Ever tried grinding your coffee on the go, only to be met with chunky, inconsistent results? It easily can ruin your cup.

The Hario Skerton Pro Ceramic Coffee Mill emerged as a delightful surprise among my hand grinder tests, bringing an unexpected sophistication at a good price point.

Allow me to take you through the ins and outs of this grinder and find out if it’s still worth it in 2024.

As far as entry-level hand grinders go, the Hario Skerton Pro is a great option for coffee lovers, especially if you want to grind larger amounts of coffee at once. It has a unique look that looks OK on the kitchen countertop while providing decent durability and roomy capacity. Its high-quality ceramic burrs can maintain sharpness for a long time to deliver consistent results while its grind settings can cover a lot of ground in your brewing, from espresso to cold brew.

It may not be as durable and portable as other models, and its precision can be lacking, but at the end of the day, you still get a grinder that goes beyond expectations for a model of that price point.

Hario Skerton Pro Review: The Key Features

It’s time for the nitty-gritty of the Hario Skerton Pro. In this section, I’ll discuss the key features of this coffee grinder and how they can enhance your coffee-grinding experience:

Unique Aesthetic

I really like the look of the Hario Skerton Pro which isn’t the traditional cylinder construction, but instead goes for a rounder pot-like shape. This gives it a unique premium look and feel, that will make you proud to display it in your kitchen or take it on your travels.

Some of my friends didn’t like its looks though, saying it looked plasticy and cheap compared to my 1Zpresso J-Max.

Decent Durability

This grinder combines sturdy plastic and Hario’s durable glass for its body. Sure the plastic parts aren’t as strong as their steel counterparts, but you can still expect the Skerton Pro to have a long life especially if it stays on your kitchen countertop and is handled properly.

High-Quality Burrs

This grinder is equipped with ceramic conical burrs which have advantages and drawbacks compared to the more common stainless steel ones.

While burrs made of ceramic are more expensive and can break more easily if they receive a strong impact, they are known for maintaining their sharpness better.

Also, they don’t heat up as easily, meaning they don’t burn away any flavors or aromas from your grounds. It is important not to heat your beans as you grind them.

Good Grinding Performance & Versatility

The adjustability of this grinder’s settings is also worth the attention. It has a range of clicks that could cater to different brewing methods, from espresso to coarser grinds of cold brew.

It’s not as precise and consistent as high-end models, but it still gets the job done. You won’t be dialing in espresso though, it has a limited number of grind settings.

Here are the recommended grind settings for the Skerton Pro:

• 2 Clicks – Espresso
• 3-4 Clicks – Moka Pot
• 5 Clicks – Aeropress
• 6 Clicks – V60
• 7 Clicks – Chemex
• 8-9 Clicks – Cold Brew and French Press

Now this is a big improvement over the previous version of the Skerton, since that didn’t have clicks at all. Just a notch you could turn, which was very difficult to use.

Size and Capacity

In terms of size, the Skerton Pro (19.5cm H x 16.7cm W) is compact enough to save space in your kitchen over electric grinders. Weighing about 420g, it’s important to remember though that the shape and materials, including the ceramic burrs, may not be as travel-friendly as other options in the market. I liked having this grinder in my kitchen, while I brought a different one on trips.

Another thing I really like about this grinder is that it goes big in capacity. Unlike its cylindrical competitors that can only hold around 20g to 40g of coffee, this grinder has a 60g bean hopper and a 100g grounds catcher.

It’s an especially good grinder for cold brews and V60 thanks to its capacity.

So whether you’re brewing cups for yourself or serving groups, this grinder has got you covered without the hassle of constant refilling interruptions.

Value for Money

Finally, we get to the grinder’s price and its value for money. The Skerton Pro is an entry-level grinder with a very affordable price point. But as such, it isn’t at the quality of a more premium grinder neither in grind consistency, variablity, or durability.

How to Grind with the Hario Skerton Pro Hand Grinder

Grinding with the Hario Skerton Pro is pretty easy, but if you’re a beginner in using hand coffee grinders, expect a bit of a learning curve. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using this coffee gear to help you out:

1. Adjust the Grind Settings

Start by moving the adjustment dial found underneath the burrs, which goes above the grounds catcher. Rotate this and count the clicks as you do so to get your desired grind setting. Remember that each click represents a step in the grind size spectrum.

