This is your best value "starting point" to properly support your espresso cravings.
Positive Product Points
Grinds fine enough for espresso...and that's part of the story. Consistent grounds is something that higher quality grinders can better insure. Represents adequate value in entry level burr grinder for espresso to drip. Compared to Macap or Mazzer, static and noise will be an issue. But for under $200, you may be willing to tolerate both higher noise and static cling and jump of the grounds while in and "out" of the doser hopper.
Negative Product Points
Doser (join the club): Should be called a "dispensor" as it was not engineered to be a true precision measuring and dispensing device. However, it does dispense the ground coffee. All plastic appears sufficient, but it would be nice to see metal exterior and interior parts.
Detailed Commentary
Everyone will say the same thing; "Good value in a burr grinder for under $200...and it does grind fine enough." Why worry about FINE ENOUGH? I made the mistake of wasting a couple weeks using a Cuisinart Supreme Grind machine from Costco. Sugg. retail was $70, but sold for $30. Although OK for drip grounds, its finest grinding level wasn't enough for my Expobar Pulsar Office. And talk about static! The grounds would "jump" out of the collector box! On recommendation of my vendor, I bought the MDF. Out of the box, with starting settings of 5 to 4, and settling on 5, I finally had usable grounds. I now own (eff June '06) the Macap M4 stepless doser grinder; this is the upgrade you might consider. The extra money buys more weight (metal frame and exterior parts), heavier motor, and more stability. Do you need this at home? You bet. Should you upgrade? If your budget is $200 or less, then look to the upgrade as one of the first things you will need to do. Everyone will tell you that your grinder is actually as important, if not moreso than your espresso machine. It's true....... and given that, why not spend another couple hundred and get a Macap? If you just can't do it now, then the MDF is a very reasonable choice.
Buying Experience
As with my Expobar, WLL provided an incredible level of pre and post customer service. I was lucky enough to participate in WLL's first on line video demo. I talked over the phone with the studio demonstrator as she, on internet real-time video, demonstrated the MDF. That was all I needed to realize the grinder was the weak link. I will probably give the Cuisinart to my kids.
Three Month Followup
It's been more than three months, but not much more. I've since purchased the Macap M4, stepless, doser. I still use the MDF as an auxiliary grinder, but realize now that it is not, in any way, a true espresso lover's "last stop" on the way to upgrading. An MDF is great as a "backup" grinder, or if your budget is tight, for espresso. I don't regret my MDF purchase, and still feel that it's one of the better, safer grinders for someone just starting.
