The grind of the coffee and flavor is outstanding. Very consistant grind. It has infinent settings from very fine to coarse (for press pot use)
Negative Product Points
Grind time. I asked when buying how long it would take. The guy said about 1-2 minutes. It's more like 8 minutes from start to finish for grinding. The other negative is how much ground coffee it holds. I have to dump the box about 3 times for a 12 cup pot.
Detailed Commentary
I've had this grinder about 2 weeks. So far I love it. But I'm kind of weird like that. This grinder is 10 time better than my last one, which was one of those Kitchenaid electric mills. The coffee from the zassenhause comes out very even grind. My setting for drip is just off of when the burs touch each other. It's a very fine grind.
I also made my first presspot coffee this week with it, before on the kitchenaid the grind was so uneven it was impossible to make a presspot cup of coffee. The setting I used was 1 1/2 turns from when the burrs are touching. There was some sediment but nothing like the kitchenaid.
Overall the only 2 negatives that I find are the small holding box for the ground coffee, and the amount of time it takes to grind. Which is about 6-8 minutes for a 12 cup pot. I did put a little red nail polish on the adjustment knob so that I can keep my grind consistant. it might move just a little during grinding but not enough to change the consistancy of the grinds.
Overall I love the grinder and would recommend it to anyone who wants to have the ultimate in ground coffee at a fraction of the price of one of those high $$ electic ones. If you are looking for an electric grinder, stay away from the cheap ones, even if they are conical burr grinders, cuase they use cheap cast blades.
Buying Experience
Great buying experience. I found Bald Mountain Coffee online and liked the price. I called in the order just to see how fast it would ship and I got my grinder in 2 days. The gentlemen that I spoke with was very helpful on the phone, and we also chatted a bit about coffee and grinding.
Three Month Followup
Still using this on a daily basis. I also bought wall mounted grinder. It doesn't seem to be as good as the counter model.
One Year Followup
Hey I think it's been 2 years now on my Zassenhaus. I'm still using it as my only grinder that I own. I have the open hopper model and 1 full hopper is just perfect for my 8 cup Press Pot that use exclusively as well.
I had bought some of the stick on rubber "nubs" that I put on the bottom of the grinder, this really helps with it sliding around on the counter. The nubs have been on there for the entire time and really work.
I had put a dab of finger nail polish on the adjustment knob and the support that holds the adjustment knob. I have it set exactly where I like my grind for the press pot (somewhat coarse) but not too coarse. The adjustment knob will move a fraction while rotation but not affect the size of the grind much. If if moves much past my mark I just move it back when I'm dumping the box.
It takes 2-3 dumbs to fill my press pot. I can usually get all my coffee ground by the time my water boils. I usually catch my boiler before it boils so I can pour the water at a little less than 212 degrees, or else i will wait 1-2 minutes before I pour the hot water over the grounds.
I haven't used a drip maker for a long time, but when I did, the very fine grind (like almost espresso style) was possible with this grinder. I would adjust the knob to just off touching burrs.
I have taken this setup with me on several trips and everyone loves the coffee that it makes, as well as how cool it is that I'm grinding by hand.
(And no one arm is not bigger than the other after using this grinder) It's not that hard to use.
Now that I have had it for 2 years, I'm upping my ratings of usability, and overall to a 10. Matter of fact I'm thinking of buying a spare just in case. I know that zassenhaus has been hard to get in the last few years, now they are back in the states I would like to have that extra one.
