I have been trying to find a good inexpensive grinder for a friend who is starting the espresso obsession, and I keep coming back to the Rocky. There are grinders more and less expensive, but the Rocky pretty much nails the formula for a mid-level grinder better than any other I have found. The burr set is larger than most $200-300 grinders and much more effective. The machine is more solidly made than nearly every other grinder in the price range. Although it uses stepped adjustment, the steps have worked well with every machine I have used with it. The machine's size is perfect for nearly any location and it is, in my opinion, a classic design that looks both modern and retro at the same time.
The top burr carrier moves a little bit when pulsing because the spring-loaded detent shaft fits loosely in the carrier adjustment holes. This can partially be obviated using teflon tape, it is a minor nuisance. The plastic hopper lid is a bit cheap and the hopper is small, but to be honest, if you plan on grinding more than what this hopper holds, you really should upgrade to a Mazzer, MACAP, or something similar. If you keep beans in the hopper, there is a nice trick using a pressure-sealed lid to keep it airtight.
Most agree that the portafilter fork on the DL model is poorly positioned. It is easy enough to remove. I like having the pulse switch on the front of the unit, though it would be nice to have a button rather than momentary rocker switch. The extended base catches some grinds, but the Rocky DL does throw grinds about and they do land around the perimeter. The built-in base almost makes it more difficult to clean around it.
I have had almost no issues with static cling. The grinds do come out clumpy, but in my estimation the clumps are smaller, looser, and more consistent than nearly every grinder in the same price range. I have experimented tamping without removing the clumps and am still undecided as to whether or not there is a benefit to de-clumping. I would lean toward doing it. I typically hold a backflush blank closely to seal the basket and shake it up and then to the sides, that usually breaks things up and sort of distributes grinds. I really like the DL chute because I can move the basket around to fill it effectively. The chute it cheap, though, and I have seen many that were cracked.
A semi-recent comparison of conically-burred grinders on HB included analysis of the Rocky near the end and, surprisingly, it performed quite well in comparison to grinders twice (and thrice) the price insofar as results in the cup go. Take these analyses for what they are, but I think it does validate the point that it is difficult to best the Rocky in its price range. |