2. Load Beans into the Hopper

Remove the lid from the hopper and pour your desired amount of coffee beans (up to 60 grams) into it. Securely place the lid back on top to prevent any spillage during grinding. Remember to use fresh or properly stored coffee beans for the best results.

3. Secure and Hold the Grinder

Hold onto the grinder’s body firmly with one hand while gripping the handle with your other hand. Make sure everything is stable before proceeding.

4. Grinding Process

Begin rotating the crank handle in a smooth, steady motion. The ceramic burrs will gradually crush and grind the coffee beans into uniform grounds based on your chosen coarseness level.  Generally, it could take 1 to 2 minutes to grind medium-sized grounds and about 2 to 4 minutes for finer grinds.

5. Collecting the Grounds

The Skerton Pro comes with a glass grounds catcher that has a 100-gram capacity. As you grind, the coffee grounds will accumulate in the catcher. Once finished, remove the catcher with a simple twist and transfer the freshly ground coffee to your brewing equipment.

As with any manual coffee grinder, you’d want to experiment with different grind sizes and brewing methods first until you find your perfect combination for that delicious coffee at home.

How to Clean & Maintain Your Hario Skerton Pro

A step you wouldn’t want to look over is cleaning and maintaining your grinder to ensure its consistent performance and long life. Follow these simple steps to ensure effective cleaning:

1. Disassemble by unscrewing the adjustment nut located on top of the grinder’s handle. This will allow you to remove all removable parts easily.
2. Dust off all removable parts with the included brush, including the hopper, catcher, and burrs. Avoid using harsh detergents or abrasive materials that could damage the components.
3. This is optional, but since the burs are ceramic, you can use a mild dish soap to gently clean any residue or buildup off of them. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly afterward, and allow all washed components to air dry completely before reassembling the grinder. Ensure there is absolutely no moisture left as it can affect grinding performance and potentially lead to mold growth.
4. Once everything is clean and dry, carefully reassemble all parts back onto the grinder in their correct positions.

Regular cleaning helps prevent coffee oils from accumulating which can affect taste and freshness over time. Aim for monthly or bi-weekly cleaning depending on your frequency of use. I recommend that you clean it monthly even if you don’t use it often, since you want to remove any old coffee oils and residue.

In addition to regular cleaning, occasional maintenance is also recommended:

• Inspect the burrs for any signs of wear or damage.
• If necessary, consider deep-cleaning your grinder by soaking certain components in a solution of warm water and vinegar for removing stubborn residues.

Read my in-depth guide on cleaning coffee grinders to further ensure that yours is kept spic and spam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to a few questions you might have about the Hario Skerton Pro:

Exploring Hario Skerton Pro Alternatives

To help you decide if the Hario Skerton Pro is really for you, then you might want to check out some alternatives:

Porlex Mini II

If you’re looking for a more durable and portable manual grinder while staying on a budget, the second iteration of the Porlex Mini is an excellent alternative. Like the Skerton Pro, the Porlex Mini II has ceramic burrs and great adjustment control for fine-tuning your brews. The big drawback here though is its 20g capacity which is a big downgrade from the Hario grinder’s 60g bean hopper.

Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder

You might also want to consider an electric grinder like the Baratza Encore. It has a wide range of grind sizes and precise adjustments, and the machine takes care of it automatically. However, it could cost you a lot more, with a price point that’s about three times more expensive than the Skerton Pro. You can learn more about the features of this grinder in my Baratza Encore review.

Timemore C2 Max

When it comes to value for money, I believe the Timemore C2 Max is the best budget grinder out there. It’s a bit more expensive than the Hario grinder, but it strikes the right balance between high-quality features and a price tag that doesn’t break the bank. Here is my detailed review of the C2 Max.

It has an aluminum body with stainless steel and plastic parts, and it looks premium in both its smooth white and checkered gray variants. The device has 23 adjustment steps that offer versatility and grind consistency across different brewing methods.

Remember to choose a grinder that aligns with your specific needs in terms of budget, brewing preference, and desired features. You can also check out my list of the best manual grinders money can buy in 2023.

Final Verdict

Some might think that the budget can be a hindrance in achieving great coffee, but it doesn’t have to be. The Hario Skerton Pro is proof that with an entry-level grinder, you can still have decent grinds for the brewing method of your choice.

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Hario Skerton Pro

Explore the versatility and convenience of the Hario Skerton Pro ceramic coffee grinder in this comprehensive review. Grind coffee anytime, anywhere.

Product SKU: harioskertonpro

Product Brand: Hario Skerton

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4