The new outdoor manual grinder from Comandante
Although the Comandante X25 Trailmaster is not yet available for purchase, we were lucky enough to secure a unit at the World of Coffee in Milan this summer. The Comandante X25 Trailmaster is designed for outdoor use, meaning it is robust, water-resistant, and even airtight when the lid is on. We tested it extensively for filter coffee and espresso. For transparency, please note that we sell Comandante grinders in both our Swiss and German shops. Nevertheless, we naturally try to test the grinder as impartially as possible.
X25 Trailmaster - Material and Exterior
The X25 Trailmaster is a more robust version of the C40 Nitro Blade. At 420 grams, it is around 220 grams lighter than the C40 version and built to be very sturdy. It is made of a reinforced techno-polymer called QTP. This very high-quality plastic feels good to the touch and is highly resistant to scratches. The surface has a kind of 3D effect, and the surface texture makes it very easy to grip.
The grinder has a diameter of 5 cm and is 16.5 cm tall. The Comandante logo protrudes from the casing, which provides more grip when grinding but also feels a bit sharp. The look is reminiscent of desert camouflage, which appears very modern and high-quality, though perhaps a bit too military-inspired for some. According to Comandante, more colors are in the pipeline.
The outdoor Comandante X25 Trailmaster
Since outdoor use is the main feature of this grinder, we tested it extensively outdoors over the summer. Fresh coffee on the go without worrying about the equipment breaking. This works very well and we really like it.
The grind quality of the grinder is also impressive. The particle distribution is almost identical to the C40 MK4, which is not surprising. Both grinders use the same Nitro Blade conical burrs. The fact that the quality of the C40 is maintained while saving so much weight is truly an enormous achievement.
Brilliant as a filter coffee grinder - espresso is best with an upgrade
The grinder can be adjusted very precisely using clicks. In the range between 22 and 28 clicks, we achieve optimal grind sizes for filter coffee and alternative brewing methods. To count the clicks, the grinder is first closed completely and then opened slowly while counting. Each click moves the burr set a little further up and makes the grind coarser.
The click setting works very well for the filter coffee range, but only to a limited extent for the espresso range. Unfortunately, the individual clicks are too coarse. At a grind setting of 9 clicks, we achieved a flow time of 20 seconds, which was a little too fast. At 8 clicks, however, it was suddenly 32 seconds, a little too slow. These large jumps are unfortunately too big for precise espresso brewing. Anyone wanting to use the grinder for espresso should consider a so-called Redclix system. Although this costs extra, it halves the grind size increments per click. Alternatively, the amount of coffee in the portafilter can be varied to achieve an optimal flow time. However, this requires very precise weighing and a good understanding of the brew ratio and flow time.
On the other hand, in terms of particle distribution and reproducibility, the Comandante is superior to any electric grinder in its price segment. For those on a budget or looking for a secondary grinder, this could also be a compelling argument for this manual grinder, especially since it has virtually no retention.
Conclusion on the Comandante X25 Trailmaster
The Comandante X25 is an outdoor grinder. And it does that really well. It is robust and resilient. It is handy, lightweight, and even water-resistant. The Comandante fulfills all these criteria. Furthermore, the grind result for filter coffee is truly convincing. Unless you are bringing an espresso machine and a diesel generator on your camping trip, you should be very happy with all types of filter coffee outdoors.
Anyone wishing to use the Comandante X25 as a secondary grinder or as an affordable entry-level grinder for espresso should consider an upgrade with Redclix. This makes it easier to hit the optimal grind size and then enjoy the really good and narrow particle distribution in the cup.
