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- Measures 12 by 13-1/2 by 6 inches; 2-year, hassle-free replacement warranty
- Coffee grinder with quiet DC motor and durable die-cast metal housing
- Adjustable stainless-steel cutting burrs for 15 different grind sizes; compact design
- 7-ounce glass bean hopper and coffee bin; low RPM operation preserves coffee flavor
- Dishwasher-safe bean hopper, hopper lid, and coffee bin; burr cleaning brush included
Best features/performance; Looks and Feels cool too.
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I now understand why Kitchenaid has such a great reputation. This unit is so solidly built that it feels like a commercial unit, it looks great on the countertop, needs very little cleaning, is fully adjustable, and has all the features of high end coffee mills. It works perfectly and is the quietest grinder that I've owned.
As a home coffee roaster, I look for the perfect cup, and this machine gives me the results that I want. After a quick adjustment, the finest grind level is so fine that my pump espresso maker can only force a meager dribble through. By backing off one click, I get the perfect cup of espresso - a beautiful crema with complex flavors. With the grind setting in the middle, I get the ideal grind for my drip coffee maker, and can also get a coarser grind for french press.
The burrs are heavy duty, and are situated so that the grind passes down vertically; so you can grind directly into a coffee filter or espresso filter. There's virtually no static created, so grinds don't fly everywhere and cling to you, the mill, and the counter.
I did alot of research when deciding to purchase this unit, and I determined this mill to be the best of the lot at a price under $300. Now that I am actually using it; I can't think of anything that could make this mill better, except for a timer - though it grinds fast enough that I need only count to 25 before flipping off the switch to grind enough for an 8 cup drip coffee maker.
You will love this unit.
Low speed burr grinding is best!
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This KA product is GREAT! I've had a number of other bean grinders including the expensive Jericho. All were burr grinders and all (except KA's own redesigned A9 tower grinder) had plastic catchers for the ground beans. And all were very messy due to the static build-up. But KA has paid attention to detail! The glass bin/catcher is very well designed for easy removal from any angle, and simply slides into place without turning or forcing. And I especially appreciate the slower grinding speed, which is absolutely perfect for coffee beans. Thanks KA!!!!
Great grinder
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I did a lot of research online before buying a grinder. The first one I purchased was a different brand, Italian, more expensive. I wasn't impressed with the quality (lots of plastic components) and sent it back. Then I came across this one and started reading the reviews here and other places. A lot of them were positive, but some people were freaking out about a few things. I'm glad I didn't listen to them.
- First, they didn't like the thinness of the glass grind container. It's true that it seems a bit thin. But a few years ago, someone gave us a glass teapot that is made of similar glass. We've been using it every day since then and haven't had any problem. We've never knocked it on the floor, but we have knocked it around like you inevitably do with daily use, and it has never chipped or broken. Even if you do end up breaking the grind container, KitchenAid has an 800 line you can call to quickly order a replacement. And you know what, a 1-cup Pyrex measuring cup, available here at Amazon for a few bucks, is exactly the same height, and you could play hockey with one of those and not break it. So this seems like a non-issue to me.
- Second, they complained about beans hanging up on the rim above the funnel that feeds the beans to the burrs. A couple people were mentioning these elaborate methods they use to knock the beans into the funnel (chopsticks and stuff like that). Yes, a couple beans can hang up there, but a couple gentle nudges of the grinder easily knocks them loose. Another non-issue.
- Third, they complained about the range of the grind sizes available. Out of the box, you get a range (325 - 1250 microns) that is fine for most home users. If you're an espresso connoiseur (fanatic?), you can easily adjust the range to get down to the ideal 250 micron size. If you're a French press connoiseur, you can adjust the range the other way to get to the ideal 1500 micron size. It's true that you can't have both at the same time, so if you like to drink both connoiseur-grade espresso and French press, you'll probably need to look for another grinder (you'll probably need a commercial-grade grinder). I make stop-top espresso using the 7 setting (in a range of 1 - 8) and love the shots I get. Very tasty.
So what do you get with this machine?
- First: It has a really good motor. My main hobby is woodworking and I've learned over the years that the most important thing to look for when shopping for a good electric tool is a good motor. It's the most expensive component of any tool, so it's the first place that cheap manufacturers cut corners. You can hear a good motor by its smoothness and the way it responds to a load (like when beans are falling into the burrs). This one sounds sweet! And, for a grinder, it's surprisingly quiet. That's partly due to the fact that it is geared down to grind more slowly, but it's also due to the quality of the motor and housing.
- Second: It has a really solid housing. This thing's going to last forever!
- Third: It's well engineered. When you take it apart to clean the burrs, you'll see that the components are top notch.
- Fourth: You get a consistent grind, which means better tasting coffee.
- Fifth: It's beautiful, a classic design, a feast for the eyes.
Conclusion: From what I've read and experienced, this seems to be the best of its class. I would buy it again, but I don't think I'll have to because I don't think I'll ever wear this one out.
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