Hario Mini Mill Plus: The Budget Hand Grinder That Started a Million Coffee Journeys

The Hario Mini Mill Plus (also known as the Hario Mini Mill Slim Plus or MSS-1DTB) is one of the most popular entry-level hand coffee grinders ever made. If you're looking for your first manual grinder and don't want to spend more than $40, the Mini Mill Plus is probably on your shortlist. I started my own hand grinding journey with the original Hario Mini Mill years ago, and I've since used the Plus version extensively. Here's my honest take.

I'll cover what the Plus version improved over the original, how it performs across different brew methods, where it falls short, and whether you should buy one or save up for something better.

What Changed in the "Plus" Version

The original Hario Mini Mill (the Skerton's smaller sibling) had a known weakness: the lower burr would wobble at coarser grind settings because there was no stabilizing mechanism below the ceramic conical burr. This wobble produced inconsistent grinds, especially for French press and coarser pour-over recipes.

The Mini Mill Plus addresses this with an improved stabilization plate below the lower burr. It doesn't eliminate wobble entirely, but it reduces it enough that coarser grinds are noticeably more uniform than the original. For fine to medium grinds (AeroPress, drip, fine pour-over), the improvement is subtler since the original was already adequate in that range.

Other Updates

  • The handle attachment is slightly more secure, with less play in the crank
  • The adjustment nut has finer steps, giving you more control over grind size
  • The overall fit and finish is marginally better, with tighter tolerances on the plastic components
  • The capacity remains the same at about 24 grams of whole beans

These are incremental improvements, not a complete redesign. The Mini Mill Plus is still recognizably a Hario Mini Mill, just a better-executed version.

Grind Quality: Setting Realistic Expectations

I want to be direct about this: the Hario Mini Mill Plus grinds coffee acceptably for its price, not excellently. Understanding that distinction will save you disappointment.

Where It Performs Well

AeroPress. This is where the Mini Mill Plus shines brightest. The AeroPress is forgiving of grind inconsistency because the immersion brewing and paper filter compensate for particle variation. I've made genuinely enjoyable AeroPress cups with the Mini Mill Plus that tasted clean and flavorful.

Drip and auto-drip. At a medium grind setting for drip brewers, the Mini Mill Plus produces acceptable results. The grind isn't perfectly uniform, but drip machines are forgiving enough that the variation doesn't ruin the cup.

Moka pot. The fine-to-medium grind needed for moka pot brewing falls in the Mini Mill Plus's comfort zone. Consistent enough for a good stovetop espresso.

Where It Struggles

Pour-over (V60, Chemex). Pour-over methods are more sensitive to grind uniformity because water passes through the coffee bed once. The Mini Mill Plus produces enough fines mixed with larger particles that V60 draw-down times can be unpredictable. One brew takes 3 minutes, the next takes 4, with the same recipe. If pour-over is your primary method, I'd save up for a Timemore C2 or 1Zpresso Q2.

French press. The Plus version improved coarse grind consistency, but it's still not great. You'll get silt in your cup and a muddier flavor compared to grinders with larger, more stable burrs. Usable, but not ideal.

Espresso. Don't try it. The Mini Mill Plus cannot grind fine enough or consistently enough for unpressurized espresso. Even for a pressurized portafilter, the results will be mediocre at best.

The Grinding Experience

Let's talk about what it actually feels like to use the Hario Mini Mill Plus every morning.

Speed and Effort

Grinding 15 grams of medium-roast coffee at a medium-fine setting takes about 60-70 seconds of steady cranking. That's slower than premium hand grinders with steel burrs, which can finish the same dose in 30-40 seconds. The ceramic burrs in the Mini Mill Plus cut more slowly and require more rotations per gram.

The effort level is moderate. It's not exhausting, but it's not effortless either. Light roast beans, which are denser, require noticeably more force. My wrist gets slightly fatigued after grinding 20 grams of a light Ethiopian. For a single 15-gram dose, it's perfectly manageable.

Adjustment

The grind adjustment uses a simple nut-and-spring mechanism at the bottom of the burr shaft. You tighten or loosen the nut to change the distance between the burrs. Each click of the nut gives you one step of adjustment.

The system works, but it's not as intuitive or repeatable as the adjustment mechanisms on more expensive grinders. There are no numbered markings, so you need to count clicks from fully tightened to find your sweet spot. I keep a note on my phone: "AeroPress = 8 clicks out, drip = 12 clicks out." It's a minor inconvenience, but worth mentioning.

