Timemore Sculptor 064S Review: Precision Grinder With an Massive Following

I’ve decided it’s high time I embarked on a Timemore Sculptor 064S review, seeing as this thing has been blowing up the internet. Seriously, I can’t remember a burr coffee grinder that caused so much excitement throughout the coffee industry.

Of course, I’m approaching this review with a level head, even though I’m also pretty excited about the Sculptor 064S. I mean, it could be the case that this is the best single dose grinder on the market right now. And not only that, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

I haven’t had a chance to put the 064S through its paces just yet – I’m still waiting for the Amazon box to hit my doorstep. Still, I figured you guys would appreciate an initial Timemore Sculptor 064S review to whet your appetite. And as soon as I’ve tested the thing out I’ll update this first look review with my experiences using it.

Anyway, let’s get the ball rolling and dive right on into this Timemore Sculptor 064S review!

Timemore Sculptor 064S Review Overview

I’ve long been a fan of this brand’s products. Check out my Timemore C3 Grinder review if you want proof. However, this is the first time I’ve reviewed one of the manufacturer’s eclectic grinders.

As I mentioned above, the Timemore Sculptor 064S has been causing quite a stir among YouTube coffee nerds lately. The thing started as a Kickstarter campaign a while back, but it’s now fully legit, currently retailing on Amazon for $599.00.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that almost $600 is a whole lot of cash to spend on a coffee grinder. However, if you’re serious about espresso and already own a prosumer espresso machine, you’ll know that the 064S is actually relatively affordable. With all that said, is the Timemore Sculptor 064S worthy of a place in my guide to the best espresso grinders?

Well, if everything I’ve heard is true, the answer is most definitely yes. I mean, for starters, the 064S is a truly beautiful machine. Featuring a slim, streamlined and elegant design, this baby will fit right into any home coffee corner. Plus, the Timemore Sculptor is nice and compact, so you shouldn’t have to rearrange your entire kitchen to make room for it.

In terms of performance, this Timemore grinder’s burr geometry has been specifically engineered for espresso preparation. However, the 064S is more than capable of grinding beans for all brewing methods, including pour over, automatic drip and French press. So, is this gorgeous coffee grinder the ultimate all-rounder unicorn? That remains to be seen. However, at this point, I’m feeling pretty darn hopeful!

Incidentally, before continuing with this Timemore Sculptor 064S review I should mention that the Chinese manufacturer has released an entire series of Sculptor grinders. And while I’ll be focusing on the 064S today, I will reference the other models here and there, just for good measure.

Timemore Sculptor 064S Features

Now that we have a clearer idea of what we’re dealing with, I’m itching to get into the nitty gritty of what makes this grinder so popular! Let’s continue this Timemore Sculptor 064S review by taking a closer look at what’s on offer.

Materials and Design

Is it just me, or does the Timemore Sculptor 064S look kinda like a retro-futuristic ray gun?! Jokes aside, I’ve already mentioned how cool this coffee grinder looks, and I think anyone would be happy to see it sitting on their kitchen counter.

To be honest, I feel like the Timemore design team has been paying close attention to what Fellow has been producing over the past couple of years. I mean, it’s hard to look at the 064S without the Fellow Ode coming to mind. With that said, I feel like this Timemore grinder is even more attractive then the Fellow model, and I particularly appreciate its classy, streamlined vibe.

The 064S sports a design you don’t see that often, in that the burrs are vertically mounted while the motor sits in a horizontal position. It’s also a single dose grinder, so the bean hopper fits seamlessly into the grinder’s silhouette.

As for the 064S build quality, I can’t yet comment on how it feels. Still, I’ve heard that the grinder feels sturdy and durable, thanks to its anodized aluminum construction.

User Interface

Timemore keeps things nice and simple with this grinder’s controls. Other than the grind adjustment dial (which I’ll discuss a little later), there’s a metal start/stop button on the side of the grinder base, as well as a dial for adjusting the motor speed at the rear. Again, I’ll get into more detail on that a little later.

