Normcore V3 Grinder Review: Better Than the V2?

It’s no secret that some of the best burr coffee grinders out there are of the manual variety. With that in mind, I’ve decided to conduct an initial Normcore V3 Grinder review. This latest model builds on the success of the Normcore V2 Manual Coffee Grinder, which has earned a devoted following among coffee enthusiasts.

I plan on getting hold of the Normcore V3 Grinder to test out, but in the meantime, let’s take a first look at this affordable hand grinder.

Normcore V3 Hand Grinder Review Overview

If you’ve checked out my guide to the best manual coffee grinders, you’ll know that there are some superb models on the market, with brands like 1zPresso and Timemore dominating. In fact, some of my favorites can compete with the best espresso grinders.

I’ve already reviewed some Normcore products in my guide to the best espresso accessories, but I’ve yet to put their coffee grinders to the test. Still, I’m well aware that plenty of folks love the Normcore Manual Coffee Grinder V3.

I can certainly see why – costing just $89.99, this compact hand grinder definitely won’t break the bank. And given its solid construction, high-quality burr set and wide range of adjustable grind settings, the Normcore grinder looks like it represents really good value for money.

Supposedly suitable for all brewing methods, including espresso and pour-over, the Normcore V3 Hand Grinder promises the ultimate in versatility. Then again, does this model have what it takes to compete against the best 1zPresso grinders?

Normcore V3 Manual Coffee Grinder Features

Let’s continue this first-look Normcore V3 Grinder review by digging into the features that make it stand out from the crowd.

Materials and Design

From where I’m sitting, the Normcore V3 Grinder certainly looks the part. Cut from a single block of aluminum alloy, the Normcore has a sleek, streamlined and minimalist design that should appeal to everyone.

Inside the main body of the grinder, the central shaft and bearings are made from high-grade stainless steel that promises smooth, stable operation. And down below, the 25-gram capacity bean hopper features a screw-on attachment.

Elsewhere, the Normcore V3 Grinder includes a fixed thumb silicone band that’s supposed to help with grip during grinding. However, the general consensus is that this thing isn’t comfortable at all.

Stainless Steel Conical Burrs

The Normcore V3 Grinder comes equipped with 38mm stainless steel conical burrs that have been precision manufactured to shine at all grind settings. As it happens, these “Contemporary” burrs can also be found in much more expensive grinders.

While the 38mm stainless steel burrs help keep the grinder nice and compact, it’s unlikely you’ll win any coffee grinding speed challenges. Still, if you want a quicker and more efficient setup, you can buy the Normcore V3 with 46mm burrs for $109.99.

Grind Settings

Anyone familiar with manual grinders will recognize the type of grind adjustment mechanism here. There’s a dial sitting above the burrs that adjusts the distance between them with each click. Speaking of, the manufacturer states that there are 24 clicks per rotation, although there’s no information about how many settings there are in total.

Annoyingly, there are no numbers displayed next to the adjustment dial, so you’ll need to flex your memory muscles to keep track of where you are. That really makes me appreciate the external adjustment collar on the 1zPresso J Max.

Crank Arm

The Normcore grinder’s stainless steel crank arm looks fairly well-constructed, and it’s nice to see that the ball-shaped handle is made from walnut wood. Of course, I can’t yet comment on how the thing feels in your hand, but it looks comfortable enough.

The crank arm attaches to the body of the grinder with a magnet, which is a nice touch if it’s strong enough. Again, I’ll find out when I put the Normcore V3 to the test.

Incidentally, one thing I love is the way the crank handle fits neatly against the body when it’s not in use. The arm is held in place by the silicone band and the walnut knob sits satisfyingly on top of the grinder.

Normcore Manual Coffee Grinder Accessories

The Normcore V3 Grinder doesn’t come with a plethora of accessories. However, those that are included are very much welcome. After all, it’s better to get stuff you’ll actually use than a bunch of stickers and an oversized box. Yes, I’m looking at you Comandante!

Anyway, here’s what’s included with the Normcore V3 Hand Grinder:

The Normcore Grinder V3 in Use

One of the great things about manual coffee grinders is that they’re super easy to use. With that said, you have to be prepared for somewhat of an arm workout.

To get started with the Normcore V3 Grinder, you’ll first need to find the finest grind setting. To do this, turn the dial all the way fine until it doesn’t move anymore. This is your zero point, and you’ll need to count the clicks going coarser as you’re dialing in.

