Requires time and patience to use properly. The doser makes a mess. The grind is wonderful.
Positive Product Points
Excellent and consistent grind. Very well constructed.
Negative Product Points
Lack of timer combined with an inconsistent doser assembly puts onus on user to develop compensating measures. Requires extensive testing before proper grind and tamp combinations are produced. No rubber feet (put a rubber pad we had to open jars under it and that workes fine). Pricey.
Detailed Commentary
This was a step up from our previous Bodum burr grinder (bought in a Caribou Coffee store) and I now see what all the fuss was about. There's an enormous improvement in grind consistency, as big a jump as when we moved from our Krups blade grinder (best used for spices). The Bodum finally broke where it rotates to change grind setting (cheap plastic tabs). This one looks like it will last forever.
I like to make Americano's with a doubel shot or a French Press a double cup, and my wife gets a double shot latte each morning, so we needed the ability to easily and precisely change grind settings. My first French Press at a setting of 30 was great, but I'm experimenting and suffering through variations on that each day. The Espresso grind testing wasted a lot of coffee. After reading on this site I tried a setting of 4 and the Gaggia classic just stalled. Same for a load at 5. We are used to really stomping on the tamper from old habits with the Bodum. I backed off to 6 and a less firm packing and got a black dribble. At 7 I got crema but only filled one side of the double shot. At 8 and a less aggressive tamp I got near perfection.
The machine had been tested with beans at the factory, but I don't think they calibrate. I'd advise that you get some cheap dark roast and plan on running many tests your first few days. If you're not patient (my wife) this can get really frustrating. You will need to take notes and post sticky notes for a while. It's hard to get consistent with the tamp. We use a heavy stainless tamper we got at WLL that makes it much easier.
The doser is not very useful. I have to time the grind as other reviewers have noted, about 30-40 seconds at 8 for a double shot, but this depends on the bean feed too. Lots of guess work and and extra grounds . Very wasteful.
Buying Experience
I always default to amazon for quick service and free shipping. It was here 36 hours after I ordered it.
