A premium hand grinder you can dial in from the outside, the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 is a folding-handle manual coffee grinder with a metal body and TIMEMORE's own S2C890 conical burrs. What sets it apart in the Chestnut line is the external adjustment ring, which is the brand's first and lets you change the grind without opening the grinder. This page covers the published specs, how it compares with the C2 and the 1Zpresso K-Ultra, and who it suits.
What is the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 manual coffee grinder?
The Chestnut S3 is TIMEMORE's flagship hand grinder, described on its own site as the new flagship, with a full-metal unibody and a Red Dot Design Award 2024 badge on its product page. It is a single-dose manual grinder: you load beans through the top, turn the crank and take off the container underneath. TIMEMORE's manual says to put in no more than 30 g per load.
The patented foldable handle is spring-assisted. You pull the extension tube out and fold the handle down so it lies against the body, which TIMEMORE says stops the grinder from tipping over and makes it travel-friendly. A silicone base keeps it steady on the counter, and the maker lists all-metal construction as a selling point.
TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 specs
| Type | Manual, single dose |
|---|---|
| Burrs | S2C890 conical burrs, SUS420 hardened stainless steel, 58 HRC, 6-axis CNC machined |
| Adjustment | External ring, 0.015 mm per click, accurate to 0.1 of a click |
| Range on the dial | Espresso 1-15 clicks, moka 5-20, pour over 50-80, French press 80-90 |
| Load | Up to 30 g per load |
| Bearings | Custom bearing system, tolerances cut by 20% |
| Body | All-metal unibody with silicone base |
| Handle | Pull-to-fold, spring-assisted |
| Warranty | One year |
| Colors | Black and green |
| Price on TIMEMORE's site | $159.00, free shipping within the United States |
TIMEMORE does not publish the burr diameter, the weight or the grinder's dimensions on its product page, and it does not give a retention figure.
How does the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 grind and adjust?
The key part is the S2C890 burr set. TIMEMORE says it designed it to reduce fines in the 200 to 250 micron range while increasing the share of particles in the 250 to 400 micron range, with a peak at around 375 microns. The maker says this improves body and sweetness. That is a claim about particle distribution from the maker, with no independent measurement published, so treat it as design intent.
The adjustment ring sits on the outside of the body. Each click moves the burrs 0.015 mm, and the dial is marked to 0.1 of a click, so it works as a fine, repeatable setting. The click ranges TIMEMORE gives are espresso at 1 to 15, moka at 5 to 20, pour over at 50 to 80 and French press at 80 to 90, which implies about 90 clicks of range in total. TIMEMORE says every S3 leaves the factory with a burr gap of 0.075 mm at the finest setting, and its notes say pressing down hard on the handle may shift the shaft and cause minor burr rub.
To set it, you turn the locking knob on the base clockwise until it cannot turn, then rotate the external ring to the zero position, and the manual says to set the dial from there. The manual also warns not to clean it with any liquid, including water, and to use a brush or air blower instead.
TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 vs TIMEMORE Chestnut C2
The TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 is the entry model in the same family, priced at $79.99 on this site. It uses a 420 stainless steel conical burr hardened to 55 to 58 HRC, holds 25 g and weighs 0.59 kg. Its grind is set by an internal knob, so you open the grinder to change it. The S3 costs about twice as much and gives you the external ring, a 30 g load, the S2C890 burrs and a custom bearing system.
The step is from a good starter to an espresso-capable grinder you can adjust in seconds. If you grind for pour over once a day and rarely change the setting, the C2 covers it. If you swap between espresso and filter or like to dial in often, the external ring is the reason to pay more.
TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 vs 1Zpresso K-Ultra
The 1Zpresso K-Ultra is the nearer competitor on adjustment. It also has an external dial, over 100 clicks at 20 microns per click, an aluminum body and a weight of 0.68 kg, and it is listed at $259.00 here. It ships with a carrying case, a foldable handle and a magnetic catch cup.
The S3 undercuts it by about $100, with finer 15 micron clicks and a folding handle of its own. The K-Ultra has the longer track record in the enthusiast hand grinder class and a larger accessory set. Neither maker publishes retention figures, and nobody here has tested the two side by side.
Is the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 worth it?
At $159 it sits between the budget hand grinders and the top of the category. On specs alone you get an external adjustment ring, hardened stainless conical burrs, an all-metal body, a foldable handle and a one-year warranty, which is the standard length for this category. Browse the other grinders on the site to see where that lands against electric options at similar prices.
The gaps are specific. TIMEMORE gives no weight, no burr diameter and no retention figure, and the 30 g load limit is lower than some rivals. The black version showed as sold out on TIMEMORE's site at the time of writing, with green in stock.
Who should buy the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 (and who should not)
It suits someone who brews both espresso and filter coffee at home, wants to change the setting without taking the grinder apart, and carries it in a bag or to the office. The folding handle and silicone base also suit small counters.
It is a poor fit if you grind large batches, since the manual caps a load at 30 g, or if you want a grinder that can be rinsed under the tap, because TIMEMORE says to clean it only with a brush or air blower. Buyers who want the cheapest way into hand grinding are better served by the C2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3 make espresso?
Yes. TIMEMORE gives an espresso range of 1 to 15 clicks on its product page and calls the S3 versatile enough for espresso, pour over and French press.
How many clicks does the Chestnut S3 have?
Each click is 0.015 mm. The published ranges run up to 90 clicks for French press.
How much coffee does it hold?
TIMEMORE's manual says to put in no more than 30 g per load.
What burrs does the Chestnut S3 use?
TIMEMORE's S2C890 conical burrs, made of SUS420 hardened stainless steel at 58 HRC and cut by 6-axis CNC.
Can I wash the Chestnut S3?
No. TIMEMORE's manual says to clean it with a brush or air blower and not with any liquid, including water.
What is the warranty on the TIMEMORE Chestnut S3?
TIMEMORE's warranty card states a one year warranty, plus replace or refund within 7 days of receipt if the product has not been deliberately damaged or used.
