Breville Smart Grinder

I bought this unit as an upgrade a couple of months ago because I wanted to get a really good, consistent and durable machine. I read and watched reviews before choosing the Breville. I've used it almost exclusively to do a course grind for cold brew. The controls are intuitive and I like the fact that the hopper holds a full pound of coffee and is removable for easy cleaning.

BUT...the machine began jamming up on me recently and the grind has become way too fine, even on the coarse setting. Every time I use it, I end up having to dismantle the whole thing in order to clear out the clogged area under the burrs. It's now at the point where it jams part way through every grind. It's extremely frustrating. From what I've read, other folks have experienced similar issues with clogging. Considering the price, I have to say I'm really disappointed. The machine looks great but the actual performance simply doesn't match up to the hype.

I wouldn't recommend this grinder to anyone.

(Posted on 5/4/13)

I bought a Moccamaster several years ago and soon realized crap coffee beans will make crap coffee, no matter how good the coffee maker is. I soon moved to the better ground coffees. I was reluctant to try grinding my own because of me not knowing enough about grinders and grinding coffee. I knew I was missing the next level towards Nirvana by not grinding my own.

I took the plunge recently and purchased the Breville Smart Grinder. I watched the videos on the Seattle Coffee Gear website and decided on the Breville mainly on the review and the ability to consistently get the same grind and amount. When I wake up in the morning, the last thing I want to do is think about is how much and how long.

It took about a week to experiment and adjust the grinder. One thing I noticed was the drip grind was noticeably finer than the ground coffee I have bought even at the coarsest drip setting. This is a case of no harm, no foul. The Moccamaster brewed the finer grounds without issue.

So what should you expect expect from freshly ground coffee? Coffee that has richer taste, and not to sound like I read coffee Affectionado reviews, more complex flavors.

With the right coffee, coffeemaker and grinder you can make a kickass cup of coffee!

Now pardon me while I chant, aaaaauuuuummmmm.......

(Posted on 4/25/13)

I bought this in April 2013 to get a good grind for our new Breville 840XL

The first hour with this grinder was terrible. I had set the grind medium fine espresso like we had used in the Lynnwood SCG store. Nothing came out.. took the hopper off .. the burrs were pack with beans and bean parts.... Very frustrating...

In the store to get a good pull we needed to be almost as fine as the grinder would go. Starting there with my new grinder.. just clogged the system badly.

Once I cleaned it all out and get the burr locked in right etc.. and moved the grind up to drip.. it started to feed and I find I am getting the perfect grind just below drip in the espresso range...

So there is clear variation between units on what grind comes out at what setting.. don't start your new finder at the fine settings start it in the middle and work it down to the fine grind you need.

The LCD is not just digital BLING it creates the ability to get a reproducible results and with the auto-start when the porta filter is placed in the holder and the ability to fine tune how much coffee is ground for it.. Its like having a grinder built in.. but I can also grind for other types of coffee.

The easy clean catch tray, instructions under the tray, filter holders, the detectors that know if you are using a porta-filter (allows 1-2 shots of espresso to be measured out) or a larger container..(included) allows up to 5 shots of espresso to be measured out.) all make this a really cool and well thought out tool.

It allows you to refine the settinsg then do the same grind and amount over and over and over.. who needs auto when you have this and a Breville 840xl...I don't

One NIT... the pile of coffee in the filter is not centered it is us just a bit towards the back.. so can lead to a few more stray coffee grounds on the counter etc as you start to tamp down.

As long as it works.. I really have no need for built-in or other grinders.. I am very happy.

(Posted on 4/17/13)

I got my breville grinder about a year ago to pair with my Crossland CC1. I was a little apprehensive about breville as I wasn't very happy with espresso machines (haven't tried the double boiler), but the value seemed unbeatable for this grinder so I went for it. It's been used multiple times daily without any issue and all of my expectations were met and exceeded.

Changing settings between roasts is very fast and almost mindlessly simple. Can't imagine a reason to upgrade unless I wanted to own a cafe.

(Posted on 4/13/13)

Love this unit. So, easy to make quick adjustments. We have had this unit with the Bonavita coffee maker with carafe. What an excellent pair. Used to have a brew and grind unit.. It's in the trash after years of frustration. Use for drip coffee only cannot comment on the espresso side of things.. But, love this grinder easy to clean and fast. Had for over a month and got dialed right where we like it.

