Comandante C40MK4VW Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

The Comandante C40MK4VW is a high-end manual coffee grinder known for its excellent grind quality and precise grind size adjustments. Part of the C40 series from Comandante, a German manufacturer specialized in premium coffee grinders, this model features a sleek and durable stainless steel design along with an innovative grinding mechanism for unparalleled performance.

Often described by baristas and coffee enthusiasts as the "gold standard" of manual coffee grinders, the C40MK4VW is made with meticulous attention to detail. Everything from the selection of materials to the engineering of the burrs is focused on producing a consistent, uniform grind for brewing specialty coffee. The static-free grounds it produces can rival an expensive electric grinder costing 10 times as much.

Overall, the Comandante C40MK4VW is one of the best hand grinders available today. With 40 precise grind settings and a powerful burr set that can grind beans quickly and efficiently, it's a versatile grinder suitable for various brew methods. Its exceptional build quality and grind consistency make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about coffee brewing.

Design

The Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade coffee grinder features an elegant and minimalist design made from high quality materials. The body of the grinder is constructed from durable stainless steel with a matte finish and solid walnut wood accents on the base and handle.

It is available in a classic chrome or modern matte black color. The materials give it a sleek, contemporary look that would complement any kitchen decor.

In terms of dimensions, the grinder measures 16cm x 8cm x 32cm (6.3in x 3.1in x 12.6in) making it compact enough to store in most kitchen cabinets or on the counter. However the materials add some weight, with the grinder weighing in at 1.5kg (3.3lbs).

The handle and base are made from beautiful solid walnut wood, which not only looks great but also provides a comfortable non-slip grip when grinding. The wood is smoothly finished and feels natural in the hand.

Overall the high-end materials like stainless steel and walnut wood give the grinder a very premium feel and stylish aesthetic. The minimalist yet striking design is both eye-catching and functional.

If you're looking for a more affordable manual coffee grinder option, check out the LABABE KKYALI14499. This grinder is made from high quality ceramic and stainless steel materials and features an ergonomic hand crank design. It produces a consistent grind for great tasting coffee and espresso. The sleek design and smaller size make it easy to store and perfect for travel. At under $40, it's a great budget-friendly alternative to the premium Comandante model.

The LABABE KKYALI14499 grinder can grind enough beans for up to 12 cups of coffee at a time. The grinding mechanism is durable and designed to last. It has 18 click settings for precise grind size adjustment from fine espresso to coarse French press. A convenient grounds catcher is included to neatly collect the ground coffee without mess.

Customers praise this ceramic burr coffee grinder for its smooth grinding performance, consistency, and value. It comes with a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer. The sleek design and variety of color options allow it to fit into any kitchen. So if you want great tasting coffee without breaking the bank, the LABABE KKYALI14499 is an excellent option to consider.

Grind Settings

The C40 has an impressive 40 grind settings to choose from, making it extremely versatile for brewing different methods. The settings range from fine espresso grinds up to coarse grinds for French press or cold brew.

Adjusting between settings is simple - just rotate the grind adjustment knob on the bottom. You can make micro adjustments between numbered settings for dialing in more precisely. The knob clicks between each setting, so you can count the clicks or use the marking lines to track where you are.

The broad range of settings and easy adjustability are a major advantage of the C40. It can handle espresso one day and then switch over to drip or French press the next. You don't need a separate grinder for espresso versus other methods. The stepless adjustment gives you a high level of control over particle size.

Having a wide range of grind settings is very important for a manual coffee grinder. It allows you to brew different coffee drinks that require different sizes of ground coffee particles. For example, espresso needs a very fine powder-like grind while French press calls for a much coarser grind. The Alocs CW-K17 manual grinder (see Alocs CW-K17) has 30 click settings to choose from. This gives you flexibility to grind fine or coarse for whatever brew method you want.

Some other benefits of having multiple grind settings on a manual grinder like the Alocs CW-K17: - Can dial in a precise grind size for optimal flavor extraction. More settings allows smaller adjustments. - Good for households with diverse brewing preferences. Cover espresso, drip, pour over, etc. - Allows adjusting grind as coffee beans age. Compensate for staling by grinding finer. - Accommodate different origins/roasts. Lighter vs darker roast levels often require different grinds. - Let's you change grind size for experimentation. See impact on taste by grinding finer or coarser. - Consistent grinds. Fixed settings distribute particle size better than infinite/stepless adjustment. - Grind size is repeatable. Can return to a saved setting rather than guessing each time.

The number of settings isn't everything though - 30 is a good amount for most purposes. You also want clear, easy adjustability between settings on a manual coffee grinder. The Alocs CW-K17 uses clicks between each setting so you can count as you adjust up or down. This makes it easy to switch back and forth for different brew methods.

Overall, having multiple grind settings is crucial for a versatile manual coffee grinder. The Alocs CW-K17 hits a nice sweet spot with 30 clear settings for fine to coarse grinds. This gives you flexibility across brew methods and precision adjustment for dialing in. Consider grind settings along with other features when choosing a high-quality manual coffee grinder.

Grinding Performance

The Comandante C40 produces very consistent grinds thanks to its conical burrs and precise adjustment mechanism. The 40 click settings allow you to dial in a grind size perfect for any brew method, from fine espresso to coarse French press.

The grind speed is moderate - grinding enough beans for one cup takes around 30-60 seconds depending on the setting. While not the fastest manual grinder, the smooth action makes grinding easy and reduces hand strain compared to other models. The grinding motion is smooth and relatively quiet.

