The Timemore Sculptor 078 and 078s grinders have garnered significant attention in the coffee community, offering a blend of design, performance, and value. Let’s delve into what sets these grinders apart and how they compare to other models in the Sculptor series.
Timemore’s Sculptor series marked the brand’s foray into electric grinders, with the 078 and 078s standing out as flagship models. Both grinders feature 78mm burrs and a variable-speed brushless motor, catering to different brewing preferences. The 078 is optimized for filter coffee, while the 078s is designed for espresso.
Differences Between the 078 Series and the 064 Series
The 064 series, including the 064 and 064s models, offers a more compact footprint with 64mm burrs. While the 064s is versatile, accommodating both espresso and pour-over, the 078 series steps up with larger burrs and a more powerful motor, resulting in faster grinding and improved consistency. The 078s, in particular, also boasts a higher RPM range (800-1400) compared to the 064s (800-1200)—though the importance of changing RPM while grinding is still up for debate.
Distinguishing the 078 from the 078s
While both models share the same form factor and motor, the key difference lies in their burr design.
- 078: Equipped with patented Turbo burrs featuring three layers of pyramid-shaped teeth designed for a more unimodal grind size and less heat generation, the 078 excels in producing clean and complex filter coffee.
- 078s: Fitted with flat burrs designed for fine grinding, the 078s delivers high uniformity, making it ideal for espresso, but also suitable for pour-over brewing.
In practice, the 078 offers greater clarity and flavor distinction in filter brews, while the 078s provides a fuller body and high uniformity in grind.
Highlights of the 078 and 078s
Both grinders bring several notable features to the table:
Single-Dose Workflow
Designed for single dosing, the grinders minimize retention and ensure freshness.
Magnetic Catch Cup
A user-friendly magnetic catch cup simplifies the grinding process.
Rotary Knocker
Helps reduce grind retention by dislodging residual grounds
Build Quality
The grinders feature a premium finish with high-quality materials, including a durable PCTG plastic dosing hopper.
Variable-Speed Motor
The adjustable RPM (800-1400) allows users to fine-tune grinding speed—though the importance of changing RPM while grinding is still up for debate
In terms of performance, the 078 is impressive for its clarity and complexity in filter coffee, rivaling higher-end grinders. The 078s, while designed for espresso, also performs admirably in pour-over applications, offering a fuller-bodied cup.
Shortfalls of the 078 and 078s
Despite their strengths, there are some things that I think could be improved in the 078 grinders:
- Power Button: The power button has a small touch point with the unit, so it requires a press directly on it to activate, which creates a bit of an awkward user experience.
- Static Issues: Static in the dosing cup can lead to messier grinding even with the rotary knocker.
- Cleaning & Burr-Swapping Challenges: Accessing the burrs for cleaning can be challenging due to the configuration and small screws. There are also very tight tolerances, so swapping burrs and getting them recalibrated can be quite tricky.
Conclusion
The Timemore Sculptor 078 and 078s grinders offer impressive performance and value, catering to both filter coffee and espresso. While they have some quirks, their strengths in grind consistency, build quality, and user-friendly features make them worthy considerations for home brewers seeking to elevate their coffee experience.
