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A few years ago, flat-burr single-dose grinders were expensive and rare. The DF64 changed that. Made by G-iota and sold in the US under the Turin brand, it put 64mm flat burrs on the counter for well under $400, and it became one of the most talked-about home grinders around.
What Single Dosing Means
A normal grinder keeps beans in a hopper and some old grounds inside. A single-dose grinder works one drink at a time. You weigh out 18 g on an espresso scale, pour it in, grind it all, and puff the bellows on top to blow out what’s left. Almost nothing stays behind, so every shot is fresh coffee and you can switch beans whenever you like. The Niche Zero made the idea popular; the DF64 made it cheaper.
The DF64 Gen 2
- 64mm flat burrs, stainless as standard.
- Stepless adjustment with 90 marked points, so you can stop anywhere.
- A small single-dose hopper, a rubber bellows, an anti-popcorn lid and a magnetic dosing cup.
- Better burr alignment and lower retention than the first version.
Search for the Turin DF64 Gen 2 and check the listing says Gen 2, since older stock still turns up. Typical prices run from the mid-$300s to around $400.
Burr Upgrades
Part of the DF64’s appeal is that 64mm is a standard size. You can swap in coated burrs or aftermarket burrs such as SSP 64mm burrs, which change the flavour profile, usually toward more clarity. Most people never need to. The stock burrs make excellent espresso for milk drinks.
The Rest of the Family
- DF54: smaller 54mm burrs and a lower price. A good first flat-burr grinder, with less aftermarket support.
- DF64V: adds variable motor speed and an anti-static ionizer.
- DF83: big 83mm burrs, faster grinding, a bigger price.
Barista Life’s advice is sensible: the differences in the cup are subtle, and beans and technique matter more than which DF you own.
Who Should Skip It
If you drink one bean for weeks and make four drinks every morning, a hopper grinder is more convenient. Weighing every dose gets old if you don’t enjoy it. And if your machine is a pressurized-basket model, the DF64 is more grinder than it can use. Fix the machine side first with a proper basket.
For a cheaper start, the Baratza Encore ESP does the job at about half the price. For the full picture, see our grinder buying guide. Flat burrs suit a quick WDT stir too, since single-dose grinders tend to drop a few clumps.
Weigh, grind, puff, brew. It becomes a habit fast.