Solid multi-purpose grinder for its price. Stepless mod option offers a slight increase in espresso capability, but only recommended for cheap espresso setups.
Positive Product Points
Easy to clean / access burrs. Can quickly switch between French Press / drip / espresso. Can be modded to be stepless. Can achieve extremes of fineness and coarseness with calibration. Durable. Consistent particle size.
Negative Product Points
Plastic build. Grounds container "rides" outward with vibrations. Minor grounds retention. Minor static issues. Limited adjustability - especially for espresso purposes.
Detailed Commentary
This grinder has been used for a solid year quite regularly for all kinds of purposes with no problems. Initially for drip and espresso. The finest setting would choke my espresso machine quite easily. It was possible to make espresso shots with crema (Coarsest "Extra Fine" setting) out of the box, but the adjustment from one grind setting to the next was too stark to allow any "dialing in". I would switch from espresso over to drip and back frequently, but a quick brush sweep of the burr chamber was necessary to expel retained grounds. I got in the habit of tilting the grinder forward and giving it a couple hard "pats" on the back to reduce grounds retention. A couple months in, I decided to take my grinder apart and mod it to be stepless (directions can be found at http://lowendespresso.blogspot.com/), a relatively seamless process. While the grinder is apart, its possible to easily alter the calibration to make all settings finer or coarser if desired. While stepless allowed a slightly wider range of particle size options fit for espresso, it is still quite limited in making fine adjustments. It is certainly possible to achieve a fine-looking shot with crema this way, but the adjustability is quite lacking. I would absolutely suggest this as a grinder for cheap espresso setups, but once you have a capable machine you will want something better.
Now I have this grinder calibrated as coarse as possible, with a wonderful Lelit having replaced it for espresso means. It is excellent for adjusting between pourover drip and french press. Burrs are still plenty sharp but I might benefit from a replacement by now.
Buying Experience
Excellent Canadian vendor. Very responsive, though I've never required service.
