Cheap, Nice to Look at, and easily modifiable for espresso.
Positive Product Points
Low Cost, very nice to look at... brushed stainless steel front plate blue run LED indicator when running. Easy to modify for finer espresso grind if you are mechanically inclined.
Negative Product Points
Low Grade Contruction mostly plastic parts, unit physically broke after 1 week of mild abuse :-) Does not make fine enough grind for espresso out of the box 'Safety' switches are EXTREMELY touchy and need to be fussed with constantly to get unit to turn on despite keeping it clean
Detailed Commentary
Used the grinder for about 2 weeks and quickly found that I could get a slightly finer grind by holding mild pressure against the grind selector switch pushing it toward the finer grind setting direction at its stop while grinding... This 'forced' setting still was not fine enough for real espresso but was a good grind for 'steam toy' type espresso machines. Which is what I own at the moment. After about 1 week of this type of use the plastic internal stop snapped with a loud BANG! and the device had to be taken apart for investigation of repair and modifications ;-)
The broken part was not repairable however it is now easy to adjust the distance between the rotor and stator items which determine the fineness of grind that comes from the unit! Get them too close and you end up with metal shavings in your espresso get them almost that close and it pumps out nice soft very fluffy finely ground espresso stuff that is much finer than is attainable with its factory configuration.
If you are considering doing a modification to this unit you will need to also install a set skrew to keep the setting from wandering during use. Or get used to the idea of holding it steady with a finger while you grind!!!
Its a Cheap nice looking grinder which is not ready for espresso grind unless you want to open it up and modify it.
I only ended up doing this due to breaking it! I still plan on obtaining a 'real' espresso grinder in the $200 range if this one does not cut it.
The burrs in this grinder are of course the bigger nub type without all of the smaller blades like you see in a pro grinder.
<updated> I've sine gotten very used to having to hold the stator in place from moving while grinding, very easy to do. I also have since put the unit all back together and cut a small window in the plastic back that makes for very easy holding the stator in place while grinding, and the unit still looks very nice and presentable.
Buying Experience
It arrived in a Brown Box.
Three Month Followup
The Grider has been great for a hacker. I was able (1 week after purchase) to open it up and make the necessary modifactions to get it to grind MUCH finer for my new Entry level Gaggia Espresso espresso machine. I'm glad that it broke as soon as it did as this more quickly facilitated having to open it up.
I've now been making excellent espresso for months and the device has been holding up great.
I have detailed my Modifications at http://gvx.michiganbroadband.com for those interested in taking it apart and applying the same or a similar modification.
It's held up for months of constant use now, I'm pretty happy with it!!! I'll eventually get a professional burr grinder for espresso. This one is a great starter for me.
