Timemore C2 Aeropress: The Perfect Budget Pairing?
The Timemore C2 is one of the best hand grinders for AeroPress brewing, especially at its price point of around $60-70. It produces a consistent medium-fine grind that the AeroPress needs, fits easily in a travel bag alongside your brewer, and grinds a single AeroPress dose in about 45 seconds. If you're looking for a hand grinder to pair with your AeroPress, the C2 should be near the top of your list.
I've been using the Timemore C2 with my AeroPress for both daily home brewing and travel for well over a year now. The combination is one of those setups where everything just clicks: the grinder's size, speed, and grind quality match what the AeroPress demands. Here's my detailed breakdown of settings, technique, and what to expect.
Grind Settings for AeroPress
The Timemore C2 uses a stepped adjustment with numbered clicks. Each full rotation covers about 12 clicks, and the total range goes from very fine (click 5-6) to very coarse (click 30+). For AeroPress, you'll work in the 12-20 click range depending on your recipe.
My Recommended Settings
| AeroPress Recipe | Clicks | Grind Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (inverted, 2 min steep) | 14-16 | Medium-fine, like fine sand | My daily go-to |
| Concentrate style (1:8 ratio) | 12-13 | Fine, approaching espresso | Strong, dilute with water after |
| Quick brew (30 sec, James Hoffmann style) | 16-18 | Medium | Faster drain, brighter cup |
| Cold brew concentrate | 10-12 | Very fine | Overnight steep in fridge |
I use 15 clicks for about 80% of my AeroPress brews. It produces a balanced cup with good sweetness, moderate body, and enough clarity to taste origin characteristics. If I'm using a lighter roast, I go one click finer (14). Darker roasts get one click coarser (16).
How to Count Clicks
If you're new to the C2, here's how the click system works:
- Turn the adjustment dial fully tight (clockwise until it stops, with no beans in the grinder)
- That's click 0 (burrs touching)
- Turn counterclockwise, counting each click you feel and hear
- Stop at your target number
Each click represents a small, consistent change in grind size. Going from 14 to 15 clicks is a subtle but measurable difference in your cup. I can taste the change across 2 clicks but not always across 1.
Why the C2 Works So Well With AeroPress
The AeroPress is a forgiving brewer. It uses immersion (steeping) combined with pressure (pressing), which means it extracts well even with slightly uneven particle sizes. The Timemore C2's grind consistency is good but not perfect, and the AeroPress compensates for any minor variability.
Particle Distribution
The C2 uses stainless steel conical burrs that produce a slightly bimodal distribution, similar to other conical burr grinders. For AeroPress, this is actually a positive. The mix of particle sizes creates a cup with more body and sweetness than what you'd get from a perfectly unimodal grind.
I've compared the C2's AeroPress output side-by-side with a Comandante C40 (which costs 3-4x more), and the difference in the cup is smaller than you'd think. The Comandante produces slightly more clarity, but the C2's cup has more sweetness and body. Both are enjoyable. For the price difference, the C2 is the better value.
Speed and Effort
Grinding 15g of medium roast coffee at click 15 takes me about 40-45 seconds on the C2. That's fast enough that it doesn't slow down my morning routine. The effort required is moderate. You'll feel it in your forearm after the first week if you're not used to hand grinding, but it quickly becomes natural.
Light roasts take longer and require more effort because the beans are denser. A 15g dose of a washed Ethiopian light roast takes me about 55-60 seconds compared to 40 seconds for a medium Brazilian. This is true for all hand grinders, not just the C2.
Travel Setup: C2 + AeroPress
The Timemore C2 and AeroPress together are one of the best travel coffee setups you can build. Here's what I pack:
The kit: - Timemore C2 (fits inside the AeroPress chamber) - AeroPress (original or Go model) - Paper filters (pack of 50 takes up no space) - Small digital scale (I use a cheap $10 pocket scale) - Electric kettle or access to hot water
The whole setup weighs under 2 pounds and fits in a corner of my backpack. I've used this on camping trips, hotel stays, and visiting family. It produces better coffee than any hotel room machine or diner coffeepot, every single time.
