Which Porlex Grinder is Right for You?

If you’re in the market for a high-quality manual coffee grinder but don’t want to break the bank, Porlex is a brand worth considering. This Japanese company has been crafting top-notch grinders since 1978, focusing on durability, precision, and portability.

However, with multiple models and versions available, choosing the perfect Porlex grinder for your needs can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll dive deep into the world of Porlex grinders, helping you make an informed decision and elevate your home coffee game.

Quick Look

Grinder	Price	Ideal Coffee Types	Key Features
Mini	$60	Pour-over, AeroPress, French Press	Compact, lightweight, ceramic burrs
Mini II	$80	Pour-over, AeroPress, French Press	Improved handle, more consistent grind, ceramic burrs
JP-30	$55	Pour-over, AeroPress, French Press, Drip	Larger capacity, stainless steel body, ceramic burrs
KT Mini	$105	Espresso, Turkish Coffee	Extra-fine grind, aluminum body, ceramic burrs

Porlex Mini Grinder

The Porlex Mini is a beloved entry-level manual grinder that packs a punch despite its compact size. Its sleek, stainless steel body and ceramic conical burrs make it an attractive and reliable choice for coffee enthusiasts on the go.

Grind Quality

The Mini’s ceramic burrs produce a surprisingly consistent grind, especially considering its price point. While you may encounter some fines and boulders at the extreme ends of the grind spectrum, the majority of the particles fall within an acceptable range for most brewing methods. The grinder performs best in the medium to coarse range, making it ideal for pour-over, AeroPress, and French press.

Ease of Use

Using the Porlex Mini is a breeze. Simply remove the top lid, pour your beans into the hopper, replace the lid, and start cranking. The ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip, and the grinder’s small size makes it easy to hold steady while grinding. Cleaning the Mini is also straightforward; just unscrew the bottom burr and use a brush or dry cloth to remove any residual grounds.

Durability

Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, the Porlex Mini is built to last. The ceramic burrs are resistant to wear and tear, ensuring consistent performance over time. While the grinder’s small size might make it feel less robust than larger models, it can withstand the rigors of daily use and occasional travel.

Portability

The Mini’s compact size is one of its standout features. Measuring just 5.1 inches tall and 1.9 inches in diameter, it fits easily in a backpack, suitcase, or even a large pocket. Its lightweight design (just 8 ounces) makes it an ideal companion for camping trips, hotel stays, or office coffee breaks.

One of my favorite things about the Porlex Mini is that it fits like a glove inside an AeroPress. That might sound silly, but it makes for an extremely portable coffee setup that’s easy to take pretty much anywhere. It’s my go-to setup for camping and backpacking, and I have no desire to upgrade any time soon.

Price

At around $60, the Porlex Mini offers excellent value for money. While there are cheaper manual grinders available, the Mini’s combination of build quality, grind consistency, and portability make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a reliable entry-level option.

I would go so far to say that I wouldn’t go below the Mini’s price point. More affordable grinders tend to have lower-quality burrs that can’t match the Porlex Mini’s consistency. It’s tempting to go cheaper to save some money but the drop in quality is not worth it, in my opinion.

Porlex Mini II Grinder

The Porlex Mini II is an updated version of the original Mini, featuring several improvements that address some of its predecessor’s shortcomings.

Grind Quality

The Mini II’s ceramic burrs are an upgrade to those in the original Mini, so you can expect a slightly better grind consistency. Porlex has also made some tweaks to the grinder’s internal design, resulting in a slightly faster grinding process and more uniform particle size distribution.

The Mini II has the same 20-gram capacity as the Mini, which means it maintains its portability at the expense of making it easier to make larger batches.

The Mini II excels at medium to coarse grinds, making it a solid choice for pour-over, AeroPress, and French press brewing.

Ease of Use

Like the original Mini, the Mini II is simple to operate. The most notable improvement is the redesigned internals and burr set. These updates make the grinding process more efficient and consistent, which is great if you’re using it at or near its full capacity.

Cleaning the Mini II is just as easy as cleaning the original Mini.

Durability

The Mini II maintains the same high-quality stainless steel construction as its predecessor, ensuring long-lasting durability. The ceramic burrs are equally resilient, providing consistent performance over time.

Portability

With dimensions and weight nearly identical to the original Mini, the Mini II is just as portable. Its compact size and lightweight design make it an excellent option for coffee lovers who want to enjoy freshly ground beans wherever they go.

Price

The Porlex Mini II retails for around $80, a $20 premium over the original Mini. While this may seem like a steep increase, the improved handle and slightly better grind consistency justify the higher price for those who prioritize performance and comfort.

Personally, I prefer the ergonomics of the Mini II, but I don’t notice the grind quality improvement in my cup. Whether or not the Mini II is worth the extra $20 depends on your tolerance for manual grinding.

Porlex JP-30 Grinder

The Porlex JP-30 is a larger, more versatile grinder that caters to coffee enthusiasts who prefer to brew bigger batches or experiment with different brewing methods. Its hopper capacity of 30 grams is 50% larger than either of the Mini models.

Grind Quality

Equipped with the same ceramic conical burrs as the Mini and Mini II, the JP-30 delivers comparable grind consistency. The grinder performs well across a wide range of grind sizes, from medium-fine to coarse, making it suitable for pour-over, AeroPress, French press, and drip coffee.

