For coffee enthusiasts, selecting the right grinder can significantly impact the brewing experience. Among a wide range of choices, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus stands out as a portable, affordable, and efficient hand grinder. This blog post explores why this compact coffee grinder has gained popularity among home brewers and travelers alike.
A Lightweight, Portable Solution
One of the primary features of the Hario Mini-Slim Plus is its compact size and portability. Standing at about 7 inches tall, it easily fits into small spaces in your kitchen, or even in a backpack for those who enjoy brewing coffee on the go. It weighs in at just 0.5 pounds, making it light enough to take on outdoor adventures or travel, whether you’re camping, hiking, or simply commuting. Despite its small size, it has an ergonomic design, allowing users to maintain a firm grip while grinding.
The Hario Mini-Slim Plus offers convenience, not just because of its compact nature but also due to its plastic body. While some might argue that glass or metal would give it a more premium feel, the choice of plastic ensures the grinder is durable and lightweight. This feature makes it an ideal travel companion, where accidental drops or rough handling won’t easily damage the unit. In addition, plastic construction prevents the risk of shattering, unlike some glass-based grinders.
High-Quality Ceramic Burrs for Consistency
At the heart of any grinder is the burr system, and the Hario Mini-Slim Plus doesn’t disappoint. It features ceramic conical burrs, known for their durability and ability to produce a consistent grind. Ceramic burrs, unlike their steel counterparts, generate less heat during grinding. This helps to preserve the delicate flavors and oils locked in your coffee beans, ensuring a richer and more aromatic cup of coffee.
When it comes to grind quality, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus offers solid performance for a hand grinder. It excels particularly in producing fine grinds, making it a great choice for espresso lovers or those brewing with methods like the Aeropress. The adjustable grind settings, controlled by a simple twist-and-click mechanism beneath the burrs, make it versatile enough for different brewing methods such as pour-over, French press, and drip coffee.
The Grind Adjustability: Simple but Effective
Adjusting the grind size on the Hario Mini-Slim Plus is an easy and intuitive process. By twisting the nut located below the burrs, users can choose between finer or coarser grinds. It operates on a “click” system, where each click adjusts the distance between the burrs, thus modifying the grind size. For example, 8 to 10 clicks are recommended for a medium grind suitable for pour-over methods like the Hario V60, while around 15 clicks are best for a coarser grind needed for a French press.
One noteworthy aspect of the grinder is its ability to “lock in” your grind setting once you’ve found the ideal size. By counting clicks, users can easily replicate their preferred grind consistency each time, removing much of the guesswork associated with other manual grinders. This is particularly useful for those who switch between brewing methods frequently or those who prefer experimenting with different grind settings.
Performance and Speed: Is it Quick Enough?
One concern with manual grinders is how fast they can process beans. With the Hario Mini-Slim Plus, grinding approximately 20 grams of coffee takes about a minute on a medium setting. This is reasonable, especially considering that hand grinders rely entirely on human power. While it does require a bit of effort, most users find the process smooth and manageable.
The Hario Mini-Slim Plus is best suited for brewing single servings of coffee. The top hopper holds around 24 grams of beans, enough for one to two cups of coffee, depending on the brewing method. For users who need to brew multiple cups in one sitting, this may pose a challenge, as it would require refilling and grinding multiple times. This can be an inconvenience when serving guests or preparing a larger batch of coffee. However, for individuals or small households, the grinder’s size and capacity are likely to meet their daily brewing needs.
Grind Consistency: Where the Mini Mill Shines and Falters
The grind consistency of the Hario Mini-Slim Plus is on par with other manual grinders in its price range. It excels in producing fine grinds for espresso, Aeropress, and pour-over methods, offering a consistent grind that can rival more expensive grinders. However, when it comes to coarser settings, such as those used for French press, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus shows some limitations. The burrs may shift slightly during the grinding process, leading to uneven particle sizes, which can affect the quality of the brew. This issue is more pronounced at coarser grind settings, where “boulders” or larger chunks of beans can occasionally appear alongside smaller particles.
Fortunately, there are DIY modifications available to enhance the consistency of the grinder, particularly for coarser grinds. Many users have found that adding a small washer between the burrs helps reduce their movement, resulting in more uniform grounds. While this is not an official fix from Hario, it has been adopted by the grinder’s community of users and has proven to be effective.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
The Hario Mini-Slim Plus is praised for its simplicity. Setting it up is straightforward: remove the top lid, pour in your beans, and start grinding. The clear plastic collection chamber lets you monitor the grounds as you go, allowing for adjustments on the fly. The handle, which attaches to a hexagonal nut on the top, locks into place securely and stays put even during vigorous grinding.
Cleaning the grinder is equally simple. Since the Hario Mini-Slim Plus doesn’t have many moving parts, disassembling it for cleaning takes just a few minutes. The burrs can be rinsed under water or wiped clean with a brush, ensuring that the grinder remains in top condition for future use. Given that manual grinders often build up coffee oils, which can affect the flavor of future brews, regular cleaning is a must, and the Hario Mini-Slim Plus makes this process hassle-free.
Pros and Cons of the Hario Mini Mill
Pros:
- Affordability: At around $30, it’s an economical choice for those looking to upgrade their coffee experience without breaking the bank.
- Portability: Its lightweight, compact design makes it perfect for travel, camping, or small kitchens.
- Durability: Despite its plastic construction, the grinder is built to last, with ceramic burrs that won’t rust or wear out easily.
- Ease of Use: The simple design and adjustable grind settings make it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced brewers.
Cons:
- Small Capacity: The 24-gram hopper and collection chamber limit the grinder to single servings, making it less ideal for brewing large batches of coffee.
- Requires Manual Effort: While some users appreciate the hands-on experience, others may find the physical effort required for grinding a drawback.
- Inconsistent Coarse Grinds: The grind consistency at coarser settings may be uneven, leading to an inconsistent brew for methods like the French press.
The Verdict: A Handy Grinder for Coffee Enthusiasts
In conclusion, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus is a solid choice for coffee lovers who prioritize portability, affordability, and versatility. While it may not replace high-end electric grinders for those who need perfect grind consistency across all settings, it excels in its niche as a travel-friendly, hand-operated grinder that delivers excellent results for finer grinds. Whether you’re a beginner home brewer or a seasoned coffee enthusiast, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus is a worthy addition to your coffee toolkit.
For those seeking an inexpensive, reliable, and portable coffee grinder, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus certainly ticks the boxes. However, if you regularly brew large batches or require the precision of a commercial grinder, you may want to consider other options. Ultimately, for its price and features, the Hario Mini-Slim Plus stands out as a top contender in the manual grinder market.
