Last month, AeroPress launched a new premium manual coffee grinder with an all-metal construction, titanium-coated burrs, and 60 grind sizes so you can get the perfect extraction whether you make your coffee with an AeroPress or not.
The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder looks stunning, and after using it for a week to prepare my usual drinks (including espresso and drip coffee), I can say with confidence that its performance matches its style.
Once you remove the grinder from its cushioned box, you'll be struck by just how solid it feels. This is clearly a device that's built to last, and it's beautifully engineered inside and out. The package also includes a soft case to protect it in transit (though it won't scuff easily), and a dual-ended cleaning brush for everyday maintenance.
You'll also find a small metal attachment that you can use to turn the grinder with an electric drill. I've not tried this yet, and it sounds a little extreme, but I can definitely imagine it being useful if you have limited strength or mobility in your hands.
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Remove the catch container from the bottom of the grinder, and you'll find a gold-toned dial for adjusting the grind size. Not sure which to use? The manual includes a chart showing the ideal size for different brewing methods (though it comes preset to a medium/fine grade ideal for an AeroPress).
The hopper can hold up to 25g of beans, so you can easily make drip coffee for one or espresso for two, and its wide opening makes loading easy. AeroPress advises against using frozen beans, as these are harder to grind.
The easy-turn handle is magnetically held against the body of the grinder, keeping it secure in transit. When it's time to grind, just lift it off, slot the arm onto the top of the grinder, add your beans, and you're ready to begin.
The large, circular hand-piece makes grinding near-effortless, providing a large surface to spread the pressure as you turn it, and rotating smoothly so you don't need to reposition your grip.
Each time I open the catch after grinding, I'm amazed by the evenness of the grind — easily on a par with much more expensive electric burr grinders. I've used my share of hand-cranked grinders before, and I've never seen results this good before, particularly from a grinder this compact.
When you've finished, use the brush to sweep stray grounds out of the catch and off the burrs. The grinder unscrews so you can access them easily and keep them rolling smoothly for years to come.
Everything packs neatly into the storage bag, but if you're an AeroPress fan, it also fits snugly inside the body of your favorite coffee maker (provided yours is plastic, not metal). The resulting package might not be light enough for backpacking, but it's certainly easy enough to carry when car camping, picnicking, or on vacation.
The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder has a list price of $199 / £199 (about AU$372), though I'm hoping that we might see a discount for Amazon Prime Day in just a few days' time. You'll find all of today's best deals below.
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