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Timemore Chestnut S3

Buying guide · Hand · Conical burrs

Timemore Chestnut S3

A fast, well-built hand grinder for pour-over and immersion brewers who want an external dial; espresso drinkers and people with small hands should look elsewhere.

Best for
Pour-over, AeroPress, French press, Cold brew
List price
About $159
Check price — Amazon →Settings chart →

BrewMark hasn't tested this grinder in person. This guide compiles the maker's specs and published reviews, listed under Sources. As an Amazon Associate, BrewMark earns from qualifying purchases.

In brief

The Chestnut S3 is Timemore's current premium hand grinder, which Timemore calls "the new flagship." It pairs S2C890 conical burrs with an external adjustment ring and a spring-assisted folding handle.

Two published reviews agree on what it is good at. Coffee Chronicler calls it a "sophisticated mid-range hand grinder" with flagship performance in many areas. Brew Coffee Home found it strong for pour-over.

The catch is espresso. Timemore lists espresso settings, but both reviewers found the finest setting too coarse for a proper shot. Buy it as a filter and immersion grinder.

What it does well

  • Fast: Coffee Chronicler ground 20 g for pour-over in 25 to 27 seconds
  • Brew Coffee Home found filter cups clean and sweet, with balanced acidity
  • External dial that Brew Coffee Home says feels almost stepless
  • Folding handle and full-metal unibody, per Timemore

Where it falls short

  • Neither Brew Coffee Home nor Coffee Chronicler could pull true espresso out of the box
  • Coffee Chronicler found the dial ring can shift by accident
  • Heavy and wide; Coffee Chronicler says it is not for small hands
  • Screw-on catch cup, not magnetic, per both reviews

Specs

Type
Hand grinder, Conical burrs
Burrs
S2C890 conical, SUS420 stainless steel, 58 HRC; 40 mm per Brew Coffee Home
Adjustment
External ring, 0.015 mm per click (Timemore)
Weight
About 793 to 798 g (Brew Coffee Home, Coffee Chronicler)
Bearings
Custom bearings; three in total, per Brew Coffee Home
Handle
Spring-assisted folding handle
Power
Hand

Where to start on the dial

Pour-over 18 clicksAeroPress 14 clicksFrench press 23 clicksCold brew 27 clicks

Every method on the settings chart →
On this page · 5 sections
  1. What it does well
  2. Where it falls short
  3. Who should buy it, and who shouldn't
  4. How it compares
  5. Owning it

What it does well

It is quick: Coffee Chronicler ground 20 g for pour-over in 25 to 27 seconds. Brew Coffee Home calls it one of the fastest hand grinders it has used, under 30 seconds for pour-over. Coffee Chronicler notes that Timemore's earlier X models were notoriously slow.

The filter cup is balanced. Brew Coffee Home describes it as clean and sweet, with no astringency. Coffee Chronicler found good body, sweetness and acidity, and says casual drinkers will be happy.

The dial is easy to use. Timemore quotes 0.015 mm per click on an external ring. Brew Coffee Home says it feels "incredibly smooth, almost like a stepless adjustment."

The build feels premium. Timemore describes a full-metal unibody and custom bearings, and Brew Coffee Home counts three bearings. The folding handle clicks into place and stows against the body.

Where it falls short

Espresso does not work out of the box. Brew Coffee Home pulled 36 g from 18 g in about 15 seconds at the finest setting. Coffee Chronicler reached only 4 to 5 bar until it added shims.

The dial can drift. Coffee Chronicler says the ring "doesn't click firmly into place, unlike the models from 1Zpresso," so settings can shift if you knock it. Brew Coffee Home adds that you cannot recalibrate the zero point.

It is big and heavy. Coffee Chronicler weighed 798 g and calls it "not the best option for people with smaller hands." It adds that the straight handle puts more load on the hand holding the body.

The catch cup screws on rather than snapping on with magnets. Both reviewers mention it, and Brew Coffee Home prefers a magnetic cup.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy it if you brew pour-over, AeroPress or French press and want an external dial that is fast to turn. Coffee Chronicler recommends it for anyone who doesn't need espresso.

Skip it if you make espresso, or plan to. Skip it too if you have small hands or want a light grinder to carry.

How it compares

The Comandante C40 MK4 is the reference premium hand grinder. Coffee Chronicler finds the C40's cup more intense and lingering, and the two similarly girthy. See the dials in C40 MK4 vs Chestnut S3.

The 1Zpresso X-Ultra has a magnetic cup and a wider range, according to Coffee Chronicler. Coffee Chronicler still prefers the S3's handle for large hands.

The Timemore C3S is the cheaper Timemore filter grinder. Comparing the S3 with the C3 ESP, Brew Coffee Home says the S3's build and larger burrs make it an upgrade for pour-over. Compare the C3 vs Chestnut S3 dials.

Owning it

Brush the burrs and chamber after use. Our guide to cleaning a hand grinder covers removing the inner burr.

Because the ring can move, check the setting before each grind. Note your usual number and dial in the grinder from the settings chart on this page.

Timemore's page does not state a warranty, so ask the retailer before buying. Timemore ships free within the United States from its own store.

The S3 has a footnote worth knowing. Timemore says pressing on the handle at the finest setting can shift the shaft and cause minor burr rub. Avoid leaning on it when grinding fine.

To translate a recipe written for another grinder, use the grind converter.

Also worth a look

Sources

  1. Timemore: Manual Coffee Grinder Chestnut S3
  2. Brew Coffee Home: Timemore Chestnut S3 hand grinder review
  3. Coffee Chronicler: Timemore Chestnut S3 review

By Jeff Gluck · Checked 2026-10-21