HARIO ‎MSCS-2DTB Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

The Hario MSCS-2DTB Skerton coffee grinder is a manual burr grinder known for its simple and functional design. It's an entry-level grinder made by Hario, a Japanese company renowned for their coffee brewing equipment.

This manual coffee grinder features ceramic conical burrs that are removable for cleaning and replacement. It has a glass grounds catcher that allows you to see the grind size and stop when desired. The handle crank is detachable to make storage compact.

Overall, the Skerton aims to provide an affordable and consistent grind for manual brewing methods like pour over, Aeropress, and French press. It's a popular choice for coffee enthusiasts looking to step up from blade grinders without spending too much. This review will dive into the key features and performance of this budget-friendly burr grinder.

Design and Build Quality

The Hario Skerton MSCS-2DTB coffee grinder has a simple yet durable design made from quality materials. The main burr chamber and handle are constructed from thick, heat-resistant glass that feels solid in the hand. This clear chamber allows you to see the coffee beans being ground, adding to the visual appeal.

The handle and grounds catcher are made from a sturdy plastic that can withstand daily use without any cracks or defects. The plastic has a smooth matte finish that feels pleasant to grip. While plastic, the parts don't feel flimsy or cheap.

The grind settings are controlled by a small metal dial on the base that clicks securely into place at each setting. The metal feels heavy-duty and allows you to precisely dial in the right grind size.

At the bottom is a removable silicone base that keeps the grinder steady during grinding. It's a soft, grippy material that also helps prevent scratches if setting the grinder on a hard surface.

Overall, the materials and construction give the impression of reliability and durability. Nothing feels fragile or likely to break under normal use. The mix of glass, plastic, silicone and metal come together into an attractive manual coffee grinder.

The Hario Skerton coffee grinder delivers a consistent grind for great tasting coffee. Its simple and durable design is made to last. The clear glass grounds chamber allows you to monitor the grinding process. Plastic components feel sturdy in the hand without any flimsiness. The grind size is easily adjustable via the clicking metal dial. An anti-slip silicone base keeps the grinder steady on the counter. Overall the Skerton combines performance and aesthetics into a quality product.

If you're looking for an alternative manual coffee grinder, check out the Binbir Trend pirincduzdegirmen. This Turkish grinder has an attractive copper finish and solid wood handle. The grinding mechanism delivers a very consistent grind for Turkish coffee or fine espresso. It has a smooth turning action that makes grinding easy. The grounds container is clear so you can monitor the grind. It comes with two steel burrs for different grind sizes. Overall the Binbir Trend is a high quality manual grinder that looks great on the counter.

Grind Settings

The Hario Skerton Plus has a broad grind range, making it suitable for various brew methods. The grinder uses an adjustable rotating handle on the bottom to change the grind settings.

Turning the knob to the left makes the grind finer, while turning it right makes it coarser. There are numbered settings from 1 (finest) to 8 (coarsest). This allows you to dial in the size precisely for methods like espresso, drip, pour over, French press, etc.

Adjusting between settings is easy - simply rotate the knob and you can feel it click into each notch smoothly. The settings stay locked in place securely during grinding. Going from a fine espresso grind to a coarse French press grind only takes a few seconds.

The broad grind range and easy adjustability of the Skerton Plus makes it versatile for brewing different styles of coffee. You can customize the grind to optimize extraction and flavor for any brew method.

If you're looking for even more grind settings and precision, consider upgrading to a grinder like the TIMEMORE 70TGD014AA001. This premium manual grinder has 38 grind settings, allowing for incredibly fine tuning of the grind size. The steps between settings are smaller, so you can really dial in the ideal grind for your preferred brew method.

The TIMEMORE 70TGD014AA001 uses a dual bearing stabilizing plate and 38mm ceramic conical burrs to produce uniform grinds efficiently. The burrs are crafted from super hard ceramic that stays sharp for many years of daily use.

