For quite some time, I had been eager to test the El Comandante C40 MKIV coffee grinder. I first came across this gem while on the hunt for my initial high-end coffee grinder. However, my excitement was short-lived as it was not available in Canada, my place of residence at the time.
The C40 mill has been hailed as one of the most dependable options available in numerous discussions across various forums. But does it truly live up to the hype? To answer this question, I decided to purchase the C40 from Amazon. This review is a result of my genuine curiosity and is conducted with complete objectivity.
Introducing Our Product
The El Comandante C40 arrives in a tidy package, thoughtfully assembled with the following components:
- A crank handle, integral with the cap
- A mill, available in several finishes
- Two glass containers. One in smoked glass, the other in clear glass.
- A cap to close the container not used with the mill
Let’s delve deeper and explore the different components of the coffee grinder, shall we?
Exploring the Crank Handle
The mill’s crank is adorned with a stylish wooden knob, carefully selected to complement the color of the mill body. Its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, making the cranking process not just easy, but enjoyable – a truly valuable feature.
The mill comes with a high-quality plastic cover that snugly fits onto the crank on the opposite side, effectively sealing the mill during use. Despite being transparent, it’s quite challenging to observe the grains being ground within the mill. In my experience, the lid has a smoked finish, which further hinders any attempt to peek inside. Personally, I would have appreciated a more robust metal cover. The crank is ingeniously connected to the mill’s body, specifically to the central rod, through a strong magnet. This design is not only practical but also efficient, and I found it to be quite impressive.
Exploring the Heart of the Mill
The mill boasts an elegant design, featuring a stainless steel tube that comes in a variety of high-quality finishes. Among these, you’ll find authentic wood veneer finishes that add a touch of sophistication to the mill. Personally, I chose a black finish enhanced with pearlescent paint, which not only looks stunning but also provides a better grip when using the mill.
The C40 boasts a comfortable grip, though its substantial size might be a tad overwhelming for those with smaller hands. However, its non-slip feature ensures a steady hold while grinding coffee – a crucial aspect for the perfect brew.
The central spindle of the mill is expertly guided by a set of ball bearings, which are firmly anchored by a plastic support. Considering the mill’s price point, one might expect the manufacturer to opt for a more premium material like metal for the support. However, the use of ball bearings does guarantee a seamless and smooth operation.
Positioned just above the grinding wheel at the base of the grinder, you’ll find a cleverly designed plastic funnel. This feature is specifically crafted to guide your coffee beans towards the grinding wheel. Interestingly, the wheel’s diameter is a tad smaller than that of the stainless steel tube.
Mastering the Art of Adjusting Your Grinding Wheel
Regrettably, the manufacturer hasn’t provided specific details regarding the size of the grinding wheel. Nonetheless, its compact size implies that it may take a bit longer to grind coffee, especially if you’re aiming for a fine espresso grind.
The grind of this mill can be easily adjusted by simply turning the knob located on the underside. Tightening it brings the grinding wheels closer together, while loosening it creates more space between them. The knob is designed with three small balls that emit a satisfying “click” with each rotation. Despite the high-quality grindstones, I find the limited number of adjustment levels to be a bit restrictive, particularly when trying to extract more demanding coffees like espressos. The C40 only offers 12 notches per full turn of the knob, resulting in a significant gap between the grinding wheels, even when using the optional “Red clix” kit to enhance precision. Consequently, when brewing an espresso, you may often find that the perfect setting falls somewhere between two clicks.
What are the alternatives?
Generally speaking, with only a handful of exceptions (like the Timemore Chestnut X with its unique double adjustment wheel), grinders that adjust from the bottom tend to have a less fine adjustment range compared to those that adjust from the top (which can provide up to 60 notches per turn). If you’re working with a budget of approximately €200 and are in search of a coffee grinder that’s perfect for making espresso, I’d suggest considering the 1Zpresso K-ultra or the JXpro. Both of these are top-notch grinders, highly recommended by several members of my Discord forum. If your budget is a bit more constrained, the Kingrinder K4 or K6 are worth considering. They offer excellent value for money as hand grinders, costing less.
For a price that’s less than €100, you can enjoy all these amazing features. Isn’t that a great deal?
