Looking for an entry-level espresso-grade grinder and not sure where to start? Well, we like a grudge match around here, so you may have seen the previous stand-offs between the
|
|
| Burr Type |
Conical steel |
Conical steel |
Flat steel |
| Burr Size |
40mm |
40mm |
55mm |
| Case Material |
Plastic |
Brushed stainless steel |
Stainless steel |
| Height |
13 inches |
14 inches |
14 inches |
| Hopper Capacity |
8 oz. |
1 lb and hopper is removable! |
8 oz. |
| Weight |
16 lbs |
5.6 lbs |
18 lbs |
| Programmability |
None |
LCD screen lets you set grind (coarse to fine) volume (in cups and shots depending on fineness of grind) and dosage (weak to strong) |
None |
| Timer or on/off switch |
Timer and manual |
Timer and manual setting |
Manual only |
| Time to grind double shot |
12 sec |
22 sec |
20-30 sec |
| Dosing |
Only with timer, not by weight/volume |
Automatically adjusts with grind; from coarser (dose in cups) to fine (dose in shots) |
Doser avail for +$10, otherwise chute only |
| Grind consistency (1-5 scale, 5=most consistent) |
40 individual step settingsFinest setting: 3
Coarsest setting: 1 |
25 settingsFinest setting: 4
Coarsest setting: 2 |
55 settingsFinest setting: 5, like talc
Coarsest setting: 3 |
| Shot performance (scale of 1-5, 5=strongest) |
3: Overall, a solid shot, with the depth you’d expect from a fresh grind and proper dial-in. |
4: A solid shot with great flavor and slightly more complex notes using the 2nd finest setting. |
5: Shot has a great mouth feel, and you can taste more complexity and richness to the shot. |
| Notes |
No frills, no fuss, easy to use, it’s a strong performer for espresso and other coffee applications. No electric panel makes trouble shooting a breeze as your grinder ages. |
The lightest of the pack, this grinder is extremely versatile and a great value. It’s all about the features and accessories: portafilter holders, ground coffee canister, removable hopper to switch out beans. |
Commercial quality for home use and it shows. Largest footprint of all grinders, a big commitment to your counter top, but with definite benefits in shot quality. |
The Rocky is a literal heavyweight coming in at 18 pounds and a hundred dollar heftier price tag, but there’s no doubt that the commercial quality burrs make a difference when it comes to tasting the complexity of your shot. I love the Virtuoso’s ease of use and inherent versatility, so it’s often my go-to for testing espresso, pour overs and french press. But like an ostrich, I am drawn to shiny objects and I wish it had more stainless in the casing. The Smart Grinder fulfills this need, and weighing in under six pounds means it doesn’t need to be a permanent fixture on your countertop – but it could be because it's great for households with multiple coffee drinkers with different bean preferences. What would you choose?
