A reasonable machine with good quality (KitcheAid usually doesn't make crap) and a fair price.
Positive Product Points
Good looking Fairly consistent grind Seems to have good build quality (ask me again in a year)
Negative Product Points
In honesty....for my setup, none.
Detailed Commentary
I've had this machine for about a month now, a replacement for my Krups GVR (the burrs literally wore away). I bought it because someone I know has one and recommended it. Some have complained about the grind consistency for espresso, yet I seem to have no problem getting 20 sec shots with my Saeco Aroma (with the non-pressurized port-filter) with plenty of creama. I like the big hopper, which holds a pound of beans, which I go through in about 4 days (funny, the last poster complained it was too big...all depends on how much coffee one drinks). As well I feel the spout (and its supposed messyness) to be no problem at all. I grind on the average day enough coffee for 8 or 10 espressos...at the end of the day I have no more than a few grinds that need to be cleaned with a wet towlette...don't see the problem here. Also, in the month I've owned it it has ground about 8 ibs of coffee and not once have I had to dig out the grinds from the spout that others have complained about. Maybe I'm just lucky. In all I like it...it's cool, it is tall (though it has a small footprint and in out kitchen horizontal counterspace is less available than verticle space) and it seems to work pretty well. As I said, the only issue will be how long it lasts.
Buying Experience
The Bay in Canada. Pretty much your average dept store purchase...walked in, picked it up off the shelf and walked to the till.
Three Month Followup
No problems so far
One Year Followup
To tell the truth I am quite happy with this machine. It may not grind as fine as a more expensive machine, but I use (and like) the pressurized portafilter that came with my Saeco Aroma, and for this it works just fine. As well there are complaints about dust and debris. Mine sits on my countertop...gets used 4 or 5 times a day and at the end of the day it takes me about....oh, 9 seconds to wipe up the grounds on the countertop. Mechanically it has been great. No hiccups...I clean it out once a week and it does what it is supposed to...grind coffee.
