A superb machine that I plan to use for the rest of my life.
Positive Product Points
The Mazzer Mini is a solid chunk of metal, beautifully designed and engineered. Stepless grind range is very precise, the machine is quiet and the doser works well. The removeable hopper makes bean changes easy.
Negative Product Points
Too tall for placement beneath some cabinets, and at 18.25" high it costs about $21 per inch to admire out there on the counter (i.e. not cheap). The doser is not easy to clean out.
Detailed Commentary
This is the Mercedes Benz Turbo Diesel of coffee grinders. It is quiet, precise and powerful, but lacking the odor of truck exhaust. Apart from squeezing it under the kitchen cabinets, it's hard to fault.
After using a Solis177 for a year I decided to upgrade to the big dog, and I am not disappointed. I don't wake anyone up in the early hours any more with a lot of grinder racket and the Mini has absolutely enhanced the quality of my espresso - either that, or I finally struck a vein of extraordinary beans.
Set at #3 when it arrived, dialing in took about 5 minutes (5 was way too coarse - 3.5 was spot-on). Adjusting the doser for 14g output took another two minutes. The manual is not exactly a stellar piece of work, but the dial-in advice was priceless. It says, "If the ground coffee comes out of the chute very fast, the setting is too coarse - if it comes out too slow, the setting is too fine." Well, this is certainly true - but not very helpful!
The doser is workable but a little troublesome to clean out without a narrow necked vacuum.
Buying Experience
White Eagle Foods (Ohio) delivered in 10 days (back ordered) and included some Illy espresso beans. Yahoo.
Three Month Followup
Update (learning curve notes): I have removed the chute guard in the doser; this makes cleaning a breeze. I have also replaced the bean hopper with a plastic spice jar (yes - I cut out the bottom) that fits snugly in the mouth of the grinder. Now the unit fits fine under my counter. Love it.
