KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder, Pearl Metallic
by KitchenAid
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: KitchenAidBrand: KitchenAid
Release Date: 2004-10-01
Model: KPCG100PM
Color: Pearl Metallic
Product features:
- Coffee grinder with quiet DC motor and durable die-cast metal housing
- Adjustable stainless-steel cutting burrs for 15 different grind sizes; compact design
- 7-ounce glass bean hopper and coffee bin; low RPM operation preserves coffee flavor
- Dishwasher-safe bean hopper, hopper lid, and coffee bin; burr cleaning brush included
- Measures 12 by 13-1/2 by 6 inches; 2-year, hassle-free replacement warranty
- KitchenAid KCG200MC Model A-9 Coffee Mill, Metallic Chrome
- KitchenAid KTA-KPCM100PM Pro Line Dual-Carafe Coffee Maker, Pearl Metallic
- KitchenAid KTA-KPES100PM Pro Line Espresso Maker, Pearl Metallic
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder, Pearl Metallic
Customer Review: FINALLY! A GREAT GRINDER UNDER $200!
Summary: 5 Stars
After visiting a friend who bought one of these and allowed me to expose its insides and use it, I broke down and decided to purchase one for myself. My Cuisinart Supreme made a nice gift, as I reluctantly parted with an old friend who served me well. A sleek, new, sexy grinder that satified my every desire for under $200 crossed my path. I was a little concerned at reading some reviews here at Amazon about its' inability to grind espresso, but my experience with my friends grinder and the one I bought makes me wonder if the people with complaints shouldn't have tried an exchange first or inspected the results more closely. A simple test of grind consistency is to pinch a bit with your fingers and rub together, then inspect. His machine and mine produce a very acceptable espresso grind (as I will describe further on).
My first impression was awe at a full metal body and glass containers. Two points which always seem lacking in coffee grinders and things I was constanly searching for. Gone are the days of light weight units and static cling caused by plastic containers in grinder models costing less than $200.
The second impression was the design. It took me a few moments to figure out if I liked it, as it wasn't "typical" of most grinders. What with the two glass containers creating an hourglass shape. I quickly realized I did like the look (must have something to do with a woman's figure - thus, the "sexy" description).
The real test would be the grind results. First impressions of overall looks are fine, but if discovering there ain't much else, then I'll lose my enthusiasm as quick as any personal relationship that isn't worth pursuing.
A pound of coffee later, I was thoroughly impressed. At first, I thought there was something wrong with the grinder because the grounds looked odd - too big?. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the "odd" look was actually a "fluffiness" to the grounds that made them appear large (could this be the source of the complaints?). It seems that, because the grinder doesn't throw the grounds from the rear to the front (avoiding the slamming into the receptacle wall), compression of the grounds does not take place. This is a new experience for some of us who drink espresso, as the first compression will now be made by us who tamp. My buddy only makes drip coffee (I often call him "My Neanderthal Friend"), so he wasn't as excited as I was (go figure). Because of the design, the grounds simply fall from the burrs and land gently into the catch container.
Speaking of grounds, powder production is not an issue with this unit. My Cuisinart Supreme would produce powder and although it did not affect my drip coffee, it could not come close to producing the necessary consistency for espresso. So, this was my next test - espresso.
It took some fiddling of the dial which, to make a long story short required me to hold the dial in the desired position while it ground beans, but I was able to reach the right ground consistency to produce a good shot of espresso. Between "clicks" kinda sucks, but for those who want an inexpensive grinder capable of producing espresso consistency, this unit can do it (with a little assistance). Both mine and my friends grinder must be held between click settings, so I'm assuming that this may be true of all these grinders. Though, depending on the espresso machine, perhaps not. I have yet to become adventurous enough to see if I can adjust my grinders' insides to set a certain click that will produce the desired result without having to hold the position myself. Don't know if I ever will, as my Mazzer Grinder is used exclusively for my espresso needs. I was curious to see how well "rounded" this grinder was, though. I don't do the French Press thing, so perhaps another reviewer can forward their input. My gut feeling is that this unit will deliver for you people, as well.
The hopper holds a little less than 1/2 pound of beans. More than enough for the requirements of daily grinding. An internal auger feeds the beans to the burrs and the parts are beefy. Due to the lack of the typical chute from the burrs to the catch container, I found clean-up is extremely easy when compared to other grinders.
If a fault can be found in this unit, I'd only point to the glassware which seems a bit thin and actually creates some cleanup problems upon removing it, but taking a bit of caution when washing or handling it should avoid any breakage and lessons the clean-up.
Overall, I'd suggest forking over the extra $100 or so, if you are considering a lower price range model, for this unit if you want a workhorse that can produce an exceptional grind with little trouble for years to come. It may double what you intended to pay for a grinder, but it is an investment that will pay for itself over time.
Description of KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder, Pearl Metallic
The KitchenAid Pro Line Coffee Mill is made of handsome Die-Cast metal housing making for a rugged, stable, and easy to clean unit. With the Pro Line Coffee Mill, you can adjust the Commercial Quality Stainless Steel Cutting Burrs to 15 different Grind Sizes for that perfect Espresso, French Press, or cup of automatic drip. The 7 oz capacity bean hopper and coffee bin are glass to minimize the static "cling" of coffee grounds. The DC motor with gear reduction system makes for quiet grinding. System turns the cutting burrs at just 450 rpm, minimizing the frictional heating of the grinds and preserving coffee flavor and aroma. The Under-Cabinet design allows the unit to fit easily under wall cabinets on the countertop. The smooth metal housing is a snap to wipe clean. Bean hopper, hopper lid, and coffee bin are dishwasher-safe.Grinders & Roasters
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