I Was Wrong About the Kinu M47 Grinder

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Did we all get the Kinu M47 Classic wrong? This legendary hand grinder has sparked heated debates in the coffee community—some say it’s perfect for espresso, others claim it's useless for pour-over without an upgraded burr. But after testing it extensively, I realized… I was completely wrong about this grinder.

➡️ In this video, I break down what the Kinu M47 Classic actually does well, why many assumptions about it are misleading, and whether this premium hand grinder is worth your money.

📌 What You’ll Learn in This Video:

- Is the Kinu M47 Classic actually good for pour-over?
- How does it compare to Comandante C40, Niche Zero, and Zerno Z1?
- The truth about light roast espresso on the Kinu M47
- The biggest misconceptions about this grinder—debunked

🔥 Is the Kinu M47 overhyped, or does it deserve the praise? Watch now to find out!

💬 Do you own a Kinu M47? Drop your experience in the comments!

Discounts and Affiliate Links

Chapters:
0:00 - Kinu M47 Classic - I Was Wrong
1:32 - Price
1:41 - Build Quality
1:59 - Manufacturing Standards and Environmental Impact
2:46 - Using the M4 Classic
3:33 - Making Espresso
3:53 - Espresso Taste Test
4:03 - Dark Roast Only?
4:48 - Espresso Style Profile
5:17 - Espresso Grinder Comparisons
7:06 - No Good For Pourover?
7:58 - Making Pourover and Grinder Comparisons
10:51 - Pourover Taste Test
11:58 - I Was Wrong
12:10 - Performance Stats
12:25 - Fidelity on Espresso
12:51 - Grind Time
13:00 - Capacity
13:09 - Retention
13:20 - Cons and Considerations
16:55 - I Get It

[cathym]

I am a 70 year old woman who has NEVER wanted anything more than my KINU Classic M47 grinder! Honestly, I get the BEST TASTING espresso milk drinks I have EVER had at home with it! And using it has definitely become my most SINFUL INDULGENCE in my day! If the day comes I can't, or don't want to use the KINU anymore, I think I'd probably opt to eliminate coffee from my diet too! BUT, as of today, NO WAY JOSÈ 😂

[alexwilson]

Justin, I just gotta say. I work Saturdays in a busy customer service job, and I always look forward to watching your new reviews on my lunch break. They really help me destress and tune out for a few minutes. It’s the highlight of my shift!

[paulstevens]

I have the Kinu. I’m glad you were fair to it even though you don’t care for hand grinding. I decided to buy it as a splurge, even though I wasn’t sure I would like hand grinding, and honestly, I have no desire to return to electric, even though I make coffee every day first thing in the morning. It’s much quieter than electric, which I love when the kids are sleeping, and I also kind of enjoy the light workout, as weird as that sounds. I can grind faster then the water takes to boil. But I’m only making 2-3 coffees a day. I also enjoy that it takes up almost no counter space compared to electric, and doesn’t require another plug to fiddle with and cord to wrangle, which I already have plenty of on my coffee counter. I also usually make a French press with it, and you didn’t cover immersion brewing at all. Sometimes I’ll do a Moka pot or aeropress with it.

[lIlIlIllIlIlIlIIl]

I‘ve recently gone back to the Kinu M47 after I switched to the Comandante a few years ago. Picked up the pour over burr to give it a shot and I‘ve had some of the best cups of my life.

[petedannatt]

Ive been hand grinding most days for 7 months now. It was tiring at first, but I don't even notice it now. I'm retired, have the time and enjoy the process as much as the coffee.

[mdi]

Owner of a classic here, thing is an absolute tank! I had a cheap $30 grinder that would sometimes take me over 10min to grind so a 45 sec to a min is lightning fast for me and really fun to dial in different roasts.

[GuitHub]

A review of the pour over burr would be so great! Especially when comparing it to other flagship light roast grinders. I am also wondering whether it highlights rather dark and chocolaty flavours or bright acidic ones. Thank you for bringing the Kinu back on the table. Subscribed, cheers!

