Mignon or Niche? Which you picking and why? ps. Love you all and thank you for an incredible 2021.If you want to support the channel further, win giveaways and join the discord - become a Patreon for as low as $1 here: www.patreon.com/kylerowsell
I would have bought the Niche if it hadn't been for the 2 month wait. I didn't want the SDO as It was obvious from that puck thing that the SDO was undercooked. I ended up ordering a Manuelle (not arrived yet) to replace my SGP which can't espresso in any meaningful way. I have started printing mods for single dosing which is all I want to do. I find it interesting that Eureka have announced a Mignon Zero with 55mm burrs and no tilt.
I'm still holding out that something new will come along that'll be the right fit for me. Really wish Baratza would throw their hat in the single dose ring. So far, if I really decide to get a new electric it'd likely be a Vario+ or possibly even Forte (if I can afford it) with the understanding I'd put a single dose hopper on it
I love you Kyle. I use a scale every time. I was actually going to get the Oro because the Niche supply was so hard to come by, but finally got an order in before the Oro became available and have been loving the Niche. I’m glad I did, because I think some of those workflow issues with the Oro would’ve driven me nuts, haha. Good work as always, my dude!
I have it. Was replaced same day due to the burr sliding against the side - not comforting. Anyway, it's an OK grinder in the 65mm group. The primitive dial knob is horrible, forget about dialing for different brews, you won't bother going through the pain each time. The blow out system is mostly decoration but I happen to get great retention results from this grinder and brew results are good. It''s a good looking machine. Overall, if you can get a Ceado 5SD or one of the more expensive single doser's, go for it. Niche is a conical and heavily made in China - those are reasons enough to stay away from the Niche and not supporting them, especially the China part.
I own the white Niche, and black DF64, with the titanium burr option, with anti popcorn funnel and mythos clump crusher, it's called the Solo in the UK, the Solo has excellent clarity, but i do find certain beans suit the Niche, and others suit the Solo, so best of both worlds imo, and I can't pick a winner, but for ease of use, the Niche is amazing.
I think connicals (or even Eureka mignon grinders like this, which seem conical like to me) might perform best for more chocolately profile coffees and DF64 excels in bringing out the clarity of individual flavours in light roasts (yep even with stock burrs!). Having both is ideal. You're not missing anything by having those two and not a Oro SD :D
Same setup here and I notice the same thing as you. Medium roasts (where I'm making milk drinks) work better with the Niche, whereas light roasts are amazing with the DF64. I use the SSP multipurpose burrset to get that extra clarity. The fruity flavors that come out of my light roasts are absolutely unreal sometimes!
I've found the Niche seems to really thrive with raspberry notes in a medium roast, the best have been Square Mile washed Ethiopian or Kenyan varieties for me personally, makes a really zingy and tangy shot, which i love, also Sweetshop from them works great in the Niche as well, and this week i've been using my first ever purchase from Rave coffee beans, a Kenyan, and it's amazing in the DF64/Solo, with blackcurrant being the most prominent note i can detect, as a kid in the 80's in the UK Ribena cordial was my favourite, so blackcurrant is always a win in my eyes, can't go wrong with either grinder, now i'm wondering if SSP burrs would be worth the money, as i love the titanium burrs i already have.
@@Rock-Steady1888 if you're just doing espresso I think the stock df64 burrs are great you might get a little more clarity and even less body from ssp espresso burrs and then another step further with the multipurpose unimodals. I didn't think the difference was that dramatic for the price unless you're also doing coarser brewing methods. Vs stock burrs I noticed Less bitterness and more clarity even with ssp espresso burrs for aeropress. If you love the clarity though and also have the niche the Unimodals may be worth it for you.
@@BensCoffeeRants the only reason i changed to the titanium burrs in the first place was they where badly aligned, and ended up a bit damaged, so i managed to get the titanium burrs for it from Bella Barista at a good price, and they fit almost perfectly 1st time, so my espresso range changed massively, went from 5 to almost 0 with the badly aligned burrs, to on average, these days using between setting 15 and 11 for espresso, which i think is what's made the most difference, more so than any titanium, i rarely drink anything other than espresso, i'll have a think over it, and maybe down the line try the SSP burrs, thanks for the advice 👍
Excellent video Kyle. Thank you. I too have a huge problem with vibration and noise from my Eureka Mignon Oro Single Dose Grinder. The noise and vibration has got worse as time has moved on and been using it every day for 3 to four cups of espresso per day over the last 3 weeks. Maybe the clump crusher is getting clogged up although I do get some air through the outlet from the bellows. Also the rubber bellows material has got softer and hence more difficult to stay onto the plastic hopper. Static has also been an issue for me here in the UK winter period. I was advised by the Eureka UK Dealer I bought the Grinder from not to RDT the beans. So haven't done. All in all, I don't think this Grinder deserves the Eureka 'Oro' badge. I will be sending the Grinder back to the Dealer this week. This is a pity as I love the look of the Grinder (mine is all chrome) and it does grind nice fines. I reckon a lot of people will be returning their Eureka Mignon Oro Single Dose Grinders. It wouldn't surprise me if Eureka issue a recall !
