Ever been grinding coffee manually and suddenly stopped and thought, "I bet this could be soooo much better?" Yeah, me too. And as it happens, this thought spurred me on to write this ROK coffee grinder review.
Ever been grinding coffee manually and suddenly stopped and thought, “I bet this could be soooo much better?” Yeah, me too. And as it happens, this thought spurred me on to write this ROK coffee grinder review.
I’m sure, at one point or another, we’ve all suffered the indignity of using a blade grinder. You know what I mean – friction-burnt beans and wildly inconsistent results. That may have prompted you to consider the conical vs flat burr grinder debate. Still, some models, full of plasticky components, may have failed you.
This is why I’m always on the hunt for a durable, performance-centered grinder. And as a fan of manual coffee brewing, this ROK grinder caught my attention. Does it live up to its reputation as a sturdy and consistent manual grinder? Let’s take a first look at what makes this coffee accessory unique.
Super solid hand grinder
ROK GrinderGC
This thing has been built to last!
Solid construction
Large burrs
Cool design
Suitable for all brew methods
Rather pricey
ROK Coffee Grinder Review Overview
The ROK GrinderGC has an interesting backstory. It comes from a fiercely independent British coffee company obsessed with doing things differently.
The founder, Patrick Hunt, had this not-so-crazy idea that good espresso doesn’t need expensive equipment. Nor does it need juice. So, when others went ultra-modern, he dialed things down. His ROK coffee grinder adheres to this ethos.
Launched in 2012, this grinder is simplicity itself, even if it kind of resembles a chrome pterodactyl! In fact, the ROK GrinderGC has quite a cult following among manual brewing enthusiasts.
Like the ROK manual espresso maker, this beauty is built like a tank. It has a sturdy, all die-cast aluminum body with a gorgeous metallic finish. Furthermore, the crank arm is made of of solid metal and boasts a double-handed design for serious leverage.
This grinder uses 48-millimeter conical steel burrs, the same burrs you’d find in grinders costing twice as much. It also boasts an intuitive stepped adjustment that makes dialing in a breeze. Oh, and the 45-gram bean hopper is perfect for every day brewing, holding beans for a couple of cups.
Price-wise, expect to pay $249.00. That’s certainly not “impulse-purchase” cheap. But considering some entry-level electric burr grinders start at $250, the GrinderGC represents solid value. Moreover, ROK backs it with a 5-year warranty on metal parts and a 1-year warranty on burrs. Ultimately, this tells you that they believe in their product.
ROK Grinder Features
Now that we have an idea of what we’re dealing with in this ROK coffee grinder review, how about we dive into the details? Does this grinder’s reputation rest on good looks alone or does it have the functionality to match? Here are my first impressions.
Materials and Design
No doubt the ROK is one of the best manual coffee grinders on the market. It boasts a sleek, crazy-durable and non-corrosive aluminum body. But to me, the coolest part is the double bearing system. Not only does this make coffee grinding effortless, it also cuts down on wobbling parts.
Everything comes together with 48-millimeter steel burrs, a stepped dial for easy adjustments and a decent bean hopper for convenient brewing.
Crank Arm
The beautifully designed metal arm has a nice ergonomic curve with a grippy silicone coating. ROK has also engineered the connection point to eliminate annoying wobble. The arm length is spot on, too. It gives enough leverage to grind without taking up too much counter space!
Burrs
The burrs are another feature that sold me on this grinder. Not only are these 48-millimeter steel burrs super durable, they’re also geared toward super-tight tolerances. The aggressive teeth make light work of even the oiliest dark roasts. Plus, as they’re conical, they suffer way less heat transfer, so you’re not cooking your coffee.
Mind you, ROK gives you the option to level up with a ROK grinder upgrade kit. These new hardened steel burrs, burr key and updated adjustment wheel will restore your grinder, ensuring it performs better for longer.
Bean Hopper
The bean hopper on this grinder is one of those “Why-didn’t-I-think-of-that” designs. It”s a top-situated, sleek metal cylinder with a snug silicone lid that holds just enough beans for a couple of coffees — 40-45 grams to be exact.
I also love the bamboo composite grounds cup that minimizes static as you grind.
The ROK Hand Grinder in Use
So, you’ve got yourself a ROK coffee grinder? But how do you use it?
As with every grinder, you’ll need to adjust the settings. To do this, turn the dial clockwise for finer and counterclockwise for coarser. I recommend starting somewhere in the middle and tweaking from there.
Now, fill the hopper with your best espresso coffee beans (or others if grinding for another brew) before securing the lid. Then, grab the handle and start cranking, keeping a steady pace to ensure an even grind.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
The coffee grounds will collect in the bottom container. You’re now ready to use your grounds to brew the perfect cup.
ROK Grinder Settings
This ROK grinder has several grind settings to brew every type of coffee. Its stepped dial generally goes clockwise for finer and counter-clockwise for coarser.
For espresso, you’ll want to be at 1-3 clicks from zero to obtain grounds like sand. If your shot runs too slow, go slightly coarser.
For pour-over and drip coffee, aim for 5-8 clicks out to yield a medium grind (kinda like kosher salt).
What about French Press and cold brew? These brews demand coarser grinds like sea salt or breadcrumbs. Dial all the way out to 10-12 clicks to obtain chunky grounds.
Remember, your sweet spot will vary, depending on the coffee roast profile and the bean itself. So, don’t be afraid to experiment!
Cleaning the ROK Grinder Parts
Keeping your ROK grinder clean should be relatively easy and is totally worth doing regularly.
