Hario Smart G Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

Hario is a Japanese company known for their high-quality coffee brewing equipment. They produce a range of manual coffee grinders designed for home use, with the Hario Smart G being one of their newer models.

The Hario Smart G is a compact and lightweight manual burr coffee grinder made from durable plastic. It features ceramic conical burrs and has 18 click settings for grind size adjustment. The clear grounds bin can hold up to 100g of coffee. Overall, the Smart G is an affordable and portable option for manual coffee grinding at home.

Design

The Hario Smart G coffee grinder has an elegant and minimalist design that will look great in any kitchen. It is made from durable glass and plastic materials that feel high quality.

At only 12cm wide and 9cm deep, the Smart G has a nice compact footprint that won't take up too much space. It weighs just 0.5kg so it's easy to move around and store away. The transparent bean hopper and grounds catcher let you see the fresh coffee inside.

The matte black finish gives it a sophisticated look. The combination of the clear glass, black plastic and stainless steel accents create an aesthetically pleasing and stylish manual coffee grinder. Hario's signature skewed cone shape is recognizable in the bean hopper.

Overall, the materials, size, weight and appearance of the Smart G make it a great looking as well as functional manual coffee grinder.

Grind Settings

The Hario Smart G offers a wide range of grind settings, making it suitable for various brew methods. You can adjust the grind size by turning the settings dial on the bottom of the grinder.

The grind settings range from fine powder for espresso up to coarse chunks for French press. There are over 10 settings to choose from. The grinder can produce a very fine powder all the way up to uniform coarse chunks around 2mm in size.

Adjusting between settings is easy and smooth. Each click of the dial makes a noticeable difference in the grind size. The settings are clearly marked from fine to coarse as well.

The consistency of the grind is excellent across all settings. The ceramic conical burrs produce uniform particles for each grind size. Fines are minimized even on coarse settings. The grounds have a consistent texture whether you are grinding for drip coffee or French press.

Overall, the Hario Smart G provides exceptional grind quality and adjustability across a wide spectrum of settings. You can dial in the perfect grind for any brew method.

In addition to the Hario, the LAZWARD ‎G-201 is another excellent manual grinder worth considering. With its ergonomic design and durable construction, it ensures a comfortable grinding experience. The LAZWARD G-201 offers versatility in grind size and is suitable for various brewing techniques, similar to the Hario. Its compact size makes it perfect for travel as well, allowing coffee enthusiasts to enjoy freshly ground coffee wherever they go.

Grinding Performance

The Hario Smart G grinder performs very well for manual grinding. The handle crank allows you to grind at your own pace, taking as much time as you need. The ceramic conical burrs provide a smooth and consistent grind.

While grinding speed will depend on your arm strength, the Smart G can grind enough coffee for 1-2 cups of coffee in around 1 minute. The hopper holds enough beans for multiple servings. The grind is relatively quiet, though you will hear some noise from the ceramic burrs crushing the beans. It's much quieter than most electric grinders.

The Smart G is easy and intuitive to use. You simply pour your preferred amount of whole bean coffee into the hopper, adjust the grind setting, then turn the handle to grind. The handle has a comfortable grip and grinds smoothly. The grounds bin below neatly collects all the ground coffee. The Smart G is one of the most user-friendly manual coffee grinders available.

Another excellent option is the ‎ESDEITT ‎GD1, which combines versatility with efficiency. This grinder features adjustable settings, allowing you to achieve your desired grind size for various brewing methods. With its stainless steel body, the GD1 is durable and easy to clean, making maintenance a breeze. Users have praised its smooth grinding operation and the ability to produce consistent grounds. Whether you're making espresso, French press, or pour-over, the ESDEITT GD1 adapts to your needs effortlessly.

Grounds Bin

The Hario Smart G has a grounds bin with a 50g capacity, which is decent for a manual coffee grinder. The clear grounds bin is easy to monitor so you know when it's getting full. It's made of durable plastic that feels solid.

Emptying the grounds bin is straightforward - just remove it from the grinder and turn it over above your portafilter or grounds container. The plastic flap on the bottom opens up allowing all the grounds to empty out in one go without leaving any residue behind. Some grinders require tapping or shaking to get all the grounds out, but the Smart G bin empties cleanly every time.

The clear plastic also makes it easy to see if any coffee is stuck inside and requires brushing out. Overall the grounds bin is well-designed for easy monitoring of amount, removal, cleaning and replacement.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Hario Smart G coffee grinder is very easy to disassemble and clean. The hopper lid, hopper, and upper burr carrier all remove easily, giving you full access to the burrs and grounds chamber.

