Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE ULTIMATE FOR HOME ESPRESSO NEEDS, December 28, 2005
As an owner of a Mazzer Super Jolly (a step up from the Mini) the following review is offered on the Mini Mazzer, which is just a baby version of mine and incorporates most, if not all, of the features of their larger grinders. Having used a friends Mini, I felt I was using, well... a "mini" version of my larger machine.
One thing I should point out is that the dimensions given here on Amazon (as of this review) must be wrong! The actual dimensions are 6.25"w x 13.25"d x 16.5"h. Take note of the height and measure the space between your cabinets and countertop, if you plan on storing it in, or under, your top cabinets. I will be informing Amazon of their incorrect information so, hopefully, they will correct it.
Be aware that the price, though possibly shocking to some who do not understand the importance of a good grinder, is well worth the quality of this grinder. Speaking of price, shop around. Use the internet. There are suppliers and websites, like coffeetweek.com and others, who offer this unit at less than I see it here and provide free shipping, as well.
The Mini Mazzer has become the favorite and most sought after grinder by home espresso users. Not only because of its' consistent grind, solid construction, superb design, and dependability, but the compact size (size, as compared to its larger brothers) makes it a more appealling device in the home.
The grinder weighs in at a substantial 22 pounds. Be prepared to find a spot for it on your counter, if your plan was to shelve it on a daily basis.
All Mazzer grinders are tested at the manufacturer (grind remnants might be found in the burr area). I mention this because some who receive new Mazzer grinders see the remnants of grinds and believe they are receiving a "used" or refurbished item. The machine is a professional beauty.
The Mazzer Mini is available in a few different color choices, though I am not sure what colors will be offered on Amazon over time. Again, shop around. The "Silver" model, which is painted silver, and finished with a gloss lacquer, features polished stainless steel. I happen to like silver or chrome equipment, so I consider it the best choice. However, if you have an espresso machine (or color scheme) of another color, the Mini Mazzer is also available in black and red. There are also designer hoppers that are hand crafted by a company called family Line. Their products can be found on coffeetweek.com.
The Mini is beefy - strong as a bull. The fit and finish is superb throughout. Attention to detail is obvious.
The grinding adjustment mechanism (a wheel at the neck, below the hopper) is deceptively simple in looks, but is time tested and really does the job of giving you infinite grind adjustment settings, making it perfect for any grind size of coffee.
The clear windows on the doser chamber is high impact plastic. It has been reported that marring, scratching, and discoloration are near nil over time. Though the plastic hopper on my Super Jolly suffers this fate, I can verify that the plastic they use for the windows portion of the doser is still crystal clear even after years of use.
The set point sticker is tuned well, to provide you with a good "espresso" grind when pointing to six o'clock.
I should note that on the burr dial (the element you move to adjust the grind), there is a sticker with arrows and text to indicate which direction creates coarse, fine, and your "set point" for espresso. Their set point arrow also points directly to the front when the grind is ideal for a normal espresso shot. Apparently, this set point is not a fluke, but carefully located onto the grinder after adustments are made when testing at the manufacturer. Mazzer apparently pays very close attention to where they put on their set point sticker, which just chalks up another "excellent attention to detail" point about the machine.
The sound of the Mazzer when grinding beans is hard to describe. It isn't overly loud. I would go sa far as to say that you could grind and not wake anyone sleeping in another room (try that with lower priced grinders!). I would describe it as quiet, if I were to compare it to a typical grinder in the $100 range.
The Mazzer's grind is superior both in evenness and in texture. I could not detect any variance in the grind.
The doser is easily the best design. You can easily adjust the dosage size per pull (by turning an adjustment "knob" inside the doser).
The grind is very consistent and the machine really allows itself to micro-adjustments. It's so easy to adjust on the fly in micro steps that maintaining the "perfect grind" becomes second nature once you're familiar with the machine.
The Mini will deliver you absolutely perfect espresso grinds once you get accustomed to how it works and what it is capable of.
My only complaint - and it's not a biggie, is that the power cord is positioned at about 8:30 (when you're looking from the top down), and it is near impossible to hide. A cord entering to the rear (perhaps even coming underneath the machine) at about 11 o'clock would have been more aesthetic.
If you are planning on using the Mini for other than espresso needs, the portafilter fork location won't be a problem (it can be removed to make room for a container). It's mounted a little low for my liking (almost 2 inches of space remains when using a standard porta-filter.
The Mazzer Mini is a performer workhorse.
The burrs spin at a non-load (no beans) speed of 1600RPM (250 watts of 110V power) and, when grinding, you'd be hard pressed to hear any serious decline in the speed. Mazzer rates the burrs them at about 640 lbs of coffee grinding. That may not seem like a lot, but do the math - if you use 2 pounds of coffee per week, the burrs will last more than 6 years. I don't think you'll have any worries about the burrs wearing out too soon.
If you are seeking the best possible grinder for home espresso or Turkish, the Mazzer Mini can only be surpassed by one of its' larger brothers (the Super Jolly or the Major), which are commonly found in businesses. Absolutely no other grinder, for home use, can compare to the grind results of the Mini.
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by David C. Schomer
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