between two steps, which limits fine tuning. The Compact uses 40 stepped settings.

Stepless adjustment moves continuously, giving infinite micro-adjustment. This matters a great deal for espresso — especially with flat burrs, where a tiny change moves the shot noticeably. The Hand, Vortex, and Precision are all stepless.

Single-dosing vs hopper, and retention

A hopper holds a bean supply for convenience (the Compact's holds ~150g). Single-dosing means weighing one shot's beans at a time — flexible for switching coffees, and best paired with low retention so almost no grounds are left behind between doses. The flat-burr Vortex is designed for near-zero retention single-dosing.

Comparison

Whichever you choose, expect to dial in each coffee. For a recommendation by use case, see the grinder buying guide.