The new outdoor hand grinder from Comandante
Although the Comandante X25 Trailmaster is not yet available on the market, we were fortunate to secure a unit at the World of Coffee in Milan last summer. The Comandante X25 Trailmaster is designed for outdoor use, meaning it is robust, water-resistant, and even airtight when fitted with the lid. We tested it extensively for filter coffee and espresso. In the interest of transparency, we should mention that we sell Comandante grinders in both our Swiss and German shops. Nevertheless, we naturally try to test the grinder as impartially as possible.
X25 Trailmaster - Material and Design
The X25 Trailmaster is a more robust version of the C40 Nitro Blade. At 420 grams, it is approximately 220 grams lighter than the C40 version and is built to be very durable. It is made from a reinforced techno-polymer, known as QTP. This high-quality plastic feels good in the hand and is very resistant to scratching. The surface has a kind of 3D effect, and thanks to the surface texture, it sits very comfortably in your grip.
The grinder has a diameter of 5 cm and is 16.5 cm tall. The Comandante lettering protrudes from the housing, which provides better grip when grinding, though it comes across as slightly sharp-edged. The look is reminiscent of desert camouflage and appears very modern and high-quality, though it might seem a bit too military for some. According to Comandante, additional color options are in the pipeline.
The Outdoor Comandante X25 Trailmaster
Since outdoor use is the main feature of this grinder, we tested it extensively outside over the summer. Fresh coffee on the go, without worry about damaging your equipment. This works very well and we really like it.
The grinder's performance is also convincing. The particle distribution is almost identical to the C40 MK4, which is no surprise. Both grinders use the same Nitro-Blade conical burr system. The fact that the C40's quality can be maintained while saving so much weight is truly an impressive achievement.
Excellent as a Filter Coffee Grinder - Espresso Best With an Upgrade
The grinder can be adjusted very precisely with clicks. In the range between 22 and 28 clicks, we achieve optimal grind sizes for filter coffee and alternative brewing methods. To count the clicks, the grinder is first closed completely and then slowly opened while counting. Each click moves the grinding mechanism slightly upward and creates a coarser grind.
The click adjustment works very well for the filter coffee range, but only to a limited extent for espresso. Unfortunately, the individual clicks are too coarse. At a grind size of 9 clicks, we achieved a flow time of 20 seconds, a bit too fast. At 8 clicks, it was suddenly 32 seconds, a bit too slow. These large jumps are unfortunately too big for precise espresso brewing. Those who want to use the grinder for espresso should consider a so-called Redclix system. While it costs a bit, it halves the grind size increments per click. Alternatively, the amount of coffee in the portafilter can be varied to achieve an optimal flow time. However, this requires very precise weighing and a good understanding of brewing ratios and flow time.
On the other hand, the Comandante is superior to any electric grinder in its price range in terms of particle distribution and reproducibility. For a tight budget or as a second grinder, this could also be a compelling argument for the hand grinder, especially since it has virtually no dead space.
Conclusion on the Comandante X25 Trailmaster
The Comandante X25 is an outdoor grinder. And it does that really well. It is robust and durable. It is compact and lightweight and it is even water-resistant. The Comandante meets all these criteria. Moreover, the grinding result for filter coffee is truly convincing. If you're not exactly taking an espresso machine and a diesel generator on your camping trip, you should be very happy with all types of filter coffee outdoors.
Those who want to use the Comandante X25 as a second grinder or as an affordable starter grinder for espresso should consider an upgrade with Redclix. This makes it easier to hit the optimal grind size and allows you to enjoy the really good and narrow particle distribution in the cup.
