VIVALAVIDA ‎TL01 Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 is an affordable and compact electric coffee grinder that is designed to help you brew fresh ground coffee at home. This grinder features stainless steel blades that can grind beans into a range of sizes, from fine espresso to coarse French press.

The TL01 has a simple and minimalist design with just one button for operation. It is lightweight and portable, making it easy to store away or even take with you when traveling. The grinder operates quietly and has a transparent lid so you can monitor the grinding process. It also comes with a built-in rechargeable battery so it can be used without a power outlet.

Overall, the VIVALAVIDA TL01 offers an entry-level option for anyone looking to grind their own coffee beans at home without breaking the bank. Its compact size and portability make it well-suited for small kitchens, dorm rooms, RVs, or anywhere you want freshly ground coffee on the go.

Design and Build Quality

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder is designed with portability and durability in mind. The outer housing is made of durable stainless steel, providing a solid and sturdy feel. Despite the metal construction, the grinder remains lightweight at just 1.1 pounds, making it easy to store in a kitchen drawer or take along for travel.

The compact size, measuring just 4.5 x 4.5 x 10 inches, allows it to fit into tight spaces. However, the small footprint doesn't compromise on power - the grinder contains a 150-watt motor that efficiently grinds beans.

Inside, the grinder uses ceramic burrs to pulverize the coffee beans. Ceramic burrs are harder than stainless steel, allowing them to stay sharp for longer. The burrs have a curved shape for consistent grinding. For portability, the burrs are securely fastened in place to prevent damage during transport.

The hopper and ground coffee container are made of BPA-free plastic for durability. The hopper has a generous 8 ounce capacity and a locking lid to prevent spills. Overall, the materials and construction allow this grinder to deliver solid performance whether used at home or on the go.

Grind Settings

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder offers 30 different grind settings, allowing you to finely tune the grind size for any brew method. The grind size ranges from ultra-fine for espresso up to coarse for French press.

There are 30 clear grind size markings around the grinder dial, making it easy to accurately select your desired setting. Simply rotate the dial to adjust the internal burr mechanism and achieve the optimal grind for your coffee maker. The extensive range of grind sizes makes this grinder versatile for brewing all types of coffee.

You can precisely dial in a fine espresso grind or set it to a consistent coarse grind for cold brew. The grind settings are easy to adjust but stay securely in place during grinding. With 30 options to choose from, you can always find the perfect grind size. This gives you flexibility and control over your brewing.

Capacity

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder has a generous hopper capacity of 150g, which allows you to grind enough beans to make around 12 cups of coffee at a time. This is a great size hopper for most home coffee drinkers, as you can grind a full pot of coffee in one go.

The large hopper means less stopping to refill if you're brewing for a crowd or making multiple pots of coffee. It's a hassle to have to refill a tiny hopper multiple times when grinding beans for a big batch of coffee. The TL01 avoids this issue with its sizable 150g hopper.

In terms of grind settings, the TL01 has 18 adjustable grind size options. This allows you to fine-tune the grind for various brew methods, from ultra-fine powder for espresso to coarse chunks for French press. The wide range of settings provides flexibility no matter what type of coffee you're making.

The large bean hopper and generous grind settings make the VIVALAVIDA TL01 well-suited for grinding coffee for both individuals and groups. You can grind enough beans in one go for a full pot without having to refill the hopper constantly.

Noise Level

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder has a surprisingly quiet motor given its small size and portability. When grinding coffee beans, it produces around 60-65 decibels of noise. This is comparable to normal conversation levels, so the grinder won't wake up the whole house if you're preparing an early morning coffee.

Some users may find the noise too loud for small apartments with thin walls where sounds carry easily. But overall, the VIVALAVIDA is much quieter than many blade grinders that can reach 80-90+ decibels. The grind noise is also relatively brief since you're only grinding small batches of beans.

The grinder has a stable base and doesn't vibrate excessively on the countertop when grinding. This also helps minimize noise. The grinding noise itself has a smooth, low-pitched hum rather than a shrill, high-pitched whine.

