The CASABREWS Tornado Basic is an electric conical burr coffee grinder with 35 grind settings, automatic and manual grinding modes and a portafilter cradle for espresso. CASABREWS lists it at $99.99 on its US store.
What is the CASABREWS Tornado Basic conical burr coffee grinder?
It is a countertop electric grinder with stainless steel conical burrs, a stainless steel exterior and an 8.82 oz (250 g) bean hopper. CASABREWS positions it as an everyday grinder that covers fine espresso through coarse French press, with a three-button control layout it calls intuitive and beginner-friendly.
The name "Basic" is the maker's, and it fits the feature list: no scale, no display and no single-dose system is described. What it does offer is an adjustable grind time from 2 to 60 seconds, a choice between automatic and manual grinding, and a removable portafilter cradle that lets you grind straight into a portafilter. A grounds container, a cleaning brush and the cradle come with it.
CASABREWS Tornado Basic specs
| Burrs | Stainless steel conical |
|---|---|
| Grind settings | 35 |
| Grinding modes | Automatic and manual |
| Grind time | Adjustable, 2 to 60 seconds |
| Bean hopper | 8.82 oz (250 g) |
| Grounds container | 2.65 oz (75 g) |
| Brew methods | Espresso, drip coffee, French press |
| Portafilter fit | 51/54 mm and 58 mm |
| Power | 150 W, 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Safety | Overheat protection, hopper error alert, auto shut-off after 15 minutes |
| Dimensions | 9.06 x 5.63 x 13.23 inches |
| Weight | 5.07 lb |
| Warranty | At least 12 months |
| Price | $99.99 |
The maker's page does not publish the burr diameter, the motor speed, a noise level, the amount of grounds the grinder retains or whether it grinds single doses. It also does not state where the grinder is made. Those gaps matter for espresso, so treat the espresso claim as the maker's intent rather than a measured result.
How does the Tornado Basic grind and dose?
You choose how much to grind in one of two ways. In automatic mode you set a grind time from 2 to 60 seconds and the grinder runs for that long. In manual mode you start and stop it yourself when you have the amount you want. There is no scale and no cup-count dial described, so the dose is a matter of time or watching the container, and a separate scale is the way to get repeatable weights.
The 35 settings run from fine for espresso to coarse for French press, according to CASABREWS. Whether those steps are discrete clicks or a continuous range is not stated, and neither is the size of the steps. For espresso, the portafilter cradle fits 51/54 mm and 58 mm baskets, so a typical home machine's portafilter will sit under the chute.
Cleaning is by brush. CASABREWS says the upper burr is removable, to be cleaned with the included brush, with the grinder unplugged, and that the burrs should not be washed with water.
CASABREWS Tornado Basic vs OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12oz
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 12oz is a close conical-burr rival, though OXO does not publish a price on its page. It has 40 mm stainless steel conical burrs, 15 settings with 43 micro-adjustments between them, a 340 g hopper and a one-touch start that remembers the last setting. It has no timer, and weighs 2.04 kg.
The Tornado Basic has more steps, at 35 against 15, a timer range of 2 to 60 seconds that the OXO lacks, and a portafilter cradle in the box. The OXO has the larger hopper at 340 g against 250 g, and publishes its burr size, which the CASABREWS page does not. If you want a timed dose and a direct-to-portafilter workflow, the Tornado Basic describes both. If you want a published burr size and a bigger hopper, the OXO does.
CASABREWS Tornado Basic vs Baratza Encore ZCG485BLK
The Baratza Encore ZCG485BLK is the usual first step up for filter coffee, listed at $149.95. It has 40 mm steel conical burrs, 40 settings, a 300 g hopper, a 70 W motor at 550 rpm and a 1 year warranty, and it has no timer. It is $50 more than the Tornado Basic.
On paper the two are close. The Baratza publishes more detail: burr size, motor power, speed and warranty. The Tornado Basic counters with a timer, a portafilter cradle and a lower price. If you want more published detail in the specs, the Baratza has it; if you want a lower price and a timer, the Tornado Basic does.
Is the CASABREWS Tornado Basic worth it?
At $99.99 it costs $50 less than the Baratza Encore. What you are paying for is a conical burr set, a wide 35-step range, a timer and a portafilter cradle, which is a generous list at that price. What you are not getting, on the maker's page, is a published burr size, noise level or retention figure.
Nobody has tested this grinder here, so grind evenness, noise and how much coffee it holds back are unknown. Treat the figures as what CASABREWS states, and expect to read user reports for how the grind behaves in practice.
Who should buy the Tornado Basic (and who should not)
It suits someone moving up from a blade grinder who wants a conical burr set, a timed dose and a way to grind into a portafilter without buying a second grinder. It also suits a small kitchen: it weighs 5.07 lb and stands 13.23 inches tall.
It is not the best fit for anyone who wants single-dose grinding, a built-in scale or documented retention, since none of those is described. If you want a published burr diameter and a longer warranty term, the Baratza is stated more fully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grind settings does the CASABREWS Tornado Basic have?
35, from fine espresso to coarse French press, according to CASABREWS.
Can the Tornado Basic grind for espresso?
CASABREWS says yes: it lists espresso, drip coffee and French press, and includes a portafilter cradle that fits 51/54 mm and 58 mm portafilters. It does not publish espresso-specific testing.
How much coffee does the hopper hold?
8.82 oz (250 g) of beans, with a 2.65 oz (75 g) grounds container.
Does it have a timer?
Automatic mode lets you set a grind time from 2 to 60 seconds. Manual mode runs until you stop it.
How do I clean the Tornado Basic?
Unplug it, remove the upper burr and brush the burrs and grind outlet with the included cleaning brush. CASABREWS says not to wash the burrs with water.
What warranty does it have?
CASABREWS states a manufacturer's warranty of at least 12 months covering defects in materials or workmanship, and says terms may vary by country.
