The Emil T64 is another single-dosing grinder manufactured in Asia that is entering the European market at an attractive price. Like the DF64 in its first version, it still struggles with a few issues. Nevertheless, the grinder proves it is a force to be reckoned with. It already delivers solid results in the core categories: its particle distribution and flavor performance. We have thoroughly tested the grinder and are presenting our results here.
A review of the even smaller and more affordable Emil EM1 has also been completed.
Recommended specialist workshop for the Emil T64 [Partner link]: Lücke-Technik, Coffee24
We recommend specialist partners who we know provide good work and reliable service. You do not pay more for orders placed through our affiliate links, but we receive a small commission – which we invest directly into new test equipment.
Design, Quality, and External Facts
The similarity of single-dosing grinders with 64mm burrs is striking. The Emil T64 is no exception. Leaning slightly forward, it stands stable on the counter at around 7.5 kilograms – with a height of 32 cm, a width of 13 cm, and a depth of 21 cm. Variants with matte black or matte white finishes on the metal body are available. It is unfortunate that even with the white grinder, the dosing cup is delivered in black. Since the grinder is regularly sprinkled with coffee grounds while grinding anyway, we would generally advise choosing the black version.
The grinder is available from some retailers with Italmil burrs for under 400 euros. We tested it with titanium-coated burrs. The 64mm burrs are also compatible with other third-party burrs.
The grinder is powered by a 300-watt motor. In terms of build quality, it makes quite an impression: it is heavy, stands firmly, and all components make a good impression. The rubber bellows have sufficient stiffness. The wooden lid with an aluminum inlay closes cleanly at the sides thanks to the rubber guide. The stepless grind adjustment offers just the right amount of resistance for comfortable operation.
The coffee chute can be completely removed for easy cleaning, as it is only attached with two magnets. These are so strong, however, that the glue on one of our magnets had already come loose.
The portafilter holder is sturdy and keeps the portafilter securely aligned. For better targeting, part of the dosing cup can be removed and placed directly onto the portafilter as a chute. This allows the coffee to be ground directly into the portafilter.
However, caution is advised, as the blower in combination with the flapper is one of the weak points. We will discuss this connection further below.
We really like the elegant side button to start the grinder, whose LED only lights up when the grinder is in operation. It is also worth highlighting that the grinder can be easily operated from the front and also by people in wheelchairs.
Espresso and Particle Distribution
A grinder should grind coffee so that it tastes good. Before we make a statement here, we pull hundreds of espressos, use different types of coffee, and espresso machines with various brewing profiles. We take grind samples and measure the particle distribution with the support of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Regarding taste: With the titanium burrs, the grinder provided the foundation for many delicious espressos. The coffees tasted round and balanced. The profile of each coffee was well-represented in the cup.
The grinder's particle distribution shows a main peak that lies on the narrow side. Narrow means that many particles are of a similar size, which speaks for homogeneous grounds. The fines peak is not pronounced and matches the main peak well.
Repeatability when adjusting the grind size and subsequently returning to the original value worked well. We saw a shift of only 2 microns at the main peak. It is therefore quite possible to switch between recipes and coffees and return to the previous grind size.
Speed, Noise, Retention
The Emil T64 reaches a noise level of 77.7 decibels. This makes it one of the quieter grinders compared to many other models. In another category, however, the Emil T64 positions itself at the lower end: speed. The grinder is not fundamentally slow, but it limits itself. Like earlier models of the DF64 (G-Iota, Turin), it has not found the optimal balance between static, clumping, and the flapper.
The plastic flapper on the inner coffee output is intended to reduce static and allow for even output, but it is so massive and stubborn that coffee gets stuck behind it. To release this coffee from the grinder, repeated use of the bellows during grinding is necessary. Even then, it takes time.
The grinder grinds 18 grams of coffee in about 12 seconds – but these are not immediately available. It can take up to 40 seconds for the coffee hanging behind the flapper to clear. This significantly impairs the workflow.
Resourceful minds will surely improve the flapper soon. Alternatively, it can be removed or modified with RDT to optimize the workflow.
retention
Despite intensive blowing, a small amount of coffee always remains in the grinding mechanism. Compared to hopper grinders, this is little, but for a single-dosing grinder, 1 gram of retention is not negligible. The temporary retention (0.7 grams) is exchanged from shot to shot, while 0.3 grams of permanent retention remain. This can lead to slight flavor transfer between different coffees.
Cleaning
A big plus is the easy cleaning. The coffee chute can be easily removed thanks to magnetic attachment. The tool-free accessibility to the burrs is also well-solved and allows for quick cleaning. By regularly blowing it out with the bellows, a large part of the residual coffee can also be minimized.
Conclusion on the Emil T64 Single Dosing Grinder
The basic construction is high-quality and the result in the cup is very good. With improvements to the flapper, the Emil T64 could become a serious competitor for the DF64. Those who can live with the long blowing time will find a good grinder here with potential for taste optimization. In addition, there is the possibility to further refine the flavor characteristics with third-party burrs.
We are curious to see if the manufacturer Ningbo Grind Electric Appliances Co. Ltd. will make further improvements to this model and whether future variants will come onto the market.
