Timemore Sculptor 078S Coffee Grinder Review

We were fortunate to get our hands on the Timemore Sculptor 078S electric coffee grinder, and it's the first PID speed controlled grinder we have had the chance to test out. We have used this grinder for a couple of weeks and have used it as our primary coffee grinder for espresso, pour over and a range of different coffee brew methods.

Timemore Sculptor First Impressions

Unboxing the Timemore Sculptor 078S feels premium, everything comes somewhat preassembled and all you have to really do is plug it in. The packaging is well thought out, ensuring everything is secure and well protected during transit. The first most noticeable feature about this grinder is the weight, this is not a light grinder and all up it weighs 6.5kg.

The matte aluminium body, accented with clean lines and an overall minimalist design, gives this grinder a modern, high end aesthetic that fits seamlessly into any brewing setup and kitchen space. The Timemore Sculptor comes in white and black and the matte black aesthetic fits in so well with the rest of our gear on the coffee bar.

Unlike some other bench top coffee grinders with plastic parts and noticeably cheap construction, the Sculptor 078S feels like it’s a commercial grinder, I'll be the first to admit that there are some plastic components that I don't love about this grinder, for instance the on / off button is silver and feels a bit cheap but everything else is hefty, solid and doesn't disappoint. Timemore has clearly put a lot of thought into the design, from the large front facing grind adjustment dial to the magnetic catch cup that slides effortlessly and satisfyingly into place.

Sculptor 078S Build Quality & Design

The Timemore Sculptor 078S is crafted from high quality aluminium and stainless steel, giving it a sturdy, durable feel. The overall build from the base of the grinder to the smooth grind size adjustment dial to the grind shoot knocker feels solid and there are no rattling parts or flimsy elements.

The 078S is fairly compact for a grinder with 78mm burrs, making it a great option for home baristas who want a powerful grinder without taking up too much counter space. The total dimensions for the Sculptor 078S is:  261 x 118 x 294mm

The magnetic hopper lid and catch cup add to the overall feel, keeping things neat and easy to use. The rotary shoot knocker is a particularly nice touch, it offers a unique solution to knocking out any retained coffee grounds by simply twisting the ring.

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the Sculptor 078S is one of the best looking grinders on the market. It blends form and function beautifully, with a design that looks just as good in a high end cafe as it does in a home setup. I would even go as far as comparing the Timemore Sculptor to something in the Mahlkonig range.

User Experience & Workflow

Using the Sculptor 078S daily is an easy and enjoyable experience. The grind adjustment is so simple to use and adjust, with clearly marked settings that make dialing in your coffee easy. The stepless grind size adjustment mechanism provides an impressive range of grind sizes, accommodating everything from espresso, pour over coffee all the way to French press brew methods.

One of the standout features of this grinder is the variable RPM speed control. Being able to adjust the burr speed between 800 and 1400 RPM allows for a level of control that most grinders simply don’t offer as well as this the Timemore Sculptor 078S is the cheapest variable speed coffee grinder from a reputable brand that we could find. 

Retention in this grind I have found to be impressively low, thanks to the vertically mounted flat burrs design and rotary shoot knocker. This means less coffee waste and more consistency between espresso shots and filter brews. I should also mention that I have not used RDT when grinding coffee on this grinder. The magnetic catch cup also makes workflow effortless, it slides into place and lines up perfectly.

Timemore Sculptor 78mm Flat Burrs

At the heart of the Sculptor 078S are its 78mm flat burrs, engineered for consistency and precision. These burrs deliver a uniform grind size, which is crucial for balanced extraction and flavour clarity. Whether you're aiming for a fine grind for espresso or a coarser grind size for pour over or french press, the vertically mounted 78mm burrs perform exceptionally across the spectrum. The design of the Timemore Sculptor also minimises heat generation during grinding, preserving the delicate flavours and aromas of your coffee beans.

Understanding Coffee Grinder RPM

RPM in coffee grinders refers to the speed at which the burrs rotate. Adjusting the RPM can influence the grind size distribution and the amount of heat generated during the process. Higher RPMs can lead to faster grinding and potentially more heat, which might affect the coffee's flavour profile.

Conversely, lower RPMs may result in a more uniform grind with less heat buildup. The ability to control RPM, as seen in the Sculptor 078S, offers a new dimension to explore and experiment with coffee brewing.

How RPM Affects the Taste of Your Coffee

The speed at which coffee beans are ground can significantly impact the extraction process and, consequently, the overall taste of your coffee.
Grinding at higher RPMs can produce more fines (tiny coffee particles) that can lead to over extraction and bitter / muddy tastes in your cup of coffee.
Lower RPMs, on the other hand, tend to produce a more uniform particle size, reducing the likelihood of over extraction during brewing and resulting in a cleaner, more balanced flavour profile.
By utilising the adjustable RPM feature of the Sculptor 078S, we've been able to fine tune our grinder and enhance the overall coffee experience.

Grind Consistency & Performance

Grind consistency is where the Timemore Sculptor 078S really shines. The 78mm flat burrs deliver uniform particle distribution, leading to well balanced extractions and clean tasting cups of coffee. Whether grinding for espresso or filter coffee, the results are precise, with minimal fines or boulders and this has been an incredibly consistent grinder to use.

The variable burr RPM plays a significant role in this grinders performance. Timemore utilised a powerful variable speed motor controlled by a rotating button at the back of the grinder. Simply turn the grinder on, adjust the grind size and then adjust your RPM before grinding your coffee.

Retention is also impressively low with this grinder, with the combination of the anti-static design and the rotary knocker we found that most times everything we put into the grinder came out ground. One thing I do want to mention is that the outside of the grinders shoot does tend to pick up some chaff, particularly when grinding light roasted washed coffees. While this can be easily wiped off using the included grind brush. The Sculptor 078S isn't a zero grind retention grinder but I would more accurately call this a low retention coffee grinder.

Who Is the Timemore Sculptor 078S For?

The Sculptor 078S is an excellent option for serious home baristas and coffee nerds. This grinder offers precision and performance that rivals commercial coffee grinders, but in a more compact and home friendly design.

For those who love to experiment with grind settings and extraction techniques, the variable RPM make this grinder a dream to work with. If you primarily brew filter coffee, the clarity and uniformity of the grinds will elevate your brews and for espresso enthusiasts, the fine control over grind size and speed ensures that dialling in an espresso is both easy, consistent and delicious.

While this is a domestic grinder I feel you may start to see these popping up in cafes and coffee bars as a secondary grinder for the occasional pour over coffee. While I can't see this grinder handling daily cafe volumes it could most definitely handle 10 or so coffees throughout service.

The Timemore Sculptor 078S electric grinder has been a game changer in my coffee journey. Its combination of stylish and thoughtful design, high quality components, and customisable features makes it a solid grinder for beginners and pros looking to up their coffee making experience at home. The inclusion of a PID speed controller and adjustable RPM settings provides unparalleled control when grinding coffee and allowing the user to experiment with a new dimension of coffee grinding.