Bean Hopper

As I already mentioned, the Timemore Sculptor 064S is a single dose grinder, so the bean hopper’s capacity is very limited. What’s super cool is the hopper lid, which attaches via magnets. Plus, there are two positions – one for completely covering the hopper and another that leaves a gap for pouring in coffee beans. Incidentally, that latter position is important because it prevents “popcorning” as you’re adding beans when the motor is running. And as it says on the hopper lid, this is how the manufacturer recommends using the 064S grinder.

One potential issue that a lot of folks have experienced with this grinder is the fact that the inside of the hopper isn’t quite steep enough. So, you may end up finding that one or two beans haven’t made it onto the grinding chamber. Not the end of the world by any means, but a mildly irritating design flaw all the same.

Magnetic Catch Cup

The 064S’s metal catch cup is another feature that makes good use of magnets. From what I’ve seen, the cup stays in position really well, which is only going to make your life easier. While it might feel a little flimsy, the catch cup appears to be of higher quality than what you’ll get with grinders at a similar price point.

However, it hasn’t been designed to fit seamlessly on a 58mm portafilter, so you’ll need to use a dosing funnel. On the other hand, if you own a Breville espresso machine with a 54mm portafilter, you’ll be able to dose directly from the Timemore catch cup.

Flat Burrs

Seeing as the Timemore Sculptro 064S is mainly an espresso grinder, its vertically mounted 64mm flat burrs have been designed to bring out the best in your espresso shots. From what I can gather, you can expect sweet, juicy espresso with as much depth and clarity as you could ever want. Still, if you’re the kind of espresso freak that needs to experiment, it’s relatively easy to switch out the burrs for something different.

When it comes to the conical vs flat burr grinder debate, I like to sit on the fence while everyone else argues about which is better. However, I can tell you that Timemore’s patented stainless steel flat burrs will produce exceptional grind size uniformity with minimal heat transfer.

Rotary Knocker

Now we get to a feature that’s truly innovative and very cool indeed. Sure, I’ve experienced coffee grinders with mockers for removing excess coffee grounds before. The Fellow Ode immediately springs to mind. However, Timemore has taken things to the next level with its rotary knocker.

This system is so elegant and effective that I’m actually surprised no one thought of it before. Essentially, there’s a little spring-mounted dial on the grounds chute that you turn. As it snaps back, the mechanism knocks upward against the grinding chamber, dislodging any fines that are still hanging out in there. And the end result is a grinder with as close to zero retention as possible.

Grind Dial

Dominating the front of the Timemore Sculptor 064S, the large grind adjustment dial features clearly marked settings from 1 to 16, with 1 to 4 designated as the “espresso zone.” With all that said, the numbers are just there to give you a general idea, seeing as the 064S has a stepless adjustment mechanism. In other words, you aren’t going to feel any kings of “click” as you move the burrs closer or further apart. Incidentally, the grind dial is easy to remove when you want to access the burrs for cleaning or recalibration. Oh, and guess how the dial attaches … that’s right, it’s with magnets!

Motor & Adjustable RPM

The beating heart of this impressive burr coffee grinder is its zero friction, PID-controlled brushless motor. Listen, I’m not going to bore you to tears by trying to explain the difference between brushless and regular motors. However, you should know that brushless motors are considered to be superior by those in the know. And for the Timemore Sculptor 064S, that means you’re getting a high-efficiency component with a long lifespan. Plus, it’ll be one of the quietest grinders you’ve experienced.

As for the whole adjustable RPM thing, it’s yet another hotly debated subject among coffee experts. Some folks will have you believe that a grinder’s RPM means nothing, while others claim that slower RPMs will revolutionize your life. The latter camp claim that coffee ground at slower speeds produces fewer fines, which translates to a cleaner and sweeter espresso.

Personally, I think it’s pretty darn cool that the Sculptor 064S has an adjustable RPM dial. What’s more, Timemore assures us that the grinder won’t stall, even with light roast coffee beans at 800 RPM. Still, I’m not going to pass judgment on whether it’s really necessary until I’ve tested the grinder in the Coffeeness kitchen.

