Great machine for someone coming from a whirlyblade, make the mod, make the mod!
Positive Product Points
Heavy, quiet and fast.
Negative Product Points
Retains grinds in the delivery chute.
Detailed Commentary
This grinder is the original Made by Hobart for KitchenAid A-9 grinder. I looked at the "new" version of this grinder at my local department store and decided that for the money I'd be better off with an "antique". The old machine is definitely heavier and has a larger "bubblegum" jar than the newer model and is much quieter than my whirlyblade grinder. The large beans jar isn't really a plus from my POV as I store my beans in the freezer and not on the counter. It sure looks cool, though!
With Erik's mod (remove the set screw and keep dialling down the grind setting) I produced a very fine grind that was perfect for my espresso machine. This grinder has earned its place on my already-crowded kitchen counter.
Grinds retention in the delivery chute is easily dealt with using a chopstick or pipecleaner but remember to UNPLUG the machine before you clean it. Original wiring on my unit is in fine shape but the plug is unpolarized - not a problem as I run electrics on a counter without plumbing. Some backscatter onto the counter seems unavoidable but I'm experimenting with different shapes of catch containers in an effort to reduce waste.
Buying Experience
Ebay purchase
Three Month Followup
Still the best grinder in the house. I suckered for a commercial grinder on Ebay that needs more work than I'm at present qualified to put into it, so the KA remains the workhorse for expresso grind. Same positive and negative comments still pertain.