From what I can gather, a good starting point for espresso is around 13 clicks, and the setting for pour-over is around 20 clicks. Still, you can expect quite a bit of trial and error as you’re finding your own particular sweet spot.

Moving on, weigh out your coffee beans using a good coffee scale, then add them to the bean hopper. Once that’s done, screw the hopper to the grinder body, attach the crank handle and start grinding! When you’re finished, I’d recommend tapping the bottom of the grinder on a hard surface before carefully unscrewing the hopper.

Normcore Coffee Grinder Troubleshooting

I’m not aware of any major complaints from Normcore V3 Grinder users. Still, I can tell you that if you notice your grind consistency starting to diminish, it’s time to remove the burrs and give them a thorough clean. Another potential problem is the burrs touching at the finest grind settings. If this happens, you’ll have a really hard time using the grinder. To be safe, I’d avoid trying to grind coffee at the finest five settings or “clicks.”

Cleaning: Normcore Grinder Cleaning Brush

As I mentioned earlier in this Normcore V3 Grinder review, you’ll find a cleaning brush and an air blower in the box. Trust me when I tell you that the cleaning brush will quickly become invaluable. For starters, it’ll help you get your full dose of ground coffee, seeing as no manual grinder is completely immune from static retention issues. What’s more, it’ll come in handy when it’s time to remove the burrs for cleaning.

As for the air blower, I’d recommend using the thing to purge the grinder of any residual dust and fines after each grinding cycle.

Normcore V3 Grinder Specifications

	Normcore Manual Coffee Grinder V3
Manufacturer	Normcore
Name	Manual Coffee Grinder V3
Type	Hand Coffee Grinder
Burrs	38mm stainless steel conical
Capacity	25 g
Grind adjustment levels	24+
Weight	15.0 oz / 423.0 g
Color options	Black
Height	7.2 in / 18.2 cm
Current price on Amazon	$89.99

Normcore V3 vs Other Grinders

Thus far, the Normcore V3 seems like a perfectly good manual coffee grinder. With that said, I do wonder whether it’ll really be up to scratch when it comes to espresso preparation. Either way, I feel like it’d be a good idea to take a look at how the Normcore V3 measures up in comparison to a couple of other highly rated hand grinders.

Normcore V3 Coffee Grinder vs Normcore V2

Costing $69.99, the Normcore V2 Hand Grinder is still very popular. It’s also available with flat burrs and titanium burrs, which is pretty cool. Still, the Normcore V3 apparently offers better grind consistency, easier bean loading and a wider range of grind settings than its predecessor.

Normcore V3 Coffee Grinder vs Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro

I really enjoyed using the Timemore C3 Pro when I tested it out. I found the grinder to be very well designed, and it produced fairly consistent grinds, especially for pour over and French press. However, the Timemore Chestnut C3 really isn’t suitable for espresso preparation, no matter what the manufacturer would have you believe!

See Also: Timemore C3 Review

Normcore V3 vs Others Comparison Chart

	Normcore Manual Coffee Grinder V3	Normcore V2 Hand Grinder	Timemore Chestnut C3 Pro
Manufacturer	Normcore	Normcore	Timemore
Name	Manual Coffee Grinder V3	Manual Coffee Grinder V2	Chestnut C3 Pro Manual Coffee Grinder
Type	Hand Coffee Grinder	Hand Coffee Grinder	Hand Coffee Grinder
Burrs	38mm stainless steel conical	38mm stainless steel conical	38mm stainless steel conical
Capacity	25 g	25 g	20-25 g
Grind adjustment levels	24+	24+	20+
Weight	15.0 oz / 423.0 g	15.0 oz / 423.0 g	1.0 lb / 473.0 g
Color options	Black	Black	Black, Gold, White
Height	7.2 in / 18.2 cm	7.2 in / 18.2 cm	6.5 in / 16.5 cm
Current price on Amazon	$89.99	$69.99	$N/A

Verdict: Normcore V3 Manual Grinder Review

Having reached the end of my Normcore V3 Grinder review, I must say I’m more eager than ever to test drive the thing. Sure, this doesn’t look like a groundbreaking manual coffee grinder. Still, given its reasonable asking price and seemingly solid performance, it could end up being a fantastic deal. Besides, I’ve been really impressed by the manufacturer’s products, especially during my Normcore Tamper review.

So, I’m hoping for the best from this attractive and compact coffee grinder. If you’re interested in finding out how the Normcore hand grinder measures up, keep checking back in. I’ll make sure to update this initial review with my test results as soon as possible!

Normcore Grinder Review FAQ