Great machine at a great price. Built like a tank and will last for years.
Positive Product Points
Built like a tank, easy to setup and use. But should be used for one grind only, would be too much to switch back and forth between espresso and drip/french press. With proper maintenance and cleaning it should last for years :^) .
Negative Product Points
A bit noisy Can't be used for different grinds very easy, espresso / drip.
Detailed Commentary
After much research, I decided on the Junior, since I'll be using it for espresso only and being my first burr grinder.. I've done some of the mods I've learned about at other sites. Like the throat extension to keep the beans from staying on top of the burr carrier, since I grind for two to three double shots every day I removed the finger guard. Once I got it zeroed in and have run almost three pounds of beans through it so far to season the burrs. The grounds come out nice and fluffy, and drops straight into my portifilter without to much stray grounds. Love the 64mm size burrs and the speed that it grinds the beans.
Buying Experience
Bought if from Chris Coffee at a great price, received it on time. But when I got it out of the box, I heard a rattling noise and one I removed the bean hopper I found the throat extension was broken off. I called the tech support and explained to them what had happened. They sent out another hopper and received it two days later, will recommend Chris Coffee anytime for anyone's coffee needs.
Three Month Followup
Couldn't be more happy with this grinder, I've have run through around 8 lbs of coffee with no problems. It's a bit noisy but that's ok, I've been grinding and drinking CCC Toscano mostly but in my last order I got a bag of their Rustico. But I also have tried some of Chris's Black Pearl. Anyway once the machine is dialed in it grinds flawlessly. It's easy to clean, I use some small brushes to clean out the ground chute and use my wife's vacuum cleaner to suck out the burr area and down into the doser area. When I grind some beans and lift up the lid on the doser and get a good wif of the grinds it smells so good that I've died and gone to coffee heaven :^)
One Year Followup
After one year of ownership I have no regrets in getting the Cimbali Junior. It is truly build to last for years of use, is easy to clean and perform maintenance on it. A little bit on the noisy side but that's ok since I use it at night to make two double shots every day. Bought if from Chris Coffee and received excellent service from them, when I first received it, it had a broken bean hopper and when I contacted them they sent a new one out the next day. The only negative thing I have with it, I wish they "Cimbali" would make a doserless version. Other then that I'm very happy with it, and with proper maintenance, cleaning it should last for years. Thank you Cimbali for manufacturing a great produce
