Timemore Bricks 01S Electric Coffee Grinder Review
The Timemore Bricks 01S has quickly established itself as one of the most discussed single-dose electric grinders on the specialty coffee scene. Compact, understated, machined from aluminum, it promises the quality of Timemore conical burrs in a minimalist countertop format. But does it live up to expectations?
This grinder was sent to me by Timemore. The writing of this article is completely independent: my evaluation is based solely on my real user experience, without any commercial influence.
A grinder for whom?
Before getting into the heart of the matter, let's situate the Bricks 01S in the landscape of electric grinders. At Timemore, the electric range is structured into several levels:
| Range | Grinder | Burrs | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | Bricks 01S | 40 mm conical | Espresso, pour over, moka |
| Portable / travel | Whirly 01s | 42 mm hybrid | Espresso, pour over |
| Portable / travel | Millab E01 | 40 mm conical | Pour over |
| High-end | Sculptor 064S / 078S | 64 / 78 mm flat | Espresso |
| High-end | Sculptor 064 / 078 | 64 / 78 mm flat | Pour over |
The Bricks 01S therefore occupies an original position: an affordably priced countertop grinder, designed for versatile daily use, without compromising on build quality.
Unboxing and box contents
Upon opening, Timemore doesn't do things by halves. The box includes:
- The Bricks 01S grinder
- The 40g hopper with lid
- The collection container
- A power cable
- A cleaning brush
- An RDT spray (for lightly moistening the beans and reducing static electricity)
- An air blower for cleaning the burrs
It's a complete kit: RDT spray, brush, and blower are included from the start — nothing to buy separately to properly maintain the grinder.
Design and build quality
A minimalist aluminum block
The Bricks 01S doesn't try to overdo it. Its very name — Bricks — perfectly sums up its aesthetic: a rectangular parallelepiped. The body is entirely made of anodized aluminum, available in black or white. In hand, the grinder inspires confidence: no play, no parasitic vibration during grinding. Worth noting: the hopper is plastic, in the same white as the grinder body — a discreet compromise that doesn't detract from the overall design.
Far from being bulky, the Bricks 01S is remarkably compact. Its footprint on the countertop is equivalent to that of a smartphone. Its width is actually identical to that of the Timemore scale — an excellent point for those who want to pair thetwo devices side by side.
The dimensions (102 × 150 × 286 mm) allow it to take up less space than a Eureka Mignon while offering a stable footprint on the countertop.
The Good Design Award 2024 (Best 100 products) recognized the Bricks 01S for its design and conception.
The hopper: single-dose by nature
The Bricks 01S hopper is designed for single-dose use. Its 40g capacity allows you to dose beans one by one without ever storing coffee. The lid is placed and removed with a single gesture, with no thread to screw.
The hopper opening is wide enough to pour the beans without losing any, even when transferring directly from a weighing.
The hopper itself acts as the adjustment dial. It's what you turn to adjust the grind, offering 150 grind settings — a system that simplifies the design while remaining very precise.
Another positive point: very little popcorning. The beans are quickly drawn in by the burwithout bouncing all over the place — a problem I regularly observed with the Sculptor 064 and 078. After grinding, the hopper is clean: no residual unground beans remain.
The catch cup
The included cup is understated and functional. It snaps into place under the grinder with magnetic retention that stabilizes it effectively during grinding. Its opening is narrow — and that's precisely what I find practical: it allows you to transfer the grounds with precision directly into a small filter, like the one on the Xbloom, without spilling.
Use the RDT technique with the included spray to reduce static electricity and minimize grounds dispersion outside the cup.
The on/off button
Operation is deliberately minimalist: a single button. Press it, the grinder runs. Press again, it stops. No screen, no automatic timer, no programming. It's intentional: the Bricks 01S is designed for those who weigh their beans before pouring them in and who have mastered their workflow.
The burrs: the heart of the Bricks 01S
40 mm conical burrs — S2C040
Timemore has equipped the Bricks 01S with its proprietary 40 mm S2C040 conical burrs, machined from stainless steel using 5-axis CNC milling with a hardness of 55 to 58 HRC. These conical burrs mounted horizontally help reduce the grinder's vertical footprint — an ingenious solution for such a compact device.
The conical design produces a smooth and structured cup profile, with less sharp acidity. This is a choice that suits fans of traditional espresso and moka well, but may slightly limit aromatic clarity on very bright specialty filter coffees.
At Timemore, some burrs are optimized for a single method: for example, those of the Millab E01 are optimized for pour-over. The S2C040 burrs of the Bricks 01S are hybrid burrs: they cover the entire spectrum — espresso, moka, pour-over, french press — without excelling in any particular area. A pragmatic choice for a versatile grinder.
The particle size distribution profiles below illustrate how the S2C040 behaves differently depending on the setting — a pronounced fines peak for espresso, a spread out and regular distribution for filter.
- Espresso Profile
- Filter Profile
The S2C-040-EI burrs release an impressive amount of fine particles for a rich and borsed coffee.
— Timemore
Opt for the manual filtration brewing method, and these fine particles practically disappear, delivering a clear and nuanced cup.
