1Zpresso K Ultra Review: Can It Do Everything?

Having gushed about the 1Zpresso J Max (now the J Ultra) last year, I figured it was high time I checked out another of the brand’s most popular manual coffee grinders. Hence this 1Zpreso K Ultra review.

I haven’t had a chance to play with the K Ultra yet, but I fully intend to order it to test out. In the meantime, I figured it was worth taking an initial look at this hand grinder to see what all the fuss is about.

Versatile hand grinder

1Zpresso K Ultra

Suitable for all brew methods

Rugged build

Easy to adjust grind

Foldable crank handle

Travel case included

Special burrs

Not ideal for espresso

CHECK PRICE

Overview: 1Zpresso K Ultra Review

As you may already know, 1Zpreso (pronounced “easy-presso”) is a Taiwanese company that’s quickly become one of the most well-known brands among manual coffee grinder aficionados. These guys have released numerous popular models, with each new addition selling like hot cakes.

As always, I don’t expect the 1Zpresso K Ultra will replace my beloved Comandante C40 MK4. I mean, the Comandante is the undeniable king of hand grinders, in my opinion.

Still, for those of you looking for an affordable and versatile manual grinder, the K Ultra could be the way to go. In fact, the 1Zpresso K Ultra is touted as offering the ultimate in versatility, and the manufacturer promises it’ll perform admirably for any coffee brewing method.

With that said, the main focus of the K Ultra is drip coffee and pour over. I guess that makes sense, seeing as the 1Zpresso J Ultra is fully geared toward espresso preparation. Sure, you could probably make decent espresso using the K Ultra, but the incredible grind resolution of the J Ultra makes it the first choice for espresso nerds.

Costing $259.00, the 1Zpresso K Ultra is far from cheap. Then again, you’ll pay a whole lot more for an electric burr coffee grinder that’ll match its performance. At the same time, the J Ultra costs just $N/A, making it substantially more affordable than its sibling.

So, is the newer grinder worth the extra cash? Let’s see if we can’t answer that in this 1Zpresso K Ultra review!

1Zpresso K Ultra Features

Size and Design

The 1Zpresso K Ultra looks almost identical to the J Ultra, so I feel confident in telling you this thing is built like a tank. It also looks sleek and streamlined, thanks to its modern, minimalist design.

Sure, it’ll be bigger and bulkier than some hand grinders, and those with small hands might have a harder time using the thing. But it’ll still fit nicely in your backpack, making it ideal for travel.

The crank handle folds neatly against the body of the grinder when not in use, which is a nice design feature. And thanks to the K Ultra’s stainless steel and aluminum alloy construction, it’s rugged enough to take a few knocks.

I also quite like the fabric cover, which really helps you get a good grip while grinding. Plus, it features the manufacturer’s logo, which looks pretty cool.

Stainless Steel Conical Burrs

I’m not surprised to see that the 1Zpresso K Ultra is equipped with huge 48mm stainless steel burrs. Rather than the titanium-coated burrs found in the J Ultra, these heptagonal conical burrs have been specially designed and calibrated for pour over preparation.

I can confidently say the size and design of these burrs will result in fast and precise grinding. Plus, from everything I’ve heard, they’ll provide remarkable levels of particle consistency across the grind size spectrum.

Finally, you can expect the 1Zpresso burrs to last for a very long time.

Grind Settings

I absolutely love the 1Zpresso external adjustment ring. Seriously, it’s just so intuitive and easy to navigate. So, if you’re using the K Ultra for a variety of preparation methods, you won’t have to worry about messing with a fiddly dial on the bottom of the grinder.

The 1Zpresso K Ultra offers over 100 individual grind settings, which is pretty darn impressive. What’s more, each click equals just 20 microns of burr movement. Sure, the J Ultra’s burrs move a mind-boggling 8 microns with each click. But may I remind you that the average human hair measures 50 microns. So, the K Ultra is still very impressive!

Foldable Handle

I absolutely loved using the crank handle on the 1Zpresso J Max, and this one looks almost identical. Thanks to its clever design and generous length, grinding will be a breeze, even at the finest settings. What’s more, the smooth wooden ball feels really nice in your hand.

