•Grinds fine enough for my Silvia •Plenty of grind settings •Sturdy •Price •Stainless panel on front adds a nice touch
Negative Product Points
•Pull-out box for ground coffee can be somewhat messy •Aesthetics-compared to other models
Detailed Commentary
Needless to say, I saved quite a bit of money by purchasing the Virtuoso over more expensive models such as the Rocky or Mazzer grinders. My espresso machine is a Rancilio Miss Silvia, and the grinder just barely grinds finely enough for it. I understand that one could calibrate the grinder to grind finer, but I do not want to get into that. I clogged the grinder by using beans that were too oily, but switching to a less oily locally-roasted bean solved that dilemma.
I do suspect that my next grinder will likely be one of the aforementioned higher-end models. Due to my current budget, though, the Virtuoso seems to serve me well. There are ample grind settings so I could use it for drip coffee for non-espresso drinking guests. The grind is fairly consistent at the finer settings. I would recommend the Virtuoso for somebody who is ready to move beyond a blade grinder but not ready to shell out $300+.
Buying Experience
I purchased the Virtuoso online from Seattle Coffee Gear. No hitches and prompt shipping and tracking number.
