We check out the brand new C60 Barracuda, with advanced burrs and metal frame.
BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Footage by way of Tanya Nanetti
As is the case for lots of, my day by day espresso regimen is in large part made imaginable by way of my espresso grinders. Each are made by way of the German corporate Comandante: Mando (nicknamed by way of me), the light-weight X25, is all the time set to present a scrumptious Moka (the primary espresso of the day). Negan, my vintage C40 MK3, is able for the following V60.
However although I’m happy with my grinders, like many espresso geeks, I’m all the time searching for a fascinating improve or—higher but—a brand new version of the grinder itself! That’s why I couldn’t were happier after I after all had the danger to check out the brand new grinder launched by way of the Comandante circle of relatives, the Barracuda C60.
On paper, it’s Comandante’s greatest, boldest, most pretty (and, let’s face it, costliest) grinder. It’s milled and crafted from a unmarried block of metal the use of processes usually reserved for high-performance engine portions to reach absolute steadiness throughout the grinding revel in.
I completely had to check out it out.
Unboxing the Barracuda
The Barracuda is available in the similar chic packaging that distinguishes all Comandante grinders. Stickers at the field learn “Heavy Steel” and “milled & crafted—one metal block.”
Within are the vintage elements: The frame is contained in a smaller field that protects it, which tickled my interest much more. Two jars (transparent and purple), a temporary instruction sheet with really useful grind sizes, a pleasant sticky label, and the vintage bracelet also are integrated. Remaining however now not least, there’s the XL crank and Giant Joe knob, which might be an improve in comparison to the vintage C40 MK3 supposed to make sure a smoother grinding revel in.
Getting ready for the Brew
After all, it used to be time to gather the Barracuda. Even in the beginning look, after I opened the small field and held the metal frame in my hand, I spotted how large the Barracuda is. It has a tougher, attention-grabbing glance, and the burrs glance able to temporarily weigh down even the toughest beans.
Should you’re used to the vintage C40, simply retaining this new frame supplies a fully other revel in. It used to be easy and delightful to touch, however a lot heavier than what I’m used to. A snappy weighing showed that the frame by myself weighs 831g (in comparison to 417g for the C40). The totally assembled Barracuda achieves a complete weight of 1 kilogram, whilst keeping up the similar dimensions because the vintage Comandante.
Then it used to be time to set the specified grinding dimension, conserving in thoughts the brand new C60’s GX50 Gold Clix device, which has an adjustment of 41.6 micrometers consistent with click on. It’s a lot more actual than the C40; the integrated leaflet jogged my memory that I’ve to rely a special (upper) choice of clicks to achieve the specified sprucing dimension.
I set the Barracuda to twenty-five clicks (the urged minimal surroundings for brewing a V60), and used to be curious to experiment with what number of grams of espresso the brand new grinder may just dangle. With my small Ethiopian beans, I may just simply fill it with greater than 60 grams of espresso. However take into account that the jar at the backside is the vintage one that may dangle “best” 40 grams, so it isn’t very smart to grind greater than that at one time.
The Grinding Revel in
Then it used to be time to get critical. I began weighing my standard 30 grams of espresso in each the C60 and C40. I spotted how a lot more uncomplicated it used to be to fill the previous than the latter (because of the absence of the cross-section on the best the place the beans in most cases soar). Then I passed over the grinder to my spouse, Endri, and were given able with the stopwatch. Our first take a look at can be a velocity take a look at, and I would want a robust arm to lend a hand me.
In lower than 42 seconds, the C60 used to be empty; it took 74 seconds to drain the C40.
As Endri put it, the Barracuda used to be “somewhat tougher to make use of (bodily tougher), however you’ll completely really feel its energy because it grinds.”
And when my time got here to check out it, I may just best ascertain his impressions. You’ll be able to really feel that the Barracuda is strong, quicker, and more potent. The secret’s in its enhanced burrs, which will grind many extra beans on the similar time.
The Aftermath
The time after all got here to take a seat down and benefit from the two brews (each scrumptious). Subsequent, we took the chance to spend a while at the ultimate job of the morning: deep cleansing the 2 grinders.
It used to be best after disassembling them that I used to be ready to realize in all their elegance the burrs of the C60. In comparison to the ones of the vintage C40, they’re larger and bolder. It’s right away transparent why they may be able to weigh down espresso so temporarily and powerfully.
My recommendation? Learn the directions, particularly the place it says “sharp edges, maintain with care.” After all, there’s no risk in the use of the grinder. However as soon as it’s disassembled for deep cleansing this can be a other tale, and it’s simple to grasp—for actual—the (sharp) energy of the brand new burrs.
Over the following few days, I made up our minds to make use of the C60 for our day by day brewing, and endured to mess around with other grind sizes, doses and recipes. I even attempted it for our morning Moka pot.
Each and every time, the cup got here out easy and blank, with the correct quantity of sweetness and acidity, and the easiest consistency. I’d ask for not anything extra from my Comandante.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s now not at the back of the espresso device (or visiting some hidden nook of the arena), she’s busy writing for Espresso Rebel, a site about strong point espresso that she’s developing at the side of her boyfriend.
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