Customer Reviews

KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder, Pearl Metallic

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Serious about your coffee? Need to really grind espresso? Tired of toy grinders? Get this one.

This is not a toy. It weighs maybe 10 pounds, and is solid metal through and through. If you've seen a KitchenAid blender, then you have some idea of the construction -- it's what you'd expect given that. Uses removable glass hopper and bin, top-rack dishwasher OK, if you dare. The grounds do NOT cling. Very little mess at all.

I have one qualm about the lower bin -- it could stand to be heavier glass. KitchenAid, take note.

On its maximum setting it grinds beans for my espresso machine as well as Starbucks does it for me. This way I can buy in bulk, and still have my coffee taste fresh.

I've tried the cheap grinders, which aren't adequate for anything. I've tried the $80 grinders, which are OK for drip, but haven't a hope of a fine or superfine grind. Then there's this one. It stands alone.

I did a lot of research online before buying a grinder. The first one I purchased was a different brand, Italian, more expensive. I wasn't impressed with the quality (lots of plastic components) and sent it back. Then I came across this one and started reading the reviews here and other places. A lot of them were positive, but some people were freaking out about a few things. I'm glad I didn't listen to them.
- First, they didn't like the thinness of the glass grind container. It's true that it seems a bit thin. But a few years ago, someone gave us a glass teapot that is made of similar glass. We've been using it every day since then and haven't had any problem. We've never knocked it on the floor, but we have knocked it around like you inevitably do with daily use, and it has never chipped or broken. Even if you do end up breaking the grind container, KitchenAid has an 800 line you can call to quickly order a replacement. And you know what, a 1-cup Pyrex measuring cup, available here at Amazon for a few bucks, is exactly the same height, and you could play hockey with one of those and not break it. So this seems like a non-issue to me.
- Second, they complained about beans hanging up on the rim above the funnel that feeds the beans to the burrs. A couple people were mentioning these elaborate methods they use to knock the beans into the funnel (chopsticks and stuff like that). Yes, a couple beans can hang up there, but a couple gentle nudges of the grinder easily knocks them loose. Another non-issue.
- Third, they complained about the range of the grind sizes available. Out of the box, you get a range (325 - 1250 microns) that is fine for most home users. If you're an espresso connoiseur (fanatic?), you can easily adjust the range to get down to the ideal 250 micron size. If you're a French press connoiseur, you can adjust the range the other way to get to the ideal 1500 micron size. It's true that you can't have both at the same time, so if you like to drink both connoiseur-grade espresso and French press, you'll probably need to look for another grinder (you'll probably need a commercial-grade grinder). I make stop-top espresso using the 7 setting (in a range of 1 - 8) and love the shots I get. Very tasty.
So what do you get with this machine?
- First: It has a really good motor. My main hobby is woodworking and I've learned over the years that the most important thing to look for when shopping for a good electric tool is a good motor. It's the most expensive component of any tool, so it's the first place that cheap manufacturers cut corners. You can hear a good motor by its smoothness and the way it responds to a load (like when beans are falling into the burrs). This one sounds sweet! And, for a grinder, it's surprisingly quiet. That's partly due to the fact that it is geared down to grind more slowly, but it's also due to the quality of the motor and housing.
- Second: It has a really solid housing. This thing's going to last forever!
- Third: It's well engineered. When you take it apart to clean the burrs, you'll see that the components are top notch.
- Fourth: You get a consistent grind, which means better tasting coffee.
- Fifth: It's beautiful, a classic design, a feast for the eyes.
Conclusion: From what I've read and experienced, this seems to be the best of its class. I would buy it again, but I don't think I'll have to because I don't think I'll ever wear this one out.

It was with some trepidation that I ordered this expensive kitchen device. It was a lot of money to spend on something that had a very specific/limited function. However, my old grinder, used for many years, was beginning to show the wear and tear and needed to be replaced. I decided to take the plung and ordered the KitchenAid Grinder hoping for the best.

I can report that it was an excellent investment. Besides the fact that it was several levels quieter than my old grinder, it produced a much more uniform grind over a wide range of grind sizes. It is a very well made grinder with a substantial heft and a total lack of movement on the counter when grinding. The glass container that catches the grinds does not have the magnetic qualities of my previous grinder's plastic and fits very snugly into the base of the grinder. This snug fit precludes "leakage" of the coffee grinds onto the counter and beyond.

It is certainly a handsome device fit for any kitchen, except the most feminine (I definitely classify this grinder as masculine). It requires a modicum of counter space but does take up significant vertical room. Overall, I cannot find anything negative about this grinder and am pleased with my purchase.

I now understand why Kitchenaid has such a great reputation. This unit is so solidly built that it feels like a commercial unit, it looks great on the countertop, needs very little cleaning, is fully adjustable, and has all the features of high end coffee mills. It works perfectly and is the quietest grinder that I've owned.

As a home coffee roaster, I look for the perfect cup, and this machine gives me the results that I want. After a quick adjustment, the finest grind level is so fine that my pump espresso maker can only force a meager dribble through. By backing off one click, I get the perfect cup of espresso - a beautiful crema with complex flavors. With the grind setting in the middle, I get the ideal grind for my drip coffee maker, and can also get a coarser grind for french press.

