In this hands-on review, we’ll take a closer look at the HiBrew hand grinder G4B, the first hand grinder in their product line.
I’ll cover everything from unboxing and design to performance and brewing tests, so you’ll know if this is the right hand grinder for your coffee routines.
If you prefer to watch the video review, check it out on my YouTube Channel.
Design and Build Quality
The HiBrew hand grinder comes with a sturdy protective case, which is always nice to have.
The handle is made of solid aluminum with no plastic parts, and the wooden knob looks great and spins smoothly. Together with the dual bearings, the grinder spins without wobbling.
The overall design is unique. The gripping area has a polished, striated surface and a rubber band with a leather-like texture. It feels good to hold.
The grinder uses a screw-on catch cup, which is polished and well-made. However, I don’t really like the rim of the catch cup. The inner wall should be straight without a curve so the grounds can pour out more easily.
The grinder weighs 495 grams, and the size and weight feel just right for a portable hand grinder. It’s a bit larger than the 1Zpresso Q2 and about the same size as the Timemore C3.
I think overall, the HiBrew hand grinder has a unique vibe that stands out among other hand grinders on the market. The color combination and finish look premium, even compared to pricier models.
Grind Adjustment Mechanism and Settings
HiBrew G4B hand grinder uses an external grind adjustment mechanism. That’s my favorite design for a hand grinder. I’m very happy to see it on an entry-level model at this price.
It is super convenient to adjust grind sizes back and forth. This design is also found in other popular grinders like the 1Zpresso K and J series and new Timemore S3, but they are much more expensive.
There are 55 clicks for adjusting the grind, with 11 numbers on the ring and five clicks between each.
Each click changes the grind size by about 33 microns. This adjustment suffices for most filtered coffee brewing methods but is a bit large for fine-tunning espresso.
Disassembly and Internal Parts
Like many hand grinders, it is easy to disassemble and clean thoroughly from time to time.
For first-time disassembly, the knob is very tight, so a tool might be needed to loosen it a bit.
Once the knob is off, there is a plate that keeps the burr securely positioned. This design makes it very easy to calibrate after disassembly.
The heart of the grinder is a 38mm conical burr, which is the standard size for many entry-level grinders. The blades are sharp and have an aggressive design.
Reassembling is simple too. Just put everything back in order. Just one thing you need to pay attention to, you need to align the shaft with the plate, then set the grind setting to zero before tightening the burr set. This ensures your grinder is pointed at zero when it’s at the finest setting. Super easy and clever design.
If you don’t know how to do that, remember to check out my YouTube video, I’ve shown you the detailed instruction there.
Grind Quality and Consistency
According to the manual, settings 1 to 3 are ideal for espresso, and settings 6 to 9 work well for pour-over.
Setting it to 6 provides a medium grind. Testing a few grams of beans can verify the grind size, as manuals can sometimes be inaccurate depending on the beans.
For medium grinds, the consistency looked solid, with minimal fine dust or boulders.
In a sifter test, 50% of the grounds fell within the 400 to 900-micron range, which is not bad for an entry-level grinder.
For espresso, setting it to number 2 resulted in a coarser grind than expected, which may work well with a pressurized basket but would be too coarse for non-pressurized ones.
After adjusting to number 1, the consistency was much better for espresso. So do not hesitate to go finer to dial in the perfect shot.
On the coarser end, setting it to 9 was ideal for French press or cold brew.
Overall, this grinder performed well across brewing methods, particularly for medium grinds used in pour-over or drip coffee.
My Recommended Grind Sizes for Different Brew Methods
Here is my preferred grind size chart for your reference, it’s slightly differnet from the recommendation on the manual based on my brewing test.
- Turkish Coffee: 1-3 clicks (< number 1)
- Espresso for non-pressurized baskets: 3 to 7 clicks (around number 1)
- Espresso for pressurized baskets: 5 to 10 clicks (Number 1 to 2)
- Aeropress or moka pot: 10 to 20 clicks (Number 2 to 4)
- Pour Over: 30 to 40 clicks (Number 6 to 8)
- French Press: 40-50 clicks (Number 8 to 9)
Grinding Speed
To check the grinding speed, I weighed out 15 grams of beans and set the grinder to number 6.
The grinding process was smooth and easy, taking just 40 seconds to grind 15 grams. This was impressive for a hand grinder with a 38mm burr set.
When I set it to number 1 (5 clicks) for espresso, it took 1 minute and 15 seconds. Grinding beans at this espresso setting was effortless, with no strong resistance.
Adjusting it 1 click finer (4 clicks) took 1 minute and 30 seconds. Not bad for a grinder with such a small burr.
Brewing Test
Pour Over
Brewing coffee using the Origami dripper showed that the grinder performed well for pour-over. The drip rate was good, and the coffee was pleasant to drink, with a clean and bright taste.
Espresso Test
For an espresso test, I pulled a shot using HiBrew’s H10B. The grind size was set to number 1.
After a few seconds of pre-infusion, I noticed the drip rate was too fast, even though the pressure was in the green zone, indicating the need for a finer grind.
The flow rate improved significantly compared to the previous shot. The pressure increased, and the shot appeared creamier with richer crema. Considering its grinding efficiency and the final shot quality, this grinder is capable of espresso.
However, after adjusting one click finer, each click changed the grind size by 33 microns, which was a large step for fine-tuning. That means if I go a single click finer or coarser, it will dramatically change the flow rate.
This is a key difference between an espresso grinder and a standard grinder, making this grinder best suited for filter coffee.
Final Thoughts
Despite the limited range for fine-tuning, this grinder did a great job for espresso and performed really well in filtered coffee brewing.
I think it can compare with popular grinders like the Timemore C3 or other products in the $80 to $100 price range.
The HiBrew hand grinder is a well-built, budget-friendly option for an entry-level grinder.
Thanks for reading!
