Highly recommended for grinder less than $300. Very good consistent and precise fine grind. Very sturdy / industrial construction.
Positive Product Points
- For a sub-$300 grinder, grind consistency is very good. With stepless adjustment, once is roughly dialed in, you can have the option of tweaking it for each bean type and age. - Aeropress fits under the chute. - Little detached catch tray under the grinder makes cleaning easy.
Negative Product Points
- Stainless assembly has many somewhat sharp/rough edges. Also finger prints show up easily on its shining surface finishing. - Somewhat louder then other grinder in similar price range. - The "Portafilter Support Element" of the front housing really does not work well and its often in the way.
Detailed Commentary
After my Baratza Maestro died of early death, I order the LeLit P53 as replacement based on some online research and recommendation from friends. After couple days of usage, I think this is a great grinder for the price range. For less than $300, it produces very consistent grind and certainly it's more than capable of producing fine enough grind to choke the machine. This is the grinder I should have gotten couple years ago instead of Baratza Maestro.
Couple comments in related to other reviews I had read previously on internet: - Dial-in the grind was not difficult for me. After couple of test grind, I was able to get it closed enough to choke my machine. Once I got it to choke, two more test pulls and I was there. - Yes it's bit louder than others but it's not unbearably loud; at least my dogs don't run away from the kitchen when I grind my beans in the morning. Since grind duration for one shot is short, usually by the time when I notice it's being loud, I am already done grinding. - Like others may have pointed out, design of this grinder is very functionally but not aesthetically driven; or rather "industrial". It's enclosure construction is very sturdy and simplistic. Based on it's non-artistic look, I would have not guess it's Italian designed. If it wasn't making such of good quality grind, my wife would have kicked it out of our kitchen based on its look. - I didn't like the little "bend" pieces in the front part of the housing (aka filter support element). It was meant to be some sort of portafilter support/holder. it seems always be in the way. - After the last grind, I usually tapped the machine to shake out what's stuck in the chute on to the "catch tray". Amount that I shake out is about 1-tea spoon. I don't view this as a negative point since most grinder I have used before also require somewhat of clean-up/shake-out.
Buying Experience
Folks at 1st-line was very easy to work with. Product was back-order when I initially placed the order. 1st-line kept informed and when I called to check on the status, folks on the phone were friendly and responsive.