Timemore Chestnut C3 Grind Settings Chart

Treat these as starting points; beans, roast and brewer move the right number. Our coffee grind size chart explains how grind size changes extraction, and the coffee grind size calculator gives a quick starting point for any brewer.

The grinder this chart is for

Timemore Chestnut C3

A budget hand grinder whose internal click dial suits pour-over and French press best; the chart above shows where espresso gets marginal.

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The C3 adjusts with a stepped knob under the burr. You remove the catch cup, turn the knob and count clicks from zero. Each click is a fairly large step, around 80 microns, so one click is a noticeable change in the cup.

Large steps make filter brewing simple: you rarely need more than one click to fix a cup. For espresso, though, they're far too coarse to control shot time, which is why Timemore makes the C3 ESP with much finer steps.

The practical result is a short, easy-to-learn scale. Most owners only use a handful of settings: one around 10–12 for AeroPress or moka pot, one around 16 for pour-over and one around 22 for French press or cold brew. Learning those three and adjusting by a single click as beans change covers almost every filter brewer you'll use at home.

1. 1

   Empty the grinder and remove the catch cup.

2. 2

   Turn the adjustment knob finer until the burrs just touch and the handle stops turning freely. Don't force it.

3. 3

   That point is zero.

4. 4

   Turn coarser and count clicks to your setting.

Zero can shift slightly after cleaning or reassembly, so re-check it if a familiar setting suddenly tastes different.

The C2 uses a similar click scale and a 38mm steel burr, so C3 settings are a sensible starting point on a C2. The C3's burr geometry differs, though, so expect the right setting for the same brew to sit a click or so apart. Start with the chart above and adjust by taste.

Like the C3, the C2 isn't built for espresso with standard baskets.

1. 1

   Weigh your dose, for example 15g for a 250g cup.

2. 2

   Start at 16 clicks for a V60.

3. 3

   Brew and time it; aim for roughly 2:30–3:30 for a single cup.

4. 4

   Sour or fast: one click finer. Bitter or slow: one click coarser.

5. 5

   Keep the setting once the cup tastes balanced.

Our coffee ratio calculator keeps the dose steady while you adjust. If you also want espresso, see our espresso dial-in guide and pressurized vs non-pressurized baskets for what a pressurized basket can and can't hide.

With only around 25 useful clicks between fine and coarse, switching on the C3 is quick: remove the catch cup, turn the knob and grind. It holds very little coffee inside, so there's no need to purge between methods. A setting of, say, 16 for pour-over and 22 for French press is easy to remember.

If you switch often, count from zero each time; it avoids slowly drifting a click off over weeks of use.

Each C3 click is a fairly big step (about 80 microns), so one click is usually enough to fix a cup. Note the click count that works for each bag.

With the C3's roughly 80-micron steps, a single click is a real change: go one click coarser for a large batch, and if you're stuck between two settings, nudge the ratio or water temperature instead.

The C3 is a capable filter grinder. You've likely outgrown it if you want real espresso with standard baskets, if you often find yourself between two clicks with neither tasting right, or if you grind large batches daily and the hand effort becomes a chore.

For finer steps in a hand grinder, the KINGrinder K6 and 1Zpresso K-Ultra both adjust in much smaller increments. For daily large batches, an electric grinder saves time; our manual vs electric grinders guide covers the trade-offs.

• Brush out the burrs regularly.
• Avoid water on the burrs unless you dry them fully.
• Re-check zero after cleaning.
• Grind in batches if you need more than the hopper holds.

Want the full picture on build and value first? Read our Timemore C3 review. Comparing hand grinders more widely? See our manual vs electric grinders guide and the guide to choosing a burr grinder.