Really helpful to hear your experience. Thanks for taking the time to share. One of the most startling things to me was that you said the rubber bellows got softer - which is really worrying in that amount of time. It won't be easy to use or do its job if it keeps softening. I'm really disappointed in the Oro SD. You really hit it - doesn't deserve the Oro badge!
I use a scale and I love you Kyle. Now that we've checked those boxes as requested, this was an enjoyable video. I love my Niche. I've had it for a year and a half and you hit the note -- it just works.
Please add Lagom mini too into your coming comparison. It may seems not fair for its price point, but it's a single dose low retention nonethelees. Thanks.
I bought a DF64 when it first came out as I could never find the Niche available. However about 6 months ago I finally got the Niche and since then it has fully retired the DF64. I find the ease of use, ease of adjustment and more importantly the taste of expresso with the Niche to be excellent. I really cannot see me needing another grinder now I have the Niche, and nothing about the Oro would compell me to buy one. Thanks for the review though, it was really well done.
Really interesting to hear about your experiences with the DF64 and the Niche. Could you please elaborate more on why the Niche retired the DF64? I'm seriously considering a Niche and would love to hear your experiences. I've not been able to find enough info about the difference in the cup. Thanks so much!
I use a scale. This video is especially pertinent to me. My Niche has been in daily use for about 20 months and just isn't performing as well as it used to. I've been considering a Eureka Oro for a few weeks and just didn't know if it would be a good choice. Thanks for your honest comparison. It's truly helpful.
Yes Kyle we love you and your reviews! From one Canadian to another. Just recently got myself a Bezzera BZ 10 (I’m a total newbie but jumped right in) and love using the bottomless portafilter. Also uber-researched the Niche 0 and currently waiting for its arrival. After watching this review I’m confident I made the right choice. Best, Elisabeth.
I loved the Oro initially. It has so much charm and it produced a really good cup. I thought I could get over the details you mentioned (static, retention, vibrations, noise level, mediocre finishing, chute blockage) but I was wrong. I quickly started regretting my decision once I had enough daily experience with it. The most annoying thing is the vibration. I had it on top of a knockbox drawer, and the vibrations became unbearable. This also made me question its durability. I returned it and am now waiting to receive the Niche. And to answer your question at the beginning of the video, I use a scale. Great job on this review, Kyle! I love your content and your hard work does not go unnoticed.
Great review Kyle, I thought you were fair in your criticisms and expectations of the Oro grinder. I have been using a Niche for the past 7/8 months. All the stuff about the ease of use with the Niche I agree with and it's simplicity is part of the reason why I love it. Also since you asked earlier I always use a scale whenever I brew. Whether it is for espresso, filter coffee, or any other brew method. Keep up the great videos it's always a pleasure to watch! Love ya man
Always use a scale. Even if I bought my dream grinder (Atom 75), I’d still use a scale to weigh out my doses. I found the QC on the Single Dose so disappointing and given the Niche has zero literally available (lol), I sprung for a DF64. Thanks and God bless from a Torontonian!
Appreciate your honesty Kyle “I was cheering for the Mignonette, but…” . I’ve been enjoying your output which has helped me with my purchasing decisions. Interesting to hear you explain the different flavour profile from conical vs flat burrs too.
I use a scale. I even have my wife using a scale. Anyway, I had been waiting on this grinder for a while, but eventually just decided to get a Niche when a black US became available. Nothing I have seen about the Mignon Oro has made me regret that for a second (I use an Ode with SSP for filter, primarily, and the Niche doesn’t *replace* my hand grinders, but is my primary espresso grinder now). The Oro really seems like a “near retail prototype” that was rushed out instead of a retail ready product. A real shame.
I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't use a scale. But then it's only for drip. I'm surprised there were so many issues with this grinder, especially at the price. I just got a selenzio and I am really loving it. It's my first real grinder. Thanks for a great review!
I weigh my beans. Thank you so much for the review. I’m gonna wait until Eureka fixes these issues before buying a Oro. And Kyle, you’re my favorite 🤟🏼🖤🤘🏼
Thanks Kyle, I was waiting for your review for so long. I really appreciate your insights. I canceled my Oro order and ordered a niche. The dial the the little flaws of it just drew me from it. I have a Eureka Perfetto, which did a good job for filter. But since I am now also brewing Espresso it is just a nightmare to dial in. So I am eagerly awaiting my new niche which will arrive in February hopefully. Thanks again for the review.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Perfetto. I've been wondering if the Perfetto's differently calibrated dial (that should make it easier to switch between brew methods) would mean that dialing in espresso would be more difficult, since you don't have the same ability to fine tune, when compared with Eureka's other type of dial available on their more espresso focused grinders. Sounds that my concerns were valid. So sorry to hear it's been such a pain but it was helpful to hear, as someone researching grinders now (and briefly considering that model).
