If you’re a coffee lover like us, you know how important it is to have a good grinder. A grinder can make or break your brew, and affect everything from the flavour, the aroma, the body, and the crema of your coffee. That’s why we were excited to try out the TimeMore Sculptor 64S, a new grinder that promises to deliver high-quality grinds for various brewing methods. We’ve been testing it out for a few weeks now, and we’re ready to share our honest and unfiltered opinions with you. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this review of the TimeMore Sculptor 64S.
Pre-amble
Before we get into the details, we want to make it clear that this review is not going to cover technical aspects such as grind dispersion, burr geometry, or particle size distribution. There are plenty of other sources that can provide you with that information (see links below). Instead, we will focus on our experience with the grinder and how it performed in different scenarios. We’re going to talk about the pros, the cons, and the quirks of this grinder, and hopefully give you a better idea of whether it’s worth your money or not.
Positives
Let’s start with the positives.
Sturdiness and Build Quality
The first thing that strikes you about the TimeMore Sculptor 64S is how solid and sturdy it feels. It has a hefty weight to it, which gives it a sense of durability and reliability. It almost makes you want to say you’re packing heat. The grinder is well constructed, and even when you tinker with the burrs, it doesn’t feel flimsy or loose.
Quietness
Another thing that we appreciate about the TimeMore Sculptor 64S is how quiet it is. We know this is a trend among grinders these days, but we still think it’s a great feature that enhances the user experience. There’s something soothing about hearing the beans being gently crushed, without the annoying noise of a loud motor or fan.
User Interface
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S has a simple and intuitive user interface that doesn’t require much learning or fussing. The minimalist design makes it easy to use. All you have to do is twist the dial to adjust the grind size, press the power button to start grinding and add beans. That’s it. Oh, and did we mention it looks very sleek and stylish?
Magnetic Cup
TimeMore Sculptor 64S has a magnetic cup that snaps into place with a satisfying pop. It ensures stability during grinding, and it’s a small detail that we appreciate every single day. Just make sure to check the alignment occasionally, as it can sometimes be slightly off.
Magnetic Hopper Cover
This is a clever design that we haven’t seen before. The TimeMore Sculptor 64S has a magnetic hopper cover that can be either fully closed or half open. This gives you the option to pour the beans in after starting the motor. It’s a minor feature that adds some versatility to the grinder.
The Auger
We love the fact that the TimeMore Sculptor 64S has an auger that feeds the beans slowly into the burrs. This prevents pop-corning, which can affect the consistency and quality of the grinds. It also ensures that the burrs are fed at a constant rate. We suspect that this feature will become more common among grinders in the future, as it makes a lot of sense.
Dual-Purpose Burr Design
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S has a vertical burr system that is a game-changer. Ever since the EK43, we’ve seen more and more grinders adopt this design, as it leverages gravity to promote consistency in the grinds. What’s more, the TimeMore Sculptor 64S has burrs that are designed for a wide range of brew options. The S model has burrs that can handle espresso and Turkish, and they have impressed us on all accounts. We’ve always had to use multiple grinders for different brewing methods, but with the TimeMore Sculptor 64S, we’ve been delighted with the results in all brews. The flavours are more pronounced, and the mouthfeel is amazing.
Variable RPM
By adding an RPM option, the TimeMore Sculptor 64S gives you a little more control over the grinding process. While the jury is still out on the exact effects, the potential is exciting. You can experiment with different speeds and see how they affect the extraction and taste of your coffee. It’s a fun and interesting feature that adds some customization to the grinder.
We are glad it is there, but
The Clicking Ring
Okay, let’s address it. that little ring at the bottom of the grind chute—it’s quirky. It releases chaff, but honestly, it feels like a gimmick. It doesn’t really make a difference in the quality or cleanliness of the grinds, and it’s not a game-changer. It’s a nice touch, but not a necessity.
The Bellows
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S comes with a bellows, which is supposed to help you get rid of any residual grinds in the chute. It’s cool to have, but we feel it’s a solution to a problem we shouldn’t have. If the auger was angled or the hopper was steeper, or there was an ionizer, would we need it? Probably not. But still, it makes you feel like you’re doing something extra to improve your coffee.
Negatives
RDT Woes
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S doesn’t play well with RDT. RDT, or Ross Droplet Technique, is a method of adding a few drops of water to the beans before grinding, to reduce static and clumping. However, when we tried this with the TimeMore Sculptor 64S, we noticed that the beans tended to stick in the hopper and the auger. Sometimes, even without RDT, we encountered minor hiccups. We recommend checking your dose out, to make sure all the beans actually made it to the burrs.
The Rear-Mounted RPM Switch
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S has an RPM switch at the back of the grinder, which allows you to change the speed of the burrs. However, we found this to be a bit inconvenient and impractical. Why is the switch at the back, where it’s hard to reach and see? Is it because RPM is not that important? It feels like a hassle to adjust it, and we rarely did. It’s like asking us to rub circles on our tummy and lines on our head.
The Capacity Constraints
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S has a hopper and a dosing cup that can hold around 44-48 grams of beans each. This is fine for a solo brew, but if you’re making coffee for more than one person, or you want to make a large pot of auto-drip, you’ll have to refill them. This can be a bit annoying and time-consuming, especially if you’re in a hurry or you have guests over.
The Narrow Dosing Cup
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S has a narrow dosing cup that fits snugly under the grind chute. This is good for alignment and stability, but it can also be a bit fussy. For auto-drip lovers, the dosing cup may not be wide enough to catch all the grinds, and you may end up with some spillage or uneven distribution. You may want to consider swapping it out for a wider cup or grinding twice to get the desired amount.
The Great Chaff Escape
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S tends to release some chaff through the sides of the grinder, especially without RDT. This is not a major issue, but it’s something to be aware of. It can make the grinder and the surrounding area a bit messy, with bits of coffee flying everywhere. You may want to wipe it down regularly or use a brush or a vacuum to clean it up.
Conclusion
The TimeMore Sculptor 64S is a great grinder that does most of what you need. It has a lot of positive features, such as sturdiness, quietness, user interface, magnetic cup and hopper cover, auger, dual-purpose burr design, and variable RPM. It also has some quirks, such as the clicking ring, the bellows, the rear-mounted RPM switch, the capacity constraints, the narrow dosing cup, and the great chaff escape. However, none of these are deal-breakers, and they can be easily overlooked or fixed. If you’re looking for a grinder that offers flexibility, quality, and a touch of elegance—all without breaking the bank—then the TimeMore Sculptor 64S is a fantastic choice. So, fellow coffee aficionados, if you’re looking for a reliable companion on your coffee journey, give the Sculptor 64S a spin. Cheers to better brews!
Thanks for reading, and happy brewing!
*Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal experience with the TimeMore Sculptor 64S.
Other Reviews
- Lance Hedrick Timemore Sculptor Review: 064, 064s, 078, 078s.
- James Hoffman: The Best Espresso Grinder Under £500
Watch this review on YouTube
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