Timemore · Flat burrSculptor 078
A single-dose 78mm flat-burr grinder built for pour-over clarity, not espresso. Timemore's patented Turbo (ghost) burrs trade fine-grind range for unimodal particle distribution and low retention.
The short version
This is a filter grinder wearing a flagship-sized, espresso-adjacent body.
Buy it if you brew mostly pour-over and light roasts and want EK43-adjacent clarity on a counter, and accept that it will not go fine enough to be your only grinder if espresso is part of the plan.
Why people buy it
- Large 78mm Turbo burrs deliver genuinely unimodal, clean, high-clarity filter cups that punch above the price
- Near-zero retention thanks to the rotary knocker and gravity-fed vertical auger design
Why they don’t
- Turbo burrs will not grind fine enough for espresso, so this is a one-trick tool if espresso matters to you
The full tally
- Large 78mm Turbo burrs deliver genuinely unimodal, clean, high-clarity filter cups that punch above the price
- Near-zero retention thanks to the rotary knocker and gravity-fed vertical auger design
- Variable RPM (800-1400) and a stepped 36-position dial give repeatable, well-built control for a home-grinder price
- Solid all-metal build quality that feels closer to commercial gear than typical home grinders
- Turbo burrs will not grind fine enough for espresso, so this is a one-trick tool if espresso matters to you
- No aftermarket burr options exist yet for the 78mm format, so you're locked into Timemore's own profile if you dislike the flavor signature
- Cleaning and any burr access requires removing small screws with tight tolerances, which is fiddlier than most single-dose competitors
What the community knows
Years of owner threads, distilled — well regarded.
Flagship grind quality and robust build at a mid-market price attract serious filter and espresso enthusiasts willing to manage workflow friction; weak customer service and limited English-language documentation keep it from breakthrough consensus despite technical merit.
Ceiling per dollar
how far the cup can go, per dollar
Value
price-to-performance the community respects
Reliability
shows up every morning, year after year
All 9 community measures
price-to-performance the community respects
shows up every morning, year after year
parts and repairs — you are never stranded
mods, guides, and community know-how around it
kind to first-timers
years before you outgrow or replace it
how far the cup can go, per dollar
speed and simplicity, day to day
Worth knowing before you buy — Most owners wish they had better documentation and customer support — the grinder itself is worth it, but the brand hasn't invested in the English-speaking community that could amplify its reputation.
Known weak points — Static discharge issues reported; hopper design causes clumping with lighter roasts; RPM dial placement creates workflow friction during operation.
The measurements
Scored 0–5 on the same rubric as everything on file — the words matter more than the numbers.
The measurements
0–5, one rubric- Espresso
- brew-only1
- Versatility
- narrow3
- Built to last
- durable4
Position in the market
Every dot is a rival, measured the same way. The gold one is this.
- Lower half for espresso suitability
- a higher ceiling than 2 of the 154 grinders we’ve measured
- You pay for this one
- 32% of grinders this capable cost more
- Lower half for build
- sturdier than 37% of the field, by the community’s own record
Every dot is a grinder measured on the same rubric. See the whole market
Living with it
The part spec sheets skip: counter space, upkeep, and what owners learn later.
The honest note — Owners who want espresso capability without buying a second grinder typically move to the 078S (flat espresso-tuned burrs) or add the SSP-branded 078SSP burr set. Those wanting more burr-swap flexibility often step down to the 064S, which has a more established aftermarket scene.
The full spec sheet
- Class
- Single dose
- Burrs
- 78mm flat
- Drive
- Electric
- Adjustment
- Stepped (coarse)
- Clarity lean
- Clarity & sparkle
- Espresso suitability
- 1/5
- Brew versatility
- 3/5
- Single dosing
- Yes
- Hopper
- 40 g
- Workflow demand
- 3/5
- Maintenance
- 2/5
- Noise
- 2.5/5
- Build longevity
- 4/5
- Dimensions
- 11.8 × 26.1 × 29.4 cm
Before it arrives
What completes this grinder — the faded pieces can wait.
Coffee scale with timer — Espresso is a ratio. A 0.1g scale with a built-in timer is the single biggest consistency upgrade for any manual machine.
- Coffee scale with timer — Espresso is a ratio. A 0.1g scale with a built-in timer is the single biggest consistency upgrade for any manual machine.
- Dosing cup — Pairs with single-dose grinding — grind into the cup, swirl, and transfer to the portafilter cleanly.
- Grinder cleaning kit — Brushes and grinder tablets keep retention and stale grounds in check.
Feed it right
Week one is dial-in — and stale beans will lose it.
Coffee more than a few weeks past roast won’t extract predictably, and a new grinder gets blamed for it. These burrs lean bright — washed single-origins with real acidity are where they earn their price.
Pick your coffee — any of these dials in beautifully here:
Sergio - Brazillian Fazenda Joia Rara Aerobic FermentedSCA 88Medium-light · Cerrado Mineiro · Aerobic FermentedHoney · OrangeEnough brightness to show what this gear can separate.CA$29.18 · roasted to order
Honeycrest - Costa Rican Volcán AzulSCA 87Medium-light · West Valley · Red HoneyRaisins · Maple SyrupEnough brightness to show what this gear can separate.CA$19.50 · roasted to order
Wild Ember - Ethiopian Buno Dambi UddoSCA 92Medium roast · Odo Shakiso, Guji Zone, Oromia · NaturalBlueberry · MarmaladeEnough brightness to show what this gear can separate.CA$26.83 · roasted to orderWhole bean, dated, ready for your burrs the week it lands.
Roasted to order, daily, in Ajax, Ontario · ships Canada-wide. We’re the roastery behind this database — measuring the machines is how we make sure the coffee gets a fair shot.
On film
How it runs on camera, from around the community.
Common questions
Can the Timemore Sculptor 078 grind fine enough for espresso?
No. The 078's Turbo burrs are built for pour-over and filter brewing; owners and reviewers consistently note it will not go fine enough for espresso. For that, Timemore sells the separate 078S with espresso-tuned flat burrs.
How does the 078 differ from the 078S?
They share the same body, motor, and 78mm burr size, but the 078 uses stepped Turbo (ghost) burrs optimized for filter coffee, while the 078S uses stepless flat burrs tuned for espresso that also handle pour-over.
Is retention actually near zero?
Reviewers report retention in the 0.1 to 0.2 gram range when using the rotary knocker, which is very low for a grinder in this price bracket.
Worth comparing
Timemore
Sculptor 064
The base Sculptor 064 swaps the 064S's espresso-tuned flat burrs for a turbo burr set built for pour-over, drip and French press. Same sharp, Fellow-Ode-adjacent body and RPM control, but this specific SKU is not the one to buy if espresso is the point.
CA$550–700 · US$400–500
Baratza
Forté BG
A compact, semi-commercial flat-burr brew grinder built around 54mm Ditting steel burrs that prioritize fines reduction and clarity — with grind-by-weight, a touchscreen, and an all-metal body small enough for a home counter or a busy pour-over bar.
CA$1,249–1,299 · US$849–900
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