Burr grinders explained: flat vs conical
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The short answer
A burr grinder crushes coffee between two burrs, and Wikipedia says "the size of the grind is determined by the separation between the two burrs" 1. Burr grinders come with conical burrs, as on Breville's Smart Grinder Pro, or flat burrs, as the retailer Whole Latte Love lists for the Eureka Mignon Specialita 3. Read the maker's own page for the burr type and whether the grinder is meant for espresso.
How burrs grind
This type of grinder has two grinding surfaces. Beans pass between them and get crushed. Wikipedia describes burr mills as grinding "hard, small food products between two revolving abrasive surfaces separated by a distance usually set by the user" 1.
Move the burrs closer and the grounds come out finer. That's the whole control. Wikipedia puts it this way: "The size of the grind is determined by the separation between the two burrs" 1.
Some are turned by hand. Others have a motor. Wikipedia says "An electric motor drives the grinding elements against each other" 1.
If you're new to grinders in general, the espresso grinder basics page starts from the basics.
Conical burrs and flat burrs
Both shapes crush beans between burrs. The names describe the burr set inside. We haven't used either kind, so we won't say one is better. Here is what two makers say about their own models.
Breville lists "Stainless Steel Conical Burrs" in the specs for its Smart Grinder Pro 2. The retailer Whole Latte Love lists the Eureka Mignon Specialita with "Flat Burr" as its grinding method 3.
Shape isn't the only thing to read. Whole Latte Love's table gives the Eureka's adjustment type as "Micrometric Stepless" 3. Breville's page also lets you choose between settings for filter coffee and for espresso 2. Check the maker's own words on whether a model suits espresso.
How many settings
Makers count settings differently. Breville says the Smart Grinder Pro has "60 unique settings" 2. The Eureka, by contrast, has no fixed steps: its adjustment type is listed as "Micrometric Stepless" 3.
For espresso, fine steps matter. Seattle Coffee Gear, a seller, says "the first 20 settings for the Encore ESP make micro adjustments suitable for dialing in espresso" 4. It also says the Encore ESP includes "their M2 conical burr" 4. Baratza makes that grinder, so check Baratza's own page for current specs.
Some machines build the grinder in. The Breville Barista Express and who it suits is one example.
What they cost
Breville listed the Smart Grinder Pro at US$199.95 on breville.com on 6 November 2026 2. We didn't find a maker's price for the Eureka, so we don't quote one.
Prices change, so check the maker's page before you buy. Fresh beans matter as much as the grinder, and our espresso beans guide on roast and the label has the details.
Cleaning the grinder
Follow the instruction manual for your exact model. Breville's page lists a "Conical Burr Cleaning Brush" among the accessories but doesn't describe a cleaning procedure 2. So the manual is where the steps live. Don't take the machine apart any further than that manual says, and never open the motor housing or change anything about how it's built.
Before you choose
Four things are worth reading on the maker's own page. Is it conical or flat? Does the maker say it suits espresso? How many settings does it have, and are they stepped or stepless? What does the manual say about cleaning?
Note the price, its currency and the day you saw it. We haven't used any of these, so there's no ranking here and no winner. If you're also choosing a machine, the home espresso machine types and what to look for is the next read.
Frequently asked questions
Do hand-cranked and electric models both use burrs?
Both can. Wikipedia says "Manual burr grinders are turned by hand" and that in electric ones "An electric motor drives the grinding elements against each other" 1.
What is a conical burr coffee grinder?
It's a grinder with conical burrs. Breville, for example, lists "Stainless Steel Conical Burrs" in the specs for its Smart Grinder Pro 2.
What is a flat burr grinder?
It's a grinder with flat burrs. Whole Latte Love, a retailer, lists the Eureka Mignon Specialita with "Flat Burr" as its grinding method 3. Check the maker's page for the model you're considering.
How do you clean a burr grinder?
Follow the instruction manual for your exact model. Breville lists a "Conical Burr Cleaning Brush" with its Smart Grinder Pro but gives no procedure on the product page 2.
Sources
- Coffee grinder, Wikipedia. Checked 6 November 2026.
- Smart Grinder Pro, Breville. Checked 6 November 2026.
- Eureka Mignon Specialita Espresso Grinder, Whole Latte Love. Checked 6 November 2026.
- Baratza Encore ESP Coffee and Espresso Grinder, Seattle Coffee Gear. Checked 6 November 2026.