Great companion to the Silvia. Might have liked a doser version better. Hate the rocker switch. Needs to be clean well periodically.
Positive Product Points
Well made. Solid build. Consistent results.
Negative Product Points
Have to hold rocker switch to grind. I get electric shocks from it from time to time.
Detailed Commentary
It is really heavy. Almost as heavy as the Silvia itself.
Metal structure with stainless steel base. Conical burr grinder and strong motor.
Grind is controlled by steps, as opposed to stepless. After each cleaning, where you need to remove the top grinder and put it back again, you will need to "calibrate" it again.
Grind is consistent and the conical grinder does not heat up the beans too much.
Since I got it, I cleaned it about 3 times. I know I should do so more often. Cleaning is straightforward. You will need to dismantle up to the top of the grinder itself and scrape off the old coffee. Toothbrush is good but I need a flat head screwdriver.
I do nto have access to the grinder cleaning products.
Becareful fo the beans you put in the hopper. If you put in gunk, beans roasted with sugar, you will not be able to get off more that a couple of shots worth of ground before you need to do a thorough cleaning.
In about the last year, I occassionally received electric shocks when I touched the exposed metal, it is everywhere. I took apart the grinder but did not see where the loss of insultation developed. It went away. Then it came back. Then it went away. I have not had a shock from the grinder for about 6 months now.
I hate that I need to stand there pressing the rocker switch to ground the coffee. I have been meaning to modify the grinder by adding a bypass switch but I have been procastinating about it. I think for the time being I will tape down the rocker switch and use the power switch in the back instead.
I have the doserless version and I have been wondering if the doser version is better. Powder keeps falling off the portafilter such that I need to place a bowl underneath the chute.
People have been complaining about stale power in the chute but I simply run it for a while to clear the chute, incidentally making sure the grinder itself does not have old powder.
If I get a new espresso machine, maybe I will get a commercial grade grinder with doser. But seeing the prices, then again, maybe not.
Buying Experience
I bought it second hand for USD 769, with the Rancilio Silvia and the metal base. A new set would have costed USD1230.
