It's time for another Top 3 of the Year article here at Seattle Coffee Gear! While it's easy to get enamored with high end espresso grinders and machines there is one classic piece of coffee gear that just about everyone needs eventually - the humble coffee grinder. These are grinders built for slow-brewing performance rather than espresso levels of fine, perfect for pour over, drip, or press. If that sounds like something you'll be shopping for someday (hint, we think you will) then read on!
Baratza Encore
It's hard to say anything that hasn't already been said about this legendary grinder. While the Baratza Encore may not be loaded with high-tech features it doesn't change the fact that this is a stone cold classic option if you're shopping for a slow-brew grinder. It's built to last, with solid construction and 40mm conical steel burrs, and it performs great for drip, press, and pour over. We've also had plenty of success with this grinder for cold brew.
The Encore is very easy to use for new users, eschewing fancy programming and a complex interface in favor of simple pulse button or on/off switch commands and an approachable stepped grind adjust with 40 settings. This is the starting point for many, many at home coffee fans, and it's for good reason. The perfect entry level grinder that may last quite a bit longer than you expect it to.
Fellow Ode Gen 2
The Fellow Ode is another grinder built especially for filter brew methods. While it may also be designed for pour over, drip, press, and other filter methods (such as an Aeropress), the way it goes about it is a bit different than the Baratza Encore. Where the Encore offers consistent simplicity the Ode goes for just a few more bells and whistles. It's still a rock solid performer that is particularly suited for pour over thanks to its 64mm burrs, but it has some extra bells and whistles.
First of all, this is a single dosing grinder. This means that instead of filling the hopper with a whole bag of beans you'll be measuring out your beans ahead of time and then running those through the grinder. With its auto-stop functionality the Ode will shut off as soon as it runs through the beans. Other handy features are its over-sized stepped grind adjust, integrated knocker to clear any retained grounds, and its magnetic catch bin. While the Ode does carry a more significant price tag than the Encore, this is a great grinder for anyone looking for a little something extra from their pour over experience.
Eureka Mignon Filtro Silent
Going in a much different direction than the Ode is the Eureka Mignon Filtro. This grinder is purpose-built for slow brew methods, but features a stepless grind adjust for the ultimate in precision. This type of grind adjustment effectively has infinite (or near it) settings, giving you a high degree of precision for dialing in the perfect flavor of pour over with a tricky single origin. While it can take some time to wrap your head around this type of grind adjustment, learning to brew with a stepless grinder is satisfying and will guarantee some great coffee when combined with its 50mm burr set.
The other key feature here is the Filtro's noise level. The other two grinders we've looked at on this list aren't ear splitting, but they are loud. You'll likely hear them a few rooms away and using them first thing in the morning might wake some of the people around the house up. The Filtro Silent, on the other hand, is specially insulated to cut down on loud noise, and while it's not completely silent it does get as close as you'll find with a high performance coffee grinder.
Honorable Mention: Eureka Crono Brew
Like the Filtro, the Crono Brew is another Mignon grinder from Eureka built for slow brew coffee methods. Powered by 50mm flat steel burrs and a distinctly vertical hopper (with high walls for better bean guidance), this grinder offers the performance (and stepped adjustment) that the Mignon line is known for with just a bit of extra programming. A simple timer dial will allow you to time your dose, making this an excellent choice for any coffee drinker who likes to make the same consistent pour over every morning. While it may not be as quiet as the Filtro Silent or as feature-filled as the Ode, this is a solid option if you are looking for the performance of stepless adjustment and the convenience of a timer.
Learn more and see this grinders in action at the video below, and let us know in the comments which one is your favorite for this year!