If you like big messy grinders that don't deliver consistency, you gotta try this one ! ! !
Positive Product Points
alright for light use NOT ESPRESSO Looks pretty cool, that's about it.
Negative Product Points
Messy, not built to last, uneven grind
Detailed Commentary
When I first got this machine I really liked it. Even though it shot grounds everywhere, I was pleased with the grind I got from the Kitchen-Aid A-9 Retro burr mill. As my knowledge of espresso is growing, I have come to realize that the grind I was getting for my Francis Francis! X1 was less than incredible. Crema is hard to build in the cup with grinds out of this burr mill. I also see now that the grind is less than consistent. The grinder is not suitably sized for small operation home use, and the quality is not commercial. On a store shelf, the machine looks great. On the countertop it is pretty looming. The hopper on top holds enough beans to make coffee for a small villiage (or pueblo). If you grind just enough to brew, look forward to lots of room in the hopper. Cleaning the A-9 is a real nightmare. You have to literally probe the never-ending chute that dispenses the coffee grounds with a long sharp object. You cannot reach the burrs and cleaning them is impossible. In my experience, coffee grounds got lodged inside the grind-selecting mechanism and it became impossible to turn without putting the thing in a vice, literally!!
Buying Experience
Bought it in a store. Went inside, bought the machine, took it home. Great experience all around ! ! !
