Lido ET Grinder: The Travel Hand Grinder That Punches Above Its Weight
The Lido ET is a hand grinder made by Orphan Espresso (OE), designed specifically for travel without sacrificing grind quality. I bought one for a two-week trip through Southeast Asia where I didn't want to go without good coffee, and it ended up becoming a permanent part of my travel kit. The "ET" stands for "Espresso/Travel," and it lives up to both halves of that name.
This guide covers the Lido ET's design, grind performance, how it compares to OE's other Lido models, and practical advice for getting the most out of it on the road and at home.
Design and Construction
The Lido ET stands out from most hand grinders because of its foldable handle. The crank arm folds flat against the body of the grinder, reducing the packed height significantly. When folded, the ET fits into a travel bag or suitcase without the handle poking out or catching on other items.
The body is a combination of machined aluminum and stainless steel. It feels solid in the hand and weighs about 12 ounces. Not the lightest hand grinder available, but the weight reflects real build quality. There's no plastic in the structural components.
The grind adjustment is a stepless system using a threaded ring at the bottom of the burr assembly. You turn the ring to move the burrs closer together (finer) or farther apart (coarser). Tick marks around the ring help you track your setting, but there are no fixed steps or clicks. This means infinite adjustment precision, which is especially valuable when dialing in for espresso.
The 48mm Swiss Burrs
The Lido ET uses 48mm Swiss-made steel burrs. That's significantly larger than the 38mm burrs in most competing hand grinders in this price range. Larger burrs mean two things: faster grinding (fewer rotations per gram) and better particle uniformity.
I can grind 18 grams of coffee for espresso in about 30-35 seconds with the ET. For a coarser pour-over grind, the same dose takes about 20-25 seconds. That's quick for a hand grinder and makes the ET practical for daily use, not just occasional travel duty.
Grind Quality Across Brew Methods
Espresso
The Lido ET is one of the few travel-focused hand grinders that genuinely works for espresso. The stepless adjustment and 48mm burrs give you the fine control and particle uniformity needed for unpressurized portafilter baskets.
I pulled dozens of shots with ET-ground coffee during my trip, using a portable espresso maker. The grind consistency was solid. I could dial in within 3-4 test shots and then get repeatable results for the rest of the bag. The particle distribution at espresso fineness shows slightly more fines than a dedicated espresso grinder in the $500+ range, but it's well within acceptable limits.
Pour-Over
At medium settings, the ET produces clean, uniform grounds for V60 and other pour-over methods. This was my primary use during travel, since pour-over is the easiest method to do in a hotel room with a collapsible dripper and paper filters. The cups were bright, sweet, and well-extracted.
French Press and Cold Brew
At coarser settings, the ET performs well. French press grounds come out evenly chunky with minimal fines. Cold brew at the coarsest settings is consistent and easy.
AeroPress
The ET and AeroPress are a natural travel pairing. Both are compact, portable, and versatile. At medium-fine settings (right between espresso and pour-over), the AeroPress produces concentrated, full-bodied coffee that's close to espresso in character. I used this combination for most of my morning coffee during my trip.
Lido ET vs. Other Lido Models
Orphan Espresso makes several Lido grinders, and the differences matter:
Lido ET vs. Lido 3
The Lido 3 is OE's general-purpose hand grinder for home use. It has the same 48mm burrs and stepless adjustment, but with a larger capacity, a longer non-folding handle, and a bigger grounds jar. The Lido 3 is more comfortable for daily home use because of the larger handle and jar. The ET wins on portability.
Grind quality is identical between the two. Same burrs, same mechanism. The choice comes down to whether you prioritize travel friendliness or home comfort.
Lido ET vs. Lido E
The Lido E was OE's original espresso-focused model with a finer-thread adjustment for more precision at the espresso end. The ET essentially replaced the Lido E by combining its espresso capability with the travel-friendly design. If you see a used Lido E for sale, it's still a great grinder, but the ET is the updated version.
Lido ET vs. Lido E-T (Note the Hyphen)
Confusingly, OE has used both "ET" and "E-T" naming at different points. They refer to the same grinder. Don't worry about the naming variation when shopping.
For a broader comparison across all hand grinder types and price points, check out our best coffee grinder guide.
