The HandGround Precision Manual Coffee Grinder Review

HandGround is a coffee equipment company that makes just one thing: this manual coffee grinder. So you can trust that they’ve given it their full attention. The result is a high-quality grinder developed by and for coffee enthusiasts.

Keep reading our HandGround Precision Coffee Grinder review for all the nitty-gritty details.

SUMMARY: The HandGround

• 15 different precise grind settings
  
• Sleek, ergonomic design
  
• Easy to use mechanism

Simple. Durable. Consistent.

– Otten Coffee

SEE ON AMAZON

The HandGround Precision Coffee Grinder in a Nutshell

Since you are here with us, you are either interested in grinding your beans by hand, or already do so and are looking to upgrade or replace your grinder. By opting for a manual grinder, you are choosing the path of slightly more effort, but who says that it can’t be fun?

The HandGround Precision Grinder is most certainly a fun grinding companion, making the motion of grinding smooth and easy while adding a stylish touch to your kitchen or travel pack (1). Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and see what makes this grinder so great.

The HandGround Review

• Grind Consistency
• Burr Quality
• Build Quality
• Capacity
• Portability
• Maintenance
• Price

3.8

• See On Amazon

Grind Consistency (4/5)

Before we can discuss how the grinder handles, how it looks, and how easy it is to maintain, we have to answer the most pressing question of all: how does it grind?

With 15 different grind settings and sturdy, wobble-proof, 40mm alumina ceramic burrs, the HandGround manual coffee grinder produces precise and consistent results. We also love how clearly the grind sizes are marked, so it is easy to repeat a grind without too much guesswork.

You should know, most hand grinders don’t have a grind setting fine enough for Turkish coffee, so if that is what you are looking for you may need to check out some specialty grinders.

Unlike many of the competing manual grinders on the market, the burrs of the HandGround grinder do not wobble as you turn the handle. The impressive triple-mounted axle keeps the burrs from moving side to side as you grind and therefore produces an incredibly consistent grind. (1)

The wobbly-burr epidemic in the world of coffee grinders was an issue that the HandGround Team set out to fix, and they did a great job of it. While the HandGround certainly out-competes plenty of alternatives in grind consistency, it still falls short of the professional precision of the Lido 3 and the Comandante.

Burr Quality (3/5)

Although there are plenty of features and characteristics to consider when evaluating the value of a hand grinder, it really all comes down to the burrs. As we mentioned, the HandGround is equipped with stunning 40mm alumina ceramic burrs that are stabilized by an impressive triple-mounted axle to reduce wobble.

The choice of ceramic over steel burrs can really be understood as the choice between two excellent options, each coming with slight trade offs. While steel burrs are less brittle and prone to cracking, ceramic burrs are known for holding their edge for nearly twice the time of steel burrs.

The ceramic burrs on this grinder seem great on face value, but after a few months of heavy use, there is a good chance they will start causing you issues. Well, that was our experience after all. You can get replacements, but should you really have to spend more money? hmm.

Build Quality (4/5)

The real genius behind the HandGround Precision Grinder is the ingenuity of the over 5,000 people who have contributed ideas and support to the creation of the grinder. (2) With input from so many people ranging from home brewers to national champion baristas, the grinder was designed to obliterate all the flaws and failures of other grinders on the market.

Several of the more visible changes have to do with altering the build and design of the grinder. For instance, rather than placing the handle on the top of the grinder, as is typical for hand grinders, the HandGround’s handle is located on the side, making it more ergonomically sound and far easier to grind. (1)

The smooth turn of the handle and the wiggle-proof burrs guarantee an easy grind that doesn’t make you break a sweat first thing in the morning.

We also really like the easily adjustable and, equally-as-important, marked grind settings. To adjust the grind size, you simply turn the dial located where the catch container attaches to the grinding chamber to select your desired grind size. No more unscrewing small pieces, adjusting them, then screwing them back on and hoping for the best.

Finally, we would be remiss not to talk about the no-slip grip pad on the bottom that keeps you from exerting energy simply holding the grinder in place while you use it. Aside from a big improvement in terms of being user-friendly, we also count this grip pad as a safety feature, given that it keeps the grinder from slipping off the counter.

Where/why it loses points? The issues with the burrs, as noted above.

Capacity (5/5)

An hourglass-shaped, sleek, portable grinder with a 100g hopper capacity, impossible! Not for the HandGround. This small-but-mighty grinder can produce enough coffee for 4+ cups at a time, perfect for entertaining, or grinding coffee to last you for a few days.

Portability (3.5/5)

This grinder falls within the category of portable grinders, but with some limitations. As a large capacity grinder, it is naturally larger and heavier than the ultra-light, 20g capacity grinders on the market. Given the more delicate ceramic burrs and the fragility of the glass in the design, it is less travel-friendly than we would like. However, this grinder is still narrow and light enough to travel with from time to time, provided you pack it carefully.

Maintenance (4/5)

Cleaning coffee grinders, whether manual or electric, is generally a bit of a chore. You need to disassemble the grinder and carefully clean the parts before reassembling so that you can continue using it.

Knowing the tendencies towards annoying, time-consuming maintenance, we can’t help but feel like Mary Poppins had something to do with the design of the HandGround Precision Grinder.

The HandGround grinder is remarkably easy to clean and requires no special tools to do so. To disassemble it, just unscrew the inner burr and slide it out. You can then run warm water over the burr and use a brush to clean off any coffee residue, before reassembling it. It is as simple as that!

Though it may go without saying, the HandGround grinder cannot be washed in a dishwasher, so stick with hand washing and it is sure to last you quite a while. For more information about correctly cleaning your burr grinder, head over to our how-to.

Do Not Buy the HandGround Precision Hand Grinder If…

You plan to travel with your grinder – Though the HandGround can be taken on the go, it is bulkier and heavier than a typical travel grinder. If you travel often with your coffee brewing tools we recommend checking out ultraportable options like the Porlex Mini Mill, Hario Slim, and the Comandante.

You need a more budget-friendly option – The HandGround is a great deal for its level of nuance, innovation, and class, but it’s not in everyone’s ideal price range. Comparable alternatives that are a little easier on your wallet include the original Hario Skerton Hand Grinder and its updated iterations, the Skerton Plus and Skerton Pro.

You are searching for a different aesthetic – There’s no shame in pairing your grinder with the style of your kitchen. The HandGround comes in white, black, and nickel, but if none of them are quite right, check out the Zassenhaus Santiago Coffee Mill. This classic German grinder comes in several beautiful wood finishes.

The Verdict

The HandGround Precision Manual Coffee Grinder is great for its smooth grind, consistency, quality materials, and style….It just loses points for the recent issues with the burrs. See the reviews on Amazon for more information. Though we do think it is a bit bulkier than some may prefer, this grinder is still lightweight enough to take on the road.

A Handground and an Aeropress

SEE ON AMAZON