Timemore C5 ESP Pro Hand Grinder | Black
This is a mean little hand grinder, good for everything from espresso to coarse grind.
When the Timemore C2 first came out, it absolutely blew the competition out of the water. Finally, a cheap, portable hand grinder that could reliably produce genuinely good coffee. At the time, the next meaningful step up was something like a Comandante or a Knock, and you'd be paying three or four times the price for one.
It's been a few years since we rode that particular wave, and we've been revisiting Timemore's hand grinder range to see how far things have come. The Chestnut C5 ESP Pro is a pretty substantial improvement. It's getting remarkably close to the quality and usability of premium hand grinders, while remaining at a much more accessible price.
The biggest upgrade is the new 42mm stainless steel conical burr set, which is larger and more refined than the original C2's. There's also a sturdier, thicker-walled metal body, a larger bean chamber and a folding handle that makes the whole thing easier to store or chuck in a bag. It feels like a much more serious piece of equipment than its price suggests.
The ESP Pro also has exceptionally fine grind adjustment, with 0.015mm steps that make dialling in espresso considerably less frustrating. It's equally capable of grinding for pour-over, AeroPress and cafetière, so you're not sacrificing versatility for that extra precision.
It's a cracking little grinder, and a good reminder of why we got so excited about Timemore hand grinders in the first place. If you're after something that'll do justice to expensive coffee without spending Comandante money, this is a very good place to start.
