TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Manual Grinder - Review 🏆

The TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 is a manual coffee grinder that offers a high-quality grinding experience in a compact and portable design. Part of the Chestnut series from TIMEMORE, it's crafted for home brewing enthusiasts who want precise control over their coffee grind.

With its sleek and modern aesthetic, the C2 features an ergonomic hand crank and adjustable grind settings. The 47mm ceramic conical burrs are removable for easy cleaning and can produce grinds ranging from fine for espresso to coarse for French press. Weighing just 0.55kg, the C2 has a 200g hopper and grounds container for grinding enough coffee for several cups at once.

Overall, the TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 aims to provide coffee aficionados with a consistent grind for optimal flavor extraction across various brew methods. Its array of capabilities make it a versatile and portable manual grinder option.

Design and Build Quality

The Timemore Chestnut C2 manual coffee grinder features a sleek and minimalist design, with a durable stainless steel construction. At first glance, the C2 looks elegant yet sturdy, inspiring confidence in its build quality.

The main body of the grinder is made of stainless steel, which gives it a premium feel and excellent durability. Many owners comment that the C2 feels extremely solid and sturdy in the hand. The handle and grounds catcher are also metal, adding to the overall sturdiness.

Aesthetically, the C2 has a smooth, brushed metal finish that looks modern and refined. Its shape is ergonomic, with a curved handle that fits comfortably in the hand. Weighing in at 550g, it has enough heft to stay stable on the counter during grinding.

Inside the grinder, the grinding mechanism uses ceramic conical burrs that are precisely machined for consistency. The burrs feel solidly constructed and are designed to remain sharp for many years of use.

Overall, the Timemore Chestnut C2 inspires confidence with its high-end stainless steel construction. It looks and feels like a premium manual coffee grinder built to last. The minimalist yet sturdy metal design offers both form and function.

The KINGrinder 2AK2001-IR is another excellent manual coffee grinder with a focus on high quality materials and craftsmanship. The body and handle are made from aircraft grade aluminum for maximum durability. At 600g, the 2AK2001-IR has a reassuring heft and stability. The aluminum surface is bead blasted to a satiny finish that resists fingerprints and scratches.

Inside, the 2AK2001-IR uses 38mm ceramic conical burrs that produce a very consistent grind. The burrs are removable for easy cleaning and are precisely aligned for smooth grinding action. All internal components are metal, including the adjustment ring and crank handle. Owners find the 2AK2001-IR's grinding action to be smooth and almost effortless.

With its aircraft grade aluminum body, large 38mm burrs, and all-metal internal construction, the KINGrinder 2AK2001-IR rivals more expensive grinders for build quality. While not as minimalist as the Timemore C2, it has an industrial, machined look and delivers outstanding durability.

Grind Settings

The Timemore Chestnut C2 offers a wide range of grind settings, making it suitable for various brew methods. The grinder has 18 macro settings, allowing you to adjust from fine espresso grinds up to coarse French Press grinds. Each macro setting also has 12 micro settings for minute adjustments, giving you over 200 grind size options to dial in the perfect grind.

Adjusting between settings is effortless. The grind setting knob has clear markings from 1 to 18 for the macro settings. You can precisely dial in the micro settings by rotating the knob and feeling for the clicks between each one. The mechanism provides satisfying tactile feedback when switching settings. Overall, the broad grind range and precise adjustability of the Timemore C2 means you can brew anything from espresso to cold brew with ease.

Manual coffee grinders like the Binbir Trend pirincduzdegirmen are also growing in popularity for their simplicity and consistency. A manual grinder removes the hassle and noise of electric grinders and lets you grind fresh coffee with a few twists of the handle. Models like the Binbir Trend offer excellent grind quality across settings from fine to coarse thanks to their durable ceramic burrs and precise adjustment mechanisms. The process of manually grinding coffee beans provides a satisfying tactile experience and greater connection to the brewing process. For travel or daily home use, a manual grinder like the Binbir Trend provides an affordable, portable, and high-performing grinding solution.

