Timemore Millab M01: Grinder Review with its Pineapple Burrs

You are looking for a high-end manual coffee grinder for espresso? The Timemore Millab M01 is a premium grinder that marks Timemore’s entry into the luxury segment with its Millab sub-brand. This professional coffee grinder introduces a major innovation: the patented 44mm “pineapple” conical burrs that promise uniform grinding superior to traditional conical grinders.

The Timemore Millab M01 represents a strategic turning point for the Chinese brand. With this premium sub-brand (comparable to the relationship between Lexus and Toyota), Timemore is targeting the high-end segment of manual coffee grinders. This espresso grinder displays high ambitions with its distinctive aluminum design, its patented pineapple burrs and its careful construction. But does this specialty coffee grinder live up to its promises? Discover my test after several weeks of daily use.

Unboxing and first impressions

As soon as you open the box, you understand that Timemore has taken care with the Millab M01 packaging. The grinder is perfectly secured in high-density foam that strangely recalls the texture of a memory foam mattress. This custom-fitted protection demonstrates the care taken to protect the grinder during transport, but also the premium positioning of this product. Each element has its dedicated place: the grinder body, the collection bin, the replacement burrs and the accessories are nestled in their respective slots. This is serious business.

Here’s what the box contains:

• The Millab M01 grinder
• A Millab cleaning brush (aluminum handle)
• A commemorative collector’s token
• The user manual and warranty card

Introducing the Timemore Millab M01: an imposing manual grinder

The Timemore Millab M01 doesn’t go unnoticed. At 1.1 kg on the scale, it’s one of the heaviest manual grinders on the market. Its generous size far exceeds that of competitors like the Comandante C40 or the 1Zpresso J-Ultra.

Premium construction: aluminum and stainless steel

The body of the Millab M01 grinder is made of aerospace-grade aluminum combined with stainless steel. Unlike some competing manual coffee grinders, very little plastic is used. The anodized finish is impeccable and the textured surface provides excellent grip that prevents any slipping during grinding.

My choice: the model with wood finish

For my part, I opted for the model with wood finish which I found more elegant and original. I admit I had an initial concern: that of seeing the coffee grinder slip during use, especially in espresso grinding where the torque is significant.

Fortunately, these concerns proved to be unfounded. Even when grinding for espresso, the grinder does not slip at all. The substantial weight combined with the wooden surface ensures a good grip. A very good point for Timemore.

The “pineapple burr”: the main innovation of the M01

The heart of the Timemore Millab M01 is its patented 44mm conical burr nicknamed “pineapple burr” due to its characteristic pattern. This coffee grinder burr stands out radically from traditional designs and constitutes the main asset of this high-end grinder.

An extended grinding path for optimal quality

Unlike classic conical burrs, the M01’s pineapple burrs incorporate two pre-grinding stages instead of just one. The grinding path is considerably extended: although it only measures 44mm in diameter, this burr offers a grinding path that is longer, similar to a 64mm flat burr.

This innovative design aims to combine the advantages of flat burrs (grind uniformity) with those of conical burrs (ease of use and reduced torque). An ideal compromise for a versatile grinder, suitable for both espresso and filter methods. We will see later in this article how this innovation translates concretely in the cup.

Ease of grinding and surprising speed

In daily use, the M01 displays remarkable performance. In terms of speed, it ranks at the level of 48mm conical burr grinders like the Kingrinder K7 or the 1Zpresso J-Ultra.

But the real surprise lies in the effort required: despite this grinding time equivalent to 48mm grinders, the resistance is significantly lower. I couldn’t precisely quantify this difference, but the feeling is undeniable. This ease is explained by the operating principle of pineapple burrs: the beans are first crushed during an initial stage before being ground more finely, which reduces the necessary effort compared to traditional conical burrs. A real advantage that is felt from the very first use.

Here are the grinding times measured for 18g of coffee:

These times confirm the excellent performance of the M01, particularly for filter methods where the coarser grind allows for remarkable speed.

Ultra-precise adjustment system: 100 micro-clicks of 12.5 microns

The Millab M01 uses a double-bearing micrometric adjustment system with a detent dial. In total, 100 micro-clicks are available, each adjusting the burr gap by only 12.5 microns. This exceptional precision allows for fine-tuning the grind for espresso or for gentle brewing methods.

The system is adjusted by numbered graduations from 0 to 10, with 10 subdivisions between each number. For espresso, settings range between 0 and 1.5, while gentle brewing methods are positioned between 5.0 and 10.0.

