Also available from www.CasaEspresso.com.au for those who prefer to buy within Australia please use the coupon code tomsgrinderlabdf54 to score a 5% discount (I also receive a 5% referral fee).
Good review, thanks. I use the DF54 for filter coffee only, in a Mocca Master, setting around 57. I consider it an upgrade in flavor from my JX hand grinder.
I have only truly cared about coffee for a few months now and the DF54 is my first grinder. I use it for espresso and filter coffee and love the results I get for both. If it isn't producing good grinds for filter coffee I would love to know what I'm missing as I am producing delicious coffee anywhere from 55 - 70 grind setting depending on brew style. My only complaint with it is that it tends to choke up if I try to run too many beans at once and it can produce a fair amount of chaff. In general I find I have to maintain it regularly and go slower on large batches. I brush out the chute every few grinds and when using more than 30g I make sure to push the bellows a bit while grinding. The chute maintenance and occasional wipe down slows me down a bit but I find that inconvenience worth the effort for such value.
It's a cracker grinder and you've chosen well. For filter: if you like it that's great. My opinion is subjective and should be legitimatey disregarded if you disagree. I'm a bit spoilt with grinders and also the burrs I prefer for filter have changed since I started drinking filter which was only a year ago. Thanks for posting your opinion, every one helps to balance the conversation.
I am currently looking for my first coffee grinder. During my research, I came across the DF54 and Varia VS3 in the €200-300 price range, both of which are very good value for money. At first I fancied the Varia, but I read a few reports about defective motors and quality deviations, which put me off buying it. Which grinder would you recommend to me as a beginner, as you have already tested both? I am aware of the difference between the flat and conical burrs. However, both seem to be well suited for espresso. I dont care too much about the design and imo the slightly cleaner design of the varia makes up for the external power supply. Perhaps you could make a short video about this. Thanks for the informative and detailed reviews. Keep up the good work
I assume after using a Breville Smart grinder pro, paired with a Rancilio Silvia for many years, that this would be a worthy and noticeable step up in the cup, for espresso. 😏 (provided I can adapt to the single dose workflow) I look forward to seeing a comparison video between similarly priced grinders. Thanks for the detailed review! 👌
You're welcome Chris. Not to take anything away from the Breville SGP but yes it would be a significant step up both in terms of bean freshness but also grind quality. Are there any particular grinders you would like to see the DF54 compared to?
@@tomsgrinderlab perhaps it has no equal in the market at the moment 🤔 I will check out some of your other videos, it's always good to find local Australian perspectives on youtube 👍🏼
Just bought a DF54 (don't have it yet) and I lean into filter (v60) more than espresso so I hope your evaluation is based on not really using it for a filter coffee. We'll see. My story - had bought a Fellow Opus for espresso and pourover. Took only a couple of grinds to dial in espresso but the setting was much more coarse than Fellow's guidelines (3 vs they say 1-2). I had to set the grinder at it's coarsest setting to get a pourover (20g/300ml) to brew in around 4 minutes. They sent me a new outer burr, even bought a new grinder. No joy -same results. Given they say it should work through cold brew, I'm sending it back and hoping the DF54 works for the full range. We'll see.
They are a terrific little grinder. It is not a grinder I would choose for filter and I've been clear about that at 1:40s mark but please others have enjoyed their filter from the DF54. I'd love to hear back from you once you've tried it.
Wondering if it’s hard to clean and maintain. I think it might be perfect for my tiny kitchen, but I don’t want a grinder I have to disassemble constantly. Have been leaning towards a Baratza encore esp as a good budget option with excellent customer service, but it’s so noisy and it’s mostly plastic. This one intrigues me. Is it hard to care for? I should add I only have a basic deLonghi, so I doubt truly subtle distinctions would be noticeable. I’m just at a point where switching over to a non pressurized basket made me realize my current grinder is not up to the task. So, I’m looking for a grinder that will be fine for now, but even better when I upgrade my espresso machine. ( I wasn’t sure I’d be willing to fuss over coffee, so I bought an entry level machine, but I’ve discovered it’s really worth the extra effort).