When evaluating grinders, an important factor is the range of grind settings available. More settings allows you to fine-tune the grind size better for the brew method you want to use. For example, espresso requires an extremely fine, powder-like grind to extract properly. This is different from a French press which needs a coarse, uniform grind to avoid overextraction and gritty texture. Having incremental grind settings in between like those on the Timemore C2 gives flexibility to dial in for pour over, siphon, AeroPress, and other manual brew methods.

Look also at the number of steps between each major grind setting. More steps or "clicks" help you make minute adjustments to hone in on the optimal grind. Stepless or infinite grind settings offer maximum control but are mostly found on high-end electric burr grinders. For most manual and affordable electric grinders, around 10-15 steps between each major setting is sufficient to fine-tune the grind.

The adjustment mechanism is also important - steps should feel distinct but not overly stiff or loose. High quality ceramic or steel burrs will produce consistent grinds across all settings. Conical burr grinders tend to have a wider grind range while flat burrs excel at finer espresso grinds. So match the burr type and adjustability features to your preferred brew methods when choosing a grinder.

Being able to easily repeat grind settings is key for consistency too. Markings, clicks, or notches that indicate the macro settings allow returning to previous recipes. Micro settings may need to be dialed in again but having clear reference points makes this quicker. Digital grinders display the setting for better repeatability.

So in summary, look for grinders that offer:

• A wide range of grind sizes (e.g. espresso to French press)
• Many incremental steps between each major setting
• Distinct but smooth feeling adjustment steps
• Durable ceramic or steel burrs
• Clear markings or indications of grind size

With the right grind range and adjustable settings, you'll be able to brew café quality coffee of any style at home. The Timemore Chestnut C2 is an excellent example of a grinder that gives you a versatile range of grinds for various brew methods. And for pure simplicity and hands-on grinding, a manual grinder like the Binbir Trend is a great choice too.

Grinding Performance

The Chestnut C2 offers excellent grinding performance that produces consistent grinds at a reasonable speed.

• Grind Speed: The conical ceramic burrs rotate at a moderate speed, taking around 15-20 seconds to grind enough coffee for a single cup. While not the fastest, the grind speed is reasonable for a manual grinder. Faster speeds can sometimes lead to more inconsistent particle sizes.

• Consistency: One of the highlights of the Chestnut C2 is the consistent grinds it produces. The ceramic conical burrs combined with the precise adjustment ring allow you to dial in a grind size that provides uniform particle distribution. Grounds are free of boulders or fines.

• Noise Level: As a manual grinder, the Chestnut C2 operates very quietly with just the soft hum of the burrs turning. You can have a conversation or listen to music while grinding without the grinder overpowering other sounds. The noise level is significantly lower than most electric grinders.

Overall, the Chestnut C2 delivers excellent grinding performance with consistent grinds at a reasonable speed and quiet operation. The grind quality rivals much more expensive electric grinders.

Grind Capacity

The TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 has an impressive grind capacity thanks to its substantial hopper and grinding mechanism. The hopper can hold around 35-40g of coffee beans, which is plenty for brewing multiple cups or servings at once.

When grinding, the Chestnut C2 can handle 15-20g of beans on the finer espresso settings and up to 30g on courser filter settings in one use. This means you can grind enough coffee for several espresso shots or a few cups of pour over without needing to refill the hopper. The capacity is comparable to many electric grinders yet comes in a compact manual package.

Some users may want to grind even more in one go, but for most home brewing purposes, the Chestnut C2 offers ample grinding capacity per use. You won't find yourself needing to refill small batches of beans constantly, even when making coffee for a few people. The hopper and grinding design is optimized to handle day-to-day home grinding needs.

Ease of Use

The TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 has a very short learning curve and is designed for convenient, easy use. The manual crank operation is straightforward - simply add beans to the hopper, adjust the grind setting, then turn the handle to grind. The grind settings are clearly marked from fine to coarse, making it easy to select the right setting for your brew method.