(Posted on 4/10/13)

I am impressed with the grinder, but am still dialing it in after nearly a month of daily use. For quite some time, I did not think this grinder would grind LARGE enough for an adequate shot of espresso - I was well up into the cup settings before a single ounce would be pulled in less than 20 seconds! After more than two pounds of coffee though - and several bean changes - it started to "calm down" and I am now getting 3.5oz in 27 seconds - a little fast, but it's back in the "Espresso" region of the dial and getting better.

The machine definitely takes time to get to know and adjust. The ability to remove the bean hopper while full of beans is great.

The grind dial takes some getting used to - when full of beans, it may not respond immediately, giving three or four clicks before indicating a position change - but the amount settings are great to dial-in a grind fill that is not wasteful.

Grind is incredibly consistent and one of the cleanest I have seen in a grinder in this price range. Loving this grinder the more I use it.

(Posted on 3/22/13)

I have owned the smart grinder for a little over two weeks. So far I've had great results. Still working on my perfect cup. I've found using 4 oz of water as opposed to 6 oz per cup makes a much better brew. 6 oz pour tends to be to weak. Very convenient, don't have to scoop just grind and go. I would recommend this product.

(Posted on 3/19/13)

This is my first grinder that cost more than $40. I have been using a Hario Mini Mill and MyPressi for espresso, the mini mill worked well for the price, but it was too inconsistent and I could never get a proper shot.

I have been using the Smart Grinder with the MyPressi Twist and I have been pulling some GREAT shots! I truly think I have had some the best Americanos and double shots from this combination.

Also, a lot of people seem to think the number of grind options is based on the number of ticks on the screen, when really there are 2-3 ticks between each one, so I think there are a lot more grind settings.

I now know why grind consistency is so important. The taste of my coffee has change drastically!

The number of features this grinder has is also a huge bonus for me. No other grinders close to this price has anything close, plus Breville makes some damn good looking products.

(Posted on 3/17/13)

We bought this grinder on the recommendation of a friend. We use it exclusively to prepare espresso and cappuccino with our Saeco Aroma.

We found the grinder easy to set up, use and clean. It didn't take long for us to adjust the amount and fineness of the grind and get great shots from our machine. Clean up is easy with this machine.

One of the coolest things about the machine is the port-filter adapter. The smaller of the two provided adapters fits our Saeco Aroma porto-filter perfectly.

A very good value, and Seattle Coffee Gear shipped real fast.

(Posted on 3/9/13)

When our old Bodum grinder's motor finally died, I began searching for a suitable replacement. I was intrigued by the Smart Grinder with the versatility and amount of control through the electronics. We used an inexpensive Capresso grinder in the interim while waiting for funds to step up to a better unit, and I decided to go for the Smart Grinder. So far, I am pleased with the choice.

The bulk of our grinding is for drip, usually two pots per day. We do the odd grinds for French Press and espresso. For the drip, it's excellent - consistent grind and will run enough for our 14-cup machine. I've only done the basic fiddling with grinding for espresso; our old Krups portafilter is an odd size that doesn't fit the smaller holder well. But it did work well enough for me to draw a few shots to get the basic "it works" established.

It is a reasonably quiet grinder - much quieter than our old Bodum, and infinitely quieter than the Capresso unit. Quiet, as in being able to have a conversation while it's grinding quiet. That's a nice change in our kitchen.

The supplied container for grinds works well. It has a nice feel when it drops into position and takes the guesswork out of making sure that it's positioned properly. I also really love the removable tray the container sits in, making cleaning up any spilled grounds super-easy. If you have a basket filter, you can grind right into the basket as well. I have not tried this with our cone filter though.

The other thing I like about the Smart Grinder is that it seems to not be adversely affected by static electricity. A simple tap on the grounds container settles it down and no grounds flying all over. That is a big improvement over any grinder we've had in the past which had grounds all over our coffee area because of the static.

The only negative I have thus far is the bean hopper. It holds a decent amount of beans and we're only filling it every few days. But with oily beans (we use French Roast almost exclusively) we have had them clog at the openings in the hopper base as it feeds into the grind chamber. A tap on the hopper frees them up.

Highly recommended if you're looking to step up from a basic grinder.

(Posted on 3/1/13)

I drink espresso and french press. My husband drinks drip and french press. We really needed a good multipurpose grinder and this fit the bill. I love the LED screen because there is no guess work. I've being using this machine for 4 months making both espresso and french press with great results.

The only note I have is that the video shows an adjustment labeled "stronger or weaker". My machine is labeled "more or less". By measuring the grind with a kitchen scale I found that I could adjust the grams of coffee per/shot by moving this up or down. Example: on the finest setting for espresso at the middle setting on "more or Less" and setting for 2 shots, I get 16 grams. I can adjust from there.