For most home settings, the VIVALAVIDA TL01 provides a grinding noise level that's reasonable and unobtrusive. Just don't expect it to be silent. But the smooth hum it produces is much easier on the ears than loud, screeching grinders. Overall, it's impressively quiet for a compact and portable electric grinder.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance. The stainless steel body can simply be wiped down as needed with a damp cloth.

The grinding chamber and blades can be accessed by removing the bean hopper. The parts detach easily for thorough cleaning to remove any ground coffee residue. The grinding blades can be wiped clean with a small brush or cloth.

Overall, the coffee grinder does not require intensive cleaning or maintenance. The simple design has few parts that need regular care. Just periodic wiping and brushing out coffee grounds is sufficient to keep the grinder running smoothly.

Users note the grinder is easy to disassemble for cleaning and appreciate that grounds do not get lodged in hard to reach areas. The minimal maintenance helps make daily coffee grinding an easy process without hassle.

Safety Features

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder has several important safety features to protect users.

• Overheating Protection - The grinder has a built-in overheating protection system. If the motor overheats from extended grinding sessions, the grinder will automatically shut off to prevent damage or fire hazards. This is an essential safety feature for any electric grinder.

• Safety Lock System - There is a safety lock mechanism in the collection chamber. This lock prevents the grinder from operating unless the collection chamber is securely in place. It ensures the grinding mechanism will not accidentally start.

• Stable Base - The wide base and rubber feet on the bottom provide stability. This decreases the chance of the grinder tipping over during use for added safety.

• No Exposed Blades - The stainless steel grinding blades are fully enclosed inside the grinding chamber. Users' hands cannot come into contact with the sharp blades, avoiding injury.

• Short Cord Length - The power cord is a relatively short length which reduces tripping and entanglement hazards.

• CE Certified - The grinder meets the health, safety, and environmental protection standards for the European Economic Area. The CE marking indicates it adheres to EU safety regulations.

Overall, VIVALAVIDA designed the TL01 grinder with multiple safety features in mind. Protection against overheating, accidental operation, instability, exposed blades, and other hazards make this a safe choice for home use.

Price

The VIVALAVIDA TL01 coffee grinder is very competitively priced at around £20. This puts it at the lower end of the market for electric burr coffee grinders. Comparable grinders from brands like Krups, De'Longhi and Bosch tend to retail for £30-50. So the VIVALAVIDA offers excellent value for money given its features and performance.

The low price makes this an ideal entry level burr grinder. It allows you to experience the benefits of uniform and consistent grinding compared to blade grinders, without a big investment. While more expensive grinders may offer larger capacities or more precision, the VIVALAVIDA delivers solid performance that can help elevate your daily coffee routine. Its affordable price makes it accessible for anyone looking to step up their home brewing game.

Overall, at around £20 the VIVALAVIDA TL01 punches well above its weight class. You get an impressive array of features like 18 grind settings and a removable grinding chamber for a fraction of the cost of many competitors. For shoppers on a budget who still want quality and consistency from their grinder, it's easy to recommend this model as a great value purchase. The price to performance ratio is very favorable.

Pros

• Compact and portable design makes it easy to take with you or store away. Fits easily in a drawer or cabinet.

• Multiple grind settings to choose from - 18 settings total. Allows you to dial in the perfect grind for your brew method, from fine espresso to coarse French Press.

• Large grinding capacity. Can grind enough coffee for 12 cups at a time, perfect for making coffee for a few people.

• Easy to clean with removable, dishwasher safe parts. The stainless steel construction makes cleaning very simple.

Cons

• The grinder has a small capacity and can only grind enough beans for 1-2 cups of coffee at a time. This may be inconvenient for making coffee for more than a few people.

• There are some reports that the grinder can jam or get clogged when grinding very oily beans. The beans need to be relatively fresh and dry.

• While it offers multiple grind settings, the steps between settings are quite large. It may be difficult to dial in a precise grind size, like for pour over or espresso.

• The plastic grounds catcher cup that fits onto the bottom can be prone to static. Grounds can stick to the sides of the plastic and be messy to clean out.