Thomas and I have both had the pleasure of exploring the Timemore Chestnut X. This exquisite mill is the brainchild of the seasoned Chinese firm, Timemore. It’s part of an impressive lineup that includes the Chestnut G1, Chestnut Slim, Chestnut C/C2, and Chestnut NANO models. The X model stands as the crown jewel in the brand’s collection. In this article, we’ll delve into its unique features and groundbreaking innovations.
Sophisticated, Stylish, and Unmistakably Contemporary
Upon purchasing the Timemore Chestnut X, you’ll be delighted to find your product meticulously packed in a box, cushioned by dense foam for added protection. Along with the mill, the package includes a handy cleaning brush, a compact storage bag, and a user-friendly instruction manual. Everything you need for a comprehensive experience. The mill boasts a sleek, elegant, and decidedly contemporary design. Its subtly square shape ensures an ergonomic grip for effortless use. Every detail has been meticulously considered to provide you with an enjoyable and intuitive experience.
The Timemore Chestnut X stands out from the crowd with its unique one-piece aluminum construction, meticulously crafted by a CNC machine. In contrast to other grinders like the El Commandante C40 or the Kinu M47 Phoenix, which incorporate plastic components, the Chestnut X is entirely plastic-free. This sturdy design ensures remarkable durability, positioning the Timemore as a dependable and enduring choice for coffee lovers.
Exploring a Selective Palette of Colors
Our grinder comes in two appealing shades: classic black and a unique dark green. It’s worth mentioning that the dark green variant is a special limited edition, adding an exclusive touch for coffee enthusiasts. We’ve had the pleasure of testing both versions, and we must say, they’ve truly captured our hearts!
The crank handle boasts superior quality as well. Engineered with ball bearings, it provides a comfortable and precise grip. Plus, the crank is retractable, a handy feature when dealing with limited space. Its movement is seamless and free of any slack, significantly boosting the mill’s efficiency. The handle can be detached and comes with a sturdy metal cap, setting it apart from some competitors who opt for plastic covers. This meticulous attention to detail underscores the exceptional quality and care invested in every component of the Timemore Chestnut X.
Timemore Brims with Innovative Ideas
Not only does Timemore feature a patented folding crank system, but it also leverages its premium mill to introduce a plethora of innovative features.
Double adjustment wheel for precision
Let’s begin with fine-tuning the grind size. With the Timemore Chestnut X, this is achieved using a unique double knob located within the grinder. This dual-adjustment system provides an additional 5 setting levels for each notch on the primary dial, allowing for incredibly precise grinding. Coupled with the secondary dial, the grinder boasts a total of 120 adjustment levels. Each major adjustment separates the grinding wheels by 80 microns, while the minor adjustments are spaced 15 microns apart. Rest assured, you’ll discover the perfect setting for your coffee. When compared to other grinders that adjust from the bottom, the Timemore offers superior precision and reliability. For instance, the El Commandante C40 had to introduce a more accurate setting wheel, the “Red clix”, for an additional $30.
Introducing Our Unique “Spike-to-Cut” Grinding Wheels
Let’s shine a spotlight on another feature that benefits from the brand’s meticulous attention to detail: the grinding wheels. The Timemore Chestnut X boasts a uniquely designed 42mm conical grinding wheel, complete with “blades” on top. Timemore refers to this as the “Spike-to-Cut” (or S2C) mechanism, which they suggest cuts the coffee beans before grinding. This, they believe, enhances the overall quality of the grind. While we don’t have the tools to verify this claim, we can confidently say that the grind produced by the Chestnut X is top-notch, resulting in superb espressos.
Your Handy, Practical Reservoir
The Timemore’s anodized aluminum reservoir is cleverly designed to streamline the transfer of ground coffee to the filter holder. This is achieved through a small ramp that ensures the coffee flows smoothly without any blockage. The unique screwing system is another standout feature. With just a quarter-turn, the receptacle locks securely in line with the grinder body, eliminating any chance of accidental unscrewing during use. Thomas, during his test, was particularly impressed by the reservoir’s surprisingly light weight. Despite this, the mill’s stability is not compromised. In fact, the Timemore outperforms the Kinu M47 Phoenix in terms of stability, even though the latter has a plastic tank.
Exploring the Concept of Half-Hearted Usage
Meet the Chestnut X, a top-tier mill brimming with innovative features. However, it does fall a bit short in terms of usability. Its performance is somewhat sluggish due to its 42 mm grinding wheel, which is slightly undersized for a manual grinder. In fact, it takes approximately 1 to 1 minute 20 seconds to grind 16g of coffee, making it less efficient than grinders equipped with 48mm wheels such as the Kingrinder K4 and K6 or the 1zpresso J-Max. Despite this, the design does have a notable benefit: it demands less effort to stabilize during use. Unlike the Apollo, for instance, the Timemore stays firmly in your grasp and requires minimal force to grind, even for finer textures.
The disassembly process is quite similar to the BPlus Apollo model. Gaining access to the grinder’s interior for cleaning purposes is a breeze. The grinder’s absolute setting feature makes it incredibly easy to revert to your previous setting, simplifying both maintenance and daily use. For a step-by-step guide, feel free to check out this Timemore Chesntut X disassembly video.
Wrapping Up
Wrapping up, the Timemore Chestnut X is a manual coffee grinder that beautifully marries innovation with high-end design. Its sleek aesthetics, robust aluminum build, precise adjustment capabilities, and the superior quality of the grind it produces make it a top pick for coffee connoisseurs. Whether you’re brewing an espresso or any other coffee variant, the Timemore Chestnut X is designed to meet your needs. However, it does have a slightly smaller grinder for espresso, so you might need a bit of patience for a finer grind. If you’re in the market for a premium manual coffee grinder that stands out with its innovative design, the Timemore Chestnut X is a fantastic option. That said, alternatives from 1zpresso and Kingrinder offer comparable performance and durability. Hence, we do question its position and price tag ($285 on Amazon) in the manual coffee grinder market for 2023.
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Discover the range of Timemore coffee grinders available on Amazon
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