Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder

Things you need to know before buying:

1. This product is small, very small. It is about 7 inches tall and 2 inches wide at the base. I knew it was small before buying, but cannot say that I wasn't surprised when I opened the box to see just how small it is.

2. The instructions in the package come in Japanese (no English translation). Be ready to figure things out for yourself, most notably, how to adjust the grind (it's at the bottom of the grinder, you have to manually turn a nut to adjust the grind from finer to coarser and vice versa).

3. It gives you up to 2 cups worth of grind space. Perfect if you grind you coffee just before drinking (like me), but not so if you want to grind large quantities at a time. This is very much a grind-as-you-go grinder.

4. As someone mentioned before, the finest grind takes a while to get all the beans grinded. Keep at it.

5. The grinding handle detaches and reattaches, it's not one whole product. You'll just need to store the handle near the grinder.

6. It's a great budget grinder. It grinds the beans at a consistent grind. That's what you're looking for. But, you're going to have to work for it. Be sure you don't mind the work before buying this product.

Overall, I'm a satisfied customer. I've used this grinder religiously every morning for about 4 months now.

Update (11/21/12): Over 2 1/2 years later and an additional 200+ reviews since I wrote this one, I'm still using this grinder every morning to grind my coffee.

Now this grinder's greatest asset is becoming my biggest downfall: I'm officially getting tired of manually grinding my coffee. I have lost all hope that it's going to break: the only chance I have of convincing my wife to let me buy a $200 electric grinder that can equal its quality. Such is life.

'Hope you found this helpful!

I researched for a while before settling on this product. There are alot of people reviewing it that say it is too much work and it takes too long. First of all, that is not the case. It might take 1-2 minutes for enough coffee for 2 people and it is not difficult by any means. Second, if you are looking at getting a MANUAL coffee grinder then you have to expect it to take a little bit of MANUAL labor, that's kind of the idea. I guess people are too used to their automatic, electronic kitchen devices that don't require anything more than the press of a button. On that note, electric coffee grinders have a high rate of failure, something they call planned obsolescence. With a manual one there really isn't anything to have go wrong.

If you understand what you are getting then this is a great little product. The reason I decided on this one is because it has a lid to keep the beans from bouncing out which means you can hold the grinder in your hands and at an angle while grinding, as opposed to having to keep the device planted on a counter top or table while grinding. With this one you can walk around or go sit down or whatever you want while grinding. It also has a very easy adjustment mechanism to change the coarseness of the grind and the whole thing is very compact. The burs are ceramic so they will never wear down. To me, for the money this is the best one out there.

***UPDATE*** March 2012

I've had this grinder and have been using it for about 18 months. I have had no problems and am still very happy with my purchase. The ability to change the coarseness of the grind is one of my favorite features. If I want my coffee to be REALLY strong I can grind the beans into a fine powder (which takes a little longer) or if I want it to be regular strength I can set it to a more coarse grind (which takes less time). With a little experimentation you can find the setting that works best for you. This is a solid little contraption and I would still highly recommend it.

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I bought this item because it wasn't possible to properly clean my electric burr grinder and my wife kept yelling about the noise and coffee dust. The HARIO does a good job of grinding the coffee and is pretty simple to operate but it's slow and takes effort. The directions are in Japanese but all you really need to know is pop off the handle and clear top, pour in the beans, put it back together and grind, grind, grind. My only grumble is that the HARIO is so small and slick that you have to death-grip the thing while you're cranking. I haven't experimented much with adjusting the coffee grind but that's accomplished by turning the little wing-nut thing on the bottom of the grind section. Screw it tighter for finer coffee or loosen it for a coarser grind. If you unscrew it all the way you can disassemble the device for cleaning. The bottom line...if you need a small, portable grinder for about one cup of coffee, it's worth the money. If you need quantity, speed and complete ease of use...look elsewhere. Thanks for reading my review.

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I don't need to add to the overwhelmingly positive reviews that already exist. This mill is fairly simple to use even without English instruction.

In case you're a potential user, but worries about the lack of English instruction, this translation will hopefully remove your concern.

Front Cover page: nothing critical.

Back cover page: Turn the nut at the bottom clockwise to make finer grind, counterclockwise for coarser.

Inside page #1: Top: Cautions

1. Turning the handle when there is nothing inside or turning it counterclockwise will damage the burrs. Don't do it.

2. Turning the nut/dial clockwise too far may damage the burrs.

3. Small piece of coffee bean can get stuck and prevent coffee from falling down. This may result in turning the handle without actually grinding any coffee bean. Tap the coffee mill occasionally to prevent this from happening.

4. Over time, the mill wears down. When the amount of coffee beans you can grind decreases significantly, it's time to buy a new one.

Bottom: Directions

1. Grind a small amount of coffee beans to see how much you need to turn the nut/dial to get the fineness you need.

2. put 1-2 cup worth of bean into the hopper: 1 cup = 10-12 g, 2 cupts = 20-24 g (see marks on the hopper). Don't over-load above the 2-cup mark.