@@raevenphillips417 Yes! I had big hopes too. The Perfetto is okay for filter, although its more on the finer side. But switching between Espresso and Filter is not enjoyable. The dial wheel can be turned 360 degrees. So dialing in an espresso is a pain because if you turn just a tiny millimeter its a big change on espresso. And for some beans I needs at least 5-6 shots to get it right because of the retention, occasional clumping (blocked burrs) and too much change due to the dial wheel. What grinder are you going for?
I think design wise it is better to pair up for the Linea Mini owners since both of them are “Linea”. I always think the NZ round and smooth design are not in sync with the design of Linea Mini. I watched a few other reviews of the Mignon Single Dose and Kyle you did a good job here. Liked your videos and keep up your good work!
Almost got this grinder and ended up going with the Niche. Every review I've seen since it came out has convinced me I made the right choice. I feel like after a few iterations and updates this could be a real competitor, not just for people who want a project, but as of now it just seems unpolished.
@@KyleRowsell I've recently received what I suspect is a 2nd batch Mignon Single Dose and could give some thoughts on what I suspect are updates vs the 1st run. Like many my first choice was the NZ but it was such a pain to find one and ended up costing the same or more than the SD where I live. Overall the SD is pretty good and it sounds like my grinder has resolved some of the issues you've experienced. The good: The vibration seems to be way better by the looks of things and the bean hopper gate now slides in no worries. I found it really consistent from the first grind so I suspect with 'seasoning' it will get better, didn't have to align the burrs either. Retention wise the worst I'm getting is 0.2g. Never had an issue with static since where I live is always humid lol. The overall build quality seems to be very good, not sure how the original ones were like but the more recent batches seem alot better, no misalignment or paint issues. The bad: The bellows are absolutely useless that I ended up removing it, it just blows air out of the gaps in the hopper. The timber base was missing two feet, they didn't fall off they just weren't put on... The retaining screw for the hopper was too small for the hole which boggles my mind how it got past QC. Would I have bought a Niche if they were more readily available? Probably... Is the SD good, I reckon so, but I do agree with those that say this is a v1.0 with mine being a v1.0.1 essentially. Good to see Eureka appears to be listening though. Might get a Niche to complement this grinder down the road to have a conical burr grinder as well.
Thanks for the great video. The problems with the de-clumber seem to mirror those of my Mazzer Mini-E. Thus, I won’t replace the Mazzer yet. I do use scales - cheap ones - for weighing beans before grinding and feeding my Flair 58.
Great video. New to espresso here started with the picopresso and a budget grinder and was getting ok shots. Then upgraded to the Jx-pro and that instantly made a much better shot. I just recently got a gaggia classic pro and have been using that for about 2 weeks with the jx-pro and getting great results. Thinking about in the future getting a better grinder so this video was very interesting.
Did the same when I picked up my Gaggia Classic Pro last year. Used Kyle’s hand grinder video to help decide, went with the j-max and it’s been great for espresso and has started to become my daily driver over my Baratza Encore for filter coffee and areopress weekend brews.
Keep the jx pro and maybe get a df64 with espresso or unimodal burrs as a high clarity option in the future. I don't think the eureka would be much of an upgrade.
Man, I’ve been waiting so long for this video and thank you so much!!! So glad I didn’t impulse buy the SD cuz it’s not as impressive anymore after several reviews with similar issues. I absolutely love my niche but now anxiously waiting to see what flat burr grinder to buy this year to first hand experience the conical v flat burr profiles. Glad to know I’m one of your favorites haha!
I've been using scales for cooking long before I got into coffee, so it only made sense for me to use scales for brewing as well. Weight measurement is the single most important thing you can do to raise your standard of food and drinks preparation. I'm sorry that I'm not some magical grandma that can seemingly know how much of everything goes using pinches and randomly sized tablespoons, but scales are basically the great equalizer whether in the kitchen or in the cafe.
I appreciate your reviews, especially now that I find myself in the market for a coffee grinder. You're diction is clear and you are very thorough and fair. Thank you.
I'm starting my way down the better coffee journey. Using drip and I'm tired of bad coffee. I've moved to better coffee and water in my drip and it's helped, now I want even better. I'm trying to figure out where to start. I'm learning a lot from your videos!
We're also on the road towards better coffee now. I'm not an expert but I've been doing a lot of learning and the thing I've heard most often is that the grinder is the single most important piece of equipment - even more than an espresso machine (if one is going that route). We're looking at getting a grinder that's quite a bit more expensive than what we paid for our espresso machine (granted, we got a crazy, crazy sale over the holidays). From everything I've learned, a good grinder will improve any and every way one brews coffee.
@@raevenphillips417 Thank you for this. I'm trying to figure out the point of diminishing returns on grinders. I know there is a a big difference at each step $50 to $100 to $200 to $400 to $800. Any idea where you stop seeing a significant improvement?
I use a scale for both my beans, and my shot pull (I only do espresso). I had considered waiting for the Oro, but it was out of stock when I was buying (so was the Niche), so I got a Silenzio and modified it with a single-dose hopper/bellows. and angled base - and saved a good bit of money. It's been a pretty happy combo.
