If you are in the market for a Manual grinder, buy a Zassenhaus you will be happy.
Positive Product Points
- Grinds VERY even.
- Grinds Fast.
- The highest quality BURR grinder available for the price.
- 10 YEAR WARRANTY – GERMAN crafted
- Excellent for stovetop espresso.
- Excellent for camping.
Negative Product Points
- It is Operated Manually. (This is not exactly a negative point, but don't expect results unless you are prepared to turn a crank a few times for coffee, and many more times for a near powder espresso grind.)
Detailed Commentary
I purchased the Mahogany Open Hopper Mill, Model 161 MA from 1st-line. There is not much to say about this hand mill, except it works great. You adjust the grind setting, you load your beans, and you turn the crank.
There is only one noteworthy method for grinding your beans using a BOX MILL versus a KNEE MILL version. I took the following idea from www.sweetmarias.com: Grind with the box mill between your knees as you would a knee mill version. This is the only way I grind with my Mahogany Open Hopper Mill, Model 161 MA. This method works excellent.
There is only one functional difference between a Zassenhaus BOX MILL versus a Zassenhaus KNEE MILL that I could find. The KNEE MILL contains an internal ceramic chute which would be very useful for someone who regularly grinds with a very fine setting for an espresso pump machine. The Zassenhaus BOX MILL does not have this feature.
I would not personally use a box grinder for my espresso pump machine. The Zassenhaus mill could easily be setup to handle the job and perform. I do not want to work for my espresso every morning. I prefer my Innova I-2.
Buying Experience
Leery of online buying and related internet scams I carefully reviewed 1st-lines website. Www.1st-line.com does subscribe to VeriSign which helps to assure security with credit card information over the internet. As of this review I could not find on 1st-line website if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). I did search on the name 1ST-LINE EQUIPMENT,LLC at www.bbb.org. Due to incomplete information about this subscribing company, I could not determine if I found the correct company. The BBB can not report without a company providing complete information.
I took a very risky chance ordering from a company not having a BBB report. I felt very lucky receiving my order and being very satisfied with my purchase. I might place another order from 1st-line again in the future. If I could find that this company subscribes to the BBB, I would have no reservation.
Three Month Followup
Nothing new to report on the Zassenhaus mill. It still works great! I expect it to last many years beyond its 10 year warranty. More information about Zassenhaus Mills can be found at: www.zassenhaus.com
