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Two-in-one Arco coffee grinder works by hand or dock

by Stanley Goodner

To some, coffee is more or less a vessel for caffeine. But to the rest of us, coffee is an experience that you craft. If you want to brew the best cup of coffee, pair a high-quality grinder with your high-quality beans. The Arco coffee grinder aims to be your prized coffee companion, whether you plan on brewing at home or on-the-go. This two-in-one grinder works either anywhere by hand or at home by its powered dock.

There are plenty of portable coffee bean grinders available on the market, with options for manual and/or battery operation. There’s also plenty of countertop grinders that get the job done with the push of a button. Goat Story, the creator of the Arco, intends to create a seamless experience by combing the quality of a hand grinder with the convenience and appeal of a modern kitchen appliance. You can use the same, quality hardware no matter where you are.

  • The Arco coffee grinder resting on a kitchen counter next to a pile of fresh coffee beans
    Processes up to 50 g of beans at a time. (Photo: Kickstarter/Goat Story)
  • A hand attaching a magnetic doser/catcher at the bottom of a coffee grinder
    Doser/catcher secures magnetically at the bottom. (Photo: Kickstarter/Goat Story)
  • Coffee beans are being poured into the top of the Arco coffee grinder
    Promises grind consistency and near-zero grind retention. (Photo: Kickstarter/Goat Story)
  • A hand attaching the Arco coffee grinder to the powered dock, resting on a counter
    Adjustable ring offers 30 settings for each grind category. (Photo: Kickstarter/Goat Story)
  • Two Arco coffee grinders sitting next to each other on a counter, one within its powered dock
    Exhibits quality craftsmanship, where function leads the no-frills design. (Photo: Kickstarter/Goat Story)
  • The Arco coffee hand grinder in black sitting next to an Arco coffee hand grinder in its powered dock
    Combines the luxury of electric grinders with convenience and quality of hand grinders. (Photo: Kickstarter/Goat Story)

Crafted from aluminum, the Arco features a unibody design that houses a 47/32-mm conical burr and a 10-mm steel shaft equipped with twin ball bearings. A handle and lid attach to the top for manual operation, and the doser/catcher secures magnetically at the bottom. The grinder measures 7 in (180 mm) by 2.4 in (61 mm) wide, weighing in at 1.76 lb (800 g). The dock measures at 11 in (280 mm) high by 3.6 in (92 mm) wide by 7.5 in (190 mm) deep, weighing in at 6.2 lb (2820 g).

The Arco coffee grinder can accommodate up to 50 g of beans at a time across a full range of 120 grind settings. This should fit practically any type of brewing method desired. An adjustable ring offers 30 settings for each of the four grind categories: ibrik/Turkish, espresso, filter, and cold brew. Whether by hand or with its powered dock, the Arco promises grind consistency and near-zero grind retention. The latter means the burr chamber won’t retain yesterday’s stale grounds for today’s fresh brew.

Overall, the Arco exhibits quality craftsmanship. Function leads the sleek, no-frills design. The project is currently funding on Kickstarter. Over 1400 backers have raised over $495 thousand dollars, and there is more than a month left to go. Super early bird pledges start at €125 (approximately US$153) for the Arco hand grinder and €290 ($355) for the Arco hand grinder with electric dock. If everything goes according to schedule, backers should expect shipments to start in June 2021.

Source: Kickstarter, Goat Story