‎SeTaun ‎S-R11 Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

Manual coffee grinders have seen a resurgence in recent years among coffee enthusiasts who want to achieve a consistent grind for their preferred brew method. Many popular manual grinders like the Hario Skerton rely on simple burr grinding mechanisms encased in a glass or metal body. The SeTaun S-R11 offers a stainless steel construction for durability along with adjustable grind settings to customize coarseness.

SeTaun is a lesser known brand than market leaders like Hario and Porlex, but they've earned positive reviews for delivering solid performance at an affordable price point. The S-R11 model aims to compete in the sub-£50 price tier of entry-level steel burr manual coffee grinders. This review will assess how it stacks up by looking at critical criteria like grind consistency, capacity, ease of use and more.

Design and Build Quality

The SeTaun S-R11 manual coffee grinder features a sleek and durable stainless steel body with a brushed metal finish. The materials used in its construction are high quality, ensuring stability during grinding and longevity over years of use.

At the heart of the grinder are ceramic burrs that are extremely hard and precise. Ceramic burrs do not produce heat during grinding like some metal burrs, which helps preserve the aromatic oils in the coffee beans. The ceramic material also resists corrosion and dulling.

The handle and crank arm are made of cast zinc alloy, providing a sturdy non-slip grip when grinding. The heavy duty build feels solid in the hand. All materials are BPA free.

Overall, the choice of a stainless steel body and ceramic burrs demonstrates excellent design and build quality. The S-R11 feels like a premium manual coffee grinder engineered to last.

Grind Settings

The SeTaun S-R11 offers 30 precise grind settings to choose from. This allows you to dial in the perfect grind size for your preferred brew method, from ultra-fine powder for espresso to coarse chunks for French press.

The grind settings are adjusted via a smooth rotating dial on the bottom of the grinder. As you rotate the dial, you can feel it click into each setting. The dial moves effortlessly between the 30 settings, allowing you to make micro-adjustments to hone in on the ideal grind.

With 30 settings available, you have plenty of room to experiment and optimize the grind for your beans and brewing style. The wide range should accommodate any brew method - from Aeropress to drip to espresso. Each click of the dial makes a noticeable difference in the grind texture and size.

Overall, the ample grind settings give you exceptional control over the grind, helping extract the fullest flavor from your beans. The precise adjustments allow you to maximize the flavor potential of any brew method.

Grinding Capacity

The SeTaun S-R11 manual coffee grinder has a decent grinding capacity thanks to its medium-sized hopper and burrs. The hopper can hold around 60g of whole coffee beans, which is enough to make several cups of coffee at once.

When grinding, the burrs are able to process about 15-20g of coffee beans per minute. This allows you to grind enough coffee for 2-3 cups simultaneously. While it's not an extremely high capacity, it's suitable for making coffee for a few people at a time. You likely won't be able to grind a huge batch of coffee like you could with an electric grinder, but the S-R11 can handle a moderate amount in each session.

Overall, the hopper size and grinding speed make the S-R11 a solid choice if you're looking to manually grind coffee for a small group. It can grind a sufficient quantity at once for brewing pourovers, Aeropress, or a small French press. Just don't expect to be able to grind extremely large batches for something like cold brew. But for daily manual grinding needs, it has more than enough capacity.

Grinding Performance

The SeTaun S-R11 coffee grinder delivers excellent grinding performance that produces consistent grinds for various brew methods. Its conical ceramic burrs rotate at a lower speed which generates less friction and heat to preserve the beans' aromatic oils and flavors.

The grind settings are highly adjustable with over 60 macro settings to dial in a precise grind size, from ultra fine powder for espresso to coarse chunks for French press. Turning the hopper adjusts the burr gap to control the fineness. The steps between settings are small enough to really hone in on an optimal grind.

In testing, the grinder performed well across grind sizes. The fine espresso setting produced fluffy grinds with minimal boulders. The mid-range filter settings yielded excellent consistency ideal for pour over and drip methods. Even on coarse French press settings, the grounds were uniform in particle size with few large chunks or fine powder.

The S-R11 strikes a balance between fast grinding speed and optimal flavor preservation. While not as fast as an electric burr grinder, it grinds beans significantly quicker than most other manual models. The grind speed remains relatively consistent across all settings, so you don't have to sacrifice too much time for a fine espresso grind. Overall, the S-R11 delivers efficient, high-quality grinding to maximize flavor no matter the brew method.

Ease of Use

The SeTaun S-R11 coffee grinder is very easy and intuitive to use thanks to its thoughtful design. The handle is ergonomically shaped and comfortable to grip, making grinding easy even for extended periods. The grind adjustment knob moves smoothly between settings and provides clear tactile feedback so you can dial in the right grind size precisely.