An innovative gear reduction system provides more torque and grind consistency compared to other hand grinders. The machined aluminum body has a comfortable non-slip grip too. Weighing just 0.75 lb, it's portable for travel or camping trips when you still want great coffee.

Users praise the smooth grinding motion that doesn't require a lot of effort. The grounds pour neatly out of the catcher cup for minimal mess. It's easy to disassemble for cleaning too. The grounds bin, hopper and catch cup are all removable.

With so many grind settings available, you can fine tune a grind for espresso, then switch over to French press coarse with just a few twists of the adjustment wheel. The precise grind size control makes brewing pourover coffee by hand a breeze. You'll get delicious flavor notes from light to dark roasts.

While the Hario Skerton Plus is a good entry-level grinder, the TIMEMORE 70TGD014AA001 offers avid coffee drinkers better performance and versatility. If you want to step up your manual brewing game, it's an excellent choice worth considering.

Grinding Performance

The Hario Skerton Plus offers consistent grinds for manual brewing methods like pour over and French press. The ceramic conical burrs stay sharp for precise grinding. While manual grinding takes more time and effort than electric grinders, the Skerton Plus has a crank handle that makes it easier to grind a large amount of beans quickly.

The grind consistency is quite good for a hand grinder. The grounds are uniform in particle size with very little fines or boulders. The grind can be adjusted from fine for espresso to coarse for cold brew by changing the inner burr setting. At finer settings, the grind is less consistent but still good enough for most manual brew methods.

The grinding action is smooth and relatively quiet. There is less noise and static compared to electric grinders. The grounds collect neatly in the bottom without spraying all over. The capacity of the grounds catcher is about 100g, allowing you to grind enough for several cups of coffee at once. Overall, the Skerton Plus delivers a fast, efficient, and quiet grinding performance for a manual grinder.

Ease of Use

The Hario Skerton is very easy to use once assembled. Assembly is straightforward - the handle screws securely onto the crank, and the grounds catcher snaps into place under the grinder. The whole assembly process takes under a minute.

Cleaning the Skerton is also hassle-free. The grounds catcher prevents most grounds from spilling during grinding, and any residual grounds can be easily wiped out with a damp cloth. The ceramic conical burrs don't retain coffee oils, so there's no need for intensive scrubbing. Simply give the burr chamber and grounds catcher a quick rinse under running water to keep the grinder fresh.

The grounds catcher is effective at containing most of the grounds during grinding. There may be some stray grounds that spill over the edges, but this is a minor issue. The grounds catcher can simply be tapped over a bin after grinding to dispose of all the grounds cleanly. Overall, the process of grinding, cleaning, and collecting grounds with the Skerton is quick, easy, and tidy.

Portability

The Hario Skerton is highly portable for a manual coffee grinder. It measures just 2.6 x 8.3 x 2.6 inches (6.6 x 21 x 6.6 cm) and weighs 1.1 pounds (490g). This compact size and lightweight build make it easy to store in a kitchen drawer or cabinet and ideal for traveling.

The slim profile and rounded body shape allow it to pack neatly into luggage without taking up much space. It would easily fit into a backpack or small carry-on bag. The plastic and glass components are durable enough for transport without damage.

Since it's manually operated and doesn't require batteries or electricity, you can use the Skerton anywhere. This makes it a great option for camping trips, travel abroad, or even just commuting to work. You'll always have freshly ground coffee no matter where you are. The simple and mess-free operation also lends itself well to on-the-go use.

Overall, the compact size, light weight, and manual grinding method of the Hario Skerton offer excellent portability for coffee grinding on the move. It's one of the most portable manual coffee grinders available.

Price and Value

The Hario Skerton coffee grinder offers excellent value for money given its build quality and performance. It is very affordably priced, usually retailing for around £30-40 depending on the retailer. This puts it at the lower end of the manual coffee grinder price spectrum, making it very accessible for anyone looking to step up their home brewing game without breaking the bank.