The burrs are heavy duty, and are situated so that the grind passes down vertically; so you can grind directly into a coffee filter or espresso filter. There's virtually no static created, so grinds don't fly everywhere and cling to you, the mill, and the counter.

I did alot of research when deciding to purchase this unit, and I determined this mill to be the best of the lot at a price under $300. Now that I am actually using it; I can't think of anything that could make this mill better, except for a timer - though it grinds fast enough that I need only count to 25 before flipping off the switch to grind enough for an 8 cup drip coffee maker.

You will love this unit.

Quick update 5/22/07: most of the reviews of this product were from people who purchased it at $199. It's fantastic, but you'd have to be a fool to pay $499 or $599 for a coffee grinder. It's still running great over a year later, and I still have two of them, but $499 or $599 - no way! Here's the original review:

There are lots of flaws with this product, but none of them matter if you know how to use it.

First, just store the lower receptacle jar, you won't use it. Yes it's cheap. Yes, it knocks the grinds hanging from the machine all over the place when you pull it out. Don't use it at all: you don't need it. Just pour the beans in the top, hold a paper filter underneath and turn the thing on. In 30 seconds, it's done. Take the filter with the ground coffee and put it into the coffee pot. Now you don't have a dirty receptacle to clean and the grounds won't fly all over (it's the receptacle that is knocking them off). Yes, you have to stand there for 30 seconds, but now you don't have to spend thirty seconds pouring the coffee from the receptacle into the filter, cleaning the receptacle and wiping up the grounds. Easy, See? And the coffee comes out completely static free.

That pretty much solves all of the problems for use with a coffee maker, except that the grind is, on its finest setting, just fine enough for a cone coffee maker, not an espresso machine. If you want to grind it finer, for use with an espresso machine, there are instructions in the box on how to adjust the thing to do that. It took me about 3 minutes to do it, but you need a hex wrench that they don't include. I used one of the many I have gotten for free with other products.

I'm happy enough with the one I bought for my office that I am buying another one for my home. It's built like a tank and it looks good and works well. The grind is very uniform and the thing will obviously last for a decade or more.

I have a $70 Krups grinder that I am going to toss after only 6 months: it makes a mess and there is so much static, I have to grind the coffee the night before (to allow the static to die down), which causes it to lose a lot of flavor.

Buy this one, and use it like I said. You won't be sorry.

We have had our grinder for about 6 months and absolutely love it. This grinder is clearly well engineered and built. Very solid and is set up so you can adjust the burrs to make up for wear as well as take them out to clean or replace (neither of which we have needed to do). The burrs are supposed to last about 10 years - I believe it. The grinder is heavy and quiet. The glass grounds jar eliminates the static you get with cheaper grinders. I lucked out and got this on sale for 20 % off last fathers day and paid about $160 at Williams Sonoma. Even at $200 it is worth it as the other grinders in this price range are cheap plastic junk.

Go for it. You will not regret it.

I've had the KitchenAid Proline Grinder for 3-4 months and feel like I have enough experience with it to write a review. I will give you my bottom line: It's a very good grinder and well-worth the price compared to other high end grinders. It is very heavy duty and attractive both in form and appearance. The glass bowls mean essentially no static cling of the grinds. The grinding path is straight down through the machine, which is another positive. It is also easy to clean and to calibrate. The manual that ships with the machine is well-worth reading and is actually a good read. They suggest an easy calibration procedure, which I recommend you do if you want a very fine grind for espresso. It's also easy to remove the burr to periodically clean the inside of the machine. KitchenAid thoughtfully provides a brush for this.

There are 3 negatives, in my opinion. First, I get more fines or dust than I would like. It's not much, but more than I would prefer. Second, there are a total of 15 "click steps" of adjustment. This is not that important, but I would prefer more control over the grind. I never grind anything below 4, so that's really 9 different grinds. I have seen a mod posted to remove the detent mechanism to allow unlimited grind adjustment, but haven't felt the need to do that. Finally, the collecting bowl feels a little thin, but that's only because the rest of the machine feels so rugged.

I'm very pleased with this grinder and I think you will be too.

After visiting a friend who bought one of these and allowed me to expose its insides and use it, I broke down and decided to purchase one for myself. My Cuisinart Supreme made a nice gift, as I reluctantly parted with an old friend who served me well. A sleek, new, sexy grinder that satified my every desire for under $200 crossed my path. I was a little concerned at reading some reviews here at Amazon about its' inability to grind espresso, but my experience with my friends grinder and the one I bought makes me wonder if the people with complaints shouldn't have tried an exchange first or inspected the results more closely. A simple test of grind consistency is to pinch a bit with your fingers and rub together, then inspect. His machine and mine produce a very acceptable espresso grind (as I will describe further on).

My first impression was awe at a full metal body and glass containers. Two points which always seem lacking in coffee grinders and things I was constanly searching for. Gone are the days of light weight units and static cling caused by plastic containers in grinder models costing less than $200.