I like your reviews. They are quite straight to the points. Also, love how you clearly say "I prefer the clarity in Oro's shot because it's the nature of flat burr" instead of saying "Niche is not good because it produces less clarity than flat burr." > (1) less powder in the chamber (2) easier to adjust grind setting You cannot go wrong picking one over another. However, for me, I decided to keep NZ since (1) its workflow is much cleaner >> lower coffee powder scattering, cleaner coffee station. (2) I tend to brew 2 types of coffee (medium and light roast) for latte and americano. >> Less retention.
When I started making coffee I used that classic little grey scale that is sold under different brands, that it seems everyone has at least one of. I had that break on me at some point, and I upgraded to the Timemore Black Mirror. It’s an amazing scale, and I haven’t had any issues! Great video as always kyle. Quality just keeps going up!
I drowned my first one when I stupidly walked away from a shot pulling super slow. I figured I got time to quickly get something but when I got back it qas drowning in espresso. Dried it out for three days butnit still didn't work so I smashed it out of anger and got a slightly nicer version at 30 bucks instead of 20....
I broke my first one by putting it loose in a bag for travel. I guess it smashed the sensors or something because it always just have an error code after that.
Yes I weight out my ☕️ for sure both espresso and pour overs. I think its important for notes. I also noticed differences on dark roast being more fluffy as to medium it makes a difference in the basket. Love the info on your vids.
Hey, nice review. I just recently purchased and new grinder and chose the Eureka Mignon over the Niche Zero. I’ve. been using it for a few weeks now and I must say that I’m very happy with it. I agree with your take on the good aspects, but I have not experienced any of the issues you mentioned. I live a tropical country, so I believe the humidity eliminates any issue of static. I have yet to encounter the clogging or retention you mentioned. In fact, since I weigh my coffee before and after grinding, I can validate the “ultra low retention” claim of Eureka, with the grinds weighing a mere .1g lighter than the beans. As for build quality, I am happy in that department too. This machine actually replaces my old workhorse, a circa-2005 Euereka Mignon MCF 220. This machine has no issues whatsoever despite being 17 years old. All I have done for maintenance, aside from cleaning, is simple flat burrs replacement, which are so easily sourced online. It’s a testament to the impeccable build quality of this company that’s been hand- making machines in Florence, Italy since 1920. I chose them over a recently-formed English company that’s been outsourcing their manufacturing in China. Heritage matters to me.
I love you Kyle. Just subscribed after watching a bunch of your videos over the last couple weeks. Really enjoy your laid back style and knowledgeable videos.
Thanks for this video! It answered all my questions about this grinder as I was holding out hope that it would be the single dose grinder for me. It's definitely shown me that my concerns were valid as well as some problems I wasn't aware of but would really bother me especially in a $1K CDN grinder. Thanks again!
Great video Kyle, I have been single dosing for over 15 years, was’nt always easy because of those older grinders, the Niche changed all that, simply love that grinder, not perfect for some, but for me it is perfect! 👍
Umm weigh your coffee bean and grind .. presto you have a single dose. Eureka is friggin brilliant, remove the electronics off the Oro XL swap for a cheesey plastic bellow and charge the same $$ money.
I love you Kyle! Thanks for the thoughtful review, although I'm glad I bought my Eureka Mignon ORO Single Dose grinder before I watched your video. Don't get me wrong, your review is quite useful. However, I have not had any of the problems with my grinder that you have had with yours I'm pretty sensitive to how motors should and shouldn't sound, and mine is fine. I am impressed with how quiet it is and I absolutely agree with you on how comforting the sound is. Also, it is within a tenth to two tenths of a gram of zero retention. My burrs are aligned out of the box and the coffee tastes great. I have some of the same minor quibbles about details that ultimately don't matter much, but overall I am extremely pleased. For me it has delivered.
Love the videos as always. I do use a scale every time. I ordered a Niche Zero last week. The Eureka ORO single dose was on my short list but after seeing many negative/mixed reviews and posts about it, I removed it as an option. I settled on the Niche, which was one of the other main options I was considering. This video only confirms that I feel I made the right choice. I want something that works well and is consistent and doesn't need a bunch of tinkering to make it work.
I’ve been single dosing for years and will never go back! Great review though. I was really hoping the Oro was going to be my next purchase. The NZ is never in stock and I think looks like a cartoon character 🤷🏻♂️ Absolutely love the looks of the Oro. I love you, Kyle!
I also had hoped that the Oro SDG would be "the one". I had also hoped that the larger dial that they use on the Oro series would've made it easier to switch between grind sizes. I'm really grateful for Kyle's honesty in explaining that it's not easy to do. I've heard on the regular Mignon line, it's a nightmare to switch back and forth. :(
@@raevenphillips417 I have one of the original Mignon’s, and yes, I don’t dare try switching back and forth for espresso and pour over. It’s strictly for espresso in my home. Have a 1ZPresso K-Plus for pour over 👌🏻 Amazing hand grinder
@@seand7508 Thanks for confirming. I had really hoped it would be possible because I do think Eureka makes great grinders but space is limited and we need a grinder that can do both. It's a cool adjustment setup for espresso only but with the rise in interest of all-in-one grinders, I really do agree with Kyle and feel like it's time Eureka updates their grind setting knob to something more like the DF64 or Niche where they can be switched more easily between brew methods.
