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 hurdle when buying: getting the right model. The DF83 V2 sound very similar in name, but they are different grinders. With the DF83 V, the "V" stands for variable speed, while the DF83 V2 is merely a version number of the DF83 without variable speed.
Confusing, right? This test covers the DF83 V with variable speed. You can find the test of the DF83 V2 here.
We compared 10 single dosing grinders in the price range of 500 to 1000 euros. Learn more about it in our article on the topic.
Lots of Power!
The DF83 V impresses with power and speed. Made in China, the grinder is equipped with 83mm flat burrs and powered by a 680-watt brushless DC motor. The speed can be variably adjusted between 300 and 1600 rpm.
In our test, this results in very high grinding speeds. The entered 18 grams of coffee are ground through in 6.5 seconds in single-dosing mode. 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 a high noise level. 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 unproblematic for taste, but noticeable nonetheless.
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: 39.5 cm
- Weight: 9 kg
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Everything about single dosing and comparable grinders.
Design and Construction
The burrs of the DF83 V 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 screw that pre-crushes them and passes them on to the burrs.
Some users report that the screw doesn't keep up at low speeds and this causes blockages. In our test, we could not 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 is 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 adjustment is infinitely variable and precise. We were able to easily switch between recipes and return to the starting grind level thanks to the grind indicator. 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 replaced with aftermarket burrs such as SSP. It is noticeable that the front grind adjustment unit has slight play in the chamber. This could lead to alignment issues, which we did not observe in our test. Better bearing would be desirable nonetheless.
The housing is made of aluminum and powder-coated. Overall, the grinder makes a high-quality impression.
Operability of the DF83 V
The DF83 V is operated from the front, but the grind adjustment can only be seen 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 has an uninspiring design: it sits on the grinder with a protruding rubber accordion border. When the grinder is off, the speed display does not illuminate.
An included cup that fits into a 58mm portafilter sits directly under the discharge chute. This prevents ground coffee from spreading around the room. However, the cup only has a weak magnet and therefore slides less elegantly into place. Additionally, it can only be guided under the discharge from the front, as the opening faces forward. Lateral insertion causes the discharge chute to fall off quickly.
The included dosing container is not convincing. It lacks side wings, which causes it to slide too deeply into the portafilter. This could promote channeling — an update would be urgently recommended here.
Retention
The potential retention and void 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 a bean hopper, 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.
The positive side is that 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 an emphasized body, while complexity and clarity are less pronounced with the standard burrs. Those who want more clarity should opt for SSP burrs. SSP burrs would also be the better choice for filter coffee and light specialty coffees.
Conclusion on the DF83V
The DF83 V is a strong single-dosing grinder that has supplied us with delicious espresso over many months. It scores with power and speed, but is more suited for higher-throughput environments.
For home use, somewhat more focus on precision would be desirable. However, thanks to aftermarket burrs, the grinder offers great potential for customization.
