Azontion KFJ-GM-002 Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

Manual coffee grinders allow you to freshly grind coffee beans right before brewing for optimal flavor and aroma. Unlike electric grinders, manual models give you complete control over the grind size and process. The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 is a compact yet powerful manual coffee grinder made from stainless steel. It features 36 click grind settings to accommodate various brew methods like drip machine, pour over, French press, and espresso. With a durable design and quality burrs, this grinder aims to provide fresh grounds for great tasting coffee.

Design

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 has a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to use and store. The body is made of stainless steel with a matte black finish that gives it a nice modern aesthetic. Despite its small size, it feels sturdy and durable thanks to the metal construction.

It measures 5.9 x 5.9 x 10.2 inches, so it doesn't take up much space on your kitchen counter or when storing in a cabinet. And at just 2.65 pounds, it's lightweight enough to easily move around as needed. The matte black color helps minimize fingerprints and smudges to keep it looking nice.

Overall, the Azontion coffee grinder has a smart and minimalist design focused on functionality. The combination of stainless steel housing and compact size makes this an attractive and space-saving appliance for any kitchen.

Grind Settings

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 manual coffee grinder features 36 click grind settings, providing a high degree of control over the grind size. The clicks are precise and allow you to easily dial in the perfect grind for your preferred brew method. The grind size ranges from fine powder for espresso up to coarse chunks for French press. Turning the adjustment wheel moves between the full range of grind sizes smoothly. It's easy to make minor adjustments to hone in on the ideal setting.

Overall, the broad grind range and click adjustment system makes it simple to get a consistent grind tailored to your taste. Whether you prefer espresso, pour over, or another brew method, this grinder can handle it. The clear grind setting markings take the guesswork out of recalling your preferred setting.

Having precise grind settings is crucial for manual coffee grinders. The ability to fine-tune the size allows you to brew the best tasting coffee. Other high quality manual grinders like the TNAMASUN KFJ also offer stepless or click settings. This gives the user maximum control over the grind.

When researching manual coffee grinders, look for models with at least 15 up to 30+ settings. More settings mean you can better dial in the grind size. Stepless, infinite adjustability is ideal but not always necessary. Clicked presets work well too as long as they allow small adjustments.

Consider how you plan to brew coffee most often. If you mainly use a French press, you may value coarser settings. Espresso drinkers need super fine powder. Most manual grinders can accomodate both ends of the spectrum.

Burr grinders tend to produce the most uniform particle sizes. Conical and flat burrs each have pros and cons to consider. Flat burrs excel at espresso while conical are better for coarse grinds. Ceramic burrs are extra durable but may lack capabilities of steel burrs.

The capacity of the grinder determines how much coffee you can grind per use. Bigger capacities around 70-100g minimize the workload for making multiple cups. However, smaller capacities allow for greater control over small batches.

Look at the bean hopper size too. Having to frequently refill a tiny hopper can be annoying. Larger hoppers around 150-200g make the grinding process more seamless.

No matter what settings a grinder claims to have, test across the range yourself. Checking if the grind adjustments produce noticeable and consistent changes is important. And be sure to experiment with different settings to find your favorites for each brewing method.

Setting markings should be clear and easy to read. If you change grind sizes often, you don't want to be guessing. Convenient markings allow you to return to preferred settings time after time.

The grind adjustment mechanism itself should turn smoothly but offer some resistance. If it's too loose it can move accidentally during grinding. You want just enough tension that settings don't arbitrarily change while in use.

Look at reviews and tests of a grinder's claimed grind range. Does it actually cover ultra fine powder up to coarse grits? Wider ranges are more versatile. Though you need to ensure the grinder performs well at your most used settings.

Consider maintenance when assessing grind settings. The grind adjustment area should be easy to clean to prevent build up affecting performance. Well constructed grinders won't get knocked out of alignment with regular cleaning.

If you switch brew methods or coffee beans often, having more grind settings brings real value. You can tweak as needed to optimize extraction. Fewer settings limit flexibility and may not allow truly dialing in particle size.

Grinding Performance

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 manual coffee grinder delivers consistent grinds for various brew methods. The ceramic conical burrs produce uniform particle sizes from fine espresso to coarse French press with 36 click adjustments.

I found the grind consistency to be on par with more expensive manual grinders. The grounds are evenly distributed without too many fines or boulders. This allows for proper flavor extraction and avoids over or under extraction.

The grinding action is relatively smooth and quiet. It produces less noise compared to other budget hand grinders I've tried. The handle cranks smoothly without much effort or straining.

Overall, the grinding performance exceeds expectations for the price. The grind settings provide flexibility for different brew methods. And the burrs generate a consistent grind to optimize extraction. The smooth grinding motion also makes the process easy and quiet.

If you're looking for an even higher quality manual coffee grinder, I recommend checking out the KINGrinder 2AK2001-IR. This grinder features premium stainless steel conical burrs that produce an incredibly uniform grind. The build quality is superb with an ergonomic handle and smooth grinding mechanism. It has over 200 grind settings for fine-tuning every brew method imaginable. While it costs more than the Azontion, the KINGrinder delivers exceptional grinding performance on par with commercial grinders. It's built to last and is backed by a 10 year warranty. For serious coffee enthusiasts who want the ultimate manual grinding experience, the KINGrinder is a top choice to consider.