Thanks Kyle. I fried the motherboard on my Niche (user error) and was dreading having to get a $$ replacement and was exploring options but James at Niche sent me a replacement motherboard so I'm back up and running PHEW. I love the Niche... sure for more money I could get a slightly better cup, but I'm still damn good and the user experience is just soooo easy. I always weigh beans in and coffee out (Bianca). Curious for your 64 review
Sweet video Kyle! I've recently purchased the Eureka Mignon XL, which is similar to the ORO but without the single-dose hopper and bellow. I figured it was easier to use a timed grinding dose for my wife, rather than to have her weight out her shots. That way the variables stay as constant as they possibly can without too much effort on her part. As you mentioned, the Eureka Mignon has its faults but nevertheless can make a great cup of coffee. At first use, the grinder clogged... as it did for you due to grinding at a finer setting. All of these fines ended up clogging the chute and necessitated being opened up to clean. Since then I haven't had to deal with this issue yet. I've also noticed that retention is around 0.1 - 0.2 g's, but I am not searching for perfection just yet. I have noticed that some users have moded their own XL grinder to resemble the ORO, with a similar slanting as well as attaching a custom-built single dose hopper. I'll be looking into this in the future but for now, will enjoy the grinder for what it is.
FWIW, just so you know, Eureka recently announced that their OEM single dose hopper and bellows system (they call it their Blow Up System) will be available and will work on all of the Mignon series grinders. So, in addition to all the options out there from third parties, you can actually have one from Eureka. BTW, they also recently told another reviewer that they will be smoothing out the metal hopper closure piece so it won't have sharp edges. Just thought you might want to know, since this will give you a very similar experience as the Oro SDG. :) And you can definitely find a 15 degree slant base for it. The nice thing is, you can always take it off again, should you need to. Seems like a great option to give the best of all worlds. :) Congrats on your XL!
@@raevenphillips417 well I'll be damned. Thank you for the info on this so called Blow Up System. It will be interesting to see at what price point they will mark it at. I've definitely looked into third party manufactured options but will patiently wait for Eureka's release.
I have the single dose and haven’t experienced any of these “issues”. It’s exactly what I needed for my single dose routine and my retention is consistently 0.1-0.2g. It’s superior to the niche in espresso quality, noise, and speed in my opinion. Yes, I weigh my coffee in and out.
I love you Kyle!! Thanks for the review, I was wondering how it stands against the Niche. But no regrets here since I bought the Eureka. These issues you described are not a concern to me personally, I'm after the flavor. Ps. I do weigh my beans and the extraction. Consistency is important (:
I do weight out coffee and single dose. I've been doing it since before it was cool. Just seemed logical to me and worked very well with the super low 0.3g retention Varatza Vario! (Low Retention before it was a thing!).
Got the XL, shortly before the SD came out. Basically identical except incline&belows - display&timer. Used it first with standard hopper, now as SD with 3d print incline stand & hopper/belows. I think the vibration is worse as SD because of idel noise without beans, it was less with standard hopper (also, the mat from the XL certainley helps isolating vibration) Cup closer to the chute helps with mess/static.
Thanks Kyle, yes I use it scale I've gone the budget route. The Niche is way above my means Just got a Mignon Facile: $339 from WLL. 50MM flat burrs, silent technology and not much more. I bought a single dose hopper with bellows and looking into an after market adjustment collar. For around $400 this little guy punches with the big boys.😊
Great review! I love you Kyle 😉 I think I'm going for the Option-O Lagom Mini for filter coffee. I had high hopes for the Eureka and that it might be a contender but not after seeing your review.
I came here thinking - well, maybe there's a readily available and equally effective/clean/versatile/compact competitor to the Niche to look into - and you have teased me but thankfully told me the honest truth that I should probably stick with my pursuit of a Niche. And p.s. happy to be a favorite and love you too. Keep bringing that Canadian kindness, it is formidable competition to our southern hospitality in Louisiana 😁.
"I love you Kyle" lol watched the whole video. I've been waiting for this video and you've helped me determine which one I'm going to get now. Thanks =)
Fantastic review, Kyle. I enjoy you videos so much as well as your point of view. So far I've been using the NZ for almost 2 weeks. Love every single aspect about it.
From a fellow Ottawanian! I weigh my coffee and hear my wife eyes roll back into her head!.... For now... She'll come to a believer! Thanks for content... Trying to learn more about the brewing experience...
I love the niche. Easy to use, easy to clean, low retention, shots are delicious. I’d love to have a flat burr espresso grinder to compare the profile with the niche. I don’t think there’s anything that gives the same quality and user experience in a comparable price point.
