TIMEMORE ‎70TGD014AA001 Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

Manual coffee grinders have seen a resurgence in popularity among coffee enthusiasts in recent years. Offering more control and customization over grind size compared to electric grinders, manual grinders produce a more consistent grind that brings out the subtle flavors and aromas of your favorite coffee beans. The Timemore Chestnut C2 is one of the more popular manual coffee grinder models on the market, known for its high-quality burrs, wide grind settings, and sleek yet durable design.

This stainless steel grinder features ceramic conical burrs that efficiently crush coffee beans while minimizing heat buildup and preserving the beans' oils. With 70 click settings, you can fine-tune the grind size anywhere from super fine powder for espresso to coarse chunks for French press. The Chestnut C2 consistently delivers uniform particle size for optimal flavor extraction. Its durable all-metal construction and silicone base provide stability during grinding while keeping noise levels low. With a capacity of 20g of beans per grind, it can churn out enough coffee grounds for 1-2 cups at a time.

Design and Build Quality

The Timemore Chesnut C2 coffee grinder has a sleek and minimalist design that looks great on any countertop. It's made of high-quality stainless steel, giving it a premium feel and excellent durability.

The stainless steel used in the grinder's body and burrs is anti-corrosive, ensuring it will hold up well to repeated coffee grinding over time. The materials used also make it very easy to clean.

Aesthetically, the C2 has a simple but elegant look. The stainless steel body has a nice brushed metal finish that catches the light beautifully. The wooden accents on the grounds catcher and crank handle add warmth and complement the metal body nicely.

The build quality is exceptional. All parts fit together seamlessly with tight tolerances. The grind adjustment ring has clear demarcations and smooth but precise action. Overall, the C2 feels extremely solid and sturdy in hand.

The C2's sleek yet sturdy design and high-quality construction allow it to produce a consistent grind for better flavor extraction. The stainless steel burrs remain sharp for precise grinding over many years of use. The grind settings allow users to fine tune from coarse to very fine.

Compared to other popular manual coffee grinders like the Azontion KFJ-GM-002, the Timemore C2 offers superior build quality with an elegant aesthetic. The Azontion grinder has a plastic body that may be prone to cracks and dents over time. Its grind adjustment mechanism also feels flimsy. The Timemore C2's metal design is far more durable and its grind settings more precise.

In summary, the Timemore Chesnut C2 impresses with its combination of form and function. The minimalist stainless steel design is beautiful, while also delivering robust construction quality. Every detail from the burrs to the adjustment ring make grinding a pleasure while producing optimal grounds. For anyone seeking a high-performance manual coffee grinder that also looks stunning on the counter, the C2 is an excellent choice.

Grind Settings

The Timemore Chestnut C2 offers a wide range of grind settings, making it suitable for various brew methods. The grind size can be adjusted from fine espresso to coarse French Press, with over 60 click settings in between. The grind adjustment mechanism is easy to use. Simply rotate the bottom burr to one of the numeric settings marked on the bean hopper. The clicks between each number allow you to really dial in a precise grind size. The burrs feel solid and sturdy when adjusting.

The grind setting stays locked in place while grinding, so you won't have to worry about it slipping during use. Finding the right grind size for your preferred brew method is effortless with the C2's extensive range and convenient adjustability. Whether you want a fine powder for espresso or larger chunks for French press, this grinder can accommodate your needs.

Another excellent manual coffee grinder to consider is the Alocs CW-K17. This grinder features durable ceramic burrs that produce a consistent grind. With over 18 click settings, you can fine-tune everything from espresso to cold brew. The Alocs CW-K17 has a sleek stainless steel design and comfortable grip, making grinding easy and enjoyable.

The hopper on the Alocs holds up to 70g of beans, perfect for making multiple cups. An inner lid keeps your beans fresh between uses. The grounds container is also generously sized and features a sealing cap. Overall, the Alocs CW-K17 combines versatile performance with thoughtful design touches.

When researching manual coffee grinders, consider factors like the grind range, durability of burrs, ease of use, capacity, and aesthetics. Both the Timemore Chestnut C2 and Alocs CW-K17 deliver excellent grind consistency across various brew methods. The Timemore may edge out with its 60+ settings versus 18, but the Alocs provides great value and quality.

Ultimately the choice comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Do you want the widest possible range of grind sizes? Or are you looking for an attractive, easy to use grinder at a reasonable price? Either the Timemore or Alocs would make a great addition to your coffee routine. Take some time to weigh the key differences between these solid manual grinder options.

Grinding Performance

The Timemore Chestnut C2 delivers excellent grinding performance that rivals much pricier manual coffee grinders. Its conical ceramic burrs provide a very consistent grind with minimal fines or boulders. The grind consistency is impressive across the full range of grind settings from fine espresso to coarse French press.

The grind speed is reasonably fast, much quicker than most comparably priced manual grinders. It can grind enough coffee for a full pot of drip coffee in around 1 minute. The handle cranks smoothly and the grinding action feels solid and well-engineered.

The C2 runs quietly, especially for a manual grinder. The noise level is low enough for early morning coffee grinding without disturbing others. The burrs have very little wobble or shimmy during grinding which helps minimize noise and improve consistency.

Overall the grinding performance of the Timemore Chestnut C2 punches far above its price bracket. It's capable of producing café-quality grinds for any brew method with speed and low noise.

Ease of Use

The Timemore Chestnut C2 is very easy to use in day-to-day operation. Assembly out of the box is simple - the grounds catcher, crank handle and hopper all attach intuitively. The burrs come pre-installed so there is no tricky alignment required.