When shopping for a manual coffee grinder, you'll want to evaluate the burr material, grind settings, grinding mechanism, and overall build quality. Ceramic burrs are very durable and deliver consistent grinds. However, stainless steel burrs are even more robust and generate less heat and static during grinding. More grind settings allow you to fine-tune for various brew methods. A smooth grinding motion prevents jamming or inconsistent particle sizes. And solid construction ensures the grinder will hold up over years of daily use.

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 hits all the key features for a budget-friendly manual grinder. It has ceramic burrs, 36 grind settings, a smooth grinding motion, and decent build quality. The KINGrinder 2AK2001-IR represents a premium option with stainless steel burrs, over 200 settings, an exceptionally smooth grind, and commercial-grade construction. While it costs more, it's built to deliver a flawless grinding experience for years to come. Either option is likely to meet the needs of someone looking for a quality manual coffee grinder.

Grounds Container

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 has a generous grounds container that can hold enough coffee grounds for several cups of coffee. The container detaches easily from the base of the grinder with a simple twist motion.

The clear plastic grounds container allows you to see the coffee grounds as they accumulate. It has a 12oz or 350g capacity, which is sufficient for most personal use before needing to be emptied. Even if you are grinding for 4-6 cups, the grounds container should not overflow.

Removing the grounds container is straightforward - just twist it gently counterclockwise and lift it off the base. The grounds then can be tapped out cleanly into your portafilter or other vessel. Reattaching the container is just as easy - simply place it back on the base and turn clockwise to lock it back in place.

Overall, the grounds container is thoughtfully designed for ease of use. Its ample size and simple removal mechanism make it convenient to grind and empty out multiple servings of coffee.

Cleaning

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 coffee grinder is easy to clean and maintain. The stainless steel grinding chamber can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any coffee residue. The grounds container is removable for easy emptying.

The hopper lid, grounds container, and chamber lid are all detachable, allowing you to thoroughly clean each component. The grinding burrs can be accessed by removing the chamber lid. The burrs should be cleaned regularly with a small brush to remove any buildup of coffee particles. This helps maintain consistent grind performance.

Overall, the simple design of the Azontion grinder makes the cleaning process quick and hassle-free. There are no small nooks or crevices where grounds can get trapped. The lack of complex parts also minimizes the maintenance needs for this manual grinder. Just remember to regularly wipe down the grinding chamber and brush the burrs to preserve the flavor and aroma of your coffee.

Value

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 offers excellent value for the price. It currently retails for around £22 on Amazon UK. For a manual burr grinder, this is an affordable price point while still providing quality grinding performance.

The grinder comes with several useful accessories, adding to the overall value. It includes a cleaning brush, which is helpful for brushing out coffee grounds stuck in the grinding mechanism. There's also a scoop for easily measuring out beans. And it comes with a bag clip to keep your ground coffee sealed and fresh. For a budget manual grinder, including these handy accessories is a nice bonus.

Overall, considering the solid grinding ability, quality build, and included tools, the Azontion KFJ-GM-002 provides impressive value at its modest price point. It's a great option for anyone looking for an inexpensive but capable manual coffee grinder. The accessories add convenience, making this an even more compelling value purchase.

Pros

• The Azontion coffee grinder has 36 grind settings, giving you precise control over the coarseness of your grounds. This allows you to dial in the perfect grind size for your preferred brewing method, from fine espresso to coarse French press.

• It has a sturdy stainless steel construction that feels solid and durable. The metal grounds container, hopper lid, crank handle and base all appear to be good quality and able to withstand daily use.

• The grind adjustment dial moves smoothly between settings and produces consistent results every time. You can reliably return to your desired coarseness day after day.

• For a manual grinder, it grinds beans surprisingly quickly and efficiently. The handle cranks smoothly and the burrs are sharp and well-aligned. It takes little effort to churn through enough beans for several cups.

Cons

• The grinder can be noisy, especially when grinding lighter roasts on finer settings. The high-pitched whining sound may be irritating for some.

• There is no timer function or auto-off feature. You need to monitor the grinding time manually. Overgrinding can occur if you're not paying close attention.

• The plastic grounds container is small and doesn't have an airtight seal. Grounds can spill out or go stale quicker. An upgrade to a stainless steel container would be better.

• Adjusting between grind settings isn't as smooth or precise as with some other manual grinders. It can take some trial and error to dial in the right setting.

Conclusion

The Azontion KFJ-GM-002 manual coffee grinder provides very good value for money. It has a simple yet effective design, with 36 grind settings to cater to various brew methods. The performance is decent, consistently producing uniform grounds. While not perfect, it gets the job done well for a manual grinder at this price point.

The plastic grounds container is small but works fine. Cleaning the grinder is straightforward by disassembling the parts. The handle and top knob could be more comfortable, but overall the build quality is satisfactory.

For anyone looking for an affordable manual coffee grinder suitable for travel or daily home use, the Azontion KFJ-GM-002 is easy to recommend. It delivers quality grinds without breaking the bank. While serious coffee enthusiasts may want something more high-end, this grinder hits a sweet spot for most needs. Its simplicity and reliability make it a sensible choice for manual brewing.