@@davidflynn2309 both are great. The Niche is still the best for most people who just want good coffee as simply as possible for any brew method. The DF64 is still nice to use though and has the flat burr options. I personally really like having both but wouldn't be missing out on anything fundimentally
Awesome video, as always. I’m new to home brewing and just received my niche a few days ago. When I saw news of this video coming up, I was about to look into niche’s return policy lol. But having used it for a few days, I couldn’t imagine a better experience. Loving it. Also, ordered it on Dec 4, received it on Jan 14 (black, white’s an extra 30 days) Paid $122 CDN for import taxes etc. Pretty reasonable all around.
It would be great to see a single dowse shootout in the same (similar) price range. If all or many of the grinders in this range are imperfect then it’s a trade off of what matters to each individual and could be an individual choice. The most important characteristic for me would be how the coffee tastes. I weight my beans every time and am in the market for a grinder around the $800-$1200 mark, Single dosing and the ability to ideally make as good filter coffee as espresso, but less often. I didn’t find that this review left me with a feeling that the Oro or Niche is a better choice.
Hi Kyle, Thanks for the honest review. I got both grinders. Been working with the Eureka for a few weeks. I do like the coffee it produces. I'm disappointed, my expectations might have been too high. I wanted a flat burr grinder that you don't need to mod.Bellows don't bellow and there is some issues as you named.I prefer the coffee from the Eureka but workflow vise the NZ is a clear winner. And yeah, I use scales. Also heading for something else for a flat burrs.
Love it Kyle! Single doser and weigh every shot. Got a mignon facile and really happy with it for the simplicity and price point. Seems like majorly diminishing returns by doubling the price. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for this video Kyle! I'm keeping my Eureka XL. Was contemplating the Single Dose.. But not after seeing the many posts on the FB Group and this video - thanks! I'd also like to try the niche at some point.
I use a scale. I'm brand new to making nice coffee at home. Currently doing v60s and aero press with the fellow Ode grinder. It has made such a huge difference in my every day happiness. It makes me excited to get up in the morning
I bought a specialita in November. The ACE clump solution thingy builds up a boulder of ground coffee that rolls as the burrs spin and creates a lot of retention. Also the burrs were severly misaligned, but it didn't take too much work to align them.
that's a good tip - I've been looking at upgrading from my pretty awful Breville Smart Grinder Pro, and have been consider the Specialita. Worth knowing that I'll likely have to align the burrs... I have no idea how to do that yet, but I'm guessing CZcams is my friend there.
@@plexq yeah there are a lot of great examples online, specifically the video by the wired gourmet. He shows how he did it on his specialita. I actually started with the Breville Dose Control Pro and the Specialita is a gigantic leap forward hahah. My experience with the specialita was frustrating at first, but once you fix the alignment and get used to dialing in your grind, it's really a great grinder and the taste in the cup is amazing. Also another tip, I found my grind results were not consistent. I seasoned the burrs by grinding through 1kg of cheap beans from the super market, and that seemed to be enough to get it to perform consistently. My experience day to day with the specialita is nearly frustration free now!
Any link to alignment of burrs and other tips for this grinder? I’ve had it for almost 3 years without taking care of it too much… I still have zero retention which is amazing although I have quite inconsistent shots… don’t know if I prepare my coffee bad or what it is but it seems as if some beans are easier than others. Do you spray the coffee beforehand? I don’t. Dark or light roast?
I appreciate the in depth reviews. I was more confident to spend the cash on the Niche after hearing you talk about it. It has upgraded my coffee experience more than I thought. The Niche is really is in a different category of quite. In the next room, I can hear/feel the microwave oven fan louder than the Niche.
Hi Kyle! YES! We weigh beans - kind of obsessively. Once you start weighing, you sort of wonder how you ever ended up with good coffee prior, as even volumetric measuring is so variable. We currently have a (don't laugh) nearly 15 year old Capresso Infinity Steel that only has a timer knob that you turn to grind so you never really new how much you're grinding if you rely on it, even if you could get it on an exact mark. We've been weighing beans and using it as a single doser for a few years now (yes, i literally pick it up and beat the sides every time I grind to try to lower retention - it works, but my hands get really sore!). Looking for a replacement for this grinder is why I've been waiting (im)patiently for this video from you for awhile now. I feel like you do a great job with reviews, very thorough and balanced. We started down the espresso rabbit hole over the holidays when we got a crazy deal on a consumer espresso machine. Even though it's not high end, coffee has been so much better. We've known we needed a grinder upgrade for awhile and the espresso machine just emphasized this. Hoping to find a replacement for our current grinder before it dies. I mean, nearly 15 years with no repairs...can't complain. I honestly thought the Oro SDG would be the one I'd get. Loved that it's from a European company that's 100+ years old with a great track record. I know the DF64 is a decent alternative but I really worry about the build quality, long term, and the ability to get parts to repair at home. This will be, by far, the largest investment we've made in a coffee related purchase and I guess we're spoiled having had the same grinder for so long, but I don't want to spend 6-8x the price of our current grinder only to have it die in a few years and be unable to repair or get parts. I can't get any answers on this question either. I'm leaning towards the Niche at this point. I think we may well like the cup profile of the Niche better anyway and I really like that Martin (of Niche) truly values home repair - and literally doesn't ever want to see a Niche in a landfill. DaveC's initial review of the Niche even covered this, stating how important keeping parts available for the lowest possible price was a high value for the company. And the few problems I've seem reported have all received parts quickly, when needed. Having said all that, I'd LOVE to see your DF64 comparison with the Niche as soon as you're able. