‎HARIO ‎MSS-1DTB Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

The HARIO MSS-1DTB is a manual coffee grinder that aims to offer high-quality grinding in a compact and portable design. HARIO is a well-known Japanese brand that specializes in coffee and tea equipment, so they have a reputation for making durable and functional products.

The MSS-1DTB has a transparent acrylic body that allows you to see the grinding mechanism and monitor the grind size. It uses ceramic conical burrs that are designed to minimize heat buildup and protect the coffee's essential oils. The grinder can produce a range of grind sizes from fine espresso to coarse French press, making it versatile for various brew methods.

Some key features of the HARIO MSS-1DTB include its compact size, easy grip handle, adjustable grind setting, and detachable grounds catcher. It's marketed as an entry-level manual coffee grinder that can deliver consistent grinds without the high cost of an electric grinder. This review will take a closer look at the design, performance, ease of use, and value of this manual coffee grinder from HARIO.

Design

The HARIO MSS-1DTB has an elegant and minimalist design that will look great in any kitchen. It features a transparent acrylic body that allows you to see the ceramic burrs and coffee beans inside. The transparent body not only looks cool, but it helps you monitor the grind and make adjustments.

Despite its lightweight and compact size, the grinder feels sturdy and durable thanks to its strong acrylic construction. The materials are BPA-free and built to last. There is no plastic smell or static build up.

Overall, the aesthetic is modern, sleek, and eye-catching. The simplicity of the design with its transparent body gives it an appealing, functional appearance. It's a gorgeous grinder that makes a stylish statement.

The minimalist design of the HARIO MSS-1DTB is similar to another popular manual coffee grinder, the Normcore V2. The Normcore V2 also features a slim, transparent acrylic body that allows you to see the ceramic burrs at work. It has an elegant, contemporary look with its clean lines and lack of exterior clutter. The V2's simplicity and functionality aligns with the minimalism we see in the HARIO's aesthetic.

Both grinders utilize a transparent body for visual appeal and to aid in grind monitoring/adjustment. The see-through casing creates an eye-catching focal point on the kitchen counter while also serving a functional purpose. This fusion of form and function is essential to the minimalist design approach. The HARIO and the Normcore V2 achieve this balance beautifully.

Despite similarity in aesthetics, there are some key differences that set the two grinders apart. The HARIO MSS-1DTB has a smooth, curved shape whereas the Normcore V2 has more hard lines and angles in its silhouette. The V2 also comes in a variety of colors, allowing for more customization to your kitchen's décor. However, the HARIO offers larger capacity and grind settings than the V2.

In the end, both manual coffee grinders are thoughtfully designed to be simple, elegant, and transparent. Their minimalist styles will appeal to those looking for a fuss-free, streamlined look that also cleverly reveals the inner grinding mechanics. Whether you opt for the sleek curves of the HARIO or the sharp lines of the Normcore V2, you'll get an eye-catching and functional statement piece for your kitchen.

Adjustability

The Hario MSS-1DTB offers a wide range of grind settings, making it suitable for various brewing methods. The grind can be adjusted from ultra fine for espresso to coarse for French press. There are over 30 click-stop grind settings to choose from.

The adjustment ring has clear markings from fine to coarse, so you can easily dial in the right grind size. Simply rotate the hopper to the desired setting. The clicks between each stop allow you to make micro adjustments. The burrs remain fixed in place as you adjust, preventing the grinder from slipping out of alignment.

The range of grind settings and precise adjustability gives you control over extraction and flavor. You can optimize the grind for your preferred brew method or coffee bean. Whether you want a smooth espresso, clean pour over, or bold French press, this grinder can accommodate different tastes and recipes.

Having a wide range of grind settings is very important for a burr grinder. It allows you to grind for any brew method from espresso to French press. The Hario MSS-1DTB has over 30 settings to choose from. Compare that to other popular manual grinders like the TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 which only has 18 grind settings. The extra settings on the Hario give you more precision and control over the grind size. With more options, you can really dial in the perfect grind for your taste.

The click stops between settings on the Hario are also useful. They let you make small adjustments between the marked settings for even more control. Other grinders like the Chestnut C2 have fewer physical stops between settings. This makes the Hario easier to precisely adjust.

Consistency is another benefit of the wide grind range. The burrs remain fixed in position rather than moving as you adjust the grind. This prevents the grinder from getting out of alignment. So you can switch between settings confident that your grind consistency will be maintained. Overall the adjustability of the Hario MSS-1DTB gives you flexibility and precision across a wide spectrum of grinds.

Grind Performance

The HARIO MSS-1DTB manual coffee grinder delivers excellent grind performance for the price. Its ceramic conical burrs are sharp and durable, providing a consistent grind. The burrs have a spiral shape that efficiently crushes and cuts each coffee bean.

I tested the grinder with light, medium, and dark roast coffee beans. It handled all three roasts well, producing an even grind texture. The grinder is capable of achieving a fine powder-like espresso grind up to a coarse grind for French press. The range of grind sizes in between work nicely for drip coffee makers.

