Is The Orphan Espresso Lido 3 the hand Grinder for you? (A Review)

Tall, dark, and handsome…

Wait, are we talking about Jason Momoa or the new Lido 3 Manual Grinder by Orphan Espresso? The third iteration in Orphan Espresso’s Lido hand grinder line is stirring up quite a lot of conversation. No wonder we’re comparing it to the famous actor.

As one of the top options on the market today, this grinder may be just what you need. But to make sure it is, read this in-depth review. We’ve tested and analysed it, so you don’t have to go through all the trouble.

Please note, this model has now been discontinued and has limited availability. You can see other options on our list of the best manual coffee grinders.

An Overview: The OE Lido 3 Hand Coffee Grinder

The OE Lido 3 is a consistent and durable grinder with updates from the Lido 2 that make it easier to take on-the-go.

Summary: The Lido 3 Hand Grinder

• More lightweight and portable than previous models
  
• Vast, step-less grind settings
  
• High-quality, durable body and burrs

I’ve used all the travel-style hand grinders and the Lido 3 outperforms all of them without question. It’s now part of my travel kit.

– Alex, Editorial Team

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Though some people may feel that the plastic body lacks a certain element of class, it does lend the grinder greater resilience, making it easier to add to your travelling coffee station. The stepless grind adjustment allows users to be incredibly picky and exact with their grind size, and the steel conical burrs produce a really consistent grind (1).

Lido 3 Hand Grinder – full review

Lets take a more detailed look at the Lido 3 and break it down based on the criteria that shows you how it performs

OE Lido 3 Manual Coffee Grinder

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

4.5

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We’ll start by looking at the most important thing of any coffee grinder – what kind of consistency does it deliver?

Grind Consistency – 5/5

The grind consistency on the Lido 3 is pretty spot-on, thanks to the double ball bearings stabilizing the steel burrs. From the finest to the coarsest grinds, we found the results of this grinder to be uniform and precise.

The grind adjustment mechanism is step-less and uses an aluminium locking ring in tandem with a grind size ring to set the desired grind size. Though it may take a moment to accustom yourself to the unique grind selection system, it is far simpler than unscrewing pieces of the grinding mechanism to make your adjustments from the inside.

The diversity of grind sizes available on the Lido 3 is impressive, allowing you to grind fine enough for Turkish coffee and then make a quick adjustment to grind for a coarse French press. While plenty of grinders may boast that same range, few can deliver the consistency and precision that the Lido 3 does with every single grind.

Burr Quality – 5/5

Don’t let the plastic body of the Lido 3 deceive you, the burrs are 48mm Swiss-made steel. Orphan Espresso’s choice here to use steel rather than ceramic also increases the grinder’s portability, since steel is less likely to chip or dent than ceramic. The steel burrs on the Lido 3 are quite large and definitely powerful enough to facilitate a smooth grinding process. (2)

While these are excellent burrs, we recommend that users take care when grinding straight through a full hopper of beans, given that steel burrs can warm up when used without pause. (3) Exposing coffee beans to heat before the brewing process can alter the natural oils and aromas of the coffee you are about to enjoy, so try to take it easy while grinding.

Build Quality – 4/5

The OE Lido 3 is a solid grinder, that much is clear. While competitors like the Comandante C40 MKIII and the Porlex Mini use steel bodies around the grind mechanism, the Lido 3’s body is almost entirely BPA-free plastic.

Though some users of other high-end coffee equipment may not like the look of plastic next to their ceramic and stainless steel tools, the plastic still gets the job done while reducing the total weight of the grinder. It was designed for a traveller – it can take a beating and will still perform as it did on day 1.

Capacity – 4.5/5

Designed as a portable grinder, the OE Lido 3 outperforms most other travel hand grinders when it comes to capacity. The hopper on this hand grinder can hold up to 70g of beans, allowing you to grind for 4+ cups of coffee at a time. (2)

The high capacity of the Lido 3 helps explain its size when compared to other portable grinders like the Comandante, Porlex Mini, and even the JavaPresse, which tend to be more compact.

Portability – 4/4

Based on our other comments about the Lido 3, it should come as no surprise that this is a grinder designed for portability.

The combination of durable plastic, sleek shape, and newly foldable crank handle make it exceptionally suited for travellers of any kind.

The folks at Orphan Espresso also trimmed down the weight of the Lido 3, making it quite a bit lighter than its most recent prior model, the Lido 2. While we love how lightweight this new grinder is compared to its predecessor, we know that the size and weight will still be prohibitive for some people who need a grinder suited to super light travel.

Maintenance – 5/5

Maintaining the Lido 3 is not much of a chore, and the grinder even comes with the necessary tools for cleaning the burrs. Naturally, the grinder can only function as well as it is maintained, so we recommend disassembling and cleaning out your grinder once or twice a month.

Unlike grinders with ceramic burrs, the Lido 3’s steel burrs cannot be cleaned with water, as they can rust if not dried properly. Stick to brushing old coffee grounds out of the crevices between the burrs and you should be fine. (5)

Don’t Buy the OE Lido 3 Hand Grinder If…

You like to travel super light – Although the Lido 3 is more portable than the Lido 2, it’s still larger and heavier than other portable hand grinders. If you’re looking for a go-to travel grinder, check out the Porlex Mini.

You want a different aesthetic – Maybe the tinted plastic and sleek cylindrical design of the Lido 3 is your vibe, but if not, there are plenty of more artfully designed alternatives. Take a look at the Zassenhaus Santiago Coffee Mill, the Handground Precision Grinder, and the Comandante C40 MKIII.

You are operating on a tight budget – While the Lido 3 is probably the most competitively priced top-tier hand grinder, it is far from the cheapest burr grinder on the market. For great, freshly ground coffee that doesn’t cost a fortune, consider the Javapresse or the Hario Skerton Pro. The Timemore Chestnut C2 is also a good choice for newbies. It’s affordable and it has reliable grind consistency at medium and coarser settings. Read our Timemore C2 review to learn more.

You want two-way coffee grinder – Let’s face it. We like bringing our manual coffee grinders with us when we travel. They’re handy, portable, and help you brew coffee anywhere. But of course, electricity isn’t always unavailable when travelling and it would be nice if you can save the elbow grease and grind beans without that much effort. Luckily, Goat Story released the Arco, a 2-in-1 grinder that works as a manual and an electric grinder! You can learn more about it in our Arco coffee grinder review.

The Verdict

The updates on the Lido 3 from the earlier Lido 2 make it far more portable, but it is still a large hand grinder and has some weight to it. That being said, it produces a fantastic grind that is both consistent and precise across a wide range of grind settings.

Though we aren’t totally sold on the look of the grinder, the handle turns smoothly, the hopper is large enough to grind quite a lot of coffee, and maintaining the grinder is no great feat.

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