ProView – VSSL Java G25 Grinder Review

The backcountry coffee scene has exploded in the last decade. Long gone are the days of choking down Folgers, there are now dozens of ways to make barista-quality coffee just outside your tent. 

There are many variables to think about when considering your not-at-home coffee setup. Water, heat source, beans, grind, brew method, storage – the list goes on. With that in mind, we’ll only focus on the grind today, the rest is up to you! 

VSSL’s flagship grinders – the G25 and G45 – are top-of-the-line hand grinders with price tags to match ($160 and $220, respectively). But, that price tag comes with extremely high-quality materials, precision piece fitting, uber-slick design, and very consistent grind sizing. I used this grinder every day (usually multiple…) for about a month – in my kitchen with a V60, Chemex, and French press, as well as camping and backpacking with an Aeropress, pour-over, and portable French press. 

Needless to say – the G25 can do it all. You won’t have to worry if the grind setting you need is available, I assure you it is. With that said, I’ll focus on the feature set of the G25 as it pertains to backcountry coffee making. When I’m in my kitchen and have a scale, goose-neck kettle, filtered water, and fresh beans, it’s not hard to make top-quality coffee. When I leave home, I typically ditch everything but the fresh beans. There’s no reason you couldn’t bring a pocket scale and an electric kettle – but the G25 has a few clever features to help you make high-quality coffee anywhere you may find yourself.

Grind

The G25 offers a mind-boggling 50 different grind settings. As you can see in the photos, this ranges from superfine (think the consistency of flour – good for Turkish coffee) up to extra course (like rock salt, good for some types of cold brew). In the photo, the numbers I’m using are clicks from all the way clockwise, which is the finest grind setting.

VSSL claims a capacity of “~30 grams, ” which is a rather liberal estimate. I had a very difficult time trying to get 30 grams of beans into the hopper, and I was only able to accomplish it by hand-placing individual beans so they stacked nicely and then smashing the lid down and forcing it closed. The true capacity without trying to force the grinder is about 27 grams, so not far off. Conveniently, if the hopper is filled to the fill line (the only contour inside the grinder), that measures roughly 18g. 

The grinding process and feel have really been perfected by VSSL. The handle screws onto the top of the device and effectively acts like a carabiner – allowing the grinder to attach to anything solid. I didn’t necessarily find this feature useful, but it would likely come in handy on a morning hike with a small backpack or fanny pack.

Once the handle is unscrewed, it telescopes out to a max length of about three inches – enough torque to get the job done. Additionally, the grind catch (black knob found in the grounds compartment on the bottom) unscrews and then magnets onto the handle providing a nearly frictionless rotating handle to grasp. 

There is some variance in resistance due to grind size, but it generally feels like there is enough resistance to actually do the grinding, but it’s never difficult to rotate the handle. All-in-all, it takes roughly 30 seconds to grind ~20g of coffee, and it is a highly enjoyable experience. 

Look/Style

It is hard to imagine a more sleek design from VSSL. The G25 comes in three colors – bronze, black, and carbon. Each has different accent colors and each looks equally exceptional. While it certainly fits into a camping or hiking ready-to-go bin, it looks equally as good on a display shelf in a kitchen or living room. 

Weight/Packability

I measured the G25 to be 430 grams – exactly on the money of VSSL’s stated 431g/15.2oz. Clocking in at under a pound and only about six inches tall, this grinder can really be brought anywhere. 

For me, the packability of the G25 isn’t even a consideration. You’ll obviously need both a way to heat the water and a way to brew the coffee – meaning the size or weight of the grinder isn’t of much concern. 

On that note, VSSL sells a nesting pour-over kit that fits the G25, both separately and as a set with the grinder included.

Durability/Construction

According to VSSL, the G25 is made of ​​both 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum and High Carbon 420 Tool Stainless Steel – and it sure feels like it. Every aspect of using the grinder – loading, switching grind settings, unscrewing the grind catch, storing – feels extremely solid. Every interaction occurs with a ball bearing, magnet, or perfectly cut piece of aluminum or steel. In short, it feels like I could throw the G25 in the bottom of my pack, forget about it, and not be worried. After a month of continuous use, there isn’t a scratch on it – it looks like new!

Performance

Okay – so how does this all come together to actually make good coffee? 

Arguably, grind size and the coffee-to-water ratio are the two most important factors in a good cup of coffee – once you’ve chosen good beans. The G25 can certainly handle any grind size you may need – but what about dialing in the ratio without a scale?

I filled the bean hopper up to the contour line about 50 times over the course of my testing. Over 90% of the time (I weighed it every time!) that translated to between 17 and 18 grams of beans. It was never more than 19 or less than 16. Depending on the exact brew method, most people will want to use a coffee-to-water ratio close to the so-called “golden ratio” of 17:1. Generally speaking, I don’t need to go outside of 15 or 20 to one. 

Combining these numbers, grinding enough beans to fill to the contour will make a good cup of coffee from about 9-12 ounces. Using the measurement from filling the G25 to the brim (27g) would allow for good extraction between 14-19 ounces. This amount could be perfect for some pour-over systems or a small French press. Other combinations of these two amounts are perfect for some other brewing methods – like a 0.75L French press. 

All-in-all, these two bean amounts, separate or alone, cover the gamut of brewing options, even if it takes a little dialing in!

Friendliness to the Earth

Not much can be found on VSSL in terms of their friendliness to the Earth. Many of their components are made overseas, but the product is assembled in Canada, and, thus, they are “Made In Canada.”

That said, my experience with the G25 indicates that it will last a very long time. By creating the grinder out of high-quality materials, ideally, there will be fewer coffee grinders in landfills. 

The Final Word

VSSL has made an extremely solid, extremely satisfying, top-quality burr coffee grinder. It’s sleek and nearly indestructible, ready with its 50 grind settings for your next backcountry cup.

---

Shop the VSSL Java G25 Grinder + Nest Pour Over Kit on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!