Travel Grinding Tips
- Grind over a towel or paper to catch any stray grounds
- In hotel rooms, the bathroom counter gives you the best workspace
- Pre-weigh your beans into small ziplock bags (15g per bag) to skip the scale
- The C2 is quiet enough to use in shared hostel rooms without disturbing anyone
Maintenance for AeroPress Users
If you're using the C2 primarily for AeroPress, your cleaning routine is simpler than espresso users because you're grinding at a medium setting that produces fewer fines.
After Each Use
- Blow through the grinder (top to bottom) to clear loose grounds
- Wipe the exterior with a dry cloth
Weekly
- Remove the outer burr by unscrewing the adjustment dial completely
- Brush both burrs with the included brush
- Tap out any stuck grounds
- Reassemble and reset to your usual click count
Every 2-3 Months
- Full disassembly of the burr mechanism
- Clean with a dry brush and compressed air
- Check the bearings and shaft for any play or wobble
- Apply a tiny drop of food-safe mineral oil to the axle if it feels rough
The C2's stainless steel burrs don't rust, so moisture isn't a concern during normal cleaning. Just don't submerge the mechanism in water.
C2 Compared to Other AeroPress Grinder Options
If you're deciding between the Timemore C2 and other grinders for AeroPress, here's how they compare:
Timemore C2 vs. JavaPresse
The JavaPresse is cheaper ($25-30) but uses ceramic burrs that produce a much more inconsistent grind. The C2's steel burrs are a significant upgrade in particle consistency. For AeroPress, you'll notice better flavor clarity and less muddiness with the C2. Worth the extra $30-40.
Timemore C2 vs. 1Zpresso Q2
The 1Zpresso Q2 costs about the same as the C2 and produces a slightly more uniform grind. The Q2 is a touch smaller and lighter, making it marginally better for travel. I give a slight edge to the Q2 for grind quality and the C2 for ergonomics and grinding speed. Both are excellent AeroPress companions.
Timemore C2 vs. Porlex Mini
The Porlex Mini was the original "AeroPress travel grinder" because it fits inside the AeroPress chamber. The C2 also fits inside the AeroPress (barely) and produces significantly better grind consistency than the Porlex. Unless you specifically need the Porlex's ceramic burrs for some reason, the C2 is the better pick.
For a full comparison of grinders suited to AeroPress, our best coffee grinder for AeroPress and best grinder for AeroPress roundups cover options from budget to premium.
FAQ
What's the single best Timemore C2 setting for AeroPress?
Start at 15 clicks with a standard inverted recipe (15g coffee, 200g water, 2 minute steep). Adjust finer by 1 click if the coffee tastes weak or sour, coarser by 1 click if it's bitter or astringent. For most medium roast beans, 15 clicks produces a balanced, sweet cup.
Can the Timemore C2 grind fine enough for espresso-style AeroPress?
Yes, though the C2 isn't a dedicated espresso grinder. For concentrated AeroPress brews, setting 12-13 clicks produces a fine grind that works well with a shorter steep time and less water. It won't match true espresso, but it makes a strong, flavorful concentrate.
Does the Timemore C2 actually fit inside the AeroPress?
The C2's body is slim enough to fit inside the AeroPress chamber (original model). The handle needs to be removed and stored separately. The fit is tight but it works. The AeroPress Go has a smaller chamber and the C2 won't fit inside it.
How long do the Timemore C2 burrs last?
The stainless steel burrs should last 3-5 years of daily home use before you notice a meaningful decline in grind quality. If you're grinding 15-20g daily, the burrs process roughly 5-7kg per year. They're rated for well over 20kg before replacement is needed.
My Recommendation
The Timemore C2 paired with an AeroPress is the best sub-$100 travel coffee setup I've found. It's also a strong daily driver for home AeroPress users who don't want an electric grinder taking up counter space. Set it to 15 clicks, brew your AeroPress recipe of choice, and you'll have a cup that beats most coffee shop drip. Start there and adjust to your taste.