Our Timemore Bricks review examines the positives, ok’s and negatives. The Timemore Bricks 01s EG is Timemore’s entry-level electric burr grinder. It’s compact, fast, and surprisingly refined for its price. While it doesn’t aim to compete with high-end grinders, it delivers a lot of value in a small, well-built package. Here’s what stood out during our time with it.
Positives
The list of things we like seems to show how much we were impressed with the little grinder that can:
- Solid build: The Bricks feels reassuringly sturdy. Its aluminium body and matching catch cup (available in black or white) give it a clean, industrial look. It doesn’t feel like a budget grinder, and the materials suggest it’s built to last.
- Compact: With a small footprint and a clean design, it fits easily on any counter. The interface is refreshingly simple—just a grind setting dial and a power button. No screens, no menus, no fuss.
- Low retention: Retention was impressively low. We consistently measured around 0.05g, and even rounding up to 0.1g, it’s still better than many grinders in this class. That means less waste and more consistency between doses.
- Fast grinding: Speed is one of the Bricks’ standout features. It can grind an 18g espresso dose in under 3 seconds. That’s fast enough to keep up with busy mornings or back-to-back brews without slowing you down.
- Easy to clean: Removing the burrs takes a bit of effort, but once you’ve done it once, it’s straightforward. The internal lock mark helps with alignment, and reassembly is quick. Regular cleaning doesn’t feel like a chore.
- Anti-popcorning protection: Even when grinding with the lid off, beans stay in place. The anti-popcorning design works well, keeping the workflow tidy and efficient.
- Good capacity: The hopper can handle over 50g of beans, which is more than enough for most home brewers. It also accommodates other catch cups, giving you flexibility if you prefer a different workflow.
- Clear grind scale: A red indicator line and 10-micron click adjustments make it easy to dial in your grind. Switching between espresso and filter settings is quick and repeatable.
- Magnetic catch cup: The catch cup snaps into place with a satisfying magnetic pull. It centres itself perfectly, reducing mess and improving consistency.
- “Clickity” knocker: This little feature helps dislodge stubborn grounds after grinding. It’s a bit quirky, and some might find it gimmicky, but it does the job.
- Safety feature: The grinder won’t operate unless the hopper is in place. It’s a small but important safety feature, especially in shared or busy environments.
- Stable and relatively quiet: Rubber feet keep the grinder firmly in place during use. Noise levels averaged around 81.2 dB in a 45 dB ambient room—not silent, but unlikely to disturb anyone nearby.
- Included accessories: The Bricks comes with a bellows, cleaning brush, and RDT spray bottle. The RDT works well, though we found that overuse can increase retention slightly.
- Premium packaging: The packaging feels thoughtful and well-designed. It adds to the overall impression that this is a product made with care.
Ok, but
There are a few small things that bothered us:
- Dose-based grinding: This grinder is designed to grind what you load. There’s no grind-by-weight or grind-by-time functionality. That might be a limitation for some, but we appreciate the simplicity and control it offers.
- No auto shut-off: Timemore claims the Bricks has an auto shut-off feature, but we couldn’t get it to activate. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth noting. Ihave since been told by the supplier it is not a auto detect shut off but rater a timed shut offee. So after 10 minutes if the grinder is left on it shuts off.
- Narrow catch cup: Some users might find the catch cup a bit narrow. We didn’t mind—it fits the design and works well—but it could be awkward for those using wider portafilters or scales.
- Reverse knocker direction: If you’re used to the Timemore Sculptor, the knocker on the Bricks turns the opposite way. It’s a small detail, but it took us a while to adjust.
- Espresso capable, but limited: The Bricks can grind fine enough for espresso, but it lacks the micro-adjustment precision of more advanced grinders. It’s fine for casual use, but not ideal for dialling in light roasts or high-end machines.
- Pentagonal burr: The use of a pentagonal burr surprised us. It’s an unusual choice in 2025, and we’re not sure why Timemore went this route.
- Hard-to-see burr lock mark: The internal lock mark used for aligning the burrs is hard to spot. You’ll need to look closely when reassembling after cleaning.
- Custom screws: Bricks uses non-standard screws in some areas. That raises questions about long-term repairability and part replacement.
- Neck design: The angular neck feels out of place next to the otherwise rounded body. It’s a minor aesthetic issue, but it stood out to us.
Negatives
They may be small issues, but we did find them worth noting:
- Grinds collect in crevices: Ground coffee tends to build up where the neck meets the body. It’s not a major issue, but it does make cleaning a bit more involved.
- Awkward power cord: The power cord exits straight from the body, which limits placement options. A kettle-style or angled cord would have been more practical.
Timemore Bricks review — Final Thoughts
The Timemore Bricks 01s EG is a capable and thoughtfully designed grinder. It’s fast, compact, and easy to use, with a few clever features that make daily grinding more enjoyable. While it has some quirks and limitations, it offers excellent value for its price. If you’re looking for a reliable, dose-based electric grinder for home use, the Bricks is well worth considering.
