GUIDE TO HANDGRINDERS: Watch Before Buying

Although it took 9 months to make, it is finally here. I know there will inevitably be comments about grinders that are not included, but I did my best sourcing what I found to be some of the more popular handgrinders. For some I have missed, I'll link below a 3 year old video from James Hoffmann and a 1 year old video from Kyle Rowsell that can help!
I am also releasing two more handgrinder videos after this- one for the Mazzer Omega and one for... another one.
I'll eventually get my hands on the Knock, as it has been requested multiple times. And plan on getting an early version of the Momentum, so more handgrinder videos to come.
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Join my Patreon community at:
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Recommended Videos--

Brian Quan Dual Burr Video:

Kyle Rowsell Handgrinder Videos:

James Hoffmann Handgrinder Videos:

Questions on Vernier Scale?:

JKim Video on Modding Grinders for Vernier:

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Grinder List--

Normcore:

Option O Remi:

Timemore Chestnut X:

Kinu M47 Simplicity:

Kingrinder K6:

1Zpresso K Plus:

Etzinger Etz I:

Comandante C40 MK4:

WonPlug Dual Burr:

Orphan Espresso Lido OG:
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TIME CUES:

0:00- Introduction
2:40- Acknowledgements
4:51- Review Approach
5:26- Normcore ($89-99)
9:17- Option O Remi ($220)
12:25- Timemore Chestnut X ($328)
15:54- Kinu M47 Simplicity ($315)
19:05- Kingrinder K6 ($150)
23:12- 1zpresso K Plus ($300)
26:05- Etzinger Etc I ($285)
29:42- Comandante C40 MK4 ($320-360)
32:15- Wonplug Dual Burr ($299)
37:50- Orphan Espresso Lido OG ($285)
43:39- Burrsets and Flavor Profiles
54:31- Final Thoughts

[LanceHedrick]

Hey! Would love a subscribe and like and share if you enjoy or appreciate the work I put in! So close to 100k. Would mean the world!

[gregkrimer]

Thank you for the detailed comparison!

[pavelioselevich]

The K6 can be assembled in two ways: by default it comes preassembled in the "use screwdriver" mode: there's the rubber ring/gasket on the lid and the handle comes off alone (the lid stays in place). However there's a smaller rubber ring that comes with the K6, that helps attach the lid to the handle (the big ring should then be removed). In this mode the handle comes off together with the lid, like in most other grinders.

[Danielm-]

I guess I’m insane lol. I really appreciate the fact that you seem so unbiased even after receiving these grinders from friends and companies or even knowing there is a whole die hard fan base community around one of them. Anyways this was amazing, fantastic job as always!

[Qmeister]

Just found your video because a friend of mine is looking for a hand grinder and I was interested in what's available since I bought mine.

I'm using the KinGrinder K6, and you've missed something when you say the handle comes off really easily. The manual states that you should remove the silicone ring on the cover and attach the cover to the handle using the included smaller ring if you're hand grinding. This helps it to stay on since you can't rock the handle as much when the cover is attached to it. (Like the Comandante but more stable.) As you said, the way it comes from the factory (i.e. the way you were using it) is for when you're using a power drill to drive it.

Imo, in terms of value for money it takes the cake. External adjustment, decently large capacity, very solid handfeel. And I really dislike magnetic catch cups so it's basically perfect for me. Edit 2: Oh, also I like the way they did the adjustment dial with the vertical/horizontal scales.

The Lido looks amazing though, if I were to even think about an addition or upgrade it would be the one I'd consider. Thanks for your effort.


Edit: Am I at the level that I could distinguish between the K-plus and the K6? Most likely not, so I'm just gonna be satisfied with what I have. :)

[markkut]

“I like the way they dribble up and down the court…” this was the best throwback ever that came at an absolute surprise! What a treat.
Solid video Lance!

[cristobalmunoz]

Cool beans. I got myself a K-Max last week. Nice to have my choice validated. Also, as a blind coffee drinker, it’s a very accessible grinder. The tactile feedback with the clicks is great and being able to always get to zero is crucial. I was too lazy to try to figure out how to calibrate it, so I had my sighted wife do it for me. I initially gotten the GX pro, but had to return it as it was no way for me to find the zero or otherwise set any particular grind setting.

