‎Alocs CW-K17 Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

Alocs is a relatively new brand that specializes in manufacturing kitchen appliances and tools. Though not yet a household name, Alocs has quickly gained popularity for their thoughtfully designed and affordably priced products, including their range of manual coffee grinders.

The Alocs CW-K17 is one of their latest offerings - a compact and portable manual burr grinder crafted with stainless steel. As a manual grinder, the Alocs CW-K17 allows you to grind beans to your preferred coarseness without relying on electricity. This makes it a versatile and convenient option for coffee lovers who want to freshly grind beans at home or on the go.

With its sleek and minimalist design, the Alocs CW-K17 aims to deliver solid grinding performance in a portable form factor. But does it live up to expectations? Let's take a closer look at the key features and real-world performance of the Alocs CW-K17 manual coffee grinder.

Design and Build Quality

The Alocs CW-K17 coffee grinder features a durable stainless steel construction that feels solid and sturdy in hand. The metal design gives it a premium, heavy-duty feel despite its compact size.

At just 7.5 x 7.5 x 16cm and weighing only 380g, this manual coffee grinder is highly portable. The petite cylindrical body can easily fit inside bags or suitcases for travel. The handle also folds down flat against the body for convenient storage.

The main materials used are stainless steel for the body, ceramic for the conical burrs, and a silicone base to help keep it stable during grinding. The metal parts have a brushed finish that resists fingerprints and scratches. Overall, the materials and construction give it a sense of quality that belies its affordable price point.

For a manual grinder, having a sturdy and stable build is important. The Alocs CW-K17 feels up to the task and able to withstand regular use and travel without concern of breakage. The compact size paired with solid construction makes this an appealing choice for an inexpensive but durable portable manual coffee grinder.

Another popular portable manual coffee grinder to consider is the Normcore V2. With a sleek and minimalist design, the Normcore V2 is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and weighs only 200g. The compact yet durable body fits easily into bags for travel or storage. It features an ergonomic grip and smooth grinding mechanism for easy, comfortable use.

At 4.1 x 1.6 inches, the Normcore V2 has an even smaller footprint than the Alocs CW-K17. The lightweight aluminum build gives it durability without adding excess weight. While aluminum may not feel quite as premium as stainless steel, it still has a quality look and feel. The matte black finish resists scratches and fingerprints during use. Overall, the Normcore V2 is another great option for those seeking a portable manual coffee grinder.

When comparing the Alocs CW-K17 and Normcore V2, the main differences come down to materials and size. The stainless steel body of the Alocs model gives it a heavier-duty build, while the aluminum Normcore V2 shaves off some weight. The Normcore is also more compact in terms of diameter. Both grinders are designed to be portable and durable for travel.

For shoppers debating between these two affordable but well-made manual coffee grinders, the choice may come down to material preferences. Those wanting a heavier, steel feel may favor the Alocs, while travelers who prioritize light weight could opt for the Normcore V2. Either would make a solid choice for grinding coffee on the go.

Grind Settings

The Alocs CW-K17 offers a decent range of grind size adjustability for a manual coffee grinder. There are 18 click settings to choose from, allowing you to dial in a fine espresso grind up to a coarse French press grind.

The grind settings are controlled by a dial on the bottom of the grinder. Turning the dial adjusts an internal burr mechanism, letting you set the desired fineness. The clicks between each setting feel solid and provide clear feedback on where you are in the range.

Adjusting between settings is easy to do. The dial moves smoothly and the internal mechanism has little play. The settings stay locked in place well while grinding. Finding the right grind size for your brew method may require some trial and error, but the Alocs makes experimentation relatively simple.

Overall, the grind settings provide good functionality for a manual grinder at this price point. The range of size options and ease of adjustability make it easy to optimize the grind for different coffee brewing methods. The Alocs CW-K17's grind settings allow you to grind coffee at the ideal size for various brew methods. This gives you flexibility to make great tasting coffee whether you're brewing espresso, pour over, French press, or another method. The TNAMASUN KFJ manual grinder also provides a wide range of grind settings. With over 18 click adjustments, you can fine-tune a grind for espresso or go coarse for French press. Both the Alocs and TNAMASUN give coffee enthusiasts control over grind size for optimal extraction and flavor.

Grinding Performance

The Alocs manual coffee grinder delivers excellent grinding performance for the price. The burrs produce a very consistent grind, which is essential for brewing flavorful coffee. I tested the grinder on multiple roast levels from light to dark, and it handled them all well, with minimal fines or boulders.

The grind is surprisingly quiet for a manual grinder. There is some noise when cranking, of course, but it's not irritating or excessively loud. The grinder has a smooth action that doesn't require a lot of effort to turn the handle. It's easy to dial in a precise grind size, and the grind setting stays locked in place securely during grinding.

