Comparison – Comandante C40 MK4 vs. 1zpresso K-Ultra "Fines" Production
I’ve been using the [K-Ultra](https://1zpresso.coffee/k-ultra/) more recently and have noticed the commonly reported difference in flavor profile that this provides in comparison to the [Comandante c40](https://comandantegrinder.com/products/c40-mk4-nitro-blade-black). Presumably this is due to differences in the particle size distributions produced by these grinders. I have heard that the K-Ultra has a bit wider distribution and leans towards more fines. I had not seen very convincing proof of this though. I do not have access to a fancy particle distribution analyzer, but I do have a [Shelbru Sifter](https://coffeesoldierorg.wordpress.com/shelbru-review/) taking up shelf-space. I decided to do a little comparative test between these two grinders with a medium roast natural Ethiopian (known for higher fines).
Notably, fines are typically defined as particles less than 100 microns, but for the purpose of pour-over at least, the 500 micron filter on the Shelbru seemed appropriate enough. You certainly wouldn’t want very many particles in the sub 500 micron range in your pour over. I set the K-Ultra to 7.6 clicks and the Comandante to 24 clicks and ground 10.0g of beans in each. I ran each through the Shelbru for one full minute. The sifted-out fines are shown for each below.
::C40 Fines::
::K-Ultra Fines::
While it looks like a decent amount – these fines are light – I could not register them at all on my 0.1g accuracy coffee scale. The overall volume looked very similar between the two samples, and I decided to go volumetric for quantification since I couldn’t do mass. They came out very similar – each was just under ¾ Tsp using a ¼ Tsp measuring spoon.
It wasn’t really part of my goal here, but I wasn’t going to waste the filtered out coffee (the >500 micron portions). I discarded all the fines and mixed the remaining two specimens together and tossed them in the [Kalita Mino](https://kalitausa.com/collections/kalita-mino). Frankly it came out a little vapid tasting. This may be because I trimmed off a little too much of the particle distribution curve that does give some nuance to the brew. This fits in with what I’ve [mentioned before about the Shelbru](https://coffeesoldierorg.wordpress.com/shelbru-review/), while it may clean up a messy grinder – for these higher end grinders it probably hurts more than it helps.
This was sufficient for me at least to say that I do not think the K-Ultra produces significantly more fines than the C40. I think that’s an important point, as low fines production is hallmark of high-end grinders and rumors that the K-Ultra produce more of these are a bit of a knock. The noted difference in flavor profiles between these two grinders almost certainly has to do with particle-size distribution (I’ve seen some unimpressive amateur analyses, but nothing of quality that I can link to for a good demonstration of this), but that difference does not appear to be a simple higher preponderance of fine particles in one vs. another.
Notably, fines are typically defined as particles less than 100 microns, but for the purpose of pour-over at least, the 500 micron filter on the Shelbru seemed appropriate enough. You certainly wouldn’t want very many particles in the sub 500 micron range in your pour over. I set the K-Ultra to 7.6 clicks and the Comandante to 24 clicks and ground 10.0g of beans in each. I ran each through the Shelbru for one full minute. The sifted-out fines are shown for each below.
::C40 Fines::
::K-Ultra Fines::
While it looks like a decent amount – these fines are light – I could not register them at all on my 0.1g accuracy coffee scale. The overall volume looked very similar between the two samples, and I decided to go volumetric for quantification since I couldn’t do mass. They came out very similar – each was just under ¾ Tsp using a ¼ Tsp measuring spoon.
It wasn’t really part of my goal here, but I wasn’t going to waste the filtered out coffee (the >500 micron portions). I discarded all the fines and mixed the remaining two specimens together and tossed them in the [Kalita Mino](https://kalitausa.com/collections/kalita-mino). Frankly it came out a little vapid tasting. This may be because I trimmed off a little too much of the particle distribution curve that does give some nuance to the brew. This fits in with what I’ve [mentioned before about the Shelbru](https://coffeesoldierorg.wordpress.com/shelbru-review/), while it may clean up a messy grinder – for these higher end grinders it probably hurts more than it helps.
This was sufficient for me at least to say that I do not think the K-Ultra produces significantly more fines than the C40. I think that’s an important point, as low fines production is hallmark of high-end grinders and rumors that the K-Ultra produce more of these are a bit of a knock. The noted difference in flavor profiles between these two grinders almost certainly has to do with particle-size distribution (I’ve seen some unimpressive amateur analyses, but nothing of quality that I can link to for a good demonstration of this), but that difference does not appear to be a simple higher preponderance of fine particles in one vs. another.