Subminimal Flux WDT – one tap, a quiet whirr, an even coffee bed
The freshly ground coffee sits in the basket, a small mound with a few clumps. You set the Flux in place, rest your thumb on the button, and with a quiet whirr the fine needles glide down to the bottom. When you let go, it keeps turning slowly for a moment. What's left is a loose, level bed, ready for the tamper.
Between uses, it simply stands there: in Black, White or Terracotta, lying on its little tray or upright on the wall magnet next to the machine. A tool you enjoy picking up, and one that adds a splash of colour to your coffee corner.
The Flux is the electric WDT tool from Subminimal in Singapore. WDT stands for Weiss Distribution Technique: fine needles loosen the grounds and distribute them evenly in the basket. Subminimal has turned this into a routine that needs just a single button. We are the official Swiss importer of Subminimal.
At a glance
| Function |
Electric WDT tool for distributing coffee grounds |
| Speed |
600 or 800 RPM fast, 350 RPM slow |
| Operation |
One touch button |
| Needles |
0.35 mm, under a magnetic cap, replaceable |
| Battery |
Lithium-ion 3.7 V, replaceable, charging via USB-C |
| Dimensions |
90 × 21 mm, with needles approx. 140 × 21 mm |
| Colours |
Black, White, Terracotta |
| Brand |
Subminimal |
Features of the Flux
Loosen fast, level slowly
As long as you hold the touch button on top, the Flux spins fast, at 600 or 800 RPM. As soon as you let go, it switches to 350 RPM on its own and keeps running slowly for about four seconds. According to Subminimal, the fast phase breaks up the clumps and the slow phase levels the coffee bed. Evenly distributed grounds are meant to reduce channeling and make your shots more consistent.
Needles straight or fanned out
The needles are 0.35 mm thin and sit under a magnetic cap. Pull off the cap and you can take them out, swap them or realign them. From the factory they stand parallel and draw tight circles. If you bend them slightly outwards before inserting them, they fan out and cover more of the basket. A second set of needles is included, and they are the same needles as on the Subminimal Flick.
Two fast settings to choose from
Whether the fast phase runs at 600 or 800 RPM is up to you. With the Flux at rest, tap the button five times and hold it down on the fifth tap. After a few seconds the setting changes, and when you let go it's saved.
USB-C charging, replaceable battery
It charges via USB-C at 5 V, and only when the port is dry. Subminimal deliberately made the 3.7 V lithium-ion battery replaceable. Subminimal explains how to swap it step by step in its manual.
The details in everyday use
Storage on the wall magnet or on the tray
The Flux comes with a tray and a stick-on wall magnet. Lying on the tray or upright on the wall next to the machine: it has its own spot, and the needles don't lie loose on the counter.
Cleaning with a damp cloth
The Flux is not waterproof. Don't hold it under the tap and don't submerge it. Wipe the body and needles with a slightly damp cloth.
Safe in your hand
The needles are sharp. So keep the Flux out of reach of children and keep fingers and hair away from the spinning head. According to Subminimal, it is intended for household use.
Espresso by taste, not by the clock
An even coffee bed isn't an end in itself. In our experience, it makes a change to the grind size or the dose show up more clearly in the cup. We grind fine, start at 14.5 g and work our way up with the dose, usually to 17 g, at a ratio below 1:2 and always by weight. If an espresso tastes too sour or too bitter, in our experience a little more coffee often helps. If it's bitter, take the temperature down a touch; if it's sour, a touch higher.
There are no espresso police. The Flux takes one step off your hands and makes it the same every morning. What tastes good in the cup after that is your call.