Hi there, no it is pretty straight forward, just use the bellows if you are concerned but for me, cleaning is a breeze. Some choose to use a thin brush to dislodge grounds from the chute but I haven't personally found the need on a daily basis. All grinders should have a deep clean once a month. Just my opinion, but the DF54 will run rings around your other option because it is very durable, is a single dose grinder (fresher beans) and is quieter. Hope that helps.
@@tomsgrinderlab I figured so. From all I have read and watched RDT plus the ionizer results in little or no static & retention. I'm most likely going to buy this grinder. I already have a very nice hand grinder (Timemore S3) but I have the new Flair Go espresso machine coming soon and need a better espresso grinder. The S3 can do it, but barely from what I've read.
I'd say that it's on a par for milk with the DF64 Gen 2 and the Niche Zero for milk. So if you want a smaller foot print and you are drinking milk espresso then it will do a great job. My favorite for milk is the DF64V and whilst it is slimmer, it's also more expensive.
Hi. Would you say this would be the most effective upgrade from the stock grinder in the Sage/Breville Barista Pro in this price range? How does it compare in terms of volume/noise?
@@tomsgrinderlab Thanks. That’s a shame. My biggest gripes with the built in grinder on my Barista Pro are the noise and the retention. I’ve got a single does bellow kit fitted but still find it retains a fair bit
I found my old DF83 to have a similar issue when dialling-in. It just wasn't consistent and on occasion I'd get a shot that was wildly different. I thought it was my puck prep, but I've since moved to the Niche Duo, it's pretty-much the same every time.
Yes indeed. Most large burr grinders do the same. It's just that I got spoilt with the DF64 Gen 2. Unfortunately I don't have the same experience of the Duo though but I appreciate your post because a diversity of experiences will help balance things out.
@@tomsgrinderlab It makes me wonder why there is such a fad for larger burrs. In not saying the Niche is completely consistent, every time, but it's within an acceptable tolerance.
@@FatNorthernBigot as Lance Hedrick says, bigger burrs have more time for cutting, less for mashing, producing a more consistent particle size distribution.
Thanks for very informative review! I have this grinder and want to ugrade to Mazzer Philos, but I am concerned about will I get significant taste increase between these two grinders. I care about espresso only and I saw you do have Mazzer Philos grinder. Thank you! 👍
It's a big jump in price and size and not a big jump in espresso quality if you are using the I198D burrs in the Philos. But the I200D burrs may be better for light roasts but I haven't blond taste compared them yet. Let me know which roast depth you prefer and I'll run a blind taste test between the two and let you know.
@@tomsgrinderlab Thaks for your answer! Mostly I am using medium to dark roast beans. And I am thinking is it worth to change DF54 for Mazzer Philos with i189d burrs. It's a big price increase but will I get that big increase in coffee taste in the cup.
No sorry. But if you find out I'd love to know! The majority of burrs of the same diameter don't fit other grinders unfortunately. The grinders are built around the burr, typically with very fine tolerances and the big issue is normally with a variation in thickness between the burrs. A difference of just 0.1mm can mean a burr will grind perfectly in one grinder but not in another.
Yes good question. I should have explained that I didn't manage to get the depths of clarity or flavour note separation that I like in filter coffee but I'm still hoping that someone who is using the grinder for filter might be able to comment. Thanks for your post.
@@tomsgrinderlab Hi Tom, thanks for the review - as well as the refreshing approach to grinder reviews in general! I have seen some conflicting opinions on the DF54 for filter coffee, but my experience has been that it's very good. I'm grinding around setting 70 for a 15 g V60 pour over, and find that it's quite close to dedicated pour over grinders in performance.
@coffeechronicler I had another crack at filter and I could probably go as high as 2 beans for filter. I find it a bit of a blunt instrument I guess. But the caveat is that I am not a filter/brew expert and so i'm happy to bow to the opinion of others such as yourself How would you rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 compared to other grinders you have tried? And thanks for posting too.