As I mentioned earlier in this 1Zpresso K Ultra review, the crank handle folds to sit flush to the grinder’s body. This makes the K Ultra more stable when it’s standing idle. However, I do know that some folks feel like the folding mechanism could fail over time.

To be honest, it felt pretty solid to me, but I can see what the critics are getting at. To fold the handle, you have to push and twist, which could create a breakable weak point.

Magnetic Catch Cup

The 1Zpresso K Ultra comes with an awesome 35-gram capacity catch cup that attaches to the main body of the grinder with magnets.

Now, I know this sounds like a recipe for disaster, but during my J Max testing I found the catch cup to attach incredibly securely. In fact, this system works way better than a screw-on cup, seeing as coffee grounds can get stuck in the grooves.

With all that said, I’d recommend proceeding with caution as you remove the catch cup from the grinder. Rather than just pulling it off, rotate gently to separate the magnets. Trust me, that’ll prevent coffee grounds from spilling all over the place.

Travel Case

I know I said you could just throw the 1Zpresso K Ultra in your backpack and call it good. And I stand by that. Still, if that makes you a little nervous, you’ll be happy to learn that the grinder comes with its very own carry case.

Trust me, nothing will get damaged in here – it features a hard outer shell and there’s plenty of plush padding inside. Plus, the grinder and handle fit snugly inside and there’s even a cleaning brush and bellows for good measure.

How to Use the 1Zpresso K Ultra

Using the 1Zpresso K Ultra is about as easy as it gets. Simply weigh out your coffee beans using a coffee scale, fill the grinding chamber, then attach the crank handle. Oh, and make sure the magnetic catch cup is firmly attached!

Of course, you’ll need to select your preferred grind setting by moving the external ring. Don’t worry though – the manufacturer provides a rad grind size chart. To access this, as well as operating and cleaning instructions, simply scan the included QR code.

Once you’re ready, hold the body of the grinder firmly and rotate the crank handle in a clockwise motion. It shouldn’t take more than 30-40 seconds to grind 35 grams of coffee.

Once you’re done, I’d recommend tapping the bottom of the grinder on a hard surface a couple of times before gently removing the catch cup.

1Zpresso K Ultra Cleaning and Maintenance

I won’t go into great detail about how to disassemble the 1Zpresso K Ultra for cleaning in this review. After all, that’s what the user manual is for!

However, I will say that the manufacturer has made it extremely easy to access the burrs. And as I mentioned earlier, there’s a brush and bellows included as part of the package.

Suffice to say, regularly cleaning the burrs is a vital part of owning any coffee grinder. Not only will it prolong the life of the thing, it’ll ensure your coffee continues to taste its best!

1Zpresso K Ultra Specifications

1Zpresso K Ultra vs J Ultra

As I mentioned at the start of this 1Zpreso K Ultra review, I tested out the J Max last year and was completely blown away by its superb performance. Since writing that review, the manufacturer has replaced the J Max with the J Ultra, which is essentially the same grinder but with even crazier resolution.

I’lk give it to you straight: If you’re looking for an espresso grinder, don’t think twice – buy the 1Zpresso J Ultra.

Seriously, the level of control you’ll have over your grind is astonishing. And the J Ultra also works really well for other brewing methods. It’s just that switching between espresso and pour over can be a drag seeing as there are so many grind size options to choose from.

On the other hand, if you want an exceptional hand grinder for pour over, the K Ultra will be a more solid (if a little more expensive) option.

See Also: 1Zpresso J Max Review

1Zpresso K Ultra vs J Ultra Comparison Chart

Verdict: 1Zpresso K Ultra Review

Versatile hand grinder

1Zpresso K Ultra

Suitable for all brew methods

Rugged build

Easy to adjust grind

Foldable crank handle

Travel case included

Special burrs

Not ideal for espresso

CHECK PRICE

Having reached the end of this 1Zpreso K Ultra review, I can only say I expect great things from this hand grinder. I have to say I’m really excited to stock up on single origin coffee beans and go to town during my testing.

I have a feeling those special burrs will do a spectacular job in highlighting the unique flavor profiles of some of my favorite coffee beans for pour over. I’ll make sure to update this initial review once the test results are in, so please keep checking back if you’re interested to find out what I think!

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