At this point Timemore has become a mainstay in the specialty coffee space. The Shanghai-based company has cemented itself as an all-needs specialty coffee brand, making everything from brewers to scales to single-dose espresso grinders, but it’s probably still best-known for its range of high-quality hand grinders. 

The Chestnut S3 is Timemore’s latest hand grinder, its new flagship model and, from its build to its specs, it’s planted firmly in the premium category. Like all of Timemore’s products, it features a striking but elegantly minimalist, all-metal unibody build, which includes a patented foldable handle (first included on the Chestnut C3 Pro) that makes it easy to pack away, and an anti-slip silicone base . 

A striking new piece of design is an external burr adjustment dial, an increasingly popular feature in the hand grinder scene and a first for Timemore. Not only is this convenient and aesthetically pleasing (it looks rather like the dial of a camera lens), but it’s also super precise, with 90 stepped clicks worth of adjustment at a resolution of 15 micrometres per click. 

This and Timemore’s patented spike-to-cut 42mm burrs, which ensure an even grind distribution by cutting the beans to a uniform size before they’re fed to the grind portion of the burr, make the Chestnut S3 a great option for every brewing method, from French press to espresso. Finally, the burr shaft features two bearings with a mere 5 micrometres of clearance between them and the S3’s body, maximising burr stability and ensuring a more consistent grind.

Timemore’s Chestnut S3 is a truly impressive piece of kit, from its premium design to its impressive internals. With precise adjustments made via an external dial and an innovatively cut, peerlessly stable burr set, it can grind for whatever brewing method you like with ease and consistency.

Timemore Chestnut S3 Manual Coffee Grinder features

• S2C (Spike to cut) burrs: Ensures more consistency in the ground coffee
• Foldable handle: Patented spring-assisted handle making the grinder easy to store
• Easy grinding adjustment: You can grind anything from espresso to french press at high precision, with an external adjustment dial
• No-slip silicone base pad: Helps prevent the grinder from falling when placed
• Durable integrated aluminium body
• Compact design for travel
• Smooth grinding thanks to solid texture for grip and long handle
• Extra consistent grind thanks to dual bearings fixing centre shaft

Timemore Chestnut S3 Manual Coffee Grinder specifications

• Dimensions: 182 x 55 mm
• Handle length: 163mm
• Material: Aluminium alloy
• Burrs: Stainless steel 42mm SUS420 (S2C660)
• Capacity: approximately 35g
• Weight: ~700g