[RobertH-hw]

Hello “Daddy Got Coffee”

Thank you so much for this really thoughtful and honest review of the Kinu M47. There are not as many reviews out there as you would think there should be for a grinder of this caliber. Your thoughts on the grinder totally align with my own experiences.
I just took ownership of my new Kenu M47 Classic model about ten days ago. Currently my setup consists of a flair 58, the Cafelat Robot and the Option O Lagome P64 grinder with Red Speed HU’s installed. I’ve owned many different grinders and espresso machines over the past 25 years. These include the: Giotto Premium HX, Quick Mill Vetrano DB, LA Marzocco GS3 AV, Flair 58 and the Cafelat Robot. My grinders included the: Mazzer Mini 53mm burr set, Mazzer Robur E, 71 mm Conical burr set, Ceado E37S 83mm burr set and currently the Option O Lagome P64 with the Red Speed Hu’s installed.
I don’t list these items to impress. On the contrary, I’m ashamed of myself that I spent so much money needlessly chasing the impossible dream of the perfect shot. It’s really laughable, I can get better shots on the Flair, but especially so on the Robot, way better then I ever could on the $10.000 La Marzocco GS3. Sure, the GS3 wins hands down for ease of use and temperature stability but not for shot quality IN MY OPINION. It just goes to demonstrate that more money does not equal better espresso.
By the way, there is no such thing as an “end game grinder or espresso machine.” We are all just victims of endless marketing designed to charge exorbitant amounts of money unnecessarily to produce a 1.5oz shot of espresso!! The coffee industry is ridiculous for that. My purchases listed above clearly illustrate this point. Or perhaps I’m just insane. There is also the consumption piece as it relates to our beleaguered and quickly fading environment but that’s another topic for another time. As “Daddy” correctly pointed out in this video, the M47 can make better shots than the $!000.00 Nech 0 can. A Cafelat Robot in Canada goes for about $600.00; a La Marzocco GS3 will set you back $10.000!!! I think for the money; $600ish, The Kenu M47 Classic is appropriately priced. You really get a sense of that when you hold in your hand…. very, very substantial and luxurious.
The Kinu is an amazing grinder for me, but not for everybody. “Daddy, ” I also like your push-back on the term “Muddy.” It’s really a negatively charged comment which doesn’t serve our community well. Clarity for some is not the Wholey grail. I think Jack from the U-tube channel “My Coffee Show” sums it up beautifully when comparing the shots he gets from the Kinu M47 to other hand grinders like the 1zpresso line: “with the Kinu there’s just more music in my cup.” Interestingly, it was that one line of his that finally swayed me into buying a Kinu and boy, am I ever glad I did. Here I go again… buying more things.
Typically, I have relied on my Lagome P64 with Red Speed HU burs installed. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the shots I get from this combination. Yet I was searching for a contrasting grinder experience that would give me a bit more texture in the cup that I felt the Red Speed burs seemed to scrimp on just a bit to give us that level of clarity we all know and love.
For the past ten days I’ve been grinding exclusively for espresso using the Kinu M47 and it has not disappointed me at all. The espresso shots from the M47 in my opinion are sweet in character, well balanced but do lean a bit more towards texture and body in the shot. Is that a bad thing? According to most online, yes. I would disagree totally with that notion.
There seems to be this conscience that clarity trumps all other parameters in the cup. I respectively disagree. Perhaps it’s my age showing a bit here but I remember the days in the 90’s when the ideal shot looked like pure thick honey poring from the spouts. I enjoy treble in my music but I also need to hear the mid-range and bass to really carry the music forward and present it in a balanced manner. In short, “I want more music in my cup, ”
For my OWN personal taste, I enjoy the shots more from the Kinu then I do from the Red Speed HU burs. While I welcome and truthfully enjoy the level of clarity, I get from the HU’s, there always seems to be a slight bit of astringency in the background. When I try to alter the grind, dose, or temperature to composite, I tend to lose the clarity. Consequently, with the HU’s I settle on a comprise. To experience the level of clarity I want from the HU burrs I must also endure just a smidge of astringency. Does it ruin my experience? No, not all. However, if I cold eliminate that ever so slight bight in the cup I would.
This is where the Kinu really shines over the HU’s. Without a doubt, the Kinu produces more fines than you would ever get from the HU’s. However, those (dreaded fines), serve two functions. 1. The fines tend to mask or smooth out any shortcoming such as astringency or imperfections in the shot and 2. The fines serve to hold back the water flow just a bit more to allow for a much longer and smoother pull without any substantial puck degradation. In my own personal experience this has not been the case with the HU’s. Many times, I struggle to pull a shot beyond a 35g output without the water punching through the puck or having shots that taste very over extracted and watery. I postulate that that perhaps the HU’s produce so little fines they are suspectable to a greater astringency vulnerability. Again, these are just my own personal musings.
It’s a beautiful thing folks! The texture that the Kinu produces is exactly what I’ve been longing for. I personally don’t feel I have given up any clarity that would be detrimental to the overall taste of the shot. On the contrary, I can still taste the separated notes in the cup only now, I also get a wonderfully satisfying mouth feel that just helps to bring out a higher level of enjoyment for me.
Do I like hand grinding for espresso? I don’t mind it because I enjoy slowing down the process. In using a hand grinder I’m able to get up close and personal with the entire process. As I am the only one in my home, I just have to grind 2 19g shots in the morning for me. It is literally two minutes of my day… not a big ask for the shot level this grinder produces. I would argue that the Kinu M47 is probably the best espresso-based HAND GRINDER available on the market today. Yes, the 1zpresso J Ultra, Commandant C40, and the Pietro would rival equally in terms of taste in the cup. However, when you also take build quality and alignment, and dare I say, ease of grinding on the Kinu M47, for me it was a clear winner. I also happen to think it’s a sexy bit of kit man!
Please, I know there’s going to be push-back on these opinions of mine. Do try to keep in mind that these are just my OWN PERSONAL experiences and I am in no way speaking for anyone else out there. Taste is like art and music, it’s very subjective. No negative intent intended.
If anyone out there is thinking about this grinder for espresso, I would say this: You may find it tiring to grind out your shots in the morning, especially if you have more than one person to serve. Yet I doubt you will tire of the sweet music in brings to your cup!
Kinu M47 I love you!
Robert

