Timemore Chestnut C3
A budget aluminum-body hand grinder with an all-metal catch cup - but a plastic hopper lid and internal plastic stabilizers in the bean path.
The verdict: Minimal plastic contact
The single-piece body, crank arm, and threaded catch cup are aluminum alloy, and the burrs are 38mm CNC stainless steel - so the grounds collect in a metal cup, which is the part most grinders get wrong. The plastic is the top lid that caps the hopper (beans sit under it) and internal plastic "stabilizer" parts Timemore uses in place of steel to keep the grinder lightweight; these sit in the bean/grind area. So it isn't plastic-free, but the grounds path itself is metal. Some models add a silicone base (not food contact).
Verification: Manufacturer confirmed · Last reviewed
What it's made of
| Part | Material | Food contact |
|---|---|---|
| body single-piece aluminum alloy body and crank arm | Aluminum | No |
| burrs 38mm S2C CNC stainless steel conical burrs; S2C is a steel spec, not a confirmed 304/316 grade | Stainless Steel grade unspecified | Yes primary |
| catch cup / grounds container threaded aluminum-alloy catch cup; grounds collect here | Aluminum | Yes primary |
| lid plastic (PC) lid caps the hopper; beans sit beneath it | Plastic other / unspecified | Yes primary |
| internal stabilizers / axle support plastic parts used in place of steel to reduce weight; sit in the bean/grind area | Plastic other / unspecified | Yes primary |
| base silicone base on select models; not in the food path | Silicone | No |
Timemore's budget-favorite hand grinder, built around a single-piece aluminum body and CNC stainless steel burrs at a price well below the premium competition. You load beans under the top lid, turn the folding crank, and grounds collect in the threaded catch cup that screws off the base. Light and compact, it's a common entry point for a first quality hand grinder.
Pros
- All-aluminum body and metal (aluminum) screw-on catch cup - grounds path is metal
- CNC stainless steel burrs; good grind for the price
- Inexpensive relative to other quality manual grinders
Cons
- Plastic hopper lid (some owners report it can crack over time)
- Internal plastic stabilizer parts in the bean/grind area
- Aluminum contact surfaces rather than steel/glass
Notes
- Shares materials with the Chestnut C2; the C3 Pro / C3S variants shift more parts to metal
Categories: Hand Grinders
Sources
Every material claim above is backed by these. This is the scattered info we centralized.
- manufacturer https://www.timemore.com/products/c3-series brand lists aluminum alloy body and crank arm, S2C stainless steel conical burrs, threaded catch cup, silicone base on select models
- review https://coffeechronicler.com/timemore-c3-review/ aluminum body; notes internal plastic stabilizers used in place of steel; grounds container is metal
- review https://www.coffeeness.de/en/timemore-c3-review/ describes plastic lid (can break over time) and plastic internal parts, aluminum body and metal catch cup
Independent reviews
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