You said you didn't like the espressos at first and only in the blind taste test you liked it. Why do you think that is. Do you think it needs a bit of time to be broken in or something?
Not really. It was simply unconscious bias at play. Pure and simple. Nothing changed in the cup. What changed was the removal of bias through blind taste testing. It's a terrific little grinder.
Your variability in flow epresso flow rate with one drop, a sample size of 1 is not a good prediction of preformance. The variability was more likely your tamp pressure on the puck.
@ToddMartinsky Good suggestion but I don't think so. Hey, stranger things have happened but I use as Self levelling tamp (which weighs 800g!) and multiple tests confirming same result. And please test it by all means, but my tests indicate that even a variable tamp of between 5 and 20 kg resuts in the same flow rate. But I appreciate your post because others may be wondering the same. Also, I should have pointed out that if you are happy with your pour then simply don't more the dial.
Also available from www.CasaEspresso.com.au for those who prefer to buy within Australia please use the coupon code tomsgrinderlabdf54 to score a 5% discount (I also receive a 5% referral fee).
Good review, thanks. I use the DF54 for filter coffee only, in a Mocca Master, setting around 57. I consider it an upgrade in flavor from my JX hand grinder.
That's useful information thanks. What level of roast are you using? I settled in 70 on the dial for ultra light roasts.
The more I research this grinder the more I feel like this is the new "encore". And if SSP ever starts making 54mm burr sets then holy moly.
Agree, but the stock burrs are already outstanding for espresso. Maybe not my pick for filter, that's where SSP MP would make a noticeable difference.
But doesn't spending $200 on a burr set defeat the purpose of a budget grinder?
Thanks Tom! Great work as always, craving my next doppio espresso. Cheers!
I have only truly cared about coffee for a few months now and the DF54 is my first grinder. I use it for espresso and filter coffee and love the results I get for both. If it isn't producing good grinds for filter coffee I would love to know what I'm missing as I am producing delicious coffee anywhere from 55 - 70 grind setting depending on brew style. My only complaint with it is that it tends to choke up if I try to run too many beans at once and it can produce a fair amount of chaff. In general I find I have to maintain it regularly and go slower on large batches. I brush out the chute every few grinds and when using more than 30g I make sure to push the bellows a bit while grinding. The chute maintenance and occasional wipe down slows me down a bit but I find that inconvenience worth the effort for such value.
It's a cracker grinder and you've chosen well. For filter: if you like it that's great. My opinion is subjective and should be legitimatey disregarded if you disagree. I'm a bit spoilt with grinders and also the burrs I prefer for filter have changed since I started drinking filter which was only a year ago. Thanks for posting your opinion, every one helps to balance the conversation.
Amazing review, thank you for this video Sir. I was considering to buy it soon, good to watch your video beforehand.
I am currently looking for my first coffee grinder. During my research, I came across the DF54 and Varia VS3 in the €200-300 price range, both of which are very good value for money. At first I fancied the Varia, but I read a few reports about defective motors and quality deviations, which put me off buying it. Which grinder would you recommend to me as a beginner, as you have already tested both? I am aware of the difference between the flat and conical burrs. However, both seem to be well suited for espresso. I dont care too much about the design and imo the slightly cleaner design of the varia makes up for the external power supply. Perhaps you could make a short video about this. Thanks for the informative and detailed reviews. Keep up the good work
I assume after using a Breville Smart grinder pro, paired with a Rancilio Silvia for many years, that this would be a worthy and noticeable step up in the cup, for espresso. 😏
(provided I can adapt to the single dose workflow)
I look forward to seeing a comparison video between similarly priced grinders.
Thanks for the detailed review! 👌
You're welcome Chris. Not to take anything away from the Breville SGP but yes it would be a significant step up both in terms of bean freshness but also grind quality. Are there any particular grinders you would like to see the DF54 compared to?