Despite the low price point, the Skerton does not feel cheap or flimsy. The glass collection container and ceramic conical burrs give it a premium feel. The plastic parts are also sturdy and built to last. You would be hard pressed to find another grinder with similar quality materials at this price.

Considering the consistent and customizable grinds it can produce, the Skerton delivers exceptional functionality for the money. While more expensive grinders may offer minor improvements in grind consistency, the difference is negligible for most home brewing purposes. The Skerton provides professional-level grinding ability at a fraction of the cost of high-end manual grinders.

For home brewers looking to improve their coffee grinding without spending too much, the Skerton hits a real sweet spot. It outperforms other grinders anywhere near its low price, giving you the most value for your money. If you want great grinding for drip, pour over or French press without breaking the bank, the Skerton is an excellent choice.

Comparison to Other Grinders

The Hario Skerton is a popular entry-level manual coffee grinder, but how does it stack up against competitors?

Compared to other manual grinders in a similar price range, the Skerton holds its own quite well. It produces a more consistent grind than cheaper models like the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder. The JavaPresse tends to produce a mix of fine powder and large gritty chunks. The Skerton does a better job of delivering a uniform grind particle size.

More expensive high-end manual grinders like the Lido 3 and Kinu M47 have some advantages over the Skerton. Their grind adjustment mechanisms allow for finer tuning and they produce grinds with less variability in particle size. However, they cost 2-3 times more than the Skerton.

For most beginner home baristas, the Skerton hits a sweet spot of grind quality and price. While it can't match the precision of pricier competitors, it delivers noticeably better grind consistency than other budget manual options. The Skerton produces grinds adequate for most manual brewing methods like pour over and French press.

So in summary, the Hario Skerton provides excellent value for money. It outperforms other grinders in its price range while remaining affordable for most buyers. Enthusiasts willing to spend more can get marginally better grind quality from high-end models. But for its balance of quality and cost, the Skerton remains a top choice in entry-level manual coffee grinders.

Pros and Cons

The Hario Skerton Coffee Grinder has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Produces very consistent grinds for great tasting coffee
• Wide range of grind settings from fine espresso to coarse French Press
• High quality ceramic conical burrs are durable and long-lasting
• Easy to disassemble for cleaning
• Compact and portable design
• Inexpensive price point compared to electric grinders

Cons

• Hand cranking can be tiresome for large volumes of coffee
• Jar capacity is relatively small
• Grind settings can loosen during use
• Plastic parts feel a bit flimsy
• Noisy grinding operation

Overall, the Skerton offers excellent grind quality and flexibility at a budget-friendly price. The manual hand crank does require some effort but also ensures fresh, flavorful grinds. For an entry-level manual grinder, the Skerton hits all the key basics quite well.

Conclusion

Overall, the Hario Skerton Pro coffee grinder is an excellent manual grinder that produces consistent grinds for a variety of brew methods. It's a high-quality grinder with a durable ceramic conical burr set that should last for years of daily use. The grind settings are easy to adjust, allowing you to dial in a precise grind size. It performs very well across the grind spectrum, from fine espresso to coarse French press.

The handle and crank design make it comfortable and easy to grind beans. While it does require some physical effort, the process is relatively quick and efficient. The capacity is sufficient for most home brewing needs. It's also compact and lightweight, making it highly portable for travel or taking to the office.

At around £70, the Skerton Pro represents good value given its quality materials and performance. It's comparable to other high-end manual coffee grinders in this price range. The main downsides are the need for occasional re-tightening and less suitability for very high volume or commercial use. But for most home baristas, the Skerton Pro is an excellent choice that produces fantastic grind results.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Hario Skerton Pro to anyone looking for a high-performing manual coffee grinder. It consistently delivers even, consistent grinds that lead to better tasting coffee. The quality and usability justify the reasonable price. For home brewing purposes, the Skerton Pro is a top-tier manual grinder that produces café-quality grinds.