Timemore Sculptor 078S review: design, burrs, and daily performance

Every morning I grind coffee for my wife and myself. The grinder is the first thing I see in the kitchen. Design is not decoration for me. It is the reason I want to live with something. When I buy a watch, I judge the dial before I ever look at the movement. Coffee gear is the same. This is why I admire Fellow products. They feel calm and balanced. The Timemore Sculptor 078S belongs in that same conversation. It looks fantastic, with proportions and finish that feel considered.

What to look for when buying a coffee grinder for home

If you are new to coffee, the marketing language can feel like jargon. Here are the most common features you will see, what they mean, and how the Timemore Sculptor 078S measures up.

Burr size

Burrs are the discs that grind coffee. Small grinders use 38–40 mm burrs. Home machines often use 64 mm. Commercial grinders use 80 mm or more. Bigger burrs grind faster, stay cooler, and produce even particles. The 078S uses 78 mm burrs, close to commercial scale.

Burr type

Flat burrs often give clarity and consistency. Conical burrs are quieter and tend to produce more body. The 078S uses flat burrs.

Stepped vs stepless adjustment

Stepped grinders move in clicks. Stepless grinders let you set any point, which is essential for espresso. The 078S is stepless.

Burr design

Timemore’s non S models use Turbo burrs tuned for filter clarity. The 078S uses burrs built for range, covering espresso and filter.

Single dose vs hopper

A hopper stores beans. A single dose grinder is loaded with just the beans you plan to brew. This keeps beans fresh and makes switching easy. The 078S is single dose.

Retention

Retention is the coffee left inside. High retention mixes old grounds with new. The 078S has low retention thanks to its short chute and rotary knocker.

RPM control

Burr speed affects grind consistency. Lower speeds often produce more even particles. Higher speeds grind quickly. The 078S lets you adjust RPM and holds speed steady under load.

Motor type

Brushless motors are efficient, quiet, and long-lasting. The 078S uses a brushless motor powered by a magnetic field.

Heat management

Grinding creates heat. Too much heat dulls beans. Large burrs, a strong motor, and airflow reduce heat. The 078S manages this well.

Burr alignment

Alignment keeps burrs parallel. Poor alignment creates dust and large chunks. The 078S is aligned out of the box.

With these basics in mind, it is easier to read grinder specifications. The Sculptor 078S includes nearly all the features that define a serious home grinder.

Who Timemore is

I first wrote about Timemore in FLTR when they were reshaping the coffee gear landscape. Their catalog includes Chestnut hand grinders, the Chestnut X, the Whirly compact electric, the Black Mirror scales, the Fish kettle, and the PUCKS espresso tools.

They also have respected ambassadors. Anthony Douglas, the 2022 World Barista Champion, is their global face. Cole Torode is tied to the Black Mirror line. Dale Harris, Hiroki Ito, and Carlos Escobar represent them in their regions. The Sculptor Kickstarter raised millions and became one of the most successful coffee gear launches.

The Timemore Sculptor range

The Sculptor series includes:

• Sculptor 064 with 64 mm burrs, stepped adjustment, Turbo burrs for filter
• Sculptor 064S with 64 mm burrs, stepless adjustment, espresso and filter
• Sculptor 078 with 78 mm burrs, stepped adjustment, Turbo burrs for filter
• Sculptor 078S with 78 mm burrs, stepless adjustment, espresso and filter

The 078S is the flagship, with the largest burrs and the most flexibility.

Daily workflow with the Timemore Sculptor 078S

Burr orientation and knocker

The 078S uses horizontal burrs with a short chute. Grounds always cling to the inside of any grinder. The rotary knocker clears them with a twist. Some grinders use bellows, but the Sculptor does not need them.

Burr swapping

Some brewers swap burrs for different flavor profiles. The 078S makes this possible. I do not. When I was a boy I removed the rear wheel of my racing bike to fix a flat. I could not reassemble the gear train. That memory left me cautious about opening machines. The 078S covers both espresso and filter without needing swaps.

Retention performance

Retention matters because leftover grounds mix flavors and alter doses. The 078S has very low retention. If I put in 20 grams, I get 20 grams out.

RPM and consistency

RPM is burr speed. Imagine two chefs cutting vegetables. One cuts too quickly and produces uneven pieces. The other cuts steadily and produces even pieces. The 078S lets you adjust RPM and holds speed steady when beans resist.

Heat control

Grinding generates heat. Too much heat dulls beans. The 078S limits heat with large burrs, a brushless motor, and airflow. Grounds come out cool.

Brushless motor

The brushless motor in the 078S runs on a magnetic field. This means less wear, quieter sound, and consistent speed.

Burr alignment

Aligned burrs produce uniform grounds. Misaligned burrs create dust and large chunks. My 078S has stayed aligned.

My daily use

Every morning I brew 40 grams in a Moccamaster for my wife and me. The stock hopper is short, so I bought a Timemore hopper extension. It matches the finish so perfectly that it looks like part of the grinder. With it I can load the full dose. The only quirk is that when I spray beans with water to reduce static, they sometimes cling to the smooth coating inside. A quick tap clears them.

Espresso, filter, and small kitchens

The 078S does both espresso and filter with confidence. Espresso is structured and sweet. Filter brews are clean with good body. Counter space is limited. I cannot keep two grinders. The 078S saves space by doing both.

Verdict

The Timemore Sculptor 078S blends design with performance. It looks fantastic, grinds consistently, manages heat, and keeps retention low. With 78 mm burrs, stepless adjustment, variable RPM, and a brushless motor, it brings advanced features into a home-sized grinder. For anyone who wants one machine that handles both espresso and filter, it is a strong choice.

FAQs

What is the difference between the Timemore Sculptor 078 and 078S?

The 078 uses stepped adjustment and Turbo burrs tuned for filter coffee. The 078S is stepless and works for both espresso and filter.

Is the Timemore Sculptor 078S good for espresso?

Yes. Its 78 mm flat burrs and stepless adjustment make it precise enough for espresso while still consistent for filter.

Does the Timemore Sculptor 078S have low retention?

Yes. Its short chute and rotary knocker keep retention very low.

What is variable RPM in the Timemore Sculptor?

It allows you to change burr speed. Lower speeds produce more even particles, while higher speeds grind faster.

Does the Timemore Sculptor 078S use a brushless motor?

Yes. The brushless motor runs cooler, quieter, and holds speed steady under load.