FAQ

Straight answers. If yours isn’t here, email hello@drinksmallhours.com — a real person reads it.

Is the coffee whole bean or ground?

Most coffees offer whole bean, and some roasters offer ground options for your brewing method. A few coffees are ground only and are labeled that way. Check the grind selector and description on the product page before ordering. If you grind at home, whole bean gives you more control over the cup — and there are a few grinders on the shelf worth the counter space.

How fresh is the coffee?

Coffee ships from its roaster. Preparation and roast schedules vary by brand; check the product page for the details. Resting depends on the coffee, roast profile, and brewing method. Follow the roaster’s guidance; our resting guide gives practical starting points. Buy what you’ll drink in a few weeks and freshness takes care of itself.

How fast will my order get here, and who ships it?

Your order is prepared by the roaster or maker. Preparation times vary by product and partner, and items from different partners may arrive in separate packages. You’ll receive tracking as each shipment leaves. Your shipping total and any free-shipping eligibility are shown at checkout before payment. If timing matters, email us before ordering for guidance on the exact item.

Something arrived damaged or wrong.

Email hello@drinksmallhours.com with your order number and a photo within 7 days of delivery. We’ll replace the damaged or wrong item free or refund you, your choice. You deal with one inbox — ours — and we sort it out with the maker directly.

Can I return or exchange gear?

Equipment and drinkware can be returned within 30 days of delivery, unused and in their original packaging. Email us for the right return address; return shipping is on you unless the mistake was ours. All coffee and consumables are final sale. Damaged or wrong items are a different matter — tell us within 7 days and we’ll make it right. The full return policy has the details.

Can you actually help me choose — or dial it in?

Yes. Email Small Hours with a little context:

• For coffee: how you brew, whether you grind at home, the flavors you enjoy, and whether you drink it black or with milk. Tell us if you want decaf.
• For equipment: your exact machine and grinder models, budget, usual drinks, and what you want to improve.

Ready to explore? The coffee shelf has starting picks. For your next brew, use our written V60 recipe or espresso dial-in guide. Before an equipment upgrade, read why the grinder comes first; for a new espresso machine, start with the water guide.

Who’s behind this?

Lars Miller, out of a home bar in South Florida: a La Marzocco Linea Micra, a Mazzer Philos, and a rotating cast of challengers. The shop grows out of that home bar, careful research, and honest recommendations. The Journal labels hands-on notes and owner-report roundups, so you know what each verdict rests on. The longer version’s on About Small Hours.