Timemore Chestnut S3 Review, a Surprising Result (pour-over vs espresso)
Discover our complete review of the Timemore S3, a high-end coffee grinder combining precision, design, and performance to extract the best from your beans.
Timemore has established itself as a leading figure in the world of coffee accessories, capturing the attention of experts on an international scale. Driven by the ambition to elevate every tasting experience, the brand stands out with its innovative range of manual grinders, precision scales, and other essential equipment, meeting the needs of seasoned baristas as well as coffee aficionados.
The brand has particularly excelled in the slow extraction sector, a method appreciated for its ability to extract delicate aromas. The Timemore Chestnut S3 coffee grinder, which I will explore and detail, embodies this innovation. The first of its kind at Timemore, it offers a top-adjustable setting, promising grinding with unmatched precision, particularly suited for espresso. This review will be an opportunity to determine whether the Timemore S3 meets expectations and establishes itself as a preferred choice for those seeking a perfect grind for their espresso.
Features of the Timemore Chestnut S3 grinder
The Timemore S3 is a state-of-the-art manual coffee grinder, designed to offer an exceptional grinding experience. Here are its main features:
- Fully metal body: The S3 features a metal unibody design, enhancing its durability and aesthetics.
- S2C890 steel burrs: These new burrs guarantee a more uniform grind.
- External adjustment: The S3 offers an ultra-fine adjustment of 0.015 mm per click (90 clicks).
- High-precision ball bearings: The S3’s specific bearings increase precision by 20% compared to standard bearings, with reduced tolerance from 7 µm to 5 µm.
- Foldable handle: The S3 is equipped with a patented spring-loaded handle that, when folded, prevents the grinder from tipping over and facilitates storage.
Box Contents
The Timemore S3 is delivered with the following items:
- Coffee grinder with its retractable handle and container.
- Cleaning Brush: To facilitate cleaning of coffee residue.
- User Manual: Instructions on use, adjustment, and maintenance of the grinder.
- Protective Packaging: To ensure the safety of the grinder during transport.
Design of the Timemore Chestnut S3
The retractable handle
Timemore innovates with its patented retractable handle: compact yet ergonomic, it ensures a good grip.
Incorporating a metal cap, this retractable design optimizes storage space and facilitates transport of the grinder.
The adjustment ring(s)
The remarkable innovation of this grinder lies in its dual adjustment system.
- The main dial, located on top, offers 90 clicks for an adjustment of 0.015 mm between each one.
- A second dial, underneath, extends the range of adjustments, although Timemore has not specified the spacing between its clicks.
Grinder body
The mill body, entirely made of aluminum, offers a comfortable and secure grip. Thanks to engraved ridges on its surface, it ensures optimal grip and does not slip when using the grinder.
The Timemore Chestnut S3 burr
The burr of the Timemore Chestnut S3 is characterized by its manufacture in S2C890 stainless steel, a high-quality material that ensures durability and resistance. It is notable for being the largest conical burr offered by the manufacturer, which contributes to grinding coffee faster.
The moving part of the Timemore Chestnut S2 burr is designed for precise and uniform grinding.
Fixed part of the Timemore Chestnut S3 burr
The container
The aluminum container screws securely onto the grinder body, and is equipped with a rubber base to place it without risking damage to the countertop. Inside, its straight-edged design facilitates the transfer of ground coffee directly into the filter.
The container securely attaches to the grinder with a thick thread, designed for easy and error-free installation
A non-slip rubber coating is integrated into the base of the container to protect the countertop
How to disassemble the Timemore Chestnut S3?
To disassemble this coffee grinder, simply unscrew the lower dial to remove the central shaft and release the burr. Then clean the grinder with the provided brush.
Once reassembled, easily find the initial setting by positioning the dial on the desired notch.
Cup result with the Chestnut S3
Espresso
The results obtained with my espressos prepared using the S3 were surprising. Timemore seems to have poorly adjusted the burr spacing on the “zero” setting, making it impossible to grind fine enough for espresso.
Even at the finest setting, my coffee, roasted 12 days ago, flows too quickly under a pressure not exceeding 4 bars, as shown in the video below.
Two explanations are possible:
Either the Timemore S3 is designed so that the burrs, even at the zero setting, are spaced apart to avoid damage, but in this case, the spacing is excessive.
Usually, I use 16 g of coffee for my espressos, and with other grinders like the Timemore Chestnut X, Kingrinder K6, 1Zpresso J-Ultra, C40 and others, I haven’t encountered any problems.
For example, with the Kingrinder K6, I set it to position 35 for 16 g of coffee.
On the other hand, with the S3, even at the finest setting, the grind remains too coarse, leaving as the only solution to increase the amount of coffee to obtain an espresso.
Even so, the adjustment range will remain too limited. The S3 doesn’t seem ideal for espresso.
Or the grinder is defective. But given the exchanges I had with Timemore on this subject, it doesn’t seem to be the case.
Initially, I had considered replacing my Kingrinder K6 with the Timemore Chestnut S3, but I will ultimately not make this change.
This is a result I didn’t expect. I then contacted Timemore to get clarification and determine whether my grinder has a defect or not. To summarize the email exchanges I had with Timemore, they explain that the S3 was designed for pour-over, but that it’s also possible to make espresso with it, provided you use enough coffee.
However, based on my observations during espresso attempts, it would seem that it is necessary to add perhaps 10 g of coffee to use the grinder properly.
In conclusion, I believe that the S3 is equipped with a burr very well designed for coarse grinding (for pour-over), but less suitable for fine grinding (espresso). Additionally, the grinder has burrs that are too far apart in position 0, which causes under-extraction in espresso.
My rating for espresso: ★☆☆☆☆
Gentle methods
The ideal grind for gentle methods (V60, Chemex…) is medium to medium-fine, ensuring a balanced extraction without under-extraction (infusion too fast) or over-extraction (infusion too slow).
A uniform particle size is crucial to avoid filter clogging (with ultra-fine particles) and guarantee a homogeneous extraction of aromas and flavors.
For more information, I invite you to consult my article dedicated to troubleshooting filtered coffee brews.
The Timemore S3, with its precision and grind uniformity, is ideal for this method, offering an optimal preparation for gentle coffee brewing methods.
My rating for gentle methods: ★★★★★
Conclusion
Wanting to replace my KINGrinder K6 with this new grinder for espresso, I quickly realized that it was not suitable for this use.
Unless my S3 model was defective (I will update my review if necessary), I currently do not recommend this grinder for espresso.
For that, prefer models like the KINGrinder K6 or 1Zpresso affiliate link.
On the other hand, for slower extraction methods such as the V60, AeroPress or the French press, this grinder is effective, especially thanks to its larger burr that speeds up grinding.
Buy the Timemore Chestnut S3:
- Overall grinder design
- Very good grip
- Well-designed retractable handle
- Pleasant to use
- Easily disassembled
- Burr suited for pour-over
- Suitable for gentle methods
- Price
- Not suitable for espresso
- The grinder’s “zero” imposes an excessive burr gap
My rating: ★★★★☆
Timemore has created an aesthetic and ergonomic grinder with the Chestnut S3, offering an excellent grip, tool-free disassembly, a beautiful design. However, it is not optimal for espresso due to an excessive gap between the burrs at zero position. Nevertheless, for gentle extraction methods such as the V60, this grinder is quite appropriate and will produce excellent coffee.
