Nice grinder for coarse settings, but just doesn't pair well with the silvia.
Positive Product Points
quiet makes little mess nice coarser grind settings
Negative Product Points
not incredibly durable doesn't grind fine enough for Silvia or turkish.
Detailed Commentary
This is a nice grinder for french press, drip or vacuum grinds. It was a major step up from the whirley-gig grinder that I had been using. It makes my coffee taste 100 times better. I have found, however, that it doesn't grind nearly fine enough for my Rancilio Silvia. Even on the Turkish setting, I'm constantly getting short shots no matter how hard I tamp, with next to no crema. I’m also a big Turkish coffee fan, but the promise of coarse grinds in my cup has led me to go without since I bought the machine. I guess I’ll have to get them pre-ground.. perish the thought.
Another problem I have with it, is the durability of one piece of the product. The plastic ring that holds the top burrs broke twice, even though I followed the instructions that came with the package on always adjusting the grind with the machine on, and keeping the grinder perpetually clean. Fortunately the company must have seen this as an ongoing problem, as they had an 800 number to replace the part after a bit of loving chiding about following the instructions.
In addition, if you accidentally remove the plastic hopper, you’re done for. Beans will fall down into the machine, and no amount of shaking will release them from their prison.
I hope soon to be the proud owner of a Rancilio Rocky, which I should have bought with the Silvia in the first place. I do plan on keeping the Maestro Plus, however, for everything but Espresso and Turkish.
Buying Experience
Smooth transaction from Comfort House. Maestro Plus arrived relatively quickly with conformation email and the works. I like the fact that Baratza recognised the problem and offered free replacement parts, even though the same part broke more than once.