Noise

Quiet. Much quieter than any electric grinder. The ceramic-on-ceramic grinding produces a gentle crunching sound that won't wake up anyone in the next room. This is one area where all manual grinders, including budget ones, beat their electric counterparts.

Who Should Buy the Hario Mini Mill Plus?

Yes, buy it if:

  • You're new to grinding whole beans and want to try it without a big investment
  • You primarily brew AeroPress, drip, or moka pot
  • You need a travel grinder and don't want to risk an expensive one
  • Your budget is firmly under $40
  • You want to see if hand grinding fits your routine before upgrading

Skip it if:

  • Pour-over is your daily brewing method (get a Timemore C2 instead)
  • You want espresso capability (look at the 1Zpresso JX or JX-Pro)
  • You grind for more than one person regularly (the capacity and speed will frustrate you)
  • You've already outgrown entry-level gear

For a full comparison of manual grinders across all price points, our best coffee grinder roundup covers options from budget to premium.

Hario Mini Mill Plus vs. Alternatives

Mini Mill Plus vs. Timemore C2

The Timemore C2 costs about $20-30 more and uses steel burrs instead of ceramic. The C2 grinds faster, produces more uniform particles, and has a better adjustment mechanism. If your budget stretches to the C2, it's the better buy. The Mini Mill Plus only wins on price.

Mini Mill Plus vs. JavaPresse Manual Grinder

The JavaPresse is a popular Amazon competitor at a similar price point. Having used both, I give a slight edge to the Hario for build quality and grind consistency. The JavaPresse's burr stabilization is worse than the Mini Mill Plus, leading to more wobble at coarser settings.

Mini Mill Plus vs. Hario Skerton Pro

The Skerton Pro is Hario's larger manual grinder with a glass catch container and slightly better burr stabilization. Grind quality is similar to the Mini Mill Plus, but the Skerton Pro holds more beans (about 100 grams in the hopper). The glass base makes it less portable and more fragile. For travel, the Mini Mill Plus wins. For home use, the Skerton Pro is slightly more convenient.

Maintenance

The Hario Mini Mill Plus is easy to maintain, which is one of its genuine strengths.

Disassembly takes 30 seconds: remove the handle, pull off the burr nut, and lift out the lower burr. Brush everything with a soft brush (Hario includes one), reassemble, done. The ceramic burrs don't need oiling and won't rust.

I clean mine after every 5-6 uses with a quick brush. Full disassembly and cleaning happens once a week. The simplicity of the mechanism means there's almost nothing that can go wrong during reassembly.

The ceramic burrs last a very long time. Even with daily use, expect several years before you notice any performance degradation. And replacement burr sets are inexpensive and widely available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hario Mini Mill Plus good for pour-over?

It's usable but not ideal. The grind inconsistency at medium settings leads to variable brew times and extraction. For occasional pour-over, it's fine. If pour-over is your daily brew method, invest in a grinder with better particle uniformity.

How fine can the Hario Mini Mill Plus grind?

Fine enough for moka pot and AeroPress. Not fine enough for genuine espresso. The finest setting produces something in the Turkish-to-moka-pot range, but without the consistency needed for espresso extraction.

Can I grind enough for two cups at once?

The hopper holds about 24 grams, which is technically enough for two smaller servings. However, grinding 24 grams takes about 90-100 seconds and more effort than a single dose. For regularly making two servings, a larger grinder or an electric model would be more practical.

What's the difference between the Hario Mini Mill and the Mini Mill Plus?

The Plus version adds a burr stabilization plate, a slightly improved handle attachment, and finer adjustment steps. Grind consistency is better, especially at coarser settings. If you're buying new, always get the Plus version.

Our top coffee grinder guide includes picks at every price point if you're deciding between the Mini Mill Plus and upgrading to something with more capability.

My Honest Recommendation

The Hario Mini Mill Plus is a solid $30-35 grinder that does exactly what a $30-35 grinder should do. It introduces you to hand grinding, produces acceptable grinds for forgiving brew methods, and gives you a portable backup for travel. It does not produce outstanding grinds, it does not do espresso, and it will eventually make you want to upgrade. Think of it as your learner's permit, not your forever grinder. Buy it, enjoy it, learn from it, and when you're ready for the next step, you'll know exactly what to look for.