[ethadiq]

Just some helpful advice from a friendly kinu user who loves this grinder to bits.

I've used this grinder every single day since i bought it and my arms are amazing and my grip strength is hulk level.

1. You dont need to get the pour over burr, it can make amazing filter coffee at 3-4 revs....but i do own the POB and i love it.
2. The reason why people have diff results from the POB is because the geometry is diff. You need to set it 1 rev lower. 3 = 2
3. I spoke to the people at kinu personally, the diff is 10 microns per mm step and they gave me the advice on the POB.
4. The phoenix is all you need really. It's the same, the others models are just more convenient but still makes the same coffee.
5. If you're making a batch for people remove the catch plastic cup coz the weight will make it fall. Otherwise get the magnet
6. The zero will really move over time when you make espresso from it alot but it's not a problem. Just adjust the math.
7. Lastly, this is built like a tank. It grinds faster than most in the market and It's better than commandante. Trust me.

Enjoy and have a great day.

[fencheltee]

Have a Kinu M47 Phoenix and grinding dark to medium roasts is very easy. If that is a challenge for you, you should consult a physician. Light roasts on the other hand will be painful to grind. I wouldn't want to do that myself.

Switching between burrs is very fast and easy, which makes the Kinu a great all-in-one solution. Get the grinder with 2 burrs and you are set for all brewing methods.