Travel Tips for the Lido ET
I've traveled with my Lido ET on planes, trains, and buses across several countries. Here's what I've learned:
Airport Security
Hand grinders sometimes get flagged in carry-on X-ray screening because the dense metal body looks unusual on the scanner. I've been asked to open my bag and show the grinder to security agents twice. Both times, a quick demonstration of what it does resolved the situation in 30 seconds. I've never had one confiscated.
That said, if you're concerned, pack it in checked luggage. The ET's sturdy construction means it can handle being tossed around in a suitcase.
Keeping It Clean on the Road
Without access to your home cleaning setup, maintenance is simpler on the road. After each use, tap the grinder firmly to dislodge loose grounds, then blow through the chute area. Once every few days, unscrew the catch jar and brush the burrs with whatever stiff brush is available (even a toothbrush works in a pinch).
My Travel Coffee Kit
For reference, here's what I pack alongside the Lido ET: - AeroPress (with the scoop and a stack of paper filters) - Collapsible silicone pour-over dripper (as a backup) - Small digital scale (a pocket jewelry scale works) - Beans in a ziplock bag (I buy locally when possible) - The hotel room's electric kettle handles the water
The whole kit fits in a small packing cube and weighs under 2 pounds including the grinder.
Common Complaints and Honest Drawbacks
No product is perfect. Here's what I don't love about the Lido ET:
Adjustment Ring Can Drift
The stepless adjustment ring can shift slightly during grinding if you don't tighten it firmly. This means your grind size might get slightly coarser mid-dose. The fix is simple: make sure the locking mechanism is snug before you start grinding. But it's an annoyance that click-step grinders don't have.
Catch Jar Is Small
The grounds catch container on the ET is sized for single doses, roughly 25-30 grams maximum. For a single cup of coffee, that's fine. If you're grinding for a French press or a large pour-over, you might need to grind in two batches. The Lido 3's larger jar is better for bigger doses.
Ergonomics Under Heavy Use
The ET's compact size means the handle has less leverage than a full-size hand grinder. For a single espresso dose, it's comfortable. Grinding 30+ grams for a larger brew takes noticeably more effort because of the shorter handle throw. My hand gets tired after two consecutive full-size grinds.
Price
At $195-220, the Lido ET is not cheap for a hand grinder. You can buy capable hand grinders for half the price. But those cheaper options typically have smaller burrs (38mm), slower grinding, and less precise adjustment. The ET's 48mm burrs and true espresso capability justify the premium if those things matter to you.
Maintenance and Longevity
Regular Cleaning
- After each use: tap out loose grounds, quick blow-through
- Weekly at home: disassemble the catch jar and burr assembly, brush all surfaces clean
- Monthly: check the adjustment ring for smooth operation, lubricate the threads with a tiny amount of food-safe grease if they feel gritty
Burr Longevity
The 48mm Swiss steel burrs in the Lido ET will last for years of home and travel use. At 15-20 grams per day, you're looking at 5+ years before any noticeable degradation. OE sells replacement burr sets if needed.
For more grinder recommendations at every price point, see our top coffee grinder roundup.
FAQ
Can the Lido ET replace a home electric grinder?
For a single daily user, yes. If you make 1-2 cups per day and enjoy the hand grinding process, the ET produces grind quality that matches or beats electric grinders costing twice as much. For households making 4+ drinks per day, the time and effort add up and an electric grinder makes more sense.
Is the Lido ET good enough for light roast espresso?
Yes, with a caveat. Light roasts are harder to grind and require finer settings. The ET can handle it, but expect more arm effort per dose compared to medium or dark roasts. The grind quality at those fine settings is good enough for properly extracted light roast espresso.
Where can I buy a Lido ET?
Orphan Espresso sells directly through their website. Availability fluctuates since they manufacture in batches. Some specialty coffee retailers also stock Lido grinders. Check OE's site first for current availability and pricing.
How does the Lido ET compare to Comandante or Kinu for travel?
The Comandante C40 and Kinu M47 are both excellent travel grinders with similar grind quality. The ET's advantage is the folding handle, which makes it more packable. The Comandante is slimmer overall but the handle adds length. The Kinu is heavier. All three produce excellent coffee. Pick based on which form factor fits your travel style best.
My Recommendation
The Lido ET is the best hand grinder I've used for travel that doesn't compromise on espresso capability. The 48mm burrs, stepless adjustment, and folding handle combine into a package that works equally well in a hotel room in Bangkok and on your kitchen counter at home. If you travel regularly and care about coffee quality on the road, the ET is hard to beat.