Grinder could last a life time if the burrs, auger, bearing and adjustment had been made from higher quality and precision. Motor and the casing is heavy and strong. I like the way it looks.
Positive Product Points
Heavy!, Glass and metal, Not much static, no clumping. low revs per minute, easy to modify to stepless, doesn't run warm
Negative Product Points
Dull burrs, not machined burrs but cast, beans stick in the hopper, auger stick to the grinder and is hard to loosen when cleaning, Bearing seat and adjustment is not of highest precision (plastic)
Detailed Commentary
After many years of use, I had to buy a new grinder. The auger started to get stuck when I took it apart for cleaning. I tapped gently on the auger with the back of my espresso tamper and it comes loose, but now the axle is slightly dented which lead to the bearing being stuck to the auger/axle and the grind is inconsistant any more.
I know beans sticking to the hopper doesn't sound like a big problem, but it gets old. The grinder seemes very heavy and strong, but if the most important part namely the burrs and the bearing, bearing seat etc. had been of higher quality this would have been great! Imagine if they could make burrs interchangeable with some expensive high quality grinder such as Anfim or Mazzer! I read that you can do modification with real Mazzer burrs, but I figure the whole axle/ auger and bearing etc. is too low precision.
One of the highlights is the way the ground coffee falls evenly from the chute without clumping. It has been consistent grind for years, but not of the same quality as the conical burr grinders. I changed burrs and I was happy for one day before they felt dull again. I played with the idea of sharpening the burrs, but I have no such machinery.
I have used it mostly for espresso, but also for French press. The coarsest setting produces road gravel almost!
I have now contacted Kitchenaid company twice to ask if they have spare parts, but the girls on the other end doesn't understand what I am asking about even though I wrote them. They offer to sell me dull burrs for $40, which I don't need. Customer service isn't the greatest and I give up trying to explain what I need. I will take it to work to grind for French press.
