59 out of 59 people found this review helpful.
My Capresso Burr Grinder doesn't leave me cold.
Date of Review: Nov 23, 2006
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this machine to any home grinders noticing a bitter flavor in their coffee. This is simple to use and worth the cost.
I never liked the designer coffee's, with all the whippicino nonsense. I love my coffee, no syrup, M&M's, cookie pieces or flaming rockets.
The aroma and taste of a fresh brewed pot of coffee will stop me dead in my path and I'll change direction. I become hypnotized.
I have had a coffee grinder for a number of years, but lately, I noticed a distinct bitter and burned flavor to it. I changed the beans I was purchasing and still, cup after cup, I noticed this foul taste.
After doing some research on the internet, I found that this was a common problem with aging blade grinders. The blade grinders tend to heat up and burn the beans, while grinding. The only solution was to replace mine. Hmm, I love my little machine. If I had to replace it, it would have to be with something absolutely wonderful and will last a long time.
THE UNIT
I purchased the Jura/Capresso 565.03 Conical Burr Grinder for $139.99. It is a highly polished chrome machine and weighs 6.1 pounds on my bathroom scale. It measures 10.25 inches in height by 7.75" length and 5.5" width. This grinder stands on four little rubber feet. It self stores a heavy duty 3 foot cord with a three prong plug. It runs on 120 volts of electricity.
This machine is made with commercial grade solid steel burrs. The top burr is removable and it comes with a brush for cleaning. If the burr is not replaced correctly, the clear cone will not seat correctly, check this safety lock feature first. It is available in black plastic, model 560 selling for $89.99. Also available in brushed chrome, model 565.04 for $139.99.
The Capresso Conical Burr grinder flakes the beans in a more uniform cut, a slower process, passing the beans through the blades once. It doesn't heat up the beans and provides with more even extraction of oil from the beans, making a full bodied pot of coffee.
I have read some concern about static in the coffee beans, not that it is bad, just that it exists when grinding. The only problem of the static I can identify is that when you open the grinder, some of the bean dust may fly out of the cup. Oooh, aaah, I love that aroma, I don't mind wiping the counter. I'd probably spill some anyway.
I have noticed some static in this grinder, but again, I don't mind the preview aroma of the pot of coffee I'll soon be enjoying.
OPERATION
The clear cone at the top is where you put your measured beans. Although this cone holds 8.8 oz. of beans, that doesn't mean it has to be filled to that level. Coffee beans need to be stored in a dark air tight container, until ready for the grind.
Once the measured beans are in and the clear cap replaced, you select which grind you prefer. There are four grades of extra fine, fine, regular and course. There is a pulse feature too, for those of us that cannot relinquish control. You need to experiment to find your preferred grind. Simply turn the cone, so the black dot lines up with the preferred grind, listed at the base of the cone.
Set the timer from 5-60 seconds, this starts the process. Since this takes longer than my blade grinder, I grind the beans, while I fill my pot of water from the water filter. This grinder does take longer than my former blade grinder, but it is much more quiet.
I pour the water into the coffee maker and by that time, the bean flakes are ready for use. At the base of this grinder there is a 4 oz. clear plastic container, filled with my coffee. I pour it into the coffee maker and await my precious commodity.
RESULTS
Oh, my, it puts the "Ja" back into my Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The heavenly flavor takes me back to that serene island. "Yeah, mon." Obviously, it wasn't my beans that had the problem, it was my former grinder.
Capresso has a toll free number 1-800-220-5701 or you can check out their website at capresso.com.
Instructions are in English only.
This burr grinder comes with a one year limited warranty for household use.
Thank you for reading my review.