Ease of Use

The JP-30’s taller, wider body provides a more stable grinding experience, while its longer handle offers improved leverage and comfort. The grinder’s 30-gram capacity is perfect for brewing larger batches of coffee. Cleaning the JP-30 is slightly more involved than cleaning the Mini models due to its larger size, but it’s still a straightforward process.

Durability

Built with the same attention to quality as other Porlex grinders, the JP-30 features a sturdy stainless steel body and durable ceramic burrs. This grinder is designed to withstand daily use and provide consistent performance for years to come.

As with all Porlex grinders, the JP-30 feels like it could withstand almost anything you could throw at it.

Portability

While the JP-30 is larger than the Mini models, it’s still relatively compact compared to other manual grinders in its class. Measuring 7.5 inches tall and 2.3 inches in diameter, it can easily be stowed in a backpack or suitcase for travel.

However, its increased size and weight (15.2 ounces) may make it less suitable for ultralight travel or backpacking. It doesn’t fit snugle inside an AeroPress, so I always reach for my Mini when I’m heading out for a weekend in the wilderness.

Price

The Porlex JP-30 is priced around $55, striking a balance between the Mini and Mini II. Considering its larger capacity and versatility, the JP-30 offers excellent value for coffee enthusiasts who want a reliable, high-quality grinder for home or travel use.

I am a bit surprised to see that the JP-30 is more affordable than the Mini or Mini II, but I think it’s probably because more people who are interested in Porlex grinders are looking for portability. The only downside to the JP-30 is the size.

Porlex Tall II Grinder

The Porlex Tall II is the latest iteration of the popular Tall grinder, featuring several improvements that elevate its performance and user experience.

Grind Quality

The Tall II’s redesigned ceramic burr set is a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The new burrs grind beans more efficiently, producing a more consistent particle size distribution with fewer fines and boulders. This improvement results in a more balanced brew and a better-tasting cup of coffee.

The Tall II can generate approximately 1.3 times more ground coffee than the original Tall with the same number of rotations, making the grinding process faster and less laborious.

Moreover, the Tall II’s burr adjustment mechanism now offers more precise control, with each click resulting in an average change of 37 microns. This enhanced precision allows users to fine-tune their grind size and dial in their coffee recipes more accurately.

Ease of Use

The Porlex Tall II’s improved burr design not only enhances grind quality but also makes the grinding process easier and more efficient. The increased output per rotation means users can grind their desired amount of coffee with less effort and time. The included detailed instructions guide users through the grinding process, ensuring optimal results.

Durability

Crafted in Porlex’s Kirishima City, Kagoshima Factory in Japan, the Tall II is made with higher-quality materials than its predecessor. The ceramic burrs are resistant to water, odors, and rust, ensuring long-lasting performance and easy maintenance.

Portability

Like the original Tall, the Tall II features a slim, simple design that makes it highly portable. Its compact size allows it to fit easily inside an AeroPress, making it an ideal companion for travel or office use. Since it’s taller than the Mini, it doesn’t fit as perfectly inside the AeroPress lengthwise, but it’s still compact enough to carry easily.

It has a larger capacity than the Mini models and is capable of grinding about 40 grams at a time.

Price

The Porlex Tall II is priced slightly higher than the original Tall, reflecting its improved design and performance. However, considering the enhanced grind quality, ease of use, and durability, the Tall II offers excellent value for coffee enthusiasts seeking a high-quality manual grinder.

Bottom Line

After exploring the various Porlex grinder models, it’s clear that each has its strengths and weaknesses. For those seeking the best overall performance and versatility, the Porlex JP-30 stands out as the top choice. Its combination of grind consistency, capacity, and portability make it an excellent option for most coffee enthusiasts.

If value is your primary concern, the original Porlex Mini offers the most bang for your buck. While it may not have the updated handle or burr set of the Mini II or the larger capacity of the JP-30 or Tall II, it still delivers reliable performance at a more affordable price point.

It’s worth noting that while Porlex grinders are suitable for a wide range of brewing methods, they may not be the best choice for dedicated espresso enthusiasts. The ceramic burrs can produce acceptable results for espresso, but those seeking the highest level of precision and consistency may want to consider a specialized espresso grinder.

FAQs

Can I grind enough coffee for a full pot with a Porlex grinder?

The capacity of Porlex grinders varies by model. The Mini and Mini II are best suited for single servings or small batches, while the JP-30 and Tall can grind enough coffee for 3 to 5 cups, depending on your brewing method.

Are Porlex grinders suitable for espresso?

While Porlex grinders can produce fine enough grinds for espresso, they may not offer the same level of precision and consistency as dedicated espresso grinders. If espresso is your primary brewing method, you may want to consider a more specialized grinder.

How long does it take to grind coffee with a Porlex grinder?

Grinding time depends on the model, grind size, and amount of coffee being ground. On average, it takes about 1 to 2 minutes to grind enough coffee for a single serving with a Porlex Mini or Mini II, and 2 to 4 minutes with a JP-30 or Tall.

Are Porlex grinders easy to clean?

Yes, Porlex grinders are relatively easy to clean. Simply unscrew the bottom burr and use a brush or dry cloth to remove any residual grounds. Avoid using water or soap, as moisture can damage the burrs and cause clumping.

Can I adjust the grind size on a Porlex grinder?

Yes, all Porlex grinders feature adjustable grind settings. To change the grind size, simply loosen the locking nut, rotate the adjustment ring to the desired setting, and retighten the locking nut. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect grind size for your preferred brewing method.