If you're buying a DF grinder for daily use, Red Titanium burrs are one of the simplest upgrades you can make for long-term consistency, and day-to-day repeatability.
The short version: Red Titanium burrs are standard stainless steel burrs with an AlTiN coating (aluminium titanium nitride). It’s part of the broader Ti–Al–N coating family (you’ll sometimes see it discussed as TiAlN/AlTiN). The coating makes the burr surface harder and more wear-resistant, so it holds its edge longer than uncoated steel.
We stock DF54 and DF64 grinders with the Red Titanium burr option, and we can help with burr-only upgrades where available.
What is the Red Titanium coating?
Red Titanium refers to an AlTiN coating applied through physical vapour deposition (PVD). It’s widely used in industrial cutting tools because it’s extremely hard and resistant to wear.
Red Titanium vs uncoated Stainless Steel
Uncoated stainless steel burrs work great, but will wear down gradually. Over months of daily grinding, you'll usually notice more drift in grind size and need to adjust settings more often.
AlTiN-coated burrs give you:
- Edges that stay sharp longer
- More stable grind size over time (less chasing settings)
- Better durability for frequent use
Red Titanium vs DLC
DLC (diamond-like carbon) is the other popular burr coating. It’s known for low friction and a smooth grinding feel. Red Titanium (AlTiN) leans into durability and long-term stability under frequent use.
| Burr type | Main strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Uncoated Stainless Steel | Straightforward, proven performance | Casual users, budget builds |
| DLC | Low friction, smooth feel | Home enthusiasts looking to upgrade |
| Red Titanium (AlTiN) | High edge retention and stability | Daily espresso, frequent grinding |
DLC and Red Titanium are very good upgrades over uncoated steel, with distinct advantages. However, if your priority is maximum durability and long-term stability under daily use, Red Titanium is the most durability-focused option of the three.
Which DF models offer Red Titanium?
We offer Red Titanium burrs for DF54 (54mm) and DF64 (64mm) grinders. You can either select the Red Titanium option when configuring your grinder, or grab a burr set separately if you're upgrading your existing setup.
Who should get Red Titanium burrs?
This upgrade makes the most sense if you're grinding daily (especially espresso), want less maintenance hassle, and prefer investing upfront for long-term stability. If you make 1–2 drinks a day and plan to keep your grinder for years, Red Titanium pays off.
Do Red Titanium burrs taste different?
The main difference is consistency over time, not flavour. Any taste changes depend more on burr geometry, alignment, and your coffee than the coating itself.
Are they worth the extra cost?
If you're grinding multiple drinks daily, yes—burr wear shows up faster with heavy use, and Red Titanium keeps you dialled in longer.
The Takeaway
Red Titanium burrs are the durability option. They won’t radically change how your coffee tastes tomorrow, but they keep your grinder performing consistently with improved repeatability for longer. They'll require fewer adjustments, less maintenance, and produce more stable shots.
Ready to configure your grinder?