[greenprogamer]

I have Kinu M47 Classic and no issues with espresso grind at all. Grinding with Kinu is slightly easier and slow comparing to my 1Zpresso J-Ultra. I need about 30-40 sec to grind 18-20gr with J-Ultra, while it takes 40-50 sec with M47. I like more grind adjustments on J-Ultra, it is faster to dial in and has a protective cap. J-Ultra is lighter and more suitable for travel (smaller case that includes a blower and a brush inside). However build quality of Kinu M47 is definitely better. I believe that Kinu bearings are stainless steel as they don't get rusted. Not the case with 1Zpresso J-Ultra. I've got some rust and noise from its bearings... So be carefull when doing RDT with hand grinders as bearings are exposed to moisture. The good thing is these are pretty standart (micro bearings) and I have found new ones, stainless steel, better sealed and food safe lubricant inside. IMHO Kinu M47 shots tasted a little better, but not a huge difference (for espresso).

[rigocastillo]

I love my Kinu classic, I’ve had it about 4 yrs now. I love the light roast espresso and pour-overs are great, but after watching your video I’m gonna try grinding a little finer to see if I can get it to taste even better, I do own the pour over burr, I find I do get a better cup but most definitely not worth the extra money. When doing a pour-over I actually prefer the standard Kinu burr over my DF83 v2 standard burr. This is my first hand grinder, so I have no comparison, but I think it’s easy to grind with. I do really night roast and normally do it in 45 seconds.

[ycuAB]

i don't agree that the manual aspect of a grinder should be counted as a negative aspect of it. that's like saying a radio is bad because it doesn't do tv. it is designed to be a manual grinder. i own one and i agree with most of your other conclusions though. cons are: magnetic catch cup is not easy to detach. catch cup remains of coffee. some beans popping out of the top. making adjustments to the grindsize could be easier. but overall these are all things i don't mind that much or have workarounds for and i enjoy the grinding process each time.

[BensCoffeeRants]

My friend has it and used it as his main espresso grinder for a while surprisingly after selling his Lagom P64 😮 I was actually surprised for a hand grinder it's actually one of the easier ones to grind for espresso it just takes a lot of turns but compared to most other hand grinders like the 1zpresso K series or even the huge Weber HG2 it feels smooth and consistent without snagging on the beans. I find that makes a big difference in terms of enjoying the grinding experience but it does take more turns and time. I'd say it's more of a cardio workout than muscle.

[LeoDodier]

Excellent video, thank you. I’ve had mine now for about three years and thoroughly enjoy it, from the outstanding build quality to the ability to grind for espresso, as well as pour overs, it works very well. I even purchased the additional burr, grinder just in case I wasn’t happy with it, but honestly, I’ve never used it. I’m happy the way it came. Yes, it’s expensive but worth every penny. I would do it again.

[ThePwig]

I've been an owner of this grinder since it released many years ago. It was weird seeing my Reddit comment on your video! I've always come back to this grinder no matter what what I purchase over the years. The hash marks on the dial directly relate to particle size, according to the manual. So if you're trying to translate your settings to someone else's M47, they should be fine.

[RobertH-hw]

I just want to add that I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to your videos every week. It's really good to see a fellow Canadian in the coffee sphere. Your reviews are always so honest .... love that. So sorry for the length of my comment below. I'm just really passionate about coffee.

[JuddJadulan]

Got the gold pour over burr recently and it is indeed an upgrade vs the stock burrs for pour over. Very nice clarity and more nuanced flavours showing through. The grind sizes are more even and never had a muddy brew ever since I changed the burr.

[zakariazbitou]

Have gone back to the Kinu these past few months. If you're struggling to grind get a mod to prevent popcorning (I only use duct tape), and grind with the grinder almost tilted horizontally. It really slows down the feed rate of the beans (which is a welcome bonus) and I'm now easily grinding 20g doses of light roast espresso for my 49mm machine !

[MudflyWatersman]

I like my M47 the best of all my hand grinders for pour over.... With the standard Burr I like it better than the pour over burr. It's only real drawback is it's a little hard to stop from turning in the hand with light roasts.. cuz they should have put some silicone bands on It's easy to pour the beans in an occasionally if you're careless you'll spill one but other than that it works great and tastes great.... To me it tastes better than my other grinders that clearly have less fines. I've had mine since they first were started selling them. Can't explain it, but for the medium roast hi grown Costa Rican coffees I tend to stick I like it best