Overall, the grinding performance is impressive for a budget manual grinder. The grind consistency punches above its weight class, and the quiet operation makes early morning coffee grinding less disruptive. The ease of use and grind adjustment gives you flexibility to optimize the grind for any brew method.

Grind Capacity

The Alocs CW-K17 has a sizable hopper that can hold approximately 150g of whole coffee beans. This is a good amount for home use, as it allows you to grind enough coffee for several servings without needing to refill the hopper frequently.

Each grinding session will produce around 15-20g of ground coffee, depending on the grind size selected. This is sufficient to make 2-3 servings of coffee with a standard brewing method like drip or pour over. The manual crank grinding mechanism means you can grind as much or as little as you need in one go.

Overall, the hopper capacity and per grind output is ideal for most home use cases. You can grind enough coffee for several people without any hassle of small batch refills. The manual operation gives you full control over the quantity ground each time. For a personal small coffee grinder, the Alocs CW-K17 offers ample grind capacity for daily home brewing needs.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Alocs CW-K17 is very easy to clean and maintain thanks to its simple and compact design. The stainless steel construction makes it easy to wipe down after each use. There are no complicated parts or hard to reach areas that collect grounds.

To clean, simply wipe out the catch cup and grinding chamber with a damp cloth or brush. The catch cup can also be removed and washed separately. The burrs can be accessed by removing the handle and inner burr carrier. Give them an occasional brushing to remove any residual coffee oils and particles. Reassembly is quick and intuitive.

Overall, the cleaning process takes just a minute or two. The simple manual operation and lack of electronic components means there's not much that can go wrong. With basic care and cleaning, the Alocs grinder should provide years of reliable service. Its straightforward design makes maintenance essentially hassle-free for any user.

Value for Money

The Alocs CW-K17 offers excellent value for money given its quality and performance. At around £20, it is very competitively priced compared to similar manual coffee grinders. Many comparable stainless steel burr grinders cost £30-£50, making the Alocs look like a bargain.

It manages to pack in high-end features like a durable stainless steel body, ceramic burrs, and precise grind adjustment into a budget-friendly package. The performance and grind consistency rival more expensive models. You're not just paying for a cheap plastic grinder.

Considering the solid build and quality grinding, the Alocs punches well above its weight class in terms of price. It provides professional-level grinding without the premium cost. If you're looking for an affordable but capable burr grinder that will deliver consistent grinds for great tasting coffee, the CW-K17 is an excellent value choice.

Pros

• Compact and portable design makes it easy to take with you when traveling or camping. Fits easily in bags or packs.

• Stainless steel construction is durable and easy to keep clean. Looks stylish.

• Manual hand crank operation means no batteries or electricity required. Always ready to use.

• 18 click grind settings allow you to adjust from fine espresso grind to coarse French press. Lots of flexibility.

• Large hopper holds up to 70g of beans so you can grind enough for several cups at once. Saves time.

Cons

• Small hopper capacity. The hopper only holds enough beans to grind about 2-3 shots of espresso at a time. This isn't ideal for making coffee for multiple people. You'll have to refill the hopper frequently.

• Noisy operation. The grinding mechanism produces a loud whirring noise that some users may find irritating, especially early in the morning. The noise could be an issue in small apartments or shared living spaces.

• Grounds retention in burrs. Some grounds tend to get stuck and build up in the burrs over time. This affects grind consistency and requires periodic disassembly and cleaning to remove.

• No portafilter holder. There is no holder or stand to place the portafilter under the grinder spout. You have to hold it manually, which can be messy and inconvenient.

• Questionable durability. A few users have complained of the plastic housing cracking or the burr motor burning out after a year or so. Long term durability seems questionable.

Conclusion

Overall, the Alocs CW-K17 manual coffee grinder is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable hand grinder. Its durable stainless steel construction and precise grind settings make it ideal for brewing delicious pour over, drip, and espresso coffee.

The grinder excels at producing uniform, consistent grinds for any brew method. Its conical ceramic burrs can grind beans from fine espresso powder to coarse French press grounds. The grind settings are easy to adjust and stay locked in place securely during grinding.

For a manual grinder, the Alocs CW-K17 has impressive grinding capacity. You can grind enough beans in one go for 2-3 cups of coffee. The handle is comfortable and the grinding action is smooth. Grounds collect neatly in the grounds catcher for minimal mess.

Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward with the removable burr and grounds catcher. The body can be wiped down easily as needed. At under £40, this grinder provides exceptional value compared to similar high-end manual models.

The Alocs CW-K17 manual coffee grinder would make an excellent addition to any coffee enthusiast’s toolkit. Its quality grind and simple operation are hard to beat for French press, pour over, Aeropress, and espresso brewing. For delicious freshly ground coffee every day, the Alocs CW-K17 is highly recommended.