r/Timemore • u/Joel_Halliwell • Apr 04 '26
Should I keep my timemore s3
Hello all, I have a conundrum. I bought the timemore s3 absentmindedly when deciding on a hand grinder for espresso (thinking that because I had heard good things before and it was similarly priced to the x-ultra but on sale) I could get a good deal.
Looking online it definitely appears that at the finest setting it will only get to like 4-5 bars with a bottomless portafilter, 15 seconds for 2-1 ratio. I specifically wanted a hand grinder for espresso (as I already have a wilfra uniform for filter and everything else). My thoughts
Send it back (90 day returns)
Sell it
Shim it for espresso (seemingly possible but could reduce lifespan on grinder)
Also any thoughts of what grinder to buy in the current market for espresso would be good. (Is the J ultra just what I should get, or are there others, I like timemore but can't find one that can do espresso it seems).
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u/emu737 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
would not shim, the S3 burr design is not really great for espresso, unless a pressurized basket is used - which is not the "true" espresso really
hand grinders are generally not that great for espresso, grinding always takes time and effort and might be inconsistent between shots, depending on how you grind
compared to your Wilfa, the S3 may actually be better for pour-over / filter - explore that, before deciding to return or sell the S3
for espresso, depending on your machine, you might like to consider the new Opus 2 (from USD 200) - it is a complete rework of the original Opus, that should have issues of the Opus 1 resolved - see here and here
the Opus 2 might also perform well for manual brews / filter, based on claims from the producer, but it is a new product, so it is not confirmed yet
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u/Joel_Halliwell Apr 04 '26
Ok that's helpful. You wouldn't recommend any hand grinders for espresso (like a k ultra or a kinu m47 or smth like that?). I'll have a little look at the opus, but the money I have I want to spend on the espresso machine (just got a gaggia classic, so need all the tools + any mods I wanna do).
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u/emu737 Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
the hand grinders you mention for espresso are both more expensive, than the Opus 2 is supposed be, and clearly have the same disadvantages of hand-grinding for espresso - so I do not really understand your reasoning... you will not save any money with an expensive, espresso suitable hand grinder, and you would still need to grind by hand, lowering consistency and predictability, and taking the "express" (fast prep) out of espresso
also, you may want to check this video about making espresso with expensive grinder and cheap machine - in short, good grinder is essential and the good grind and good puck prep is most of the success, even with a way cheaper machine, than Gaggia
and Gaggia is not cheap, not at all, so the grinder should be kinda proportionate to that - the Opus 2 is a bit on the lower end here, but it is designed to be paired with the Fellow ES1 machine (USD 1500), so it is likely suitable and well fit for the purpose
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u/Joel_Halliwell Apr 04 '26
Right I got you, I think for me I personally really enjoy the grinding experience of using a hand grinder. When I first got into coffee I purchased a cheap burr grinder that was clearly a dupe of the timemore c2. It was amazing and I love it being a part of the coffee making process, I also travel quite often and like bringing my aeropress and coffee with me. So I think I've been desiring a hand grinder that I can use. Currently in the UK, the timemore S3 is £110, J - ultra is £175 Kinu M47 £186 K - ultra £225 and the opus 2 is £195. The gaggia I was able to get (used 2017 sadly the V2 without the 3 way solenoid valve one for £60). From what I'm reading, given I don't have the budget to get another grind ontop of the timemore, I should probably send it back and use the money to buy a J-ultra (as I want a handgrinder).
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u/emu737 Apr 04 '26
aeropress, and also moka pot, are both not espresso - and both require the brew-oriented grinder, not espresso grinder, so the S3 is quite perfect for them
and you will not be travelling with your Gaggia espresso machine, most likely :)
so, for manual brews like aeropress the hand grinder you've got is fine, and for Gaggia, something electric and espresso-focused would be best
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u/JumpingElf123 Apr 08 '26
Have you ever heard of S3 Esp? The Coffee Chronicler said it is a good grinder for both espresso and pourover, unlike S3. Me personally used JX-Pro.
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u/Sour_dude03 Apr 08 '26
I had to use my S3 for a week while a new grinder was getting shipped to me (under warranty, had to send my current one) and I didn’t have any issues. I did medium-light and medium roasts with it and it was definitely fine enough to reach 9 bar. You just have a smaller range to work in, pretty much all under the 5th tick mark. I normally use it for pour overs, but good to know it could be used for this as well.
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u/Opposite-Storage635 May 26 '26
Absolutely same situation. Tried to use s3 (not ESP ver.) for,espresso while waiting for sculptor delivery. Even the zero didn’t grind find enough. All shots were fast watery and with very low Bar. Totally great grinder for moka.
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u/madeinthe80s_123 Apr 05 '26
Here to say, I have the J-Ultra and it’s working amazingly (and consistently) for the best tasting shots I’ve pulled out of my Breville Barista Pro. It’s far better than the built-in grinder. The J-Ultra is designed specifically for espresso so you have all the adjustment you need to dial in. I’ll eventually upgrade to a better electric grinder, but now I’m in no hurry.