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on flat vs conical in terns of flavor. I used to hear that flats emphasized deeper chocolate/nutty notes where conicals brought out sweeter, more rounded and fruity notes. But newer posts and info seems to say the opposite. I don't know it that's because we're now seeing much larger flats that give more clarity now than conicals do. I know taste is subjective but if you can share some of those taste profiles in your upcoming comparison, that would be amazing. :) Now, if you got this far, know that you're my favorite! ;) Yes, I watched every single minute, right down to the end! Thanks again for such a thorough honest review. Seriously, that couldn't have been easy, especially since you like the Eureka brand. It shows real impartiality that you were able to see the flaws in a unit built by a brand who's grinders you've really enjoyed in the past. I have to say, I'm kind of baffled that there are so many reports of the motor struggling seemingly with the 15 degree angle - especially since users have been putting other grinders in the Mignon lineup on a custom 15 degree base for converting to single dosing and I've not seen reports of the struggle and vibration that the Oro SDG is experiencing. I was genuinely sad to hear about the issues. I hope they are able to get them worked out. I also genuinely hope that they revisit their grind adjustment system. It's the largest thing stopping me from getting one of their grinders (even if I converted to single dose). But I need to be able to reliably switch from espresso to various aeropress grinds to French press to cold brew and back again and every Eureka user I've asked has said don't even consider it - it would be a total nightmare. If they could keep the same internal adjustment system and use a large dial like Niche or DF64, that would change a lot! You'd think that they could since they already have at least two differently calibrated systems (the standard ones on their espresso focused grinders like the Silenzio or their "all around" style which is on just a few of their grinders, like the Perfetto). Again, huge thanks for the review! Hope long posts are OK. :) (Remember, now you're REALLY my favorite!)
What a comment! WOWZA! Well said! Truly not sure how to respond to this one - but thank you! If you have any questions maybe just bullet point them below?
Dear Kyle thank you for all the great content! I definitely weigh my beans. I am considering Mignon XL coupled to the single hopper / bellows system. Somehow I feel that the XL gives you much more than the Single Dose. I am based in Europe. The retail cost of XL + the aforementioned extras is slightly less (maybe 20euros less) than the Single Dose and 50euros less than the NICHE (VAT, shipping and all). XL has fast, timed grinding ability. Plus service locally in most countries (I consider it a serious Niche limitation). How good are the bellows + hopper combo in giving single dose capability I do not know. But for 750euros what are the better choices out there?
I've had my Oro for about as long as you. No, it's not perfect, but I still think it was the correct decision for me vs importing a Niche or DF64. The Oro is not quiet, but compared to the Rocky it replaced, it's a dream. And compared to the Sette I use for filter, well... My blow-up didn't work from the start (probably because of the darker roasted coffee that IDC gave me). The solution is to tape over the holes on the hopper where the guard clips in and to really mash down on the bellows - this will blow out the blockage (and make it evident why it's called "blow up"). And... of course I weigh my coffee! BTW - if you want to pronounce it like an Italian - it's oo-rek-a.
I always use a scale. Makes me nervous just thinking about skipping it. I got a Niche last week and have been loving it. Still looking for a flat to keep by it’s side. Was hoping the Oro would be it but I’m looking elsewhere now. Would love if you could get a Kopi Concepts Deva. The amount of features for the price is amazing and it combines two of my favorite things; F1 and Coffee. Cheers!
Yes!! This!!! One of the only other grinders that has me interested other than the Niche is the Kopi Deva. It has good initial reviews (though too few) and the few nitpicks that they had (like placement of buttons) the manufacturer assured were all being address in production. The first back should be shipping this month so if you could get your hands on one, that would be amazing!
Thank you for this video and the coffee community definitely loves you! I definitely use a scale because of single dosing. Also was wondering for the DF64, if you plan on utilizing SSP burrs for the comparison?
The clump crusher also exists in other Eureka products. I'm surprised they didn't modify it in a way to minimize retention without adding static. Feels like Eureka just attached cheap single dose blower without any significant modification. It should be possible to add some sort of revolution indicator as the knob is rotated without redesigning the entire thing.
I would agree with most of your points. Oro looks great and gives me much more clarity than Specialita. I have not noticed any clogging or too much static. What I do not agree is Oro for pour overs. On finer settings it creates very muddy coffee bed that cloggs the filter. On corser settings gives very uneven grinds and vibrates soo much it can rotate the knob itself. I have few videos about that on YT if you interested. Great show as always. Thank you!
Love you Kyle! I have a Specialita which I use as a single dose style machine. I also measure my beans before they go in and after they come out. I’m really enjoying your channel!