Exploring the Container
The mill comes with two elegant glass containers, one with a clear finish and the other with a matte finish. While glass is indeed delicate and prone to shattering if dropped, El Comandante has thoughtfully made this item readily available for purchase. So, in the unfortunate event of breakage, you can quickly and conveniently replace it.
While using the grinder, you might notice some coffee grounds lingering on the thread that secures the container. To prevent this, ensure you attach the container to the grinder body correctly. Remember, it doesn’t need to be overly tight. Also, be aware that the top of the container features a subtle rim that might catch some of the ground coffee as you pour it in.
Mastering the Use of the El Commandante C40
Having thoroughly explored the intricacies of the mill, it’s time for us to dive into the exciting phase of testing it out.
My experience with the grinder has been solely for making espressos, which is my preferred method for brewing coffee. Therefore, I’m unable to provide firsthand feedback on its compatibility with other brewing techniques, like the French press. However, based on the information I’ve gathered from various coffee enthusiast forums, it appears that the grinder performs admirably when it comes to larger grinds.
I’ve found that when the grinder setting is just right, the C40 can indeed produce impressive results for espresso. However, as I pointed out in the section discussing the millstones, the ideal setting for espresso often falls between two clicks. This slight limitation can make the C40 a bit less competitive when compared to other grinders specifically designed for espresso.
What’s the Timeframe for Grinding Coffee with the El Comandante C40?
Grinding 16g of coffee to the perfect espresso consistency takes approximately one minute with this grinder. While this may be slightly longer than other coffee grinders I’ve had the pleasure of testing (such as the BPlus Apollo, Kinu M47, 1zpresso, or Kingrinder), it’s by no means a deal-breaker when it comes to brewing a delicious cup of coffee.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your El Comandante C40
Maintaining the pristine condition of your El Comandante C40 is a breeze. Start by fully unscrewing the adjustment knob and taking off the grinding wheel. With the help of a toothbrush or a small brush, you can easily sweep away any lingering debris. Remember, it’s crucial to avoid using water when cleaning the mill. I attempted to disassemble the second part of the grinding wheel (the stationary one) by loosening three screws, but they proved to be quite stubborn and wouldn’t budge. This leads me to believe that the manufacturer didn’t design this part to be removed during routine maintenance. However, don’t worry! You can still clean the interior of the mill body from the top, as it provides ample space for cleaning.
Wrapping It Up
To sum it up, it appears that this mill may not offer the best value for money when compared to other alternatives currently available in the market. Despite its past successes, it seems the manufacturer has not made significant efforts to innovate or update the product for quite some time.
The primary challenge you might encounter with this grinder is its fine-tuning capability, which unfortunately, doesn’t quite hit the mark for espresso. To put it into perspective, even when using the Red Clix, you’ll often find the perfect setting teetering between two clicks. To provide a clearer picture, the C40 offers 12 adjustment notches for each turn of the setting wheel, whereas its top-tier competitors boast a generous 60 notches per turn.
One minor drawback of this grinder is its slower grinding speed. It comes with a compact 38mm-diameter grinding wheel, which is perfect for “slow” pour-over extractions, as these require a coarser grind that can be achieved quickly. However, this grinder may not be the best fit for espresso-type extractions. Espresso requires a very fine grind, and with a smaller 38mm grinder, this process can take over a minute. If you’re in the market for a hand grinder specifically designed for espresso, you might want to explore options with larger grinding wheels, at least 47mm in diameter. Some excellent choices include the 1Zpresso, K-ultra, JXpro, Kingrinder K4 or K6. You can find more information about these models here.
“>Explore the insights in this article.Consequently, the C40 is primarily designed for slower extraction methods that require a coarser grind. These methods are less dependent on the fineness of the grind compared to espresso. This might lead you to wonder why one would invest in such a high-end grinder for these methods. Generally, grinders suitable for this type of extraction are more affordable, typically ranging from €50 to €150.
Exploring Alternatives to the El Commandante C40
Are you on the hunt for the perfect coffee grinder for your espresso? I would advise you to explore other brands. With a budget of approximately €200, the 1Zpresso K-ultra or the JXpro would be excellent choices. These grinders have received high praise from numerous members of my Discord forum. If you’re working with a tighter budget, the Kingrinder K4 or K6 models are fantastic options. They provide exceptional value for a hand mill that costs less than €100.
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