The G-Iota DF83 V2, also known as the Turin DF83 V2, is positioning itself as a top contender in the segment of single dosing espresso grinders for home use in the under 1000 Euro range.
Since the success of the Niche Zero, single dosing has become indispensable in many households. With the DF64, G-Iota already placed its own capable single dosing grinder in the lowest price segment. The DF83 V aims to build on this success and could, with its performance, end the Niche Zero's winning streak. After all, what the DF83 V2 delivers in terms of performance, build quality, particle distribution, and espresso quality is truly good.
We have tested the DF83 extensively and compared our results with data from more than 50 espresso grinders. We bought the grinder from the Bohnendealer*. This is the importer for the German and Austrian market. Unfortunately, the grinder is currently not available in Switzerland.
We compared 10 single dosing grinders in the price range from 500 to 1000 Euros. Read more about it in our article on the topic.
Design and Construction
The DF83 V2 impresses with its robust, powder-coated housing, which ensures both stability and longevity. With dimensions of 365 mm (height) x 153 mm (width) x 252 mm (depth) and a weight of 10.5 kg, which reflects its stable construction, it is compact yet present on any kitchen counter. Notable is the power cable exiting from the side, which can be really annoying. It is inexplicable why the manufacturer routes the cable to the side.
For espresso machines where the steam wand is on the right, the grinder can be placed to the left of the machine, and as a result, the cable can be routed under the espresso machine. However, on many espresso machines, the steam wand is on the left, and we explicitly do not recommend this if milk is frothed frequently. The steam from frothing affects the grinding behavior of the beans, at least when they are in the bean hopper. For single dosing grinders, this may be negligible.
As with the G-Iota DF64, the constant glowing of the grind button is annoying. Modern devices should be switched off when not in operation and not glow for no reason. Who needs a night light on their grinder at night?!
Performance and Technology
The grinder is powered by a single-phase asynchronous motor that reaches an impressive grinding performance of 35.6 grams in 10 seconds at a speed of 1400 rpm. The 83mm Italmill burrs provide a uniform and fluffy grind. The option to upgrade to titanium or SSP universal burrs offers additional flexibility.
With this speed, the grinder is one of the fastest espresso grinders we have tested so far. Because of this speed, it is basically also suitable for commercial use, although a fast single dosing workflow is difficult to manage in a commercial setting. Although the DF83 comes with a bean hopper - the question remains: what for?
After all, no grind time can be programmed, and therefore no quantity. But anyone who wants to quickly grind 250 grams for a neighbor can, in principle, do so with the grinder due to its speed.
Noise Level and retention
The noise level of the grinder is in the higher range at 85.2 decibels. This is the consequence of high grinding performance, speed, and motor power.
The retention is 1.6 grams when full, but is thoroughly purged down to 0.11 grams when using the bellows. In the context of the Home Barista Championship, the "Björn method" has proven to be the best bellows technique. This involves pressing the bellows at a high frequency but with less force.
During grinding, the temperature of the grinder rises insignificantly over 6 extractions with 30 seconds between each grind. We measured an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius to an extremely low average of 29.5 degrees Celsius.
Grind Adjustment and Usability
The espresso grinder is reduced to the essentials. Essentially, there is only one (glowing) button used to start the grinder. The grind time cannot be programmed. However, single dosing grinders also operate on a different principle. The coffee is weighed, put into the grinder, and ground completely.
Grind consistency repeatability was not good in the particle analysis comparison, which is also discussed by Michel and Benjamin in the video. In practice, however, we had less difficulty returning the grinder to the recipe than the particle distribution analysis suggests.
Important: in the video, we accidentally display the particle curve of the grinder labeled M50. This is the G-Iota DF64V, not the DF83. However, the content explanation in the video refers to the data for the DF83.
The large grind dial makes it relatively easy to return to the original recipe.
Single Dosing and Accessories
The DF83 V2 is consistently designed for single dosing. The included metal dosing cup and the blow-out funnel make handling the ground coffee easier. The blow-out funnel has a constriction, which also reduces popcorn, which refers to beans jumping around during the grinding process.
To support single dosing, the grinder includes two practical tools. The aluminum dosing cup is one of them. It fits flush on 58mm portafilters and can be clamped into the portafilter holder. An attachable ring reduces the distance to the coffee chute and ensures that the ground coffee is ground completely into the dosing cup.
The same ring can also be placed directly on the portafilter, and the grinder then grinds just as precisely into the portafilter. The portafilter holder is well-made, although the rubber coatings are weak points and do not last as long as the holder itself. And without the rubber covers, the portafilter does not sit well anymore. Unfortunately, some coffee powder accumulates on the inner edge of the dosing ring. That is missing from the portafilter, but it is very little and must be wiped off regularly.
A small water sprayer is also included. This reduces the static charge of the ground coffee, which is also pronounced in this model of the DF83. We discuss this topic, as well as the flapper issue, extensively in our test video.
Espresso Quality and Particle Distribution
The DF83 V2 shows a narrow main peak, although the fine content is relatively high. The narrow main peak can be read as proof of a result in the cup, which we found again and again in our extractions. The espressi tasted clear and transparent, and the complexity of the coffees showed itself positively and, for example, much more pronounced than we experienced with the Niche Duo. Nevertheless, the espresso also had a creamy and heavy body, which can be seen in connection with the still high fine content.
In summary, it can be said that the espresso we extracted with the DF83 tasted good to us again and again.
Criticisms
The DF83 V2 does many things right. In some places, however, it also misses important development opportunities. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not taken up all the impulses from the community, and so static is also a problem with this model, clogging behind the flapper is not uncommon (which is why we removed ours), and the attachment of the side cable takes some getting used to.
Also, the grind adjustment is not easy to see from the front for people in wheelchairs, as it is attached on top of the grinder.
The RDT water spray bottle is included, and that is a nice gesture by the manufacturer. In terms of quality, however, it falls significantly short of the high-quality overall appearance of the Turin DF83 V2.
Conclusion on the DF83 V2
The DF83 V2 from G-Iota/Turin is a high-quality, powerful espresso grinder that is particularly suitable for demanding home baristas who value precision, quality, and versatility. At around 699 Euros, it is positioned in the mid-price segment and offers a strong performance package for this price.
Particularly with the difficult import situation and the hidden costs from customs and VAT, the Niche Zero has fallen behind as a single dosing grinder with similar performance. What the DF83 V2 also does significantly better is the suspension of the portafilter and dosing cup. That is a real added value, allows for clean and precise work, and is a great pleasure in everyday use.
Our DF83 V2 will have a permanent place in our academy everyday life, and we are already looking forward to further tests and comparisons with other burrs and an in-depth analysis of filter coffee performance. Just a word on that: yes, the grind range also covers filter coffee, and the filter coffees we have drunk so far have also pleased us. More on this in one of the next videos and then also with a written supplement.
*This is an affiliate link. If you order via this link, it won't cost you anything extra. However, we receive a small commission. This helps us to buy further test material and publish new tests. Thanks in advance! We also refer here to a shop that we know well and from which we know that it provides good service.
