Timemore C5: Assessment & First Impressions

Say good day to Timemore’s new entry-level guide grinder. When it comes to class, they nonetheless name it a C-series grinder, but it surely’s a extra mature product than the identify would point out. It’s fairly good feeling in hand.

The plastic stabilizer is gone; the physique is now a inflexible steel unibody with a brand new heptagonal, spike-to-cut burr.

Bonus information: there’s no “C4” as a result of 4 is unfortunate in Chinese language tradition, so we leapfrogged straight to C5.

Fast Take

I see the C5 because the logical evolution of the C2/C3: It’s extra premium-feeling, but it surely must be, because the market as we speak is simply loopy aggressive as we speak. Nonetheless, whereas it’s an incredible allrounder, there are nonetheless many different choices to think about, if you happen to’re searching for a grinder round this value level.

First Impressions

In hand, it feels stable with out being too heavy. There’s a brand new criss-cross knurl that appears higher than the diamond sample on C2/C3.

The grind dimension information on the underside adjustment wheel is is a pleasant contact for rookies.

The bearings are very easy, but it surely nonetheless grinds a bit gradual. The burrs aren’t tremendous aggressive. That is good when you’ve got low grip power, however a bit annoying if you happen to’re a fitness center bro with stable features you wish to apply. (Let’s be actual: Pec power isn’t actually helpful within the post-modern world, besides possibly in a single area; guide grinding!)

How It Matches within the Market

I anticipate avenue costs only a hair above the C3 and C2 fashions, which it appears Timemore remains to be going to maintain alive.

So the C5 additionally squares up in opposition to older Timemores that may be on sale. There are additionally funds beasts like Kingrinder P2 & K6, 1Zpresso Q Air, and MHW-3Bomber R3 Blade out there at this value level. A few of them provide exterior adjustment or in some circumstances improved taste readability. Whereas the C5 is good it’s not a no brainer to go for.

What I Favored

• Snug kind issue with a pleasant grip
• Appears tremendous clear, understated
• Design particulars: Rubber underneath the catch cup and skinny lips on the prime hopper for smoother bean pouring
• Can grind for each espresso and pour over
• Numbers on the adjustment dial (inside/underneath the burr) are legible and logical.

What I Didn’t

• Painfully gradual for espresso; round ~2 min for an ~18 g dose.
• Despite the brand new heptagonal burr set, it nonetheless lacks a few of the sparkle I get from higher-tier burr units
• The printed ranges really feel off: I wanted finer for espresso (setting 4.2) and coarser for pour over than steered (setting 15-17)

Stay from the Testing Bench

• In a three-way lineup utilizing three Hario Switches brewed simulataneously, I pitted three Timemore grinders in opposition to one another: The previous C3 vs the brand new C5 vs the extra premium Chestnut S3 launched in 2024, and tasted blind. The espresso was a fantastic washed Guatemala from the Norwegian roaster Sognefjord.
  • A lot to my shock, the C5 produced essentially the most scrumptious cup!
  • The C3 was clearly the worst, whereas the S3 was high quality however not as intense because the C5.
  • TDS checks confirmed the S3 ran a little bit decrease than the C5 and C3, so I tightened the S3 and moved to spherical two.

• For spherical two, I swapped the C3 for the 1Zpresso Q Air and switched to an anaerobic pure (home-roasted) Thai espresso.
  • This time, the C5 was clearly the worst, creating a noticeably drying, astringent edge because it cooled.
  • The S3 was greatest; the Q Air had a barely decrease TDS, so I’m not treating that outcome as definitive. From expertise, the S3 tends to excel with anaerobic naturals.

From this pour over take a look at, I’m assured the C5 is a giant step up from the C3 in cup high quality for pour-over, however (as anticipated) it’s nonetheless not so good as the S3.

That aligns with Timemore’s lineup and pricing, the place the C5 sits between these two grinders.

Up to date Espresso Testing

• Grinding 17 g at setting 5 took 1:50; very gradual.
• The shot ran 23 s, so I’d probably go finer, maybe 4.2–4.1.

I just like the flavour and texture of the shot; the annoyance is only the time it takes to grind.

Unresolved Questions

Up to now in my testing I’ve seen that the C5 can generally have a barely drying end, whereas different occasions it tastes fairly good and clear on the end, even with a high quality grind dimension. Are there any patterns right here?

Verdict after the primary sips

I really feel just like the Chestnut C5 sits a bit between two chairs.

It’s clearly higher than its predecessor, however the subject round it’s sturdy. The C2, and to a level the C3, had that cheap-and-cheerful “first grinder” attraction; the C5 doesn’t really feel as carefree.

It’s larger and heavier at ~620 g versus ~476 g for the C3 .

In some ways, the C5 steps into the “large boys’ league”: not an impulse purchase just like the C2/C3.

At this value, yow will discover grinders with cleaner flavour profiles and/or exterior grind adjustment.

Actual rivals embody 1Zpresso Q Air, R3 Blade, Kingrinder K6, Mavo Phantox Professional, and even Timemore S3.

The C5 is a stable grinder, simply not an computerized decide.

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