The El Comandante C40 MKIV coffee grinder had been on my wish list for quite some time. I first came across it while on the hunt for my initial high-end coffee grinder, but unfortunately, it was not available for purchase in Canada, where I was residing at the time.
This mill has been hailed as one of the most dependable in the market by numerous forums. But does it truly live up to the hype? Eager to find out, I decided to purchase the C40 from Amazon. This review was conducted purely out of my love for the product and with complete objectivity.
Introducing Our Product
Unboxing the El Comandante C40, you’ll find it neatly packaged with these exciting items:
- 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.
Exploring the Crank Handle
The crank is adorned with a stylish wooden knob, carefully selected to complement the color of the mill body. Its design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also ensures a comfortable grip, making the cranking process a delightful experience – a true advantage.
The mill comes with a high-quality plastic cover that snugly fits over 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 at internal viewing. A more robust metal cover would have been my preference. The crank is ingeniously attached to the mill’s body, specifically the central rod, by a potent magnet. This design is not only practical and efficient but also impressively effective, in my opinion.
Exploring the Structure of the Mill
The mill boasts a chic, streamlined design, featuring a stainless steel tube that comes in a variety of high-quality finishes, including authentic wood veneer options. Personally, I chose a black finish enhanced with a pearlescent paint, which not only looks stunning but also provides a superior grip when operating the mill.
The C40 boasts a comfortable grip, although 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, nestled securely within a plastic support. Considering the mill’s price point, it might have been more fitting for the manufacturer to opt for a sturdier material like metal for the support. However, the use of ball bearings does guarantee a smooth and seamless 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 intentionally made smaller than that of the stainless steel tube to ensure a smooth and efficient grinding process.
Mastering the Art of Adjusting Your Grinding Wheel
Regrettably, the manufacturer hasn’t provided specific details regarding the size of the grinding wheel. Nevertheless, its compact size suggests that it may take a bit longer to grind coffee, particularly if you’re preparing for an espresso.
Adjusting the grind on this mill is as simple as 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. While the grindstones are of excellent quality, I find the limited number of adjustment levels to be a bit restrictive, particularly when trying to brew more demanding coffees like espressos. The C40 only offers 12 notches per full turn of the knob, resulting in a significant gap between the grindstones, even when using the optional “Red clix” kit to enhance precision. Consequently, when brewing an espresso, it’s not uncommon to find that the perfect setting falls between two clicks.
What are the alternatives?
Generally speaking, with a few rare 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 offer up to 60 notches per turn. If you’re working with a budget of approximately $200 and are in the market for a coffee grinder that’s perfect for making espresso, I would suggest considering the 1Zpresso K-ultra or the J-Ultra. Both of these grinders are top-notch and have received high praise from several members of my Discord forum. If your budget is a bit more constrained, the kingrinder K6 is a fantastic option. It offers excellent value for money as a hand grinder and costs less than €100.
Exploring the Container
The mill comes with a pair of glass containers, one transparent and the other frosted. While glass is indeed delicate and prone to breaking if dropped, El Comandante provides a convenient retail option for swift replacement should any damage occur.
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 just right – not too loose, not too tight. Also, be aware of the tiny rim at the top of the container. It’s a sneaky spot where ground coffee can get caught as you pour it in.
Mastering the Use of 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 primarily for making espressos, which is my preferred method for brewing coffee. Therefore, I can’t provide firsthand information about its compatibility with other brewing techniques, like the French press. However, based on discussions I’ve come across in various coffee forums, it seems that the grinder performs admirably when it comes to larger grinds.
With the correct grinder setting, I’ve been able to achieve impressive results using the C40 for espresso. While the grind quality is commendable, I noted in the section discussing the millstones that the optimal setting for espresso often falls between two clicks. This nuance slightly hampers the C40’s competitiveness in the espresso grinder market.
What’s the Grinding Time for Coffee with the El Comandante C40?
Grinding 16g of coffee to the perfect espresso consistency takes approximately one minute with this grinder. While this might be a tad longer than other coffee grinders I’ve had the pleasure of testing (such as the BPlus Apollo, Kinu M47, or the 1zpresso / 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. Next, grab a toothbrush or a small brush to gently sweep away any residual debris. Remember, it’s crucial not to introduce water into the cleaning process. 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. This leads me to believe that the manufacturer didn’t design this part for removal during routine upkeep. Nevertheless, you can still give the inside of the mill body a good clean from the top, thanks to its generous width.
Wrapping It Up
To wrap things up, it appears that this mill might not be the best bang for your buck when compared to other alternatives out there. Despite its past triumphs, it seems the manufacturer has not made significant efforts to modernize or improve the product over the years.
One significant issue with this grinder is its fine-tuning capability, which unfortunately, makes it less than ideal for espresso preparation. Even when using the Red Clix, you’ll often find the perfect setting is somewhere between two clicks. To put it in perspective, the C40 provides 12 adjustment notches for each turn of the setting wheel, whereas other high-end grinders on the market offer a much more precise 60 notches per turn.
One downside to this grinder is its slow grinding speed. It comes with a compact 38mm-diameter grinding wheel, which is perfect for “slow” pour-over extractions as they require a coarser, quicker grind. However, it falls short when it comes to espresso-type extractions. Espresso requires a much finer grind, and with a small 38mm grinder, it can take over a minute to achieve this. If you’re on the hunt for a hand grinder specifically designed for espresso, you might want to look at grinders with larger wheels of at least 47mm. Options include the 1Zpresso K-ultra , the J-Ultra, or the Kingrinder K4 or K6, which I review 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 extraction methods. Generally, grinders suitable for these methods are more affordable, typically ranging from €50 to €150.
Exploring Alternatives to the El Commandante C40: What Are Your Options?
On the hunt for an espresso coffee grinder? You might want to consider exploring other brands. With a budget around $200, I’d recommend the 1Zpresso K-ultra or the JXpro. These are both top-notch grinders that 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 a fantastic choice. These hand mills, priced under $100, offer exceptional value for your money.
Leave a Reply