In brief
The C2 Max is a taller version of Timemore's C2 hand grinder. Timemore says it enlarged the body to hold 30 g of beans, against the standard C2's smaller chamber. Timemore lists 38 mm steel burrs, about 36 grind levels and a dual-bearing shaft.
It is discontinued. Timemore's US store listed it as "Limited Stock" in late 2024, and the product page no longer exists. Timemore has not named a replacement, but it now sells the C3 series, including the C3S.
What remains is a used-market filter grinder. It suits someone brewing one or two cups of pour-over or AeroPress who wants more capacity than a C2. The trade-off is the same as the C2: good filter grinding, weak espresso.
What it does well
- Timemore enlarged the body to hold 30 g, enough for two cups
- Home Coffee Expert found the C2 platform very consistent at coarser settings
- Fast: about 1 g a second at French press size, per Home Coffee Expert's C2 review
- Dual-bearing shaft, per Timemore and Home Coffee Solutions
Where it falls short
- No longer listed by Timemore; used or old stock only
- Home Coffee Expert found the C2 struggles at espresso fineness
- No numbers on the adjustment dial, per Home Coffee Expert
- Plastic internal body, per Home Coffee Solutions
Specs
- Type
- Conical burrs
- Burrs
- 38 mm conical, CNC-machined stainless steel
- Adjustment
- Internal click dial, about 36 levels (Timemore)
- Capacity
- 30 g (Timemore); about 25 g per Home Coffee Solutions
- Body
- Plastic internal body (Home Coffee Solutions)
- Bearings
- Dual bearing, centered shaft
- Power
- Hand
Where to start on the dial
Pour-over 20 clicksAeroPress 15 clicksFrench press 25 clicksCold brew 29 clicks
Every method on the settings chart →On this page · 5 sections
What it does well
Capacity is the point of the Max. Timemore's page says the enlarged body grinds 30 g at a time. Home Coffee Solutions lists about 25 g, so expect somewhere between the two depending on the bean.
The grind is strong at filter sizes. Home Coffee Expert reviewed the standard C2 and found "excellent consistency at coarser settings." Home Coffee Solutions lists CNC-cut stainless steel burrs rated HRC58.
It is quick for a hand grinder. Home Coffee Expert timed the C2 at about 1 g a second at French press size. CoffeeGeek says the C2 "really changed the game" for budget hand grinders.
Timemore describes a dual-bearing, centered shaft for uniform grinding. Home Coffee Solutions adds that a spring mechanism and two ball bearings hold the burr shaft steady.
Where it falls short
Espresso is the weak spot. Home Coffee Expert says the C2 "starts to struggle at the finer espresso grind size settings," because each click is a large step. A Home Coffee Solutions customer called the Max "ok for an espresso on the go" but wanted finer settings.
The dial has no numbers. Home Coffee Expert lists this as a con on the C2, and you count clicks from the closed position instead. The zero point becomes your reference.
Some parts are plastic. Home Coffee Solutions notes a plastic internal body, which it says saves weight and adds capacity. Home Coffee Expert also says the C2 sounds "a bit cheap and clunky."
As a discontinued model, a used unit comes without a maker's warranty. Check the burrs and shaft for wear before you pay.
Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
Consider one used if you brew pour-over, AeroPress or French press, and often grind for two. Timemore pitched it for travel and camping as well as home use.
Skip it if you want espresso or a numbered dial. Skip it too if you would rather buy new with a warranty, which the C3 series still offers.
How it compares
The Timemore C3 is the next 38 mm model, with S2C burrs. Home Coffee Expert calls the C3 "the same price and a better grinder" than the C2. See the dials side by side in C2 Max vs C3.
The Timemore C3S is an all-metal C3, still sold new.
The KINGrinder K6 adjusts from outside the body, and BrewMark's grinder finder scores it for espresso. Compare them in K6 vs C2 Max.
Owning it
Timemore says the C2 Max is easy to take apart and clean with a brush. Our guide to cleaning a hand grinder covers the steps, including when to avoid water.
Spare burrs for a discontinued model may be hard to find. If yours are worn, see how to replace grinder burrs and confirm parts first.
The settings chart on this page gives a starting point for each method. From there, dial in the grinder on your own coffee, or use the grind converter to translate a recipe from another grinder.
Also worth a look
Sources
- Timemore: Chestnut C2 MAX Manual Coffee Grinder (archived December 2024)
- Home Coffee Solutions: Timemore Chestnut C2 MAX Grinder (Black)
- Home Coffee Expert: Timemore C2 review
- CoffeeGeek: Timemore grinders on the move in 2023
By Jeff Gluck · Checked 2026-10-21