Operation is straightforward - you add beans to the hopper, set the grind size, turn the handle and grounds come out into the catcher. The grinding action is smooth and relatively quiet. The hopper holds enough beans to grind 60g at a time, which is sufficient for most brew methods.

Cleaning is also hassle-free. The hopper, catcher and crank handle can be rinsed under running water. The burrs can be easily removed for periodic deep cleaning - this just requires undoing a single screw. There are no fiddly parts or hard to reach areas.

Overall, the Chestnut C2 is designed for simplicity and ease of use. With just a few self-explanatory parts, assembly, daily grinding and cleaning are all quick and intuitive. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a no-fuss manual coffee grinder.

Portability

The Timemore 70TGD is designed to be highly portable for travel and use on-the-go. Its compact size and lightweight build make it easy to pack in a bag or suitcase.

The grinder measures just 4.5 x 4.5 x 7.5 inches and weighs only 1.1 pounds. This petite footprint takes up minimal space, while still offering a 70g bean capacity. The small stature and low weight are perfect for tossing in your luggage or work bag when heading out of town or commuting.

Despite its diminutive dimensions, the 70TGD doesn't compromise on performance or grind quality. The stainless steel burrs deliver fast, even grinding whether at home or on the road. For travel, the grounds catcher securely screws onto the bottom to prevent mess or spills.

The smooth, rounded shape and lack of sharp edges make the 70TGD ideal for mobile use. You don't have to worry about the grinder getting banged up or taking up excessive room when packed. It's easy to grind a fresh cup of joe in your hotel, Airbnb, or campsite. The 70TGD brings manual grinding power anywhere you want great tasting coffee.

Capacity

The Timemore Chestnut C2 has a decent capacity for a manual coffee grinder. The hopper holds around 30g of whole bean coffee, which is enough to make 2-3 cups of coffee in one grind. The grounds bin comfortably holds the ground coffee from a full hopper's worth of beans.

Some key capacity features:

• The hopper has a max capacity of around 30g of whole beans. This allows you to grind enough coffee for 2-3 cups at a time.

• The grounds bin can hold all the grounds from a full hopper of beans. No need to empty it mid-grind.

• The grounds bin is easy to remove, empty, and clean. Just give it a quick twist to unlock and lift out.

• The hopper and grounds bin are well-matched in size. You can grind a full hopper of beans in one go without overflowing the grounds bin.

So in summary, the Timemore C2 has a hopper and grounds bin size that is well suited to manual brewing for 1-3 cups at a time. The capacity is decent but not huge. Overall it hits the sweet spot for most manual brewing needs.

Price

The Timemore 70TGD014AA001 manual coffee grinder retails for around £60-70, which positions it in the mid-range of quality manual grinders. This puts it above entry-level models that cost £20-40, but below high-end manual grinders that can cost over £100.

When comparing to other mid-range competitors like the Hario Skerton Plus and 1Zpresso Q2, the Timemore offers very good value for money. It costs a similar amount to these models, but offers superior build quality, grind consistency, and ease of use thanks to the innovative grind setting adjustment system.

The solid stainless steel construction and precise burrs allow the Timemore to grind coffee exceptionally evenly. This level of consistent grind size is difficult to achieve in other manual grinders at this price point. The smooth grinding operation is also a step above cheaper models which can feel wobbly or require more effort when grinding.

Overall, the Timemore 70TGD014AA001 represents an excellent balance of performance and price. While not the cheapest option, it delivers professional-level grinding results that coffee enthusiasts will appreciate. For those looking to step up from an entry-level grinder without breaking the bank, the Timemore is a smart choice that won't leave you disappointed.

Pros & Cons

The Timemore Chestnut C2 offers a lot of positives but has some drawbacks as well. Here's a quick summary of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• Excellent grind quality and consistency for manual grinding
• 40 precise grind settings to customize from fine espresso to coarse French Press
• Durable stainless steel conical burrs for uniform grinding
• Smooth and easy grinding operation
• Portable and compact size
• Large 70g bean capacity
• Good value for the price

Cons

• Manual grinding can be time consuming and tiring for large batches
• Bean hopper could be larger for some users
• Grounds catcher could hold more than the 15g capacity
• No option to mount to a counter or wall
• Plastic grounds catcher may be prone to static
• No lifetime warranty like some competitors

Overall, the Timemore Chestnut C2 punches above its weight class for grind quality and customization at this price point. The manual grinding is a tradeoff that improves consistency but requires more user effort. For someone looking for an excellent portable manual coffee grinder, the C2 hits a sweet spot.

Conclusion

The Timemore Chestnut C2 is an excellent manual coffee grinder that punches well above its price point. It offers exceptional grind quality and consistency for manual grinding, rivaling some electric grinders. The build quality is superb, with a sleek stainless steel design that looks great and will hold up over time.

The Chestnut C2 is very easy to use, with smooth burrs and a simple adjustment mechanism to dial in a precise grind size. It can grind enough for 1-2 cups of coffee in under a minute. The capacity is suitable for personal use or travel.

This grinder is best suited for coffee enthusiasts who want high grind quality without the cost or noise of an electric grinder. It's also great for travel as it's small, lightweight, and doesn't require power. The grind settings allow you to brew any method, from espresso to French press.

Overall, the Timemore Chestnut C2 punches far above its weight class. For manual brewing enthusiasts, it's an easy recommendation for its exceptional grind quality, durable build, and ease of use. It delivers commercial-level performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable electric grinders.