Some nice features improve convenience. The grounds catcher is easy to remove, install, and clean. The grounds bin has a wide opening and deep basket to hold ample ground coffee. The hopper has a generous 8oz capacity so you don't have to refill as often. The grounds bin, hopper lid, and handle all detach for compact storage. Overall, the Chestnut C2 delivers an excellent user experience that's intuitive and hassle-free.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 is very easy to disassemble and clean, which is important for manual coffee grinders to maintain freshness and flavor.

To disassemble, you just need to remove the handle and top burr carrier. The handle simply pulls off and the top burr carrier unscrews easily by hand. Once disassembled, all the parts can be rinsed under running water to remove any residue.

The stainless steel construction makes cleaning very simple. The grounds bin, burrs, and catch cup are all made of stainless steel so they won't absorb any coffee oils. A quick rinse is all that's needed to keep these parts fresh.

One unique design aspect is that the grounds bin is fully removable. Many other manual grinders have a grounds bin that is fixed in place. Being able to completely remove the grounds bin makes it very easy to dump out used grounds and clean. No need to brush out grinds stuck in a fixed bin.

Reassembly is just as quick and easy as taking it apart to clean. Simply place the top burr back in position and screw on the burr carrier. Then pop the handle back on and it's ready to grind again. The whole process only takes about 30 seconds.

Overall, the Chestnut C2 is designed for quick and simple cleaning to keep the grind consistent and the flavors pure. The stainless steel construction and removable grounds bin make this one of the easiest manual coffee grinders to maintain.

Portability

The TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 is a highly portable manual coffee grinder thanks to its compact size and lightweight body. Measuring just 4.3 inches tall and 2.6 inches wide, it can easily fit inside bags, purses, and suitcases for travel. Weighing only 12.3 oz, it won't add much bulk or heft to your luggage.

The C2 comes with a travel case made of durable plastic that protects the stainless steel body and burrs during transport. The case has a secure snap closure and convenient carry handle. It's small enough to toss into any bag or backpack you're already carrying. The compact size and included case make the C2 an ideal choice for coffee lovers who want fresh ground coffee while camping or any time away from home.

Overall, the C2's tiny footprint, featherlight body, and included protective travel case allow you to enjoy smooth manual grinding wherever your adventures take you. This grinder was designed for portable convenience without sacrificing performance.

Price and Value

The Timemore Chestnut C2 offers excellent value for money as a premium manual coffee grinder. It is priced at around £130, which puts it on the higher end for a hand grinder but lower than many electric grinders.

When you consider the build quality and performance, the Chestnut C2 is very competitively priced. The stainless steel construction and precise burrs rival grinders costing twice as much. Timemore's reputation for quality helps justify the price tag.

While not cheap, the C2 should provide many years of consistent grinding. So the upfront cost is an investment that gets returned through consistent results and durability. For serious coffee drinkers using it daily, the cost per use will be low over time.

The Chestnut C2 also compares well to other premium hand grinders. Brands like Lido and Kinu offer similar grind quality for a similar or often higher price. So Timemore matches their performance at a more affordable cost.

For those on a tight budget, the C2 may still be out of reach. But it hits a sweet spot between price and performance that makes it an excellent value choice compared to alternatives. You get impressively high grind quality without paying a premium price.

Summary

The Timemore Chestnut C2 is an excellent manual coffee grinder that offers great quality and performance at a reasonable price. Here's a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Pros

• High quality stainless steel construction
• Sleek and compact design
• Easy to adjust grind settings
• Produces very consistent grinds
• Can grind fine enough for espresso
• Large 40g bean capacity
• Easy to disassemble for cleaning
• Portable and travel-friendly

Cons

• Small grounds catcher
• Requires some physical effort to grind
• Not the best for coarse grinds like French press

Overall, the Timemore C2 is a great choice for anyone looking for a manual coffee grinder that can produce cafe-quality grinds at home. It's ideal for brewing methods like pour over, Aeropress, and espresso. The large hopper and consistent grinds set it apart from other affordable manual grinders. While it does require some physical effort to use, it's very portable and easy to clean. For anyone serious about manual brewing looking for quality construction and performance without breaking the bank, the Timemore Chestnut C2 is highly recommended.