Hario Skerton Plus: A Hands-On Look at This Popular Hand Grinder
The Hario Skerton Plus is a ceramic burr hand grinder that sits right around the $40-$50 price point, making it one of the most popular entry-level manual grinders on the market. If you're wondering whether it's worth buying, here's my short answer: yes, but with some caveats. It grinds well enough for French press, pour-over, and AeroPress, but it struggles with espresso-fine grinds and takes real arm effort for anything more than 25 grams.
I've used the Skerton Plus as my travel grinder for over a year now, and I've put it through enough morning sessions to know exactly where it shines and where it falls short. In this review, I'll cover the grind quality, the stabilization plate upgrade from the original Skerton, how it handles different brew methods, and whether you should spend more on something like the Hario Mini Mill or a Timemore C2 instead.
What Changed From the Original Skerton
The original Hario Skerton had one major problem: the lower burr wobbled. Without a stabilizing mechanism, the ceramic burr would shift side to side during grinding, producing inconsistent particle sizes. This was especially noticeable at coarser settings for French press, where you'd get a mix of boulders and fines in the same batch.
The Skerton Plus added a stabilization plate beneath the lower burr. This plate holds the burr shaft in place, reducing wobble significantly. The result is a more uniform grind, particularly at medium to coarse settings. I noticed the difference immediately when I switched from the original to the Plus version. My French press cups went from muddy and over-extracted to much cleaner.
The Build
The body is glass with a rubber base, which means it won't slide around on your counter. The hopper is plastic and holds about 100 grams of beans comfortably. The handle attaches with a simple hex nut on top. It's not the most elegant grinder on the shelf, but it feels solid enough for daily use. I've dropped mine on a tile floor once (don't ask) and the glass jar survived without a crack.
Grind Quality Across Brew Methods
French Press and Cold Brew
This is where the Skerton Plus does its best work. At coarse settings (7-9 clicks from the tightest position), it produces reasonably uniform grounds that work great for immersion brewing. You'll still get some fines mixed in, which is normal for ceramic burrs at this price, but the stabilization plate keeps things much more consistent than the original.
For cold brew specifically, I grind at the coarsest setting and the results are smooth and clean. If French press and cold brew are your primary methods, the Skerton Plus is a solid pick.
Pour-Over and AeroPress
Medium grinds (4-6 clicks) work well for V60 and AeroPress. I've pulled some genuinely good cups with this combination. The particle distribution isn't as tight as what you'd get from a Timemore C2 or a 1Zpresso Q2, but for a $40 grinder, I can't complain too much. My V60 drawdown times with the Skerton Plus typically land between 2:45 and 3:15 for 15 grams of coffee, which is right in the sweet spot.
Espresso
Don't bother. The Skerton Plus cannot grind fine enough for espresso, and even if you tighten it all the way down, the particle consistency isn't there. If espresso is your goal, you need to step up to a grinder with steel burrs and tighter tolerances. Check out our best coffee grinder roundup for options that actually handle espresso well.
The Grinding Experience
Let's be honest about hand grinding: it's work. The Skerton Plus takes about 60-70 rotations to grind 18 grams of medium-roast coffee at a medium setting. That translates to roughly 45-60 seconds of steady cranking. Light roasts take longer because the beans are denser and harder. Dark roasts are noticeably easier.
The handle is comfortable enough for short sessions, but if you're grinding 30+ grams for a larger French press, your arm will know about it. The ceramic burrs also create more resistance than steel burrs at the same price point, which adds to the effort.
One thing I appreciate is how quiet the Skerton Plus is compared to electric grinders. I can grind coffee at 5:30 AM without waking anyone up, which was a big reason I bought a hand grinder in the first place.
Grinding Tips
- Hold the grinder against your body with one hand and crank with the other for better leverage
- Don't fill the hopper more than halfway for the most consistent grind
- Grind in one direction only, no back-and-forth
- Shake the grinder gently every 15-20 rotations to resettle the beans
How It Compares to Other Budget Hand Grinders
The Skerton Plus lives in a competitive price bracket. Here's how it stacks up against the two grinders people most often compare it to.
Skerton Plus vs. Timemore C2
The Timemore C2 costs about $20-30 more and it's worth every penny if you can swing it. The C2 has steel burrs, grinds faster, produces more uniform particles, and the stepped adjustment is easier to use. The Skerton Plus wins on price alone. If your budget is firm at $40-50, it's a good grinder. If you can stretch to $65-70, the C2 is the better buy.
Skerton Plus vs. JavaPresse
The JavaPresse is another ceramic burr grinder in the same price range, and honestly, the Skerton Plus beats it in every category. Better stabilization, better grind consistency, and better build quality. The JavaPresse's main advantage is marketing, not performance.
If you're exploring all your options, our top coffee grinder list covers the full range from budget to premium.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Ceramic burrs don't need oiling, which is a nice perk. I clean my Skerton Plus every 2-3 weeks by disassembling it and brushing out the retained grounds with a small paintbrush. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
To disassemble: remove the handle, unscrew the adjustment nut, pull out the upper burr assembly, and brush everything clean. Reassembly is the reverse. Don't use water on the burrs unless you plan to dry them thoroughly afterward, as trapped moisture can cause the ceramic to crack over time.
Retained grounds are minimal. Maybe 0.5 grams stays in the burr chamber after each session. That's less than most electric grinders retain, so staleness isn't much of a concern.
Who Should Buy the Hario Skerton Plus
The Skerton Plus is right for you if:
- You're new to grinding your own coffee and want to start cheap
- You brew French press, AeroPress, or pour-over (not espresso)
- You only grind for 1-2 cups at a time
- You need a quiet grinder for early mornings or shared spaces
- You want a reliable travel grinder that won't break in your bag
It's not right for you if:
- You need espresso-fine grinds
- You regularly grind more than 25 grams at a time
- You want speed and convenience (get an electric grinder instead)
- You're willing to spend $65+ (get a Timemore C2 or 1Zpresso)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Hario Skerton Plus grind for espresso?
No. The ceramic burrs can't achieve the fine, consistent grind that espresso requires. You'll get channeling and uneven extraction. For espresso, look at steel burr hand grinders like the 1Zpresso JX-Pro or step up to an electric grinder.
How long does the Hario Skerton Plus last?
Ceramic burrs wear more slowly than steel, so the burrs themselves should last several years with normal use. The most common failure point is the adjustment nut stripping or the handle hex fitting wearing down. I've had mine for 14 months with no issues so far.
Is the Skerton Plus better than the Skerton Pro?
The Skerton Pro is Hario's updated model with a slightly different stabilization system and a rubber grip on the jar. The grind quality difference between the Plus and Pro is minimal. If you can find the Pro for the same price, go for it. But don't pay a premium just for the upgrade.
How do I adjust the grind size on the Skerton Plus?
Remove the handle, then turn the adjustment nut on top of the burr shaft. Clockwise makes it finer, counter-clockwise makes it coarser. There are no click stops, so you'll need to eyeball the setting or count rotations from the tightest point. I recommend starting at 4 full turns from tight for medium grind and adjusting from there.
The Bottom Line
The Hario Skerton Plus is a perfectly good $40 hand grinder that does its job for immersion and pour-over brewing. The stabilization plate fixed the biggest flaw of the original Skerton, and the ceramic burrs are durable enough to last years. Just don't expect espresso performance or lightning-fast grinding speed. If your budget allows an extra $25-30, a Timemore C2 will give you better grind quality across the board. But if you're keeping it under $50, the Skerton Plus remains one of the most reliable options at this price.