(Posted on 2/15/13)

The grinder is extremely simple to use and clean. Since it is so simple to clean it actually gets done.
This is my first grinder and is used with my Saeco Aroma espresso machine.
I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend this grinder to anyone who is just getting started.

(Posted on 1/19/13)

You have heard the expression "a bowling ball named Homer"? Well the grinder was just such a gift for my husband. Not having the most sensitive palette, I did not expect much. However the grind is important as I found out. Good coffee is even better when properly ground. He is happy and I'm happy with the grinder. Also it is a lot less messy than the one it replaced ... and it holds more beans as well.

Marilyn

(Posted on 1/15/13)

I've just started using this grinder, so I can't speak to the durability of it, but it has worked pretty well so far. One important thing to note, though, is that if you are using oily beans and/or darker roasts, you'll want to be careful about the fineness of the grind, because this machine will clog easily. I initially started at 4 ticks from the right for my coffee (Peet's Italian roast), and it wouldn't produce more than a couple of grams of ground coffee. What I discovered (and they really should have in their manual) is that you should start all the way at the coarsest Espresso grind and move the knob to the finer levels while it is grinding until you start to notice the output of ground coffee slow down significantly. That's as far as you can go with that particular coffee roast. For me, this wound up being at almost the coarsest Espresso setting.

(Posted on 1/15/13)

I'm a daily coffee espresson drinker and my fiance is a daily coffee drinker so the Breville Smart Grinder seemed like the prefect solution. Our first Smart Grinder lasted 3 months before being replaced. The replacement lasted 2 days. Now waiting on our second replacement machine. I suppose I can be thankful that Breville has good customer service but I suspect ill be buying mazzer mini before the month is over.

(Posted on 1/6/13)

This grinder anticipates the precision requirements of finicky espresso lovers and delivers at a very reasonable cost. Love it after just 10 days of ownership.

(Posted on 12/30/12)

I had to wait to review this after several months of abuse. This baby is a joy to operate. No mess. No fuss. Lot's of control. Easy to clean. High quality burr. Pretty darn quiet too.

(Posted on 11/30/12)

Takes a little getting used to but all in all a great Grinder

(Posted on 11/6/12)

So many options it took about 7 tries before I got the ground perfect for what I was brewing. Since then, it's been fun to modify the grind a setting or two to see how it affects the taste. Great quality and easy to use.

(Posted on 9/27/12)

Thank you Seattle Coffee Gear for all your videos on your products. It really is helpful for making decisions. We like our new Breville Coffee Grinder. The convenience and the great shots is wonderful.

(Posted on 9/3/12)

We have 2 other Breville products, so I was intrigued to try this new coffee grinder, as their previous models were still "being developed", in my opinion. I was prepared to ship this new model back and get a Rocky; but, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Breville had stepped up and done a grand job of perfecting this coffee grinder. I use it primarily for espresso, and only have to use the medium espresso setting to get perfect grinds for my Saeco Aroma coffee maker (also got that from SCG). I use the Breville grinder to make coarse grinds for cold pressed coffee. Grinding 3/4 of a pound at a time didn't slow down the Breville at all. The videos of the Breville coffee grinder were a great selling point, as they give you all of the pros and cons and compare to other products SCG sells.

(Posted on 8/16/12)

I bought this grinder three months ago. I did a lot of research and watched a ton of video demonstrations of a whole assortment of grinders. I decided on the Breville for several reasons. I have had other Breville machines and their quality far exceeds my expectations. The inovative design of being able to take the hopper off without empting it is nothing short of brillant. That allowed me to purchase another hopper (direct from Breville)...one for regular beans and one for decaf. That in itself makes my life so much easier and quicker when making our latte's in the morning. I also have to say that the machine is very easy to clean and can be done fairly quickly.

(Posted on 7/19/12)

What a glorious machine. I had gone through several grinders and hated the mess they created. This machine has no fly-away chaff, is easy to clean and super easy to understand and to set for the appropriate grind. A true bargain for a quality product.

(Posted on 7/17/12)

The Smart Grinder won out over the Rancilio Rocky for me simply because its features were better. I love the removable hopper and the 'set-and-forget' capability of the grind. It's so easy to clean and I could not be more pleased. I was slightly concerned about the burning smell upon the first 15 or so uses. I called Breville and they assured me it was just chemicals burning off the wires. Now... no smell! The only thing I would like to see improved is a lower noise level. Great product for a great price.

(Posted on 6/14/12)

The CC1 is easy to use. It turns out a perfect expresso every time.. just choose your favorite coffee.