How Do I Use the Timemore Sculptor 064S All-Purpose Grinder?

If you’ve ever used a burr coffee grinder, getting started with the Timemore Sculptor 064S shouldn’t pose any problems. Still, there are a couple of things to bear in mind.

For starters, the manufacturer recommends a “hot start” which means you should add coffee beans to the hopper when the grinder is running. However, seeing as there’s only one catch cup included, you’ll need to weigh out your beans in a separate vessel. I guess that really isn’t a big deal, but it is a slight oversight on the Timemore’s part.

Anyway, whether you’re using the 064S for espresso or filter coffee, start by moving the dial to your preferred position. Next, weigh out your coffee beans using the best coffee scale you can find. Finally, attach the magnetic lid to the halfway position, place the magnetic dosing cup under the grinder chute and gently pour your beans into the hopper. Oh, and don’t forget to use the rotary ring to clear the chamber of any residual fines.

The Best Settings for the Timemore Sculptor 064S Electric Coffee Grinder

As I mentioned earlier in this Timemore Sculptor 064S review, the grinder has a stepless adjustment mechanism. So, you’ll have to be prepared for some amount of trial and error as you’re finding your ideal settings. When it comes to espresso, there’s a clearly marked espresso range between 1 and 4, with gradient markers in between the numbers. And to the right of the dial you’ll see a red line to help you. Just remember to make small changes if your shots are running too fast or too slow. Sure, you might end up wasting some coffee, but that’s kind of to be expected when you’re dialing in espresso.

As for other coffee brewing methods, the Timomore Sculptor 064S can supposedly deliver the goods for anything from pour over to French press. Of course, I can’t comment on that yet, but I’d expect to start with a grind setting of between 6 and 10 for filter coffee and around 14 for French press.

How Do I Clean the Timemore Sculptor Grinder?

All the best burr coffee grinders require some amount of cleaning and maintenance, and the Timemore Sculptor 064S is no exception. Fortunately, the grinder has a detachable power cord, which I think is a very thoughtful feature. It means you can easily move the grinder around if you need to brush stray coffee dust from your coffee station. What’s more, you can hold the 064S firmly by its raygun handle and thoroughly wipe out the bean hopper. Oh, and make sure to do this with a dry cloth!

Even though the Sculptor 064S suffers from minimal static retention, you will need to clean the burrs here and there. From what I can gather, removing the burrs requires an Allen key, although it shouldn’t be too difficult to get them out of their chamber. Once you have them free, make sure to brush them thoroughly to remove excess dust and coffee oils. And I don’t need to remind you to avoid using water on your precious burrs. That would be a big mistake!

Timemore Sculptor 064S Specifications

	Timemore Sculptor 064S
Manufacturer	Timemore
Name	Sculptor 064S
Type	Electric coffee grinder
Grinder	64mm stainless steel flat burrs
Grind levels	Stepless
Power	150 watt
Voltage	120 volt
Weight	9.0 lb / 4.1 kg
Dimensions	8.9 x 3.9 x 10.0 in / 22.5 x 10.0 x 25.6 cm
Suitable for	Espresso, moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines
Accessories	User manual, dosing cup
Current price on Amazon	$599.00

Timemore Electric Coffee Grinder Sculptor Series

When Timemore first jumped into the electric coffee grinder segment, it released a bunch of models all at once. Still, there are now only two grinders that anyone cares about – the 064S and the 078S, both of which are espresso-focused grinders.

Timemore Sculptor 064S vs 078S

At $799.00, the Timemore Sculptor 078S is substantially more expensive than the subject of today’s review. It’s also bigger, burlier and more imposing. Equipped with enormous 78mm “turbo” burrs, the Sculptor 078S also features a 400-watt motor with an adjustment range of between 800 and 1400 RPM. To be honest, this all feels like overkill to me, but mega coffee enthusiasts really do love this big beast of a grinder.