— Timemore
These charts have been reconstructed from the particle size distribution data made available by Timemore on their official website. The curves are faithful to the original profiles but do not constitute an exact pixel-by-pixel reproduction.
150 grind settings
The adjustment system offers 150 steps of 0.01 mm each, providing a fine and continuous adjustment range. The adjustment dial also serves as the hopper — it's the same part — which simplifies the design but requires that any adjustment be made before pouring in the beans.
Recommended adjustment ranges:
Recommended settings:
- Espresso1 to 45 clicks
- Moka15 to 60 clicks
- Pour Over75 to 120 clicks
- French Press127 to 145 clicks
These settings are indicative and may vary depending on your coffee and preferences.
I'm really satisfied with the adjustment range offered by the Bricks 01S. Whatever the extraction method — espresso, moka, pour over, french press — I found the appropriate setting without difficulty. No compromises, no frustration: the grinder rises to the occasion for every use.
The Fines Knocker: Zero Retention
One of the most remarkable features of the Bricks 01S is its Fines Knocker system — an integrated rotary percussion mechanism.
A simple twist of the container is enough to expel the last grind particles trapped in the coffee path. Result: a retention measured at only 0.1 – 0.2 g.
This is one of the best retention rates in its category — comparable to what you get with much more expensive grinders. For daily single-dose use, it's a decisive advantage: every gram of coffee stays in your cup, not in the grinder.
Disassembly and maintenance
The Bricks 01S disassembles without any special tools for cleaning:
- Remove the container
- Remove the hopper (simple locking system)
- Access the burrs via the grinding chamber
- Clean with the included brush and blower
I recommend a complete monthly cleaning for daily users.
In-cup performance
Espresso and moka
For espresso in standard extraction (medium to dark roasts, pressurized portafilter or 9-bar machine), the Bricks 01S proves very convincing. The grind is consistent, homogeneous, with few parasitic fines. The grinding time for an 18g dose is approximately 15 to 20 seconds — fast for a precision grinder in this range. As for noise, it is noticeably quieter than most electric grinders in this range.
In the cup, the espresso reveals a smooth and full-bodied profile, characteristic of conical burrs. You can perceive a beautiful intensity, a generous crema, and a pleasant roundness on the palate. Roasts with chocolate or hazelnut character are particularly well-suited here.
Pour-over and filter coffee
This is perhaps where the Bricks 01S surprises the most. With its 150 adjustment steps, it offers a very usable filter grind range. In V60 or Chemex, the resulting grind is homogeneous and consistent, producing clear and balanced cups.
Here is the recipe I used for this test, with the coffee that served as my reference throughout this evaluation:
For filter coffee, the Bricks 01S produces cups with good body and noticeable smoothness. The conical nature of the burrs brings more texture than absolute clarity — if you favor very fruity and acidic coffees, a grinder with burrs dedicated to pour-over like the Millab E01 will be more suitable. For medium roasts, it's an excellent option.
Final verdict
The Timemore Bricks 01S is a remarkably well-designed electric grinder. It perfectly embodies Timemore's philosophy: serious build quality, streamlined workflow, solid performance. It grinds fast and stays quiet — two rare qualities in this segment. In its price range, the competition will struggle to do better.
If you're looking for a first quality electric grinder for versatile home use, or if you want to upgrade from an entry-level grinder, the Bricks 01S is a safe bet.
The TimemoreBricks 01S is an excellent compact electric grinder for daily single-dose use. Its ultra-low retention (0.1–0.2 g), quality 40 mm conical burrs, and refined aluminum design make it one of the best options in its price range. It excels with medium/dark espresso and filter coffee, with honest performance across the entire spectrum.
- Exceptional retention (~0.1–0.2 g) thanks to the Fines Knocker
- Fully aluminum body — solid and durable construction
- 150 ultra-fine adjustment steps (0.01 mm/step)
- Complete accessories included (RDT spray, brush, blower)
- Compact and attractive on a countertop
- Grinds coffee quickly
- Low noise level for an electric grinder
- Limitation with espresso on very light roasts
- Fixed power cable, non-detachable
- No automatic stop at the end of grinding
Going further
If the Bricks 01S interests you, you might also want to check out these articles:
Timemore Whirly 01s VS Millab E01: Battle of Electric Travel Grinders
Complete comparison of two portable electric grinders from Timemore. Whirly 01s or Millab E01? Discover their differences, performance, and use cases.
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Eureka Mignon Coffee Grinder Review
Discover our complete analysis of the Eureka Mignon electric coffee grinder, perfect for espresso and filter coffee enthusiasts. With its 50 mm flat steel burrs, programmable timer and elegant design, it combines performance, precision and low coffee retention.
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Timemore C5 ESP Pro Coffee Grinder Review - The New Timemore Generation
Discover our complete review of the Timemore C5 ESP Pro, a new generation manual grinder with 42 mm burrs and ultra-precise adjustment. Ideal for espresso and filter coffee.
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Important note: this grinder was provided to me by Timemore. However, this review is completely independent: my assessment is based solely on my actual user experience, without any commercial influence.