Kinu is a well-established brand in the coffee community, and the Kinu m47 grinders are known to be one of the premium hand grinders on the market. These grinders are marked by exceptional craftsmanship, precise grind adjustment, and consistent grind sizes.
In this review, we will compare the three models, Classic, Simplicity, and Phoenix, to help you decide whether you want to take the plunge and invest in one of these bad boys.
Kinu m47 Simplicity
Best Overall
If you are considering investing in a Kinu m47 grinder, we recommend opting for the Kinu m47 Simplicity. This model is their mid-tier model. It features the quality build and craftsmanship Kinu grinders are recognized for, while being a more affordable model.
About Kinu
Kinu is a German company that has been in the coffee industry for 25 years. Over that time, they have produced more than 22 million grinders, so it’s safe to say they know what they are doing! The parts for the Kinu m47 grinders are manufactured in Germany, Romania, and Italy.
In 2018, Kinu suffered the devastating loss of their factory in Romania due to a fire. Despite this, they rose from the ashes stronger than ever. Six months later, they released the aptly named Kinu m47 Phoenix grinder. And a few months after that, the M47 Simplicity and a new pour-over replacement burr. Kinu is a company that has gone from strength to strength. They listen to their customers and always think of innovative ways to improve their grinders.
Kinu m47 Review
Specs
Kinu m47 Models
There are three different models in the Kinu m47 lineup; the Classic, Simplicity, and Phoenix. These three grinders share the same 47mm burrs and stepless adjustment system, so they will all produce a similar grind quality. The key differences between them are in the build.
Kinu m47 Classic
The Kinu m47 Classic is the OG and their premium manual coffee grinder. The Classic has a full metal body, with the only plastic components being the knob and thumb stopper. With such a solid build, this is the heaviest grinder in the lineup, weighing 1170g. So rest assured, you don’t have to worry about dropping this baby.
The Classic model has a few distinctive features. The catch cup is composed of stainless steel rather than ABS plastic, so the grinds flow easily out. It is also a magnetic catch cup held in place by 11 magnets, which remain secure during grinding. The grind adjustment system on the Classic is also unique, with a click-feeling system in place. It allows you to feel the different grind steps.
The Kinu M47 Classic is their high-end option, which has a superior build and finishes to the other grinders.
Kinu m47 Simplicity
The Kinu m48 Simplicity is their mid-tier grinder and our top pick out of the lineup. Like the Classic, the body (including the internal brackets) is made entirely from hardened steel. But they have incorporated more plastic in the design to keep costs down. The Simplicity has an ABS plastic catch cup that attaches via an o-ring rather than magnetically. It also has a plastic bean funnel, thumb stop, and knob. The Simplicity retains the solid build but weighs slightly less, coming in at 965g.
Overall, it is an excellent middle ground, featuring the same solid build but looking slightly less sleek.
Kinu m47 Phoenix
The Kinu m47 Phoenix is the most affordable grinder in the range. While it is still well built, it does feature more plastic than the other grinders. The Phoenix is composed of stainless steel, making it light and portable. It has the same ABS plastic bean hopper and grinds catcher as the Simplicity. However, the burrs are held in place by plastic brackets rather than stainless steel.
The other key difference in the design is that the Phoenix doesn’t have a thumb stopper; instead, a silicone grip to hold it secure when grinding. The Phoenix is the lightest grinder weighing 715g, making it a good contender if you are looking for a travel grinder.
Overall, the Phoenix is a simpler grinder with an affordable price tag.
Kinu Comparison Table
Below is a helpful comparison table from the Kinu website:
So now that we have outlined the differences between the models, we will look at some of the hallmark traits of the Kinu grinders.
Build Quality
The Kinu grinders are renowned for their flawless design and solid build. As you can see from above, these grinders are built like tanks. While their hefty weight means they are not the best for traveling, it will take a lot to damage one.
The Kinu m47 grinders have a distinctive design with no lid and, instead, a bean funnel on top. This funnel makes it easy to load coffee beans into the grinder. While occasionally you get some popcorning (where small chunks of beans pop out), overall, the design works well. If the lack of lid concerns you, there are plenty of 3D printed lids you could get.
Regarding ergonomics, grinding is easy and takes little effort to keep the handle rotating. Inside the grinder are four steel ball bearings mounted on a stainless steel axle for smooth, effortless grinding. The handle on the Kinu grinder locks securely into place with the pin from the adjustment system. The plastic knob on the end is easy to hold and rotates smoothly. Depending on the model, there is either a thumb stop or silicone band to help you grip the grinder firmly.
The Kinu m47 grinders are stunning, with a sleek brushed stainless steel finish complemented by black accents. The design shows careful attention to detail, and the solid build means that they are grinders that will last for life.
Burrs
As the name would suggest, inside the Kinu m47 grinders are 47mm conical stainless steel burrs. These burrs have a black fusion coating to harden the burr. This coating increases the lifespan of the burr and makes it less prone to static buildup. The hexagonal shape of the conical steel burrs means they have a fast feed rate and smooth grinding experience.
As is often the case with stainless steel burrs, they must be seasoned before performing at their best. When you first get them, the burr edges are sharp and can initially produce a lot of fines (small coffee particles). However, these sharp edges are smoothed out after grinding some coffee through them.
The Classic and Simplicity models use the Morse cone principle during manufacturing to ensure the burrs are precisely aligned. This precise alignment means the burrs produce an evenly distributed grind size. And it shows, the Kinu hand grinders are known to have some of the best alignment out of the factory.
