Specs
Starting settings
There are no grind numbers from the reviews yet. The figures below come from readers of The Coffee Chronicler's grind chart.
| Method | Setting | Context | Confidence | By | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immersion | 13 to 16 | Porlex Mini, in clicks. Reader-submitted and approximate | approx | Christensen | grind size chart |
| Pour-over | 11 to 14 | Porlex Mini, in clicks. Reader-submitted and approximate | approx | Christensen | grind size chart |
| AeroPress | 7 to 9 | Porlex Mini, in clicks. Reader-submitted and approximate | approx | Christensen | grind size chart |
| Moka | 4 to 6 | Porlex Mini, in clicks. Reader-submitted and approximate | approx | Christensen | grind size chart |
Cup profile
- Muddy, gritty and bitter, with lots of fines and boulders. Sifting helped at some grind sizes, but it stayed poor 3:34.
- Roasty bitterness. In Lance Hedrick's test nearly half the grounds by volume were fines 10:47.
Strengths
- Cheap 10:47.
Weaknesses
Verdict
2024: among the worst he's tasted 3:34. 2026: the lowest quality in a three-way blind test 10:47. Lance Hedrick's advice is to avoid budget hand grinders with ceramic burrs 4:35.
James Hoffmann's take
- The Porlex Mini won his 2019 round of budget hand grinders on build, portability and grind quality, though it only holds about 25 g 0:33.
- Next to premium hand grinders it was far behind, with muddier, dustier filter and poorer espresso 21:38.
Sources
- James Hoffmann: The Best Cheap Manual Coffee Grinder (2019-02-18)
- James Hoffmann: The Ultimate Hand Grinder Showdown (2019-04-23)
- Lance Hedrick: BRIEF GUIDE TO BUYING A HANDGRINDER: Which is best for you with Burr Man (2023-11-29)
- Lance Hedrick: Does this Trick Improve your Grinder? (2024-12-10)
- Lance Hedrick: The Coffee Grinder Guide Every Beginner Needs (2026-02-04)
- Asser Christensen, The Coffee Chronicler (website): Grind Size Chart & Database (2025-08-29)
Summarised in our own words from the creators' videos, with every point linked to the moment it comes from. Notchbook isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any of these creators, so please watch the originals for full context. Sources
Dialling in from here
- Sour, thin or fast? Grind finer. Why coffee tastes sour
- Bitter, dry or slow? Grind coarser. Why coffee tastes bitter
- Espresso: how to dial in. Filter: pour-over grind size.
Compare with other grinders in the grind size chart, or see every grinder.
Notchbook is a free app that remembers the setting that worked on your Porlex hand grinder for each coffee and brew method, and keeps a journal of every brew. Get it free on Google Play. The iPhone app is coming soon. More about Notchbook.