Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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142 of 145 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This. Is. The. One., November 6, 2004
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.
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83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great grinder, June 5, 2005
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.
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92 of 95 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Real Joy to Use!, February 9, 2005
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.
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