3. Hold the mill firmly in one hand as you turn the handle slowly. Make sure the hopper cover is closed tightly.

Inside Page #2: Top: drawing that shows individual components, pretty self-explanatory.

Bottom: Care instruction

1. You can take apart the mill for cleaning

2. The nut/dial can be removed by turning counterclockwise.

3. After taking the nut off, you'll be able to take out the inner and outer parts of the mill/burrs

4. Oil from the coffee bean will get on the mill. Wash with soap.

5. Do not put the parts in dishwasher. Do not use bleach.

6. Do not lubricate the mill with oil

I hope you'll enjoy your new grinder as much as I do.

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I bought this along with an Aeropress coffee maker AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker with Bonus 350 Micro Filters specifically for use when traveling. The combination makes the best coffee I've ever made myself (and I've been doing this for over half a century). The combination packs into a very compact space, made it through TSA without a hitch, is apparently almost unbreakable (so I would not have worried had I checked my luggage, but I have learned to pack for up to 3 weeks with a carryon and this combination fit in very well). If this is set on the finest espresso grind it can take over 10 minutes to grind a full load (beans in the top, adjust the grind wheel on the bottom, easily used) but set slightly coarser it took about 2 minutes or less to grind enough to put through the Aeropress. I grind whilst watching TV (public television, of course) so I can take whatever time I need. The espresso grind, by the way, is a hard press with the Aeropress but it works. In short, combining this product with the Aeropress allowed me to buy beans in New Orleans and make coffee the way I like it. One must take along a heating coil if one's hotel does not reliably supply a coffee maker (mine did not); the total package along with a baggy full of coffee beans kept me going in the morning without having to pay for room service or spend time I didn't have during a conference finding a restaurant.

Bottom line: I am overjoyed with this product and with the combination I described above. Highly recommend.

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Illy Francis Francis! X7.1 Iperespresso Machines in Black with 4 Free Capsules Boxes and More...

I owned the X7 for less than a year, when it suddenly decided not to work anymore! I did not use this machine daily, and after about 8 months it started making a loud noise from the boiler, and produced nothing! Luckily I bought mine at BB&B, and I was able to return it. Since I have a pretty large supply of the Illy iperespresso capsules, I decided to give Illy another shot. I will say that while the X7 worked, it worked well. The espresso tastes excellent. To my disappointment, after returning the X7, BB&B sent me an X7.1. The difference is substantial. They look and work almost exactly the same, except the X7.1 has no steam knob! There is only a steam button which allows steam to be on or off. This is important for several reasons. First, you have no control over the amount of steam, but even more importantly it does not allow you to clear the steam out of the machine which is vital when you are making more than one coffee. With the X7, you are able to vacate the steam which cools down the boiler back to brewing temperature for a second cup. The X7.1 has to be turned off, and cooled down before it will allow you to make a second cup. Rediculous!! If you want to make more than one cup without the wait, you can make all of your espresso shots first, then steam your milk, but then you risk having cold espresso by the time you get your milk steamed. The other issue I have with this X7.1, is that it has a plastic steam wand that allows air mixture to automatically froth the milk. I prefer the all stainless wand on the X7 because it gives you more control allowing you to froth the milk towards the end of the process which puts you in control of the ammount of foam. I will be returning (once again) this X7.1, and will either have to spend more money, or go a different direction than Illy.

When I came home from Italy I tried to find a cup of Espresso or Cappucino that was as good as the ones I had there....no luck ....

Then I remembered that almost ALL of the cafes I visited used Illy coffee... So I bought this machine...

I LOVE IT!! Finally , coffee as good as Italy. The machine is so easy to use and looks great on my counter. I highly recommend it!

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Sadly I never got to try the coffee! I set it up and water sprayed everywhere. I called the help number listed and they said pack it up and send it back. Sounded like a common problem. What a hassle and disappointment.

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Water started leaking all around the head where the coffee is made, some of it inside of the device where electric connections are. Called Illy, then been directed to Francis & Francis "out of warranty" repair center, who quoted me $120 just to send and diagnose the problem, and any repairs would be extra. Needless to say, the machine is going now to an electronic recycle center or trash can...

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I used to make latte with illy X7 for a year.

I love X7's retro design.

The steam nozzle is a little short to use 1 lit. steam pitcher that I had. If you are making 1 or 2 cups at a time, you need to get a 600ml pitcher as I did.

Recently I moved internationally, so I sold the old X7 and bought X7 again here.

It had some problems, but the seller figured them out quickly.

Black & Decker Programmable Coffeemakers

Here's a quick video that shows the Black & Decker 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker in use. You'll see it's main fault... which would be pouring liquids... which, well, is what it should do best. So, along with all the other reviews that say "do not buy this product," I concur. This thing is just horrible.

The DCM2160 Coffeemaker has a few design issues.

1) The most bothersome for us is that the carafe dribbles when pouring a cup of coffee or using it to fill the water tank.

2) Another issue is that the lid of the coffee maker is hinged at the back and allows the water condensation that collects on the lid to drip down the back of the coffee maker and end up all over the kitchen counter.