After a few weeks of use (or whenever you notice staleness), unscrew the top dial and lift off the upper burr assembly. Then, gently lift off the coffee bits stuck between the teeth with a brush.
For the bottom burr, you may have to dig a little bit deeper, by using the brush to really get into those nooks and crannies. There’s absolutely no need for soap and water at this point. But you may use soap and water to clean the bean hopper — just ensure you dry it thoroughly.
Every few months disassemble the hopper, grinding chamber and burrs. Brush to remove coffee residue and oils, then use a cleaning solution like Urnex, grinder tablets or, believe it or not, plain old rice! After which, you can pop everything back together, and you’re good to go!
ROK GrinderGC Specifications
| ROK GrinderGC | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ROK |
| Name | GrinderGC |
| Type | Hand Coffee Grinder |
| Burrs | 48mm stainless steel conical |
| Capacity | 45 g |
| Grind adjustment levels | 25+ |
| Weight | 5.0 lb / 2.3 kg |
| Color options | Stainless Steel |
| Height | 10.6 in / 27.0 cm |
| Current price on Amazon | $249.00 |
ROK Manual Grinder vs Other Grinders
How does the ROK coffee grinder compare to others in its price range? Let’s unpack two — the 1Zpresso J Ultra and Comandante C40 MK4 to find out.
ROK Coffee Grinder vs 1Zpresso J Ultra
The ROK’s tank-like construction and vertical cranking setup promise a consistent grinding experience. However, its bulkiness limits portability.
On the other hand, the 1Zpresso J Ultra counters with a sleek, portable design featuring a magnetic catch cup and foldable crank arm. Like the ROK, it boasts 48-millimeter conical stainless steel burrs for top-tier functionality. The stepped adjustment system (considered near-stepless due to its fine adjustment step size of 8 microns) dials in more precisely for various brews.
Both grinders promise durability, but the J Ultra beats the ROK on price, coming in at $199.00. Still, given its solid metal construction, it makes sense that the ROK costs slightly more.
Related: 1Zpresso J Max Review
ROK Coffee Grinder vs Comandante C40 MK4
Compared to the Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade, the ROK is an industrial-chic showpiece that screams, “I belong to a coffee enthusiast”! It’s a hefty beast with a substantial construction, 48-millimeter steel burrs and a vertical setup that stays put while grinding.
On the opposite corner is one of my favorite manual grinders — the German-engineered Comandante. Its build quality is next level. I particularly love the wooden knob, which feels amazing to crank. Together with its famous 39-millimeter high-nitrogen martensitic steel burrs, this portable grinder delivers consistent grinds across the board.
To me, the Comandante is the gold standard for manual coffee grinders, which explains its hefty $369.50 price tag. It edges out the ROK with portability and versatility across brewing methods. In contrast, the more affordable ROK wins on counter appeal and espresso-focused grinding.
See Also: Comandante Grinder Review
ROK Grinder vs Others Comparison Chart
| ROK GrinderGC | 1Zpresso J Max | Comandante C40 MK4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ROK | 1Zpresso | Comandante |
| Name | GrinderGC | J-Max S Manual Coffee Grinder | C40 MK4 Nitro Blade |
| Type | Hand Coffee Grinder | Hand Coffee Grinder | Hand Coffee Grinder |
| Burrs | 48mm stainless steel conical | 48mm stainless steel conical | 39mm stainless steel conical |
| Capacity | 45 g | 35-40 g | 40 g |
| Grind adjustment levels | 25+ | 400+ | 40 |
| Weight | 5.0 lb / 2.3 kg | 1.7 lb / 771.1 g | 1.6 lb / 725.7 g |
| Color options | Stainless Steel | Iron Gray, Silver | Alpine Lagoon, American Cherry, Black, Copper Mountain, Liquid Amber, Racing Green, Virginia Walnut, Snow White, Sunset |
| Height | 10.6 in / 27.0 cm | 7.7 in / 19.6 cm | 6.3 in / 16.0 cm |
| Current price on Amazon | $249.00 | $199.00 | $369.50 |
Verdict: ROK Coffee Grinder Review
Super solid hand grinder
ROK GrinderGC
This thing has been built to last!
Solid construction
Large burrs
Cool design
Suitable for all brew methods
Rather pricey
Is the ROK worth your coffee journey? After writing this initial ROK coffee grinder review, I think it is. It promises to deliver where it counts with durability, style and consistent grinds, especially for espresso.
I’m itching to test it out and compare it to my favorite, the Comandante C40 MK4 (despite the fact that I may need more counter space to do this). I also love the exposed mechanism, which should make cleaning a breeze.
Is this grinder perfect? Not quite. It has a bulky build and hefty price tag for a manual grinder. It also has a learning curve, which is not ideal for beginners. Still, if you’re a fan of manual coffee brewing methods, the ROK is worth a try.
What manual grinder are you using nowadays? Would you consider the ROK or have you already taken the plunge? Drop a comment below and let me know!
ROK Grinder FAQ
To begin, disassemble the top burr section. Then, brush out coffee grounds from the upper and lower burrs using a small brush. Wipe everything down with a dry microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, remove the burrs and clean separately, but do not submerge them in water. Remember to run the grinder beans through monthly to clear residual coffee oils.
ROK coffee grinders are designed in London but manufactured in China. All the grinder’s materials and components meet ROK’s particular engineering specs and adhere to strict quality control standards.
Virtually any brew method! This grinder has 50+ stepped adjustment settings for everything from fine espresso to coarser cold brew.