The second impression was the design. It took me a few moments to figure out if I liked it, as it wasn't "typical" of most grinders. What with the two glass containers creating an hourglass shape. I quickly realized I did like the look (must have something to do with a woman's figure - thus, the "sexy" description).

The real test would be the grind results. First impressions of overall looks are fine, but if discovering there ain't much else, then I'll lose my enthusiasm as quick as any personal relationship that isn't worth pursuing.

A pound of coffee later, I was thoroughly impressed. At first, I thought there was something wrong with the grinder because the grounds looked odd - too big?. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the "odd" look was actually a "fluffiness" to the grounds that made them appear large (could this be the source of the complaints?). It seems that, because the grinder doesn't throw the grounds from the rear to the front (avoiding the slamming into the receptacle wall), compression of the grounds does not take place. This is a new experience for some of us who drink espresso, as the first compression will now be made by us who tamp. My buddy only makes drip coffee (I often call him "My Neanderthal Friend"), so he wasn't as excited as I was (go figure). Because of the design, the grounds simply fall from the burrs and land gently into the catch container.

Speaking of grounds, powder production is not an issue with this unit. My Cuisinart Supreme would produce powder and although it did not affect my drip coffee, it could not come close to producing the necessary consistency for espresso. So, this was my next test - espresso.

It took some fiddling of the dial which, to make a long story short required me to hold the dial in the desired position while it ground beans, but I was able to reach the right ground consistency to produce a good shot of espresso. Between "clicks" kinda sucks, but for those who want an inexpensive grinder capable of producing espresso consistency, this unit can do it (with a little assistance). Both mine and my friends grinder must be held between click settings, so I'm assuming that this may be true of all these grinders. Though, depending on the espresso machine, perhaps not. I have yet to become adventurous enough to see if I can adjust my grinders' insides to set a certain click that will produce the desired result without having to hold the position myself. Don't know if I ever will, as my Mazzer Grinder is used exclusively for my espresso needs. I was curious to see how well "rounded" this grinder was, though. I don't do the French Press thing, so perhaps another reviewer can forward their input. My gut feeling is that this unit will deliver for you people, as well.

The hopper holds a little less than 1/2 pound of beans. More than enough for the requirements of daily grinding. An internal auger feeds the beans to the burrs and the parts are beefy. Due to the lack of the typical chute from the burrs to the catch container, I found clean-up is extremely easy when compared to other grinders.

If a fault can be found in this unit, I'd only point to the glassware which seems a bit thin and actually creates some cleanup problems upon removing it, but taking a bit of caution when washing or handling it should avoid any breakage and lessons the clean-up.

Overall, I'd suggest forking over the extra $100 or so, if you are considering a lower price range model, for this unit if you want a workhorse that can produce an exceptional grind with little trouble for years to come. It may double what you intended to pay for a grinder, but it is an investment that will pay for itself over time.

I have had mine for about a year now. I bought it from William Sonoma because they had the guarantee that if I didn't like it for whatever reason, I could return it. At list of $300, I wanted the option especially since I had bad luck with other cheaper models. However, I could have bought it anywhere because you would have to rip it out my hands to get it from me! Love it!

Although the list is $300, I have never seen it for more than $199.00 which is what I actually paid (and I see some reputable on-line stores have it for about $160 right now!).

I had been looking for a good machine to grind Espresso for my Ranchillo Silvia. The so called "Good" burr grinders were in the neighborhood of $400.00 which I just could see paying. This works great with my Silvia! Perfect everytime.

They say there are 14 or 15 adjustments, but there are actually more because you can remove a screw and make a half step adjustment internally just in case the 15 factory setting aren't quite right or your burrs start getting worn. (They tell you how in the manual. As I recall, the instructions weren't great, but were adequate.)

As others have mentioned, no static. I very occassionally experience the symptom where there are beans in the hopper, but nothing is grinding. Kind of to be expected that every now and then a couple beans will hang. It's not a jam, just a hang. I just giggle the machine for about 1 second, and that frees it all up. Barely worth even mentioning, and that is the only "issue" I have ever had with it.

As far as the glass being thin on the collector, well, yes, it is, but I have never broken it and I use it every day for over a year. It is made of the same sort of glass the the coffee pots in restaraunts are made of. Not real thick, but sturdy enough unless you drop it which would likely break thicker glass too. Does make you a little nervous though.

But this one. It rocks!

I decided to get more serious about my espresso habit and had purchased a retro looking metal Kitchenaid tower model (looks like an antique gas pump). The grounds were too coarse, so I bought a blade grinder which was better. Then, I got on the coffeegeek.com site and read how little emphasis the grinder gets in the barista process, but how important it is. They had a review on this unit and it rated very well against far more expensive units. I'm very happy with mine, except for one small niggle, the power switch threaded collar did not have enough thread to hold the switch, so it popped off and the switch went inside. I opened the bottom and removed an interior threaded ring to get more thread to protrude, once this was done the switch ended up being secured with no further issues..this is the only reason I didn't give it a five star rating..