[doc]

The absolute madlad, must have doubled in arm muscle mass after this video

[jcrowther]

Lance, your timing is impeccable. I was just wondering which hand grinder I should obsessively window shop for and never buy and this really narrowed it down 😎

[TomJones-txpb]

Thanks for going to the effort of doing this. I got a 1ZPresso whilst waiting for my electric grinder for espresso. Hard work on some beans, but gets the job done. Sure made me appreciate my electric grinder when it arrived. I am intending to learn pour-over later (mostly for travel), but for now I am enjoying refining my already wonderful foamy lattes with a Flair58.

[logicaljuan]

I guess I’m insane. I really enjoy your content. I’m quite glad you are on YouTube with your passion. I’ve been devouring your videos. I wish you continued success!

[jonathonaltmann]

Thank you for all of your videos, Lance. Between yours and James Hoffman's videos you both have helped me get better at my new job.

[gerit]

Just bought a 1Zpresso X-Pro (yeah that's new) and I really, really love. It has the external adjustment system, 40mm heptagonal burrs (similar to the Q2) with 12.5 microns per click and costs only 150€/$. It is crazy how much value you get out of it.
Compared to the K Max (300$), it falls only short on grinding time and capacity, when talking about specs.

I recommend looking into it, if you don't want to spend 250+ $/€.

[thodgson]

Great video! A few notes from an OE Lido user of a couple years:

I feel like the size actually makes it really nice to use in a home setting. I brace the bottom of the grinder against the counter or my body rather than holding the entire thing suspended in the air. I believe Doug and Barb may have a video on this technique.

Also, I used to grind 50-70g for a coffee pot every morning. Took about 2 minutes. Would be great if noise is a big issue for you.

I have the Lido E, and my main complaint has been the adjustment mechanism, which is improved in the OG at the expense of the loading mechanism. If you're using it for espresso mostly, I'd probably take that trade and get the OG. If you're making a lot of auto-drip or chemex, I'd probably get the E or ET.

[ekillpack]

Thanks for the video lance, to answer your question I routinely brew 50-60g of coffee for me and my partner in our french press or when I make cold brew, but having to do that in multiple phases doesn't bother me at all. I'd much prefer a smaller footprint, good burrs, and a relatively quick grind speed over how large the hopper or catcher are.

[Blinksbigmac]

Wow, what an honor for 1zpresso to have Lance select the K Plus as the best overall hand grinder! I have the JE Plus and before opting for this model, I deliberated over the J and K series for a long time. It seems the JE Plus is not as popular as the K series, as the former is not as versatile (the makers suggest JE Plus is more suited for espresso). However, I recently compared brewing aeropress with the JE Plus vs Timemore Chestnut C2. The coffee with JE Plus had a lot more flavor, more depth, and was nuttier. I don't think you can go wrong with any 1zpresso hand grinder.

[ardeleanalex]

oh man, one hour of Lance talking? yes, please

[Abrikosmanden]

Great great comparison with a good broad selection of serious hand grinders. Well done, Lance!
I recently replaced my 1Zpresso Jx with a K-max. It's a fantastic piece of kit! Built like a tank, easy to use, easy to disassemble and reassemble and easy to adjust. I'm happy that it also compares favourably to all those other high end grinders.

[akaelalias]

I really appreciate when creators state if and how they purchased the things they review

[howienordstrom]

"I'm insane." Yup, I watched the entire thing (in one sitting). Thanks for that! What I like about the OG is that it's calibrated and produces grinds based on MICRONS. It drives me nuts that the coffee world is still using subjective terms (fine, med-fine, coarse) and proprietary "clicks". We ought to be able to provide micron ranges for various types of coffees. Yes, there's uneven grind size, especially in lower-end grinders and there are varying amounts of fines and chaff, but we ought to be able to have a standard measurement. Oh, wait, that would be MICRONS. <Yup, I'm a bit pedantic. 😆> 👍👍