The grind consistency is quite impressive for a manual grinder. There are far fewer "fines" - extra fine coffee particles that can over-extract and add bitterness to the brew. The grounds have a uniform particle size, which allows for proper extraction and balanced flavor.

Overall, the HARIO MSS-1DTB grinds coffee beans efficiently and consistently. It's easy to achieve your desired grind size, from super fine to coarse. The performance rivals many electric burr grinders costing much more.

Ease of Use

The Hario MSS-1DTB coffee grinder is incredibly easy to use. Its simple and intuitive design makes it straightforward for anyone to operate.

To use it, you simply place your coffee beans in the hopper, adjust the grind setting by twisting the dial on the bottom, then turn the hand crank on top. The hand crank offers a smooth grinding motion that doesn't require much effort. Within seconds, you'll have freshly ground coffee collected in the grounds catcher.

The grinding process is very quiet, especially compared to electric grinders, so you won't disturb others if grinding early in the morning. Cleaning is also a breeze. The grounds catcher, hopper, and lower burr are all removable and dishwasher safe.

Overall, the manual operation, quiet grinding, and easy cleanup make this one of the most user-friendly coffee grinders around. Even beginners will find it intuitive and hassle-free to use.

Cleanup

The HARIO MSS-1DTB is very easy to clean thanks to its simple and compact design. The plastic grounds catcher cup simply twists off, allowing you to dump out coffee grounds. The burrs and interior can be wiped down with a damp cloth or brush. There are no small nooks or crevices for grounds to get trapped in.

The clear grounds container also makes it easy to see when the grinder needs to be emptied out. Since it's made of plastic, the grounds cup is lightweight and won't easily chip or crack. The minimal parts ensure simple and frustration-free cleanup after each use.

Overall, the easy twist-off grounds catcher combined with the simple two-piece design makes this one of the most user-friendly manual coffee grinders to clean. Just a quick wipe down is all that's needed to keep it looking like new.

Portability

The Hario MSS-1DTB coffee grinder is quite portable and travel-friendly due to its compact size and lightweight body. It measures approximately 4 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 6.5 inches tall, making it easy to pack in a suitcase or bag without taking up much space. The entire unit weighs only 1 pound, so it won't add significant weight to your luggage.

The plastic body helps keep the overall weight low. The compact size and shape also mean you can easily fit the Hario grinder in a backpack or tote bag when traveling. It's much smaller and lighter than many electric burr grinders.

If you want freshly ground coffee while away from home, the MSS-1DTB is an excellent option to consider. You'll barely notice it in your luggage, but will appreciate the ability to grind beans on-the-go. The portable design makes it ideal for use at Airbnbs, hotels, or camping. Overall, the size and weight of this manual coffee grinder maximize portability for travel.

Price

The HARIO MSS-1DTB offers good value for money. It is priced at around £39 on Amazon UK which is reasonable for a quality manual coffee grinder. Many comparable grinders cost upwards of £50, so you're getting a good deal here.

At this price point, the MSS-1DTB provides solid grind performance and adjustable grind size in a portable and easy to use design. The ceramic conical burrs are high quality. While the plastic body feels a bit lightweight, it doesn't compromise durability.

Considering the overall performance and design, the MSS-1DTB punches above its weight class in terms of value. It's an affordable option that doesn't feel cheap and can compete with more expensive grinders. For the price, you'd be hard pressed to find a better manual coffee grinder.

Pros & Cons

The HARIO MSS-1DTB manual coffee grinder has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable for travel or small kitchens
• Clear acrylic body allows you to visually monitor the grind
• Adjustable grind setting from fine to coarse
• Produces a consistent grind for various brew methods like drip, pour over, etc.
• Ceramic blades stay sharp and resist corrosion
• Easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning
• Affordable price point under £40

Cons:

• Capacity is small - only holds enough beans to make 1-2 cups at a time
• Manual grinding can be slow and require some physical effort
• Static can cause ground coffee to cling to acrylic walls
• Not ideal for espresso since finest setting may not be fine enough
• Acrylic body could potentially crack or scratch over time
• No container included to catch ground coffee

Conclusion

The Hario MSS-1DTB manual coffee grinder is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact yet capable grinder. Its sleek and minimalist design will look great in any kitchen. The ceramic conical burrs deliver a very consistent grind, from fine espresso to coarse French press.

The grind adjustment is smooth and allows for incremental changes, giving you precision control over the size of the grounds. It's effortless to use, quickly producing grounds for 1-2 cups of coffee. Cleaning is also a breeze thanks to the removable parts.

While the capacity is small, this helps keep the grinder compact. It's easy to grind a second batch if needed for more cups. The handle is comfortable and the unit feels very stable during grinding due to the rubber base.

Overall, the Hario MSS-1DTB combines great performance and consistent grinds with pleasing aesthetics. It's a great manual grinder that will make a wonderful addition to any coffee enthusiast's arsenal. The quality and value offered by this little grinder make it easy to highly recommend.