The Orphan Espresso Lido 3 coffee grinder burst onto the specialty coffee scene way back in 2015, quickly earning a reputation as one of the finest manual grinders money could buy. With its large 48mm steel burrs and sturdy build quality, it became a favorite among home baristas and travelers alike.
But it’s now 2024 – lightyears in coffee years – and there are so many great hand grinder options available today. Does the veteran Lido 3 still have what it takes to compete with the new kids on the block? Or has this formerly top-tier grinder become outdated?
In this hands-on Lido 3 review, I’ll take a fresh look at the Lido 3 from today’s perspective. I’ll share my experiences using this grinder daily to see whether it’s still a viable option.
Summary: Lido 3 Hand Grinder
- Built like a tank for long term durability
- Large 48mm stainless steel conical burrs for fast, efficient grinding
- Stepless adjustment rings allow precise tuning of grind size
- Foldable handle and case for portable travel design
- Huge hopper capacity for a hand grinder makes it great for larger batches
- Price: $195.00
Construction And Aesthetics
As soon as I took the Lido 3 manual coffee grinder out of the box, I could tell this was a sturdy and robust piece of kit. With its plastic body and foldable aluminum handle, it weighs in at a hefty 1 kg. While Orphan Espresso markets it as a portable travel grinder, it’s quite bulky and heavy compared to the majority of other manual options out there.
The Lido 3 stands about 34 cm tall with a diameter of 7.6 cm. It’s taller and wider than my Aeropress! I certainly wouldn’t call it compact. The plastic used for the bean hopper and grounds catcher has a smooth finish and feels durable, but it doesn’t give that same premium feel as steel or aluminum.
For me the Lido 3 is not stylish or attractive, even less so when you put it side by side with newer hand grinders like the K-Max by 1Zpresso.
The hopper capacity is enormous at 70g – you could grind enough beans for 4-5 cups of coffee in one go. For my single cup pour overs, I don’t need nearly that much. All that extra size and bulk seem unnecessary.
It comes neatly packed in a neoprene carrying case with the grinder itself, a metal grounds catcher, a bristle brush, hex tool for maintenance and an instruction manual. The case and accessories are nice additions for storage and travel.
The Lido 3 is built solidly from quality materials, but its large size and plastic body give it a bulky, utilitarian look and feel rather than a sleek premium aesthetic. For home use, I wish it took up less counter space. The huge capacity also makes it overkill for my personal needs. I also dislike the amount of plastic in the grinder. When paying a premium price, I expect the construction to match and for me, the Lido 3 is a let down in this regard.
Lido 3 UX And Workflow
The Lido 3 uses an external stepless grind adjustment mechanism. It consists of two interlocking rings – one controls the grind size while the other locks the burrs in place. There’s no preset clicks or steps, allowing you to fine tune the grind infinitely.
While this sounds good in theory, I found it a bit tricky to use in practice. The two rings are quite close together which makes it hard to hold one in place while turning the other. It’s also difficult to return to a previous grind setting as there are no markings.
The manufacturer of the Lido 3 – Orphan Espresso – suggests placing pieces of tape to mark your settings, but I’d prefer something more precise and intuitive. In use, I just couldn’t get the same level of control as some other hand grinders with click adjustment systems.
The large 48mm steel burrs do grind fast compared to other manual options at roughly 1 gram of coffee per second (slightly slower for light roasts and finer settings). But the awkward handle ergonomics slow down the process. I have to grip it in an uncomfortable sideways position to generate enough force. After grinding 30+ grams my hand started to cramp up.
Lido 3 Burrs and Grind Performance
The Lido 3 uses large 48mm stainless steel conical burrs. The cone shape allows it to grind a wide range of sizes from fine espresso to coarse French press. The burrs are stabilized by a dual axle bearing system to minimize wobble or movement during grinding.
Testing across the grind range, the Lido 3 produces very consistent grinds. The steel burrs give an even particle distribution from coarse to medium settings ideal for pour over and drip methods. It handles lighter and darker roasts equally well in this range.
However, when grinding fine enough for espresso, I noticed more size variation in the grounds. There was also some audible burr rub, indicating the burrs were making contact. It could still choke my machine when grinding on the finest settings, but lacked the level of consistency I want for dialing in espresso.
On the coarse end, it generated few fines when grinding for French press and cold brew. The steel burrs leave less residue compared to ceramic alternatives.
Lido 3 Grind Settings
The stepless adjustment of the Lido 3 allows an infinite range of grind sizes. However, it takes some trial and error to find the ideal settings for different brew methods. Here’s a rough guide to the grind size marks from zero for common methods:
- Espresso: 0-4 marks
- Aeropress: 5-8 marks
- Pour Over: 4-10 marks
- Drip: 8-12 marks
- French Press: 12-16 marks
- Cold Brew: 16+ marks
The zero point is Turkish fine, while each revolution of the Adjustment Ring is approximately 80 marks. So one full revolution equals a very coarse French press setting.
While the marks provide reference points, I still needed to dial in the exact setting I preferred through testing for each brew method. The stepless rings allow micro adjustments once in the ballpark range for your preferred method. But the process of “unlocking” and “locking” the rings to change settings takes practice to master.
Brewing With The Lido 3
Using the Lido 3 for daily pour overs and aeropress, I was able to extract cups with nice clarity, balance, and flavor. The consistent grinds produce a cup with good body and mouthfeel without excess sediment or grittiness.
On light roasted Ethiopian and Kenyan beans, the Lido 3 helped accentuate the bright citrus acidity and floral notes. The grind brought out the complex fruit flavors like orange, lemon, and berry that made these coffees so vibrant.
It also did well to smooth out the bitterness on darker roasts, allowing the sweeter notes of chocolate and caramel to come through. While not always perfect for espresso, the Lido 3 certainly shines when it comes to manual filter brewing.
I was impressed with how the steel burrs preserved the aromatic qualities in light roasts. The cups had a satisfying sweetness and juiciness that highlighted the origin character of the beans.
Overall, the Lido 3 makes really good coffee. I enjoyed both the espresso and filter coffee I brewed with it.
Is The Lido 3 Hand Grinder Still Worth It?
So is the Lido 3 still worth the $195.00 price tag in 2023? In my opinion, probably not for most buyers.
When it first launched, the Lido 3 stood out as a high performing manual grinder. But today there are tons of excellent hand grinders in the $150+ price range that arguably exceed the Lido 3.
The one area where the Lido 3 still shines is batch grinding. If you regularly make 3-4 cups of filter coffee at once, the large 70g capacity is bigger than any other hand grinder on the market. For camping trips and brewing for groups, that makes the Lido 3 a good option.
However, if you’re brewing single doses or want a grinder that is more stylish or lightweight, there are lots of better hand grinders on the market to choose from.
Coffee expert and industry insider, I’ve dedicated years to mastering the art and science of coffee making. From scrutinizing particle fineness to evaluating burr shapes, I delve into the minutiae that elevate coffee from good to exceptional. Whether it’s a complex pour-over or a robust espresso, my insights cater to those who don’t just drink coffee, but experience it.
