And I love you for it. That’s why I’ll tell you to look elsewhere if fine-tuning grind settings is what gives you a reason to get up each morning. The Final Verdict Look, the Timemore Chestnut C2 is hardly a bad little hand grinder, but it leaves a little to be desired in terms of grind quality compared to some of the bigger name manual grinders.

I like the size of the grinder, and think it will appeal to people with smaller hands as well. I love how fast it is. It’s frustrating to grind coffee in a caffeine-deprived state, so this is a significant plus. Using this manual coffee grinder is fast, smooth, and easy. The crank handle is easy to turn without excessive force, and it’s surprisingly quiet when crushing coffee beans. Even though this hand grinder is great for manual brewing, you may not appreciate the grind quality when you’re cranking out enough for a large Chemex (which tends to take around 50 grams of coffee). For this test, I used two Gabi Master A’s, which don’t allow any personalized technique. If you use the C2 daily, your brewing style will naturally become more attuned to the particular grind distribution, and you should be able to make brews that compare to more high-end grinders. Capable of Grinding for both Filter and Espresso options. Exchanging unnecessary weight in the internals, the Chestnut C2 uses very strong & durable plastics in the structure, handle and grind knob. With the outer Body, hash marked for better grip, and burrs making up a majority of the C2’s 465g weight. Measuring only 17cm tall, its compact and lightweight size make it ideal even as a travel grinder.

Overall, the C2 coffee grinder is fantastic value for money and highly recommended as an entry level option, a travel companion or as a dedicated filter coffee grinder. You only brew espresso: Though versatile, the C3 is definitely designed primarily for pour over brews. If you mostly find yourself pulling shots of espresso, opting for a grinder designed with that in mind makes sense. Two of our favourites are the 1Zpresso J-Max and the Kinu M47.

Plastic may not be the sexiest of materials, but the plastic stabilizers inside the body do make the C2 lighter and more portable. The base C3 features the same aluminum dial as the C2 Pro. This gives the base C3 a significant edge over the base C2. The C3 was envisioned as an improved version of the C2, and little design fixes like this showcase that well. Burr Quality The portability is greatly increased due to the amount of plastic used to cut down on this coffee grinder’s weight, making it the perfect lightweight hand grinder for travel. Not only is there plastic inside, but it also has a plastic lid cover and a plastic grind adjustment knob. This lightweight coffee grinder measures 14.7 cm high, 5.2 cm in diameter, with a 15.9 cm handle, and weighs 430 g. It can hold 30 g of coffee beans, suitable for 3 cups, but it is recommended only to put in up to 25 g. There are also no wires, cords, or batteries to worry about here. Price – 4.5/5So we were pleased to find that consistency was one of the best aspects of the new burr set in the Timemore C3. In tests, it outperformed the Timemore Slim Plus, which uses the same burrs found in the C2. What about espresso? As for grind settings, the adjustment knob is easy to turn, too. And when you’re done, this hand grinder is easy to clean and small enough to store anywhere. The crank handle mechanism for the burr set eliminates 90% of the noise that an electric grinder would usually produce, so you can start your day more mindfully and enjoy a peaceful time while preparing and drinking your coffee. No excessive force is needed. Portability/Capacity – 5/5

It’s also such an established machine that it’s possible to find it used. As if this wasn’t already a budget-friendly choice. Trying out the C2 is about as risk-free as you’re going to get. Really, the C2 is a no-fuss piece, which is why it’s an excellent choice for a first coffee mill. Disadvantages Build quality is where Timemore products shine. I have yet to encounter one whose quality doesn’t blow me away for the price, and the C3 keeps this streak alive. As already mentioned, the new burrs offer excellent consistency, so in this respect, the S2C technology delivers on its promise.

Timemore Chestnut C2 Hand Grinder Features

It is crucial to clean Timemore Chestnut C2 with a brush and air-dry it. Do not wash or submerge it under water. The excellent build quality of the C3 further contributes to its portability. It’s not just about size and weight; a grinder also needs to be durable to stand up to the bumps and bruises of travel. The aluminium shell of the C3 is very sturdy, and its etched texture makes it immune to scratches. Price 4/5 The handle is stainless steel and mounted on ball bearings, so it spins with minimal resistance for a pretty smooth experience.