@@tomsgrinderlab perhaps it has no equal in the market at the moment 🤔
I will check out some of your other videos, it's always good to find local Australian perspectives on youtube 👍🏼
Just bought a DF54 (don't have it yet) and I lean into filter (v60) more than espresso so I hope your evaluation is based on not really using it for a filter coffee. We'll see.
My story - had bought a Fellow Opus for espresso and pourover. Took only a couple of grinds to dial in espresso but the setting was much more coarse than Fellow's guidelines (3 vs they say 1-2). I had to set the grinder at it's coarsest setting to get a pourover (20g/300ml) to brew in around 4 minutes. They sent me a new outer burr, even bought a new grinder. No joy -same results. Given they say it should work through cold brew, I'm sending it back and hoping the DF54 works for the full range. We'll see.
They are a terrific little grinder. It is not a grinder I would choose for filter and I've been clear about that at 1:40s mark but please others have enjoyed their filter from the DF54. I'd love to hear back from you once you've tried it.
@@tomsgrinderlab Yeah, saw what you said and thus my comment. Its supposed to arrive by Friday so hoping I know more after the weekend.
Wondering if it’s hard to clean and maintain. I think it might be perfect for my tiny kitchen, but I don’t want a grinder I have to disassemble constantly. Have been leaning towards a Baratza encore esp as a good budget option with excellent customer service, but it’s so noisy and it’s mostly plastic. This one intrigues me. Is it hard to care for?
I should add I only have a basic deLonghi, so I doubt truly subtle distinctions would be noticeable. I’m just at a point where switching over to a non pressurized basket made me realize my current grinder is not up to the task. So, I’m looking for a grinder that will be fine for now, but even better when I upgrade my espresso machine. ( I wasn’t sure I’d be willing to fuss over coffee, so I bought an entry level machine, but I’ve discovered it’s really worth the extra effort).
Hi there, no it is pretty straight forward, just use the bellows if you are concerned but for me, cleaning is a breeze. Some choose to use a thin brush to dislodge grounds from the chute but I haven't personally found the need on a daily basis. All grinders should have a deep clean once a month.
Just my opinion, but the DF54 will run rings around your other option because it is very durable, is a single dose grinder (fresher beans) and is quieter. Hope that helps.
@@tomsgrinderlab thanks so much - I’m convinced :)
@@tomsgrinderlabI find that a good vacuum cleaner makes it easier to clean. Check out the mini offer videos.
Miicoffee
@12:42 Was RDT used in those 5 grinds?
No RDT. (Good point, I should have mentioned that.)
@@tomsgrinderlab I figured so. From all I have read and watched RDT plus the ionizer results in little or no static & retention. I'm most likely going to buy this grinder. I already have a very nice hand grinder (Timemore S3) but I have the new Flair Go espresso machine coming soon and need a better espresso grinder. The S3 can do it, but barely from what I've read.
First! Would you pick D54 over NZ or D64 g2 for milk drinks? I find D64 g2 a bit too chubby for my space.
I'd say that it's on a par for milk with the DF64 Gen 2 and the Niche Zero for milk. So if you want a smaller foot print and you are drinking milk espresso then it will do a great job. My favorite for milk is the DF64V and whilst it is slimmer, it's also more expensive.
@@tomsgrinderlab Thanks. Great review by the way.
@@tomsgrinderlab Many thanks for your great detailed review Tom! Which of these grinders would you pick for straight espresso (no milk)?
Hi. Would you say this would be the most effective upgrade from the stock grinder in the Sage/Breville Barista Pro in this price range? How does it compare in terms of volume/noise?
Similar volume is say. I prefer the espresso from the DF54 but things equalise a lot when you add milk.
@@tomsgrinderlab Thanks. That’s a shame. My biggest gripes with the built in grinder on my Barista Pro are the noise and the retention. I’ve got a single does bellow kit fitted but still find it retains a fair bit
I found my old DF83 to have a similar issue when dialling-in. It just wasn't consistent and on occasion I'd get a shot that was wildly different. I thought it was my puck prep, but I've since moved to the Niche Duo, it's pretty-much the same every time.
