Timemore Chestnut S3 / S3 ESP – flagship hand grinder with external adjustment
The adjustment ring turns like the focus ring of a camera lens, with fine, clear clicks. A few turns, and the grounds sit evenly in the cup – ready for a clean, sweet brew.
The S3 is the flagship hand grinder in the lineup: a new burr set, external adjustment on the lens principle, custom bearings with tighter tolerances, and a tool-free drop-out burr system for maintenance. Coffee Coaching Club carries both versions – S3 and S3 ESP – and you can compare them directly in the showrooms in Zürich and Bern.
S3 or S3 ESP – which one suits you?
Both share the housing, external adjustment and custom bearings. The difference is in the burr set. The S3 uses the patented S2C890 burr set made of hardened SUS420 stainless steel, optimized for filter and brew methods: Timemore reduces the fines in the 200–250 micron range and boosts particles in the 250–400 micron range with a peak around 375 microns. In the cup, that means more body, more sweetness and a clearer acidity. For Pour-Over, AeroPress, French Press and Cold Brew, the S3 excels; for espresso it isn't calibrated out of the box.
The S3 ESP uses the S2C-042-EI burr set with a six-arm conical geometry, developed for espresso. The burrs create a narrower fines range, which eases pressure build-up during extraction and supports a richer crema. At the same time, the S3 ESP works very well for Pour-Over – it's the all-rounder of the lineup.
At a glance
| S3 burr set |
42 mm S2C890 conical, SUS420 (filter-optimized) |
| S3 ESP burr set |
42 mm S2C-042-EI conical (espresso-optimized) |
| Adjustment |
external, 90 clicks per turn, 0.015 mm/click |
| Burr gap out of the box |
0,075 mm |
| Bearings |
Custom high-precision, 5 µm (20% tighter than predecessor) |
| Housing |
All-metal unibody, aluminum, ⌀ 55 mm |
| Bean hopper |
approx. 30 g (depending on density) |
| Weight |
ca. 700 g |
| Dimensions |
182 × 55 mm |
| Handle |
foldable, spring-assisted, patented |
| Maintenance |
Drop-out burr system (tool-free) |
| S3 for |
Pour-Over, AeroPress, French Press, Cold Brew |
| S3 ESP for |
Espresso, Moka, Pour-Over, French Press |
What the external adjustment changes
Many hand grinders – including the earlier Timemore C3 – adjust internally, under the burr set: unscrew the catch cup, turn blind, and hope to hit the right click. The S3 does it differently. The external ring with a numbered scale works like a camera lens: you see exactly where you stand, and switch with one motion from espresso (S3 ESP: click 1–15) to Pour-Over (click 50–80).
In terms of taste, reproducibility is what matters most. If you brew a clean V60 today, you want to find the same grind size again tomorrow – without three attempts. The 0.015-millimeter steps give you this precision, and the numbered scale makes the recipe shareable: V60, grind 62, 15 g, 250 ml, 93 °C – done.
Who it's for
If you mainly drink Pour-Over, AeroPress or French Press, the S3 is the right choice – its S2C890 burr set is designed exactly for that and delivers the clearest, sweetest cups. If you also pull espresso, with a Flair, a Moka Pot or a portafilter machine, go for the S3 ESP – it's the true all-rounder of the lineup.
Order directly online
Delivery Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Click and Collect in Bern, Gerberngasse 44 or Zürich, Hagenholzstrasse 50b – there you can experience both versions live. Questions about the grinder or your setup: office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours.
What goes with it
For reproducible recipes, a great match is the Timemore Black Mirror Basic Mini. The S3 ESP pairs well with a lever machine from the Flair-Espresso collection; for filter, a pour-over dripper from the Hario collection or the Aeropress. Plus fresh beans like Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight or, for a fruity filter cup, Wild Peach.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between S3 and S3 ESP?
The burr set. The S3 has the S2C890 for filter and brew methods and isn't calibrated for espresso out of the box. The S3 ESP has the S2C-042-EI with a six-arm conical geometry for espresso and also works well for Pour-Over.
What does the external adjustment give you?
With a numbered ring, you adjust the grind size visibly, without unscrewing anything – in steps of 0.015 millimeters. That makes settings precise and recipes reproducible.
Is the S3 suitable for espresso?
The S3 ESP is meant for espresso. The regular S3 is designed for filter and brew methods and isn't calibrated for espresso out of the box.
Can I see the grinders before buying?
Gladly. In Bern and Zürich Oerlikon you can experience the S3 and S3 ESP live. Bringing your own beans is welcome.
Roastery tip
For the S3 in filter brewing, we recommend a fruity coffee like Wild Peach in the V60 – the narrow particle distribution brings out the fruit clearly. With the S3 ESP for espresso, a dense, chocolatey-nutty profile like Cozy Chocolate or Nutty Delight, 1:2 as a starting point. That's our recommendation, one of many.