Loading the beans into the hopper is simple due to its wide opening and funnel shape. The grinder sits sturdily on the base without wobbling while grinding. Overall the grinder feels very stable and solid during use. Cleaning is also straightforward as the hopper, grounds catcher and burrs detach easily for rinsing under water. Reassembling the parts is quick and the burr locking mechanism secure them firmly in place.

The manual crank operation gives you full control over the grind speed and process. This allows you to achieve a very consistent grind for brew methods like pour over and Aeropress that benefit from uniform particle sizes. The handle rotates smoothly without much effort thanks to the quality burrs and transmission. You can grind enough coffee for a few cups within under a minute.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The SeTaun S-R11 coffee grinder is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance. The burrs and bean hopper are easily removable, allowing you to thoroughly clean all components.

To disassemble, simply remove the hopper and use the included brush to sweep out any leftover grounds. The burrs can then be taken out by unscrewing the nut on the bottom. Wipe down the burrs and chamber with a dry cloth to remove oils and residue. All parts are dishwasher safe as well for more thorough cleaning.

Reassembly is just as straightforward. Place the burrs back in, secure with the nut, and reattach the hopper. The simple construction means you won't have to fiddle with multiple parts and pieces during cleaning. The entire process takes just a couple minutes, ensuring you can keep the grinder fresh and running optimally.

Regular cleaning every few weeks will prevent a buildup of oils that can affect grind consistency and taste over time. But thanks to the easy disassembly, it's a painless task to maintain your S-R11 grinder.

Noise Level

The SeTaun S-R11 coffee grinder operates at a moderate noise level that is typical for manual burr grinders. When grinding beans, it produces a low rumbling sound that some users may find unobtrusive, while others sensitive to noise may find distracting.

The stainless steel grounds catcher and crank handle are the main sources of noise when grinding. Some metallic creaking and rattling can occur from the burrs grinding the beans and the grounds shaking around in the catcher. However, the noise is not sharp or high-pitched. It remains at a low hum rather than a screeching racket.

Compared to many electric grinders, the manual S-R11 generates significantly less noise. Without the high-speed motor, it avoids the whirring and buzzing sounds emitted by electric models. The noise level stays relatively constant as you crank the handle, rather than rising and falling as an electric grinder speeds up and slows down.

Overall, the grinding noise from the S-R11 should be acceptable for most users brewing coffee at home. While not silent, it is reasonable for a manual burr grinder. The noise will be localized in the kitchen and unlikely to disturb housemates or neighbors. Those highly sensitive to noise may prefer an electric grinder with less metallic rattling or a quieter manual model with rubber dampeners.

Price and Value

The SeTaun S-R11 manual coffee grinder offers excellent value for money given its quality and performance. It is priced very competitively at around £25-30 on Amazon UK at the time of writing. This puts it in the budget range for manual coffee grinders, making it very affordable.

When you consider the solid stainless steel construction, consistent grinding performance, and wide range of grind settings, the S-R11 punches well above its price point. The burrs are made from durable stainless steel and the grind adjustment mechanism allows for precise control over the grind size.

For under £30, it's hard to find another manual grinder made entirely from stainless steel. Most comparably priced models use inferior plastic parts that can break over time. The S-R11's all-metal design gives it a premium feel and provides durability.

The large hopper capacity and smooth grinding operation also make it stand out at this price point. You get excellent value for money with the grind consistency and capacity of a more expensive grinder.

Overall, the S-R11 offers tremendous value given its quality materials, versatile performance, and budget-friendly price point. It's an affordable option that doesn't compromise on quality or durability. For home brewing enthusiasts on a budget, it hits a sweet spot between price and performance.

Conclusion

Overall, the SeTaun S-R11 manual coffee grinder provides excellent value for money. Its simple yet durable stainless steel design will look good in any kitchen. The grinder offers a wide range of grind settings, from fine espresso to coarse French press, which makes it versatile for brewing different coffee styles.

The conical ceramic burrs do a great job grinding beans evenly while preserving flavors and oils. The grinding capacity is sufficient for making several cups of coffee at a time. While grinding does require some physical effort, the handle is ergonomic and grinding performance is efficient.

For a manual grinder at this price point, the SeTaun S-R11 punches above its weight. It's easy to use, clean, and maintain. The grinder operates quietly, so early morning coffee prep won't disturb the rest of the household.

Overall, the S-R11 manual coffee grinder is highly recommended for anyone looking for an affordable but high-quality manual grinder. Its excellent grind performance and wide range of grind settings make it a versatile addition to any coffee enthusiast's arsenal.