First the safety hazard. The power cord passes under thin sheet metal from under the grinder. Over time, this metal edge can cut into the power cord, and subject the user to a potentially lethal shock. I applied electrical tape around the power cord where it passes under the metal edge to help prevent this hazard from occurring, and I would advise other owners do the same.
The burr and motor structure is larger than that on the Rancilio Rocky, and I think the cooler operation could be responsible for the less-acidic coffee. The unit is easy to operate- I measure a set amount of beans to grind, and hold a small container on top of the portafilter fork to collect the ground coffee. The motor runs for a set period of time, and each time it stops, I empty the gound coffee from the container into the drip-filter basket. Until the pre-measured beans are finished being ground. I do have to use a coffee brush to get grounds off the sides of the dispensing funnel, to get all the coffee and prevent stale coffee for the next time.
The base was constructed in such a way where the grounds collector dish part of the base can *easily* be bent upward. Tilting the grinder forward in the process. In fact, my unit was bent upward from shipping. The front and rear portions of the base are held together by thin *unreinforced* sheet metal, and requires extra support. I did add a "fifth foot" under the center of the base.
The only other complaint is the lack of numerical marks/reference for adjusting grind fineness. Once the ideal fineness is found, one will have to mark on the wheel where that point is, if he or she wants to use multiple settings and return to those desired settings for multiple types of grinds. (The Rocky in contrast is very well-marked, one just has to remember the "number" for a specific grind setting.)
The doser-less design is ideal for drip coffee, but for espresso, the measured shots may be off with the timed grinds compared to using a doser. The Brasil and El Nino models do have a doser, and I would recommend those models for those who grind expressly for espresso.
If the hazard is addressed, and aside from other minor drawbacks, for $210, purchased at Cora Italian Specialties in Illinois, you will not find a better coffee grinder for the money, especially for drip coffee. **I've seen some retailers charge over **double** the aforementioned price for this same grinder. (One website has this grinder mixed up with the El Nino.) So if you shop around for best price, you will not find a grinder for less that produces a true commercial-quality grind. |