To disassemble:

• Remove the hopper lid by lifting it straight up.
• Next, lift the hopper up and off the grinder.
• Then, use the included plastic hook to lift and remove the upper burr carrier.

With these parts removed, you can easily access the stainless steel conical burrs and grounds chamber. The burrs themselves can be cleaned with a stiff brush or soft cloth. Avoid using water or liquids on the burrs.

The plastic grounds bin is removable for easy emptying. All the plastic pieces can be hand washed with warm soapy water. Do not submerge or soak the burrs or any electrical components.

Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. Overall, the simplicity of the Hario Smart G makes routine cleaning quick and hassle-free. The lack of nooks and crannies means you won't have to scrub out hard-to-reach areas. Just be sure to regularly disassemble the grinder and wipe out any residual grounds. This will keep your Smart G running smoothly for years of enjoyable coffee grinding.

Quality of Ground Coffee

The Hario Smart G coffee grinder produces grounds that brew a flavorful and aromatic cup of coffee. The conical ceramic burrs grind the beans evenly, without overheating them, preserving the aromatic oils and volatile compounds that give coffee its complex flavors.

The grind is remarkably uniform, with minimal fines or boulders. The grounds have an even particle distribution ideal for most manual brewing methods like pour over, French press, and cold brew. The consistent grind allows you to dial in the ideal grind size for your preferred brew method. With a uniform grind, you can expect efficient, balanced extraction, without astringency or bitterness from over or under extraction.

The ceramic burrs stay sharp for many years, so you can rely on the Smart G to deliver a consistent grind quality over time. The grounds showcase the subtle flavor notes and aromas of your favorite coffee beans. With a manual grinder like this, you have complete control over grind size, ensuring you always achieve the perfect flavor balance in your cup of coffee.

Price and Value

The Hario Smart G coffee grinder has a retail price of around £25-30, which positions it at the lower end of manual coffee grinders. This makes it one of the most affordable options on the market.

When looking at other comparable manual grinders, the Smart G is very competitively priced. Other popular entry-level models like the JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder and Porlex Mini Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder have similar retail prices in the £25-40 range. Higher end manual grinders can range from £50 up to £200+ for commercial-grade models.

So for the quality and performance the Hario Smart G provides, it represents excellent value for money as an entry-level manual grinder. The simple but effective design, adjustable grind settings, and stainless steel conical burrs make it a great budget-friendly option. While it may lack some of the premium features of more expensive models, the Smart G delivers where it counts for producing fresh grounds for various brew methods.

Considering the price, the Smart G punches above its weight and gives you great bang for your buck. For anyone looking to step up from blade grinders or pre-ground coffee, it's a cost-effective way to start grinding your own beans for better flavor and aroma. When weighed against the amount of use you can get out of it and the difference it can make to your daily coffee, the Smart G provides outstanding value compared to other grinders in its class.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sleek and stylish design that looks great on the countertop
• Easy to adjust grind settings from fine to coarse
• Consistent grinding performance for good extraction
• Generous grounds bin capacity
• Easy to disassemble for cleaning
• Produces very uniform grounds for great flavor
• Reasonably priced for the quality

Cons

• Manual grinding can be time consuming
• Grounds bin could have a tighter seal to reduce mess
• No option to mount to the wall or under cabinets
• Not ideal for high volume coffee making
• Plastic grounds bin may be prone to staining over time
• No built-in timer for consistent dosing

Conclusion

The Hario Smart G is an excellent manual coffee grinder that strikes a nice balance between price and performance. It produces high-quality, uniform grinds for a variety of brew methods like pour over, drip, French press, and cold brew. The grind settings are easy to adjust and stay put securely during grinding. The handle and crank turn smoothly and make grinding beans relatively effortless.

The grounds bin is a good size and easy to remove. Cleaning the burrs and interior is simple with the removable hopper and bottom burr. The acrylic grounds bin allows you to visually check the grind size and progress. The plastic body feels solid and durable. At around £35-45 USD, it's very affordable for a reliable burr grinder.

The main downsides are plastic burrs that may wear faster than ceramic, relatively small capacity for espresso grinding, and the need to hold it in place when grinding. But for most people brewing manual pour over or drip on a daily basis, the Hario Smart G is easy to recommend as a high-performing, portable, and budget-friendly grinder. It produces excellent grind consistency for great tasting coffee. The simple yet effective design should provide years of quality performance.