It may be a noisy, messy grinder but still a good deal if you can get it at $95.
Positive Product Points
It‘s a Conical Burr.
Good capacity
Cheap (US95 during a Starbucks sales)
Good size
Pretty good-looking (at least to me)
Negative Product Points
Way too much static and way too noisy
Detailed Commentary
Ok, I got this baby as a present last Christmas. It was on sale anyway at Starbucks (abt $95..heh heh...i checked.) At that time, I was using a Bodum Antigua and before that, a hand-grinder.
Comparing to the Bodum grinder, the Barista is definitely a much better size for me, being the only coffee drinker in the household. Both models seem very much similar in terms of being conical burrs, and having rather similiar grind controls. Both are also very noisy.
As far as grind quality is concerned, the Barista seems to give a pretty good grind for the plunger but not fine enough for the espresso. The Barista also seems to generate a lot more static than the Antigua. I get coffee all over the table everytime I grind my beans (and that‘s at lease twice a day, EVERY day).
In terms of looks, I personally find the Barista a better-looking grinder.
The prices of both the Barista and the Antigua are also about the same. It would be a good deal, though, to get the Barista when it is on sale.