Grind Speed
The Kinu grinders are high-speed and quiet when grinding. And we must say that for a manual coffee grinder, they are rather enjoyable to use. The handle turns smoothly and efficiently while the beans feed through the burrs quickly. The Kinu grinds coffee beans very quickly, thanks to the large 47mm burrs.
Grind Adjustment
The Kinu m47 grinders have a stepless and precise grind adjustment system. The grind dial is located on the top of the grinder and is easy and fast to dial in. To change the grind setting, you simply loosen the nut locking the handle into place, turn the dial to your desired setting and then tighten the nut again. Turning the dial clockwise produces a finer grind and counter-clockwise a coarser grind.
The adjustment system offers 50 steps per revolution. With the Classic model, each step is felt like a click, while with the other models, you have to rely on the markings to indicate grind size. Kinu has specified that each step moves the burr by 0.01mm; these small adjustments mean it can dial in coffee precisely.
The grind adjustment wheel is also clearly marked, including the zero point, making it easy to switch between grind sizes. The other benefit is that the grind size is universal across Kinu m47 grinders so that you can communicate grind sizes for different recipes. In the Kinu community, grind size is indicated by three numbers, e.g., 2.3.4
This simple and precise grind adjustment system is one of the reasons the Kinu grinder is well-loved in the specialty coffee community.
Grind Consistency
While the Kinu m47 grinders can grind for all brew methods, it is well known that they are best suited to espresso. The grind consistency at the fine settings is superb, and the cup quality is outstanding. The Kinu m47 grinders produce a more traditional flavor profile with good texture, clarity, and sweetness.
However, as with most grinders, the grind consistency diminishes at the coarser settings. The Kinu performs well at the medium grind settings, as would be used for drip coffee, producing a clean, transparent brew. But the coarser you go, the more fines are produced. So brewing, for example, a French press, you would find more muddiness due to fines and less clarity.
Kinu has listened to the feedback from customers regarding this and, in response, released a pour-over burr that is compatible with all the Kinu m47 grinders. This burr is interchangeable with the stock burrs and produces fewer fines when grinding for pour-over or at the coarser grind settings. Using these burrs will produce cups of pour-over with more clarity and sweetness; however, the pour-over burr is slower when grinding.
The Kinu m47 grinder is one of the best manual grinders on the market for espresso. It is fast to grind, produces excellent grind consistency at a fine grind size, and has a stepless grind adjustment. It is well worth considering if you are looking for a manual coffee grinder for espresso. However, if you were looking for a manual coffee grinder for manual brewing methods, there are other better options, like the 1Zpresso K Plus, which excels at grinding for filter coffee.
Cleaning
The Kinu grinders are easy to disassemble and wipe out. You can quickly remove the catch cup, handle, drive shaft, and inner burr. Cleaning then is simply a matter of brushing any fines off the burrs. You may need to invest in a long soft brush or pipe cleaner to access inside the grinder body. Following this, reassemble, and voila-all done!
Who is the Kinu m47 Grinder for?
The Kinu m47 grinders are some of the best on the market; however, they do come with a hefty price tag. These grinders excel at espresso, producing delicious shots with good taste and texture. As such, this is an excellent candidate for someone looking for a manual coffee grinder for espresso. If you aren’t convinced the Kinu m47 is for you, check out our guide to the best hand grinders for some other excellent alternatives.
Pros:
Cons:
Comandante c40 vs Kinu m47
The Kinu’s main competitor is the Comandante c40. The Comandante is a stunning grinder that has paved the way for premium hand grinders. The Comandante is loaded with 39mm Nitro Blade burrs that are very tough and long-lasting. The burrs are high quality and produce consistent grinds; however, they are slow to grind due to the small size.
The Comandante has a stepped grind adjustment system with 12 clicks per rotation of the dial and a total of 35 different grind settings available. This system allows you to grind for almost any brew method. If you want to grind for espresso, you will need to buy the Red Clix adjustment kit, which increases the number of clicks from 12 to 24 per rotation, allowing you to dial in a shot accurately.
The grind adjustment system on the comandante is not as intuitive as the Kinu, with no ability to recognize what setting you are on without counting the clicks. However, there is a massive community behind the Comandante, with a stack of recipes and suggested grind settings.
Overall, the Comandante is another excellent grinder capable of brewing delicious, high-clarity espresso shots. Many users prefer the taste of espresso and filter coffee on the Comandante compared to the Kinu.
The downside is the Comandante has limited grind settings and is not as fast at grinding as the Kinu. The Comandante and Kinu come at a similar price depending on where you are in the world. So the decision between them will come down to what coffee you want to brew. The Comandante is a better all-rounder manual coffee grinder but will require an additional investment to brew espresso. The Kinu is a faster grinder, more intuitive to use, and better for more traditional espresso.
Kinu m47- Final Thoughts
The Kinu m47 is an exceptional grinder that has been around for a long time. It is well built, produces superb grind consistency for espresso, and is quick and easy to use. The stepless grind adjustment and fast grinding speed make it the perfect manual coffee grinder for espresso. While it is expensive, compared to an electric grinder, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck. If you decide to invest in a Kinu m47, you will not be disappointed! We think the Kinu m47 Simplicity offers the best value for money. While it does have some ABS plastic in the design, this is minimal and only in non-essential parts.