Technical data and what's included
| Fast speed |
600 or 800 RPM, switchable, runs as long as the button is held |
| Slow speed |
350 RPM, starts when you let go and runs for about 4 seconds |
| Operation |
Touch button on top of the device |
| Needles |
0.35 mm, under a magnetic cap, can be fitted straight or fanned out, the same as on the Flick |
| Battery |
Lithium-ion 3.7 V (type 14280), replaceable |
| Charging |
USB-C, 5 V, only when the port is dry |
| Device dimensions |
90 × 21 mm, with needles approx. 140 × 21 mm |
| Tray dimensions |
160 × 64 × 15 mm |
| Wall magnet dimensions |
42 × 14 × 16 mm |
| Cleaning |
wipe with a slightly damp cloth, do not rinse or submerge |
| What's included |
Flux WDT, second set of needles, tray, stick-on wall magnet, certificate of authenticity, manual |
| Charging cable |
not listed in Subminimal's packing list |
| Colours |
Black, White, Terracotta |
| Manufacturer |
Subminimal, Singapore |
Who the Flux is for
A good fit if your morning starts with a portafilter and you no longer want to stir the grounds by hand. A good fit if you like single dosing and look for the same calm ritual every time. And a good fit if your coffee corner could use a little colour: in Terracotta, the Flux is also a small eye-catcher next to the machine.
How WDT, Puck Screen and tamper work together is shown in our Puck Prep Workshop, and the article WDT and self-leveling tampers explains the background. And if a question is still open, Jackson, our AI advisor, is there to help you around the clock.
What goes with it
After distributing comes the tamper. For anyone who wants tampers and Puck Screens that are affordable and precise: the Normcore collection. If you want more: Weber Workshops. You'll find all tampers in the Tamper collection, and Puck Screens under Puck Screens.
For weighing, the Subminimal Subscale Dosing Cup with built-in scale is a good match. For a different hole pattern in the basket, it's worth a look at the precision and filter baskets and our basket finder. You'll find more distribution tools under WDT Tools, and the brand's full range in the Subminimal collection. Nobody needs the pricier option, you either want it or you don't.
Buy the Subminimal Flux in Switzerland
You can order the Flux directly online. We deliver in 2–4 working days throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein, and Click & Collect is available in Bern and Zürich. We answer questions at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions about the Subminimal Flux
What's the difference between the Flux and the Flick?
Both are WDT tools from Subminimal and use the same 0.35 mm needles. The Flux adds a motor with a battery: hold the button and it spins fast at 600 or 800 RPM, then after you let go, slowly at 350 RPM for about four seconds. It also comes with a tray and a wall magnet for storage.
How do I switch the fast setting between 600 and 800 RPM?
With the Flux at rest, tap the touch button five times and hold it down on the fifth tap. After a few seconds the setting changes. When you let go, the new setting is saved.
Can I rinse the Flux under water?
No. The Flux is not waterproof. Wipe the body and needles with a slightly damp cloth, and only charge it when the USB-C port is dry.
The Flux won't spin or charge – what can I do?
Charge it via USB-C at 5 V and make sure the port is dry. The battery can be replaced, and Subminimal describes how in its manual. If that doesn't help, get in touch via Service & Repair, and we'll take a look at it together.
My espresso runs unevenly or spurts – is it the distribution?
Sometimes, but not only. Unevenly distributed grounds are one of several causes; grind size, dose and tamping play a part too. You'll find the most common causes and what helps in our First Aid for Espresso Machines, and in the Puck Prep Simulator you can see how channeling happens. And Jackson, our AI advisor, will go through it all with you.
Can I see the Subminimal Flux in person before buying?
That depends on whether the Flux is currently on display. In our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zürich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) we show a large selection, but not the entire range – it's too big for that, and the display changes. Drop us a quick line before your visit at [email protected], and we'll check for you whether the Flux is currently on site.
Tip from the roastery: At our roastery in Zürich, we like to roast for espresso with body and sweetness in mind. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight bring chocolate and nuts to the cup, Very Nutty lots of body without acidity. With light roasts such as Wild Peach, in our experience, you can taste especially clearly what an even coffee bed does. You'll find all our beans under Coffee beans. That's our recommendation, one of many.
