The DF83 V is a single dosing grinder with 83mm burrs that is set to give some commercial grinders a run for their money in terms of speed and performance. However, there's already a first hurdle when purchasing: getting the right model. The DF83 V2 sound very similar name-wise, but are different grinders. With the DF83 V, the "V" stands for variable speed, while the DF83 V2 merely represents a version number of the DF83 without variable speed.
So far, so confusing! This review covers the DF83 V with variable speed. You can find the review of the DF83 V2 here.
We compared 10 single dosing grinders in the price range of 500 to 1000 euros. Learn more in our article on the topic.
Lots of Power!
The DF83 V impresses with power and speed. This Chinese-made grinder is equipped with 83mm flat burrs and is powered by a 680-watt brushless DC motor. The speed can be variably adjusted between 300 and 1600 rpm.
In our review, this translates to very high grinding speeds. The inputted 18 grams of coffee are ground through in single dosing mode in 6.5 seconds. With a filled bean hopper, the grinder achieves an impressive 66 grams of coffee in just 10 seconds at espresso grind – that's really fast.
However, this speed comes with high noise levels. During the short grinding process, we measure 91.6 decibels. The temperature of the ground coffee also rises slightly: After five shots, we measure an average of 34.5 °C. This is still not problematic for taste, but nonetheless noticeable.
Dimensions and Weight:
- Size: 32 x 13.5 x 39.5 cm (L x W x H)
- Height without hopper: 28 cm, with hopper and accordion seal: 39.5 cm
- Weight: 9 kg
Get the DF83V from a specialized partner business: Bohnendealer* ships internationally.
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Design and Construction
The DF83 V's burrs are oriented horizontally to reduce retention. We'll clarify whether that really works in the next section. First, however, the beans fall onto a massive worm gear that pre-grinds them and passes them on to the burrs.
Some users report that the worm gear doesn't keep up at low speeds, causing blockages. In our review, we couldn't observe this problem in the grinding range of 700 to 1600 rpm – a range typically used for filter coffee to espresso.
A plasma generator helps reduce static charge. Nevertheless, it's also advisable with the DF83 V to lightly spray the beans with water before grinding, as is the case with many single dosing grinders.
The grind setting is infinitely adjustable and precise. We could easily switch between recipes and, thanks to the grind indicator, return to the original grind setting. Our particle distribution measurement also showed very good reproducibility of the settings.
The grinder is easy to open and clean. Additionally, the burrs can be easily swapped for aftermarket burrs like SSP. It's noticeable that the front grind adjustment unit has slight play in the chamber. This could lead to alignment issues, which we didn't observe in our review. However, better bearing would be desirable.
The housing is made of aluminum and powder-coated. Overall, the grinder makes a high-quality impression.
Usability of the DF83 V
The DF83 V is operated from the front, however the grind adjustment is only visible from above. This could have been solved better for wheelchair users.
Two buttons and the speed adjustment are located on the left side of the grinder. The main switch is not appealingly designed: it sits on the grinder with a protruding rubber accordion border. When the grinder is off, the speed indicator doesn't light up.
A supplied cup that fits into a 58mm portafilter sits directly under the discharge chute. This prevents ground coffee from dispersing around the room. However, the cup only has a weak magnet and therefore slides less elegantly into place. Additionally, it can only be inserted into the discharge from the front, as the opening faces forward. Side threading causes the discharge chute to fall off quickly.
The supplied dosing container is not convincing. It lacks side wings, which means it can slip too deep into the portafilter. This could promote channeling – an update would be highly recommended here.
Retention
The potential retention and dead space around the DF83 V's burrs should not be underestimated.
- Temporary retention: 0.4 g
- Permanent retention: 0.4 g
- Total retention: 0.8 g
Compared to grinders with bean hoppers, that's little, but for a single dosing grinder, 0.4 g after RDT is still a lot.
If you use the grinder multiple times a day, you won't notice it. At home, however, it can be annoying if the next coffee isn't brewed until a day later.
On the positive side, the temporary retention exchanges consistently – 18 g in, 18 g out.
Espresso and Filter Coffee Quality
The DF83 V produces delicious espresso: straightforward, solid, on point. The coffee has a pronounced body, while complexity and clarity are less pronounced with the standard burrs. Those wanting more clarity should opt for SSP burrs. For filter coffee and bright specialty coffees, SSP burrs would also be the better choice.
Conclusion on the DF83V
The DF83 V is a powerful single dosing grinder that has provided us with delicious espresso over months. It scores with power and speed, but is better suited for environments with higher throughput.
For home use, a bit more focus on precision would be desirable. However, thanks to aftermarket burrs, the grinder offers great potential for customization.