A very satisfying adjustment dial

I particularly appreciated the well-defined click when rotating the adjustment ring. The feel is more pronounced than on the Chestnut S3. Each adjustment is crisp and precise.

Another detail I really liked: the funnel doesn’t rise during adjustment. On some grinders, turning the dial causes the entire top of the grinder to rise, which breaks the aesthetics. Here, the design remains intact during adjustment. An ingenious choice from Timemore .

Personally, I find that the top of the grinder evokes Leica M lenses with their lens hood: a refined and premium design that exudes quality. This resemblance is certainly not a coincidence and contributes to the high-end identity of the M01 .

The click-fit container

Timemore has opted for an original container attachment system: a click mechanism that combines the security of a screw system with the speed of a bayonet fitting. A simple 1/8th turn is enough to remove and replace the container.

I find that the attachment is both solid, fast and secure. Impossible to lose the container during use, even when turning the handle vigorously. It’s a really well-thought-out innovation that significantly improves the daily experience.

The container also features a beveled edge that makes pouring easier, and its silicone base ensures excellent stability on the countertop. An appreciable attention to detail.

The handle: a comfortable and elegant grip

The crank of the M01 adopts a fixed and non-retractable design, unlike that of the Chestnut S3 or the C3 ESP Pro for example. It removes easily thanks to its attachment system, but removal sometimes requires a bit of effort due to a very tight fit.

A comfortable and elegant handle

The wooden handle is truly successful and adds a touch of elegance to the grinder. It is slightly larger than those of other Timemore grinders, which makes the grip comfortable.

I have a slight regret that it is not retractable like on the other models of Timemore’s Pro range. But this is perfectly normal: this grinder is not dedicated to travel.

Grinding performance: exceptional quality for espresso and filter

Remarkable grind uniformity

This is where the M01 grinder truly stands out. Particle size distribution tests reveal exceptional uniformity for a conical grinder. The coffee grind profile resembles more that of a very consistent flat burr than a traditional conical grinder.

The amount of fines is remarkably low, which produces clear and balanced espresso extractions. This characteristic allows for pushing extraction levels higher without excessive bitterness.

I myself got into trying to measure the grind uniformity with the BaristaTools app.

Espresso performance

The result in the cup is truly remarkable. Tested with various medium roast coffees, the M01 produces espresso extractions with exceptional clarity and a syrupy body. Since the grinder is designed more for pour over, it brings a slight acidic touch to espresso extractions that enhances the aromas without ever overpowering them. This acidity remains very well controlled and balanced, without dominating the other aromatic notes. The grind profile favors concentration and clarity rather than the sweetness and body typically found with classic conical burrs.

After testing many grinders for this blog and personally, this is the first time in a long time that a grinder has impressed me so much. This new pineapple burr that Timemore offers us hasn’t received enough attention in my opinion.

By applying all the principles to avoid channeling, you’ll discover in the video below how this grinder extracts 18g of coffee.

And the result in cup:

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Performance for gentle methods (V60, Chemex, French Press)

It is truly for gentle methods that the Millab M01 reveals its full potential. The grinder having been specifically designed for pour over, we find exceptional clarity in the coffee aromas in V60, Chemex and other gentle methods.

The uniform grind produced by the pineapple burrs allows obtaining complex cups with little bitterness. Compared to the 1Zpresso K-Ultra, the M01 allows pushing the extraction further while maintaining a pleasant and clean finish.

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The acidity is moderate, positioned between the liveliness of the K-Ultra and the neutrality of the ZP6. An excellent filter coffee grinder that excels particularly in its ability to reveal the aromatic nuances of specialty coffees.

Maintenance and disassembly

The M01 disassembles easily for cleaning, without tools. Simply remove the adjustment dial to access the moving burr. Brush cleaning is simple and effective.

Conclusion: the Timemore Millab M01, a justified premium investment

After several weeks of daily use, the Timemore Millab M01 stands out as one of the best manual coffee grinders currently available on the market. Its major innovation - the pineapple burrs - is not just a marketing argument: it concretely translates into exceptional grind quality that rivals flat burrs in terms of uniformity.

This high-end grinder excels particularly for pour-over methods where it produces cups of remarkable clarity and complexity. For espresso, it offers a modern profile focused on concentration and precision, perfect for showcasing specialty coffees. The premium aluminum construction, the ultra-precise adjustment system with 100 micro-clicks and the careful finish fully justify its price positioning.

If you’re looking for a manual coffee grinder capable of elevating your specialty beans with uniformity worthy of an electric grinder, the Millab M01 seriously deserves your attention.

Find the Timemore Millab M01 on the official Timemore website.

My rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)