Pros:
Large Water Container,Great Taste,Easy To Clean,Easy To Use,Quiet,Quick Brewing

Cons:

(Posted on 6/4/12)

I love this grinder and it is worth every cent.
so easy to clean and measure coffee great grind every time and consistent. am very proud of my smart grind :) and love the videos from seattle coffee gear :)

Pros:
Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 5/9/12)

this is such a nice grinder. so easy to use and clean. set to your perfect grind every time.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 4/26/12)

Only three weeks into using the grinder but so far I couldn't ask for anything better. With the auto doser I place the porta filter in the holder, tap it forward on to turn the machine on, a second time to start the grinding. Perfect amount goes into porta filter ready for tamping. A lot of design thought went into this grinder.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 2/2/12)

I use this grinder with an espresso machine, coffeee press, and drip carafe. The grinder provides near infinite grinds for all of these techniques. Once I sorted out the required settings I just turn the knobs and press start. Perfect every time.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Easy To Clean, Commercial Grade

Cons:
Noisy

(Posted on 1/31/12)

We got this grinder to go with our Breville Double Boiler. This grinder does a great job, it is consistent, very easy to clean, and the hopper makes it easy to put your beans back in the bag to keep them fresh.
We love it
Cheers
Scotty & Lauren

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 1/19/12)

I bought the grinder after watching the video reviews from SCG and it performs great! The only problem I have is that the saeco portafilter I have doesn't sit nicely in either holder that it came with so I have to actually hold on to the portafilter or have it grind into the container. Other then that though, it makes a great espresso grind for a decent price. I'm sure you could get a better grinder but not at this price!

Pros:
Quiet

Cons:
Portafilter does not fit

(Posted on 1/5/12)

I received my Breville Smart Grinder as a present for Christmas 2011. It is well built with consistent grind size and excellent features. The two videos above don't do it justice -- Breville has definitely FIXED the concerns about grind size for espresso. I started at the finest grind setting and had to move up 4 notches before it was just right. During the holidays, I made a lot of lattes and mocha's for friends and family, the grinder does heat up the coffee if you grind more than twice in a row (hence lost one star) but for my daily morning and afternoon drinks it definitely works GREAT!!!!

Pros:
Easy To Use, Quiet, Great Taste

Cons:

(Posted on 1/5/12)

This is my first espresso grinder so I don't have anything to compair it to but I love it. The LCD is very easy to read and the dials make it very easy to adjust. I love the 2 different sized filter handels and that the bottom is removable to clean up spilled grinds. Super quite for a coffee grinder and very easy to change out coffee with the removable hopper. For [$] you can't go wrong.

Pros:
Quiet, Easy To Use

Cons:

(Posted on 1/1/12)

I would highly recommend this grinder for value, quality, and results. Good adjustment selections to tailor the grind to your preferences. The unit I purchased has been factory updated from earlier units that needed shims installed to get a satisfactory fine grind for espresso. Absolutely no aerosolized grounds flying around or sticking to things.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Very little clean up, Good range of grind, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 12/17/11)

I love all the extras that this grinder provides: the easy to remove hopper; the ease in getting different grinds; the programmable perfect dose; ease of cleaning; consistency of grind.
The very small con is that when grinding into the storage jar, the grinds can fly everywhere. Maybe a glass container would solve this.
Otherwise, this replaced our Baratza, and it is well loved here. No problems after several months use.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Easy To Clean

Cons:
Messy

(Posted on 12/7/11)

Woks Great!!!!! gives me the perfect grind every time!, You will not go wrong with this grinder! don't be afraid to pay a little bit more for a grinder.

Pros:
Easy To Use, Commercial Grade

Cons:

(Posted on 11/4/11)

Love this grinder. Its quality would make you thing you were using a $500 machine. Its digital, its precise, and controls are simple to operate. Buy it you will love it. A tiny amount of coffee grinds is affected by static, but nothing to complain about

Pros:
Easy To Use, Great Taste, Commercial Grade, Easy To Clean

Cons:

(Posted on 10/5/11)

We use this in our office to make about two pots per day. I was quite surprised at how much difference this burr grinder made in stregnth and taste from the small elec. grinder we had been using. A little pricey but worth it. We've had it three months.

Pros:
Great Taste, Easy To Use, Commercial Grade

Cons:

(Posted on 7/20/11)

I use it for espresso fresh grind/dosing witch is great! But to switch to coarse grind I would have to change the shim/washer/spacers that Breville sent me extra under the lower bur, not enough range, but it dose work great for espresso, great consistent grind that dials in just right.

Pros:
Sharp unit, No waste, Quick Brewing

Cons:
I had to add the shims

(Posted on 5/7/11)