3) Another, but less severe, issue is that the drip apparatus is connected to the lid so it gets in the way when trying to fill the water tank.

If you enjoy wiping down your kitchen counter every time you make coffee and every time you pour a cup, this is the one for you. FYI, I did try to inform Black & Decker but have not had a response to the comment I submitted on their website.

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I wrote a review a while back when I first bought the black-colored version of this coffee maker. I wrote about the clock not working for more than a day, and also gave measurements to show that the coffee maker does not work well with overhead cabinets because the lid raises up and hits the cabinets.

Well, today the coffee maker died. It stopped pumping, and the heater element isn't turning on. I only had this coffee maker for a few months, and already it is broken. For $29, I did get what I paid for.

BUYER, please beware! This is a VERY cheap coffee maker!!!

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I was looking for a reasonably priced coffee maker that got the job done without too many bells & whistles. This appliance is excellent, autoomatic on & off, warming plate up to two hours, NO-Drip carafe! It is simple and efficient and makes a great cup of Joe. KQ

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Based on Consumer Reports recommendations, and the company's description,I ordered the Black & Decker DCM2500 Coffeemaker. It arrived promptly through Brand Variety, but on first use, I discovered a serious leak in the carafe between the plastic top and the glass. I contacted Black & Decker about the defective carafe asking that they send me a replacement. They told me that the carafe was not covered by the warranty, but that they would sell me a new carafe. I then contacted Brand Variety who said I could return the coffeemaker for a credit on its cost. They promised to send me a prepaid return label, but their letter did not contain the return label. The policy seems to be spend millions for advertising, but only pennies for customer service.

Derrick Bell

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Chemex Ten Cup Glass Coffee Maker with Glass Handle - 10 Cup Coffee Maker

My family used the chemex system for brewing coffee. So I am very comfortable and familiar with using it. In today's hurry-up world, some people would not want to be bothered boiling the water, and slowly pouring it into the chemex glass coffee maker. When our power goes out, we have a gas stove, so we can still brew wonderful coffee, and that is a great thing to be able to do to warm-up while waiting for the power to come back on, here up in the mountains!

There is no plastic in this coffee pot ant the coffee tastes better than coffee brewed any other way.

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I got this after hearing so many negative things about how bad using a Keurig is for you. I was not sure if I should order this, but I am SO glad I did. This makes some GREAT coffee, and you don't have to worry about platic and chemical leach like you do in other coffee makers. Totally worth the few extra minutes it takes and your kitchen smells yummy while it's brewing :o)

Read Best Reviews of Chemex Ten Cup Glass Coffee Maker with Glass Handle - 10 Cup Coffee Maker Here

I was introduced to the Chemex ten cup glas coffee

maker by my son. Although I thought the glass maker

was a bit pricey, I must admit that the taste of

the coffee was well worth the price. My recommendation,

purchase the unit with the handle. I never purchased the

Chemex coffeemaker glass lid, but just left the coffee

grounds/filter on the unit which kept the coffee nice and hot.

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This was new to me until I first tried it, some 3-4 months ago. As soon as I started using it Chemex became my exclusive coffee-brewing method and it's likely to stay that way.

If what you want is a 'clean' yet tasty and flavorful cup of coffee and don't mind spending a few minutes making it AND you don't mind using a lot more ground coffee than you would otherwise the Chemex-made coffee should be your cup of tea, so to speak.

I was completely unaware of anything and everything Chemex until recently when, on the strength of another Amazon review, I decided to give it a try. Add the super-special Chemex filters and some good coffee and you get some honest-to-goodness good tasting, non-bitter coffee. I am happy with what I am tasting. It's a honest, clean coffee and it's good enough for me to drink it unaltered, milk and sugar-free, Espresso-style or with frothed milk. My coffee tastes very much like an Espresso or like a sugarless Cappuccino only not so hot and not so bitter but this is my preference.

The process involves bringing some water to a boil while grinding your coffee 'medium grind' seems to be optimal. Place the filter into the top of the coffee maker, add the desired amount of coffee and SLOWLY pour the just boiled water after first just wetting the grounds. It takes 4-5 minutes to produce my 3 five-ounce cups. Chemex claims that their own filters have some extraordinary properties including 'the right filtration speed' which (hint) is NOT 'fast'.

The glass quality is good enough to allow for heating the coffee by placing the coffee maker to sit on top of a gas range or a glass top range (but NOT on electric heating coils) without breaking. I don't have a gas range but I can testify that it works well with glass tops.

My verdict so far is 'excellent' for an inexpensive, clean, likely to last forever coffee maker but, as I noted already, you will have to dedicate a few minutes of your time to brewing your coffee if you decide to do it the Chemex way. Ever since I brewed my first Chemex cup I never went back to the old ways. The only use my Cappuccino machine has now is 'milk frother'.

_____________________________________________

NOTE:

Expect to use A LOT more coffee than you would normally need to make the same amount in a 'regular' coffee or espresso machine. Probably twice as much.

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