Timemore Sculptor 064s vs 064

The Timemore Sculptor 064 was the pour-over version of the 064S. It was obviously meant as a direct competitor to the Fellow Ode, especially given the fact that it couldn’t grind fine enough for espresso. With that said, the 064 did feature unique burrs that were designed to get the very best out of pour-over coffee. However, Timemore quickly discontinued this model due to complete lack of interest from anyone.

Timemore Sculptor 064S Coffee Grinder vs Other Grinders

This far, my initial Timemore Sculptor 064S review has shed light on one of the best single dose grinders I’ve come across in some time. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m really itching to get my hands on this thing! For now though, let’s take a quick look at how the 064S measures up in comparison to a couple of other popular coffee grinders.

Timemore Sculptor 064S vs DF64 Gen 2

At the time of writing the much-lauded Niche Zero STILL isn’t available for purchase in the States. Hey ho – at least we can pick up the fantastic DF64 Gen 2 for just $360.00. Another popular single dose espresso grinder, the DF64 II has earned a loyal following thanks to its build quality and performance. Similar to the Timemore Sculptor 064S, the DF64 II features staples grind adjustments and a sophisticated anti-static system. Overall, it’s a fab espresso grinder that’ll serve you well without emptying your bank account.

See Also: DF64 Grinder Review

Timemore Sculptor 064S vs Fellow Ode

Costing $399.95, it’s hard tio find fault with the gorgeous Fellow Ode Gen 2. That is, unless you try to use it for espresso preparation. Then again, the manufacturer explicitly states that this grinder is meant for manual brewing and isn’t suitable for espresso. On the other hand, these guys quickly realized they’d better get a piece of the “all-rounder” and promptly released the Fellow Opus a few months later.

If pour-over is your thing, I can’t recommend the Fellow Ode Gen 2 highly enough. During my testing, the cup results were nothing short of breathtaking. And let’s not ignore the fact that the thing looks pretty darn sleek into the bargain.

See Also: Fellow Ode Review

Timemore Sculptor 064S Grinder vs Others Comparison Chart

	Timemore Sculptor 064S	DF64 II Grinder	Fellow Gen 2 Ode Grinder
Manufacturer	Timemore	MiiCoffee	Fellow
Name	Sculptor 064S	DF64 II Single Dose Coffee Grinder	Gen 2 Ode Brew Grinder
Type	Electric coffee grinder	Electric coffee grinder	Electric coffee grinder
Grinder	64mm stainless steel flat burrs	64mm stainless steel flat burrs	64mm stainless steel flat burrs
Grind levels	Stepless	Stepless	31
Power	150 watt	250 watt	140 watt
Voltage	120 volt	120 volt	120 volt
Weight	9.0 lb / 4.1 kg	14.3 lb / 6.5 kg	10.1 lb / 4.6 kg
Dimensions	8.9 x 3.9 x 10.0 in / 22.5 x 10.0 x 25.6 cm	12.0 x 5.2 x 10.0 in / 30.5 x 13.2 x 25.4 cm	9.4 x 9.5 x 5.7 in / 24.8 x 24.0 x 10.5 cm
Suitable for	Espresso, moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines	Espresso, moka pot, AeroPress, pour over, drip machines	Pour-over, Chemex, drip machines, French press, cold brew
Accessories	User manual, dosing cup	User manual, 58mm aluminum dosing cup	User manual, catch cup, cleaning brush
Current price on Amazon	$599.00	$360.00	$399.95

Verdict: Timemore Sculptor 064S Review

Regular Coffeeness readers will know that I’m always on the lookout for a grinder that can do it all. One that’s truly capable of producing outstanding results for both espresso and other brewing methods. Fellow delivered something special with the Opus, but the espresso side of things feels confusing and convoluted. And while the Baratza Encore ESP is a good entry-level option, experienced baristas won’t give it a second look.

With all that in mind, I’m very excited to test out the Timemore Sculptor 064S. Having reached the end of my initial review I can see why so many coffee nerds are freaking out about this thing. So, if you’re as eager as I am to find out whether it really can deliver on its promises, keep checking back in. I’ll update this review with my findings as soon as possible!

Timemore Sculptor 064S Grinder FAQs