Yes indeed. Most large burr grinders do the same. It's just that I got spoilt with the DF64 Gen 2. Unfortunately I don't have the same experience of the Duo though but I appreciate your post because a diversity of experiences will help balance things out.
@@tomsgrinderlab It makes me wonder why there is such a fad for larger burrs. In not saying the Niche is completely consistent, every time, but it's within an acceptable tolerance.
@@FatNorthernBigot as Lance Hedrick says, bigger burrs have more time for cutting, less for mashing, producing a more consistent particle size distribution.
Thanks for very informative review! I have this grinder and want to ugrade to Mazzer Philos, but I am concerned about will I get significant taste increase between these two grinders. I care about espresso only and I saw you do have Mazzer Philos grinder. Thank you! 👍
It's a big jump in price and size and not a big jump in espresso quality if you are using the I198D burrs in the Philos.
But the I200D burrs may be better for light roasts but I haven't blond taste compared them yet.
Let me know which roast depth you prefer and I'll run a blind taste test between the two and let you know.
@@tomsgrinderlab Thaks for your answer! Mostly I am using medium to dark roast beans. And I am thinking is it worth to change DF54 for Mazzer Philos with i189d burrs. It's a big price increase but will I get that big increase in coffee taste in the cup.
Do you know does the burrs from df54 fit into Eureka Mignon without making new holes?
No sorry. But if you find out I'd love to know!
The majority of burrs of the same diameter don't fit other grinders unfortunately. The grinders are built around the burr, typically with very fine tolerances and the big issue is normally with a variation in thickness between the burrs. A difference of just 0.1mm can mean a burr will grind perfectly in one grinder but not in another.
Perhaps I missed it but why the single bean for pour overs?
Yes good question. I should have explained that I didn't manage to get the depths of clarity or flavour note separation that I like in filter coffee but I'm still hoping that someone who is using the grinder for filter might be able to comment. Thanks for your post.
@@tomsgrinderlab ok. Thanks. Can hardly wait for the burr reviews!
@@tomsgrinderlab Hi Tom, thanks for the review - as well as the refreshing approach to grinder reviews in general! I have seen some conflicting opinions on the DF54 for filter coffee, but my experience has been that it's very good. I'm grinding around setting 70 for a 15 g V60 pour over, and find that it's quite close to dedicated pour over grinders in performance.
Appreciate the heads up. I'll have another go at those settings. A big thanks for your post. I'll post again and pin to the top here.
@coffeechronicler I had another crack at filter and I could probably go as high as 2 beans for filter. I find it a bit of a blunt instrument I guess. But the caveat is that I am not a filter/brew expert and so i'm happy to bow to the opinion of others such as yourself How would you rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 compared to other grinders you have tried? And thanks for posting too.
You said you didn't like the espressos at first and only in the blind taste test you liked it. Why do you think that is. Do you think it needs a bit of time to be broken in or something?
Not really. It was simply unconscious bias at play. Pure and simple. Nothing changed in the cup. What changed was the removal of bias through blind taste testing. It's a terrific little grinder.
@@tomsgrinderlab interesting. I got mine a few weeks ago and am really enjoying it.
Your variability in flow epresso flow rate with one drop, a sample size of 1 is not a good prediction of preformance. The variability was more likely your tamp pressure on the puck.
@ToddMartinsky Good suggestion but I don't think so. Hey, stranger things have happened but I use as Self levelling tamp (which weighs 800g!) and multiple tests confirming same result. And please test it by all means, but my tests indicate that even a variable tamp of between 5 and 20 kg resuts in the same flow rate. But I appreciate your post because others may be wondering the same. Also, I should have pointed out that if you are happy with your pour then simply don't more the dial.
@@tomsgrinderlab appreciate your response. I am considering purchasing this grider.