Espresso On Comandante C60 Grinder - Everything You need To Know
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When it comes to hand grinders, few names spark as much excitement among coffee professionals and home brewers as Comandante. Over the past decade, the brand has earned cult status for its commitment to precision engineering, thoughtful design, and unparalleled grind consistency.
The release of the Comandante C60 Baracuda marks a major evolution in that range, not just as a metal version of the Comandante C40, but as a grinder purpose-built for espresso performance.
If you’ve ever tried to pull espresso using a manual grinder, you’ll know how demanding it can be. The C60 Baracuda Grinder is Comandante's answer to that challenge, a heavy duty, stainless steel beast that delivers the precision and particle uniformity needed to brew rich, balanced shots easier and quicker than the C40 grinders.
This guide walks you through what makes the C60 unique, how to dial in your espresso, and what to expect when grinding at fine settings.
What Makes the Comandante C60 Different
If you’re familiar with the C40, think of the C60 Baracuda as its heavyweight sibling, built from a solid stainless-steel core, larger burrs, and the upgraded Big Joe crank for better leverage.
It also features Gold Clicks (the C60’s version of Red Clicks), doubling the precision of grind adjustments to around 21 microns per click compared to 30 microns on the C40.
This means finer control and more accuracy when dialling in espresso.
Upgrading From the C40
If you’re considering upgrading, we’ve created a Comandante Grind Size Chart that lists microns, grind ranges, and brew methods for the C40, C60, and C40 Red Clicks versions.
You can download it directly from our website to reference while dialling in your grinder, perfect for beginners learning the difference between filter and espresso grind ranges.
Grind Settings for Espresso
When grinding for espresso, expect to work between 4 and 15 clicks depending on your coffee, machine, and desired extraction.
Because the C60 has smaller adjustments, you’ll find yourself closer to 10-15 clicks for most espresso shots.
Each 19-gram dose can take time and effort, so set realistic expectations, this is a true hand-grinder experience.
C60 Grinding Tips for Easier Workflow
Grinding espresso on the C60 can feel intense at first. Here are a few tips that make it easier:
- Hold the grinder at an angle, This allows beans to feed in more slowly and prevents jamming.
- Grind fast, A faster RPM helps beans “bounce” and reduces friction, making grinding smoother.
- Use grip support,The C60’s CNC-milled body can get slippery. Add a Comandante silicone wristband around the barrel for extra grip.
- Experiment with accessories, The stainless steel COD catch cup from CafeSing adds durability for home use (though it’s heavy for travel).
Taste Test & Extraction Results
We tested four espresso shots using the Stone Espresso Machine with 19-gram doses, keeping all other variables constant.
Here’s a snapshot of what we found:
Grind Size (Clicks) |
Yield |
Brew Time |
Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 45g | 10s | Sweet chocolate, short extraction |
| 12 | 30g | 10s | Higher acidity, more intensity |
| 11 | 50g | 22s | Sour, astringent, less balanced |
| 10 | 40g | 30s | Best overall: balanced, sweet, rich crema |
The sweet spot for espresso on the C60 sat around 10 clicks, yielding a full-bodied, chocolate-forward shot with lively acidity and good balance.
Watch the full video:
Performance & Real World Use
The C60 shines in clarity and consistency. Even at fine grind settings, shots showed stable crema and flavour depth.
The stainless-steel burrs and tighter tolerances deliver uniform particle size distribution, ideal for pulling clean, expressive shots of coffee.
While it’s not effortless to use (your arms will feel it!), the reward is unmatched control, taste quality and an enjoyable experience throughout.
Comandante C60 vs Electric Grinders
You might wonder why anyone would hand grind espresso instead of using an electric grinder to which I'd answer: value and precision. Electric grinders require more certification, safety mechanisms, and production costs.
With a hand grinder like the Comandante C60, that investment goes directly into burr design and build quality, meaning you get pro-level performance for a fraction of the cost.
Hand grinders typically have better burrs and design compared to an equivalent cost electric coffee grinder.
Making espresso with the Comandante C60 Baracuda is as much a ritual as it is the actual brewing process.
It’s not about convenience, it’s about connection to the process and enjoying the grinding process.
Once dialled in, you're rewarded with an espresso that’s clear, punchy, and full of texture.
