For years, my morning ritual was simple: drip coffee.
Here is the most common mistake I see people make when getting into home espresso: they spend their entire budget on a shiny new machine and then plug in a $50 blade grinder they bought at the grocery store.
It’s heartbreaking but understandable as they likely don't have much budget left. Except it’s like putting discount tires on a Ferrari. Your espresso machine can only work with what you feed it, and if you feed it inconsistent, chunky coffee grounds, you are going to get terrible espresso. Period.
If you just bought an espresso machine (like the Gaggia I use), your next purchase needs to be a capable grinder. And if you want the best workflow for home use, it should be a single dose coffee grinder.
Why Single Dose vs. a Hopper?
Traditional grinders have big hoppers that you fill with a whole bag of beans. That’s fine for a busy cafe, but at home, it’s a recipe for stale coffee. Beans sit in the clear plastic hopper, exposed to light and heat, slowly losing flavor.
A single dose coffee grinder changes the game. You weigh exactly what you need for one drink—say, 18 grams for a double shot of espresso, and grind only that amount right before you brew. It ensures maximum freshness, zero waste, and makes it incredibly easy to switch between different beans (like regular and decaf) throughout the day.
My Journey: Why I Switched from the Fellow Ode 2
When I was mostly drinking pour-over coffee, or drip from my Moccamaster, my grinder of choice was the Fellow Ode Gen 2. It is a fantastic single dose grinder. It’s quiet, fast, and makes incredible filter coffee.
But when I decided to get into espresso, I hit a wall. The Fellow Ode is designed strictly for brewed coffee methods; it physically cannot grind fine enough to create the resistance needed for real espresso pressure. I really wish it could as it has been my all time favorite grinder.
I didn't want two grinders on my counter, so I needed one machine that could handle the delicate needs of pour-over and the extreme fineness required for espresso. That search led me to the Timemore.
The Best All-Arounder: Timemore Sculptor 064S
The TIMEMORE Sculptor 064S is, in my opinion, the best single dose coffee grinder for the modern home barista who wants to do it all.
It’s built like a tank, looks great on the counter, and most importantly, it has the precision to dial in perfect espresso shots. Here is why it’s the center of my coffee station:
- Espresso Capable Burrs: The "S" model has burrs specifically designed to handle fine espresso grinding while still being able to go coarser for filter coffee.
- Zero Retention (The Knocker): The biggest issue with single dosing is "retention", when grounds get stuck inside the grinder. If you put 18g in, you want 18g out. The Timemore has a brilliant rotary "knocker" on the front that you twist to snap any leftover grounds out of the chute. It works perfectly and is oddly satisfying to use.
- Workflow: The magnetic catch cup (one of my favorite features of the Fellow as well), the quiet motor, and the smooth adjustment dial make using it a pleasure every morning.
If you are serious about home espresso, this grinder is the investment that actually makes your espresso machine worth it.
Check out the Timemore Sculptor 064S on Amazon
Fuel for Single Dosing
The best part about switching to a single dose workflow is the freedom to swap beans. You aren't locked into one bag until the hopper is empty. This makes coffee subscriptions way more fun.
I use Trade Coffee to keep a rotation of different roasts on hand. I might use a bright, fruity bean for my morning pour-over and switch to a classic, chocolatey blend for an afternoon espresso. Single dosing makes that effortless.
Final SHOT
Don't bottleneck your expensive espresso machine with a cheap grinder. Switching to a high-quality single dose coffee grinder like the Timemore Sculptor 064S will do more for the taste of your coffee than almost any other upgrade. It’s the unsung hero of the morning routine.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps fuel the coffee, the testing, and the writing. Thanks for supporting the work.
