The Solis Maestro handles the finer grinds but cannot produce the consistently coarse grind needed to produce excellent French press coffee.
Positive Product Points
The Solis Maestro does a great job with fine grinds. Looks good, is relatively quiet.
Negative Product Points
This grinder does an inconsistent job with coarser grinds.
Detailed Commentary
I bought this a year ago to replace an ancient Waring that had served me well for the better part of two decades. Durable! I also decided to start using a French press pot, so I bought this grinder in the hopes that it would provide a good coarse grind. Initially, it did so, although the machine also produced a lot of dust, both inside and out (the setting was all the way to the right, then back 1 1/2 clicks). This in turn produced a bit of mud in the bottom of my cup, but I could live with it. As the year went on, the grind became finer and finer. The Solis folks were good enough to send me a new upper burr and advice on proper cleaning. Things have not improved. I did get a little coarser grind by taking Mark Foster's advice and "re-setting" the bean hopper adjustment dial by turning it all the way to fine grind setting and then back. But it's just not coarse enough. One indication: It's very difficult to depress the pot plunger. So I'm pretty frustrated with this grinder, and am open to suggestions for one that delivers a consistently COARSE grind.