The handle detaches for storage or travel, and re-attaching it is simple. The grounds container locks securely in place while grinding to prevent any mess. Overall the C40 has an exceptionally smooth and easy grinding action for a manual grinder.

Ground Coffee Quality

The Comandante C40 produces exceptionally consistent grinds that lead to superb flavor clarity and uniform extraction when brewing. The conical burrs generate a narrow particle distribution with few fines or boulders. This uniform grind size allows the hot water to extract evenly across the coffee bed during brewing.

With the Comandante, you can achieve sweet, clean, and balanced flavor notes from light to dark roasts. It brings out the subtle origin characteristics and complex aromas that make specialty coffee shine. The consistency also means you can replicate the same great cup day after day. No more dealing with muddy or overextracted flavors from uneven particle sizes.

The stainless steel burrs remain sharp for years to come. So you don't have to worry about degraded grind quality over time, unlike some ceramic burr grinders. The precision engineering and robust build quality ensure the Comandante delivers unparalleled grind consistency through thousands of brews.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Comandante C40 disassembles easily for cleaning to keep the burrs and grinding chamber in top shape.

To disassemble:

• Unscrew the handle from the shaft
• Remove the nut from the bottom burr to detach it
• The top burr lifts off once the nut is removed
• The grounds bin and lid can be rinsed under water

The burrs and grinding chamber should be cleaned regularly with a small brush to remove any residual grounds. Do not wash the burrs with water, just brush to dislodge particles.

Over time, the burrs may dull through regular use. Comandante sells replacement burr sets that are easy to swap in. Replacing the burrs every few years will maintain peak grinding performance.

The C40 grinder requires minimal maintenance overall. Keeping it clean and replacing the burrs as needed are the main upkeep tasks. The simplicity of the manual design limits what can go wrong or need repair.

Portability

The Comandante C40 MK4 is known for its excellent portability and travel-friendly design. At just over 1.5 pounds, it has a lightweight and compact size that makes it easy to toss in your bag for travel or camping trips.

It comes with a sturdy travel case to protect the ceramic burrs during transport. The case has a secure magnetic closure and convenient handle. You can grind directly into the flap of the case to catch grounds, making it easy to brew pour over coffee on the go.

The smooth grinding action and ergonomic hand crank are comfortable to use in any situation. You don't need access to electricity, so you can have freshly ground coffee anywhere. The C40 is a popular choice for pour over aficionados who want the flexibility of grinding manually at home or on the road.

Overall, the thoughtful design focused on portability makes the C40 one of the most travel-friendly manual coffee grinders available today. It's compact, durable for life on the go, and lets you enjoy freshly ground coffee wherever your adventures take you.

Value

The Comandante C40 MK4 offers excellent value for the price. At around £200, it is pricier than many entry-level hand grinders but offers superior quality and longevity.

The C40 MK4 features a durable, all-metal construction made to last decades. Many owners report still using their original C40 grinders after 5+ years without issue. The 10-year warranty provides peace of mind that any defects will be covered.

With proper care and maintenance, the C40 MK4 has a high resale value should you ever wish to sell it. Used models in good condition often resell for £100-150, retaining much of their original value. The Made in Germany craftsmanship and reputation as one of the finest hand grinders ensure continued demand.

Overall, while the C40 MK4 commands a premium price, its exceptional build quality, longevity, and resale value make it a worthwhile investment for serious coffee enthusiasts. Over years of daily use, it delivers consistently excellent grinding performance that entry-level grinders cannot match.

Drawbacks

The Comandante C40 MK4 has a few drawbacks to consider:

• Price point - This is one of the more expensive hand grinders on the market, retailing for around £200. While the high-end materials and quality justify the cost for many buyers, it is a significant investment compared to other manual options.

• Time investment - As with all manual grinders, using the Comandante requires some physical effort and time. It can take 1-2 minutes to grind enough coffee for a single cup. This slow pace won't suit those wanting to brew multiple cups back-to-back.

• Noisy - The grinding action produces a fair amount of noise. This could be disruptive early in the morning or if you have sleeping children.

• Cleaning - While easy to disassemble, there are multiple parts that require cleaning after each use. This adds another minute or two to your routine.

• Static - The stainless steel components have a tendency to cause static build up. This can cling grounds to the surfaces instead of neatly depositing into your portafilter or brewing device.

Conclusion

The Comandante C40MK4 Nitro Blade coffee grinder provides a premium manual grinding experience for coffee enthusiasts. Its elegant and durable stainless steel design makes it stand out from other hand grinders. The grind settings allow for a high degree of control over grind size, from fine espresso to coarse French press.

During testing, the C40MK4 performed impressively, quickly producing evenly ground coffee with minimal fines. The grounds were consistently sized for optimal flavor extraction. The grind adjustment ring provides clear feedback with definitive clicks between settings.

The C40MK4 produces very little mess while grinding, and disassembles easily for cleaning. Its compact size and smooth turning handle make it highly portable. While the £249 price tag is steep, the grinder's quality materials, precision engineering and consistency make it a worthwhile investment for serious coffee lovers. Compared to similar high-end manual grinders like the 1Zpresso JX Pro, Lido E-T, and Kinu M47, the Comandante C40MK4 stands out for its elegant design, smooth grinding action and flexibility across brew methods.

For those seeking the freshest, most flavorful cup of coffee through precise manual grinding, the Comandante C40MK4 is an excellent choice worthy of its reputation as one of the best hand grinders money can buy.