Built like a tank, extremely precise and consistent, easy to use and clean up.
Positive Product Points
Easy to use, *very* precise, consistent grind, easy to clean up.
Negative Product Points
Gross changes in the grind require hundreds (really) of turns of the stiff black knob on the side. You aren't gonna use this for espresso today, and French press tomorrow. It's a one-trick pony: set it for espresso and leave it. If you have American coffee drinkers in the house, give 'em the beans and a hammer.
Detailed Commentary
When my old Solis Maestro grinder finally gave up the ghost, I got hold of Jim at 1st Line to ask him what to buy. I expected one of the usual expensive machines, but he said his favorite was this Lelit, which he used at home himself, so I bought it.
Unpacking it, I realized the machine is compact, but heavy, and beautifully finished in a mirror-polish stainless. Setup should take a couple minutes. **Do** read Jim's recommendations on setting the grind (on his web site). I didn't, and assumed I wanted the grind almost all the way to the "fine" side. Many hundreds of turns of the black knob, I wasn't anywhere close to the end of the "fine" scale, and it was producing impressively fine, if useless, coffee dust, about the consistency of talc. Hundreds of turns *back* on that knob, I finally got it back to where it should be, though my fingers were sore afterward.
To grind, press the portafilter into the front of the machine, and it pushes a button that runs the grinder. I have to jiggle the portafilter a couple times as it fills, or it all piles up on one side of the portafilter. (I have an Elektra lever machine, which has a pretty small-diameter portafilter - if you have a wide-diameter portafilter, you won't have to do any jiggling.)
It took a few days to dial in the grind just right. Once I got it close, I varied the grind knob by 20 turns one way or the other... then 10 turns. Less that that really doesn't make any difference I can see. I now get a nice crema, and a smooth, rich, nutty flavor every time. The combo of this grinder with the Elektra lever machine is coffee heaven.
The tray below that catches the overflow is separate from the machine. To clean it, just pull it out, rinse it, and put it back. It stays in place by means of a slight press fit inside the sides of the grinder body. Nothing could be simpler.
Buying Experience
As long as Jim has 1st Line, I'm buying my coffee gear from him. His prices are competitive, and he ships fast. He is a nice personable guy to deal with, and his customer support is superb.