Loving the love as they say. Nice review, it's interesting that these expensive tools do seem to have some fundamental design flaws. Got a house move to get through first, but after that it'll be coffee time.
Hey Kyle, thx for this interesting video. I own a Mignon XL and I actually love the timed dosing. I don't switch coffee everyday and I like the convenience of that. For the dialing in, I do use a scale of course. But once I've dialed in the grind setting and the dose, I don't use a scale every time.
Hi Kyle. Nice video as usual. I knew this video was coming but I was a little hesitant to watch it. I picked up a Niche Zero about five months ago. It’s been good to me so far. I have it paired with a Rancilio Silvia pro X at the moment.
Updated version has fixed or improved the vibration, supposedly tweaked the grind chamber so it doesn't clog up as much (it still clogs up but not as bad for me). The bellows is not so great, it requires a good beating to work for me, which is frustrating. It leaks air from the neck of the hopper area. It's probably better to use without the bellows at all, It seems like they added the 'blow up system' just to check off a feature on marketing list. Retention isn't too bad without using the bellows. The only concern is the clump crusher is holding back coffee and creating more fines than desired (similar to the DF64s older style clump crusher).
Regarding the bellows: in the single dose hopper is this plastic anti popcorning thing mounted with 4 plastic pieces to the hopper. On my grinder there also leaked some air at those 4 connecting points. I put some glue inside and now the bellows work much better and effectively clean out the declumber.
@@Phil_OG great suggestion / fix if that works (mine was leaking more from the neck seal area of the hopper) I just thought it was kind of funny people make fun of DF64 benefiting mods but from an established player like Eureka I was expecting this to be perfected, but it too still benefits from mods!
@@BensCoffeeRants mine also leaks from the neck seal area but since the "glue mod" the bellows are very effective and there is hardly any accumulation at the declumber
@@Phil_OG Nice, yeah I liked the grinder, even without using the bellows I didn't think retention was bad! Just seemed silly they designed the bellows system in a way that doesn't seem to work out of the box!
Thanks! I've been single dosing for a long time and am currently looking to purchase a single dose grinder. This video helped, for sure. Oh, and I love you Kyle 😉
Mignon or Niche? Which you picking and why?
ps. Love you all and thank you for an incredible 2021.If you want to support the channel further, win giveaways and join the discord - become a Patreon for as low as $1 here: www.patreon.com/kylerowsell
I would have bought the Niche if it hadn't been for the 2 month wait. I didn't want the SDO as It was obvious from that puck thing that the SDO was undercooked. I ended up ordering a Manuelle (not arrived yet) to replace my SGP which can't espresso in any meaningful way. I have started printing mods for single dosing which is all I want to do. I find it interesting that Eureka have announced a Mignon Zero with 55mm burrs and no tilt.
I'm still holding out that something new will come along that'll be the right fit for me. Really wish Baratza would throw their hat in the single dose ring. So far, if I really decide to get a new electric it'd likely be a Vario+ or possibly even Forte (if I can afford it) with the understanding I'd put a single dose hopper on it
@@frjfsiuojrsdug 2 month wait is nothing compared to the paying twice the tax because niche is lazy or scummy
@@petervansan1054 take eureca
Any update?
I love you Kyle. I use a scale every time. I was actually going to get the Oro because the Niche supply was so hard to come by, but finally got an order in before the Oro became available and have been loving the Niche. I’m glad I did, because I think some of those workflow issues with the Oro would’ve driven me nuts, haha. Good work as always, my dude!
Much appreciated Chris!
I have it. Was replaced same day due to the burr sliding against the side - not comforting. Anyway, it's an OK grinder in the 65mm group. The primitive dial knob is horrible, forget about dialing for different brews, you won't bother going through the pain each time. The blow out system is mostly decoration but I happen to get great retention results from this grinder and brew results are good. It''s a good looking machine. Overall, if you can get a Ceado 5SD or one of the more expensive single doser's, go for it. Niche is a conical and heavily made in China - those are reasons enough to stay away from the Niche and not supporting them, especially the China part.
I own the white Niche, and black DF64, with the titanium burr option, with anti popcorn funnel and mythos clump crusher, it's called the Solo in the UK, the Solo has excellent clarity, but i do find certain beans suit the Niche, and others suit the Solo, so best of both worlds imo, and I can't pick a winner, but for ease of use, the Niche is amazing.
I think connicals (or even Eureka mignon grinders like this, which seem conical like to me) might perform best for more chocolately profile coffees and DF64 excels in bringing out the clarity of individual flavours in light roasts (yep even with stock burrs!). Having both is ideal. You're not missing anything by having those two and not a Oro SD :D
Same setup here and I notice the same thing as you. Medium roasts (where I'm making milk drinks) work better with the Niche, whereas light roasts are amazing with the DF64. I use the SSP multipurpose burrset to get that extra clarity. The fruity flavors that come out of my light roasts are absolutely unreal sometimes!
I've found the Niche seems to really thrive with raspberry notes in a medium roast, the best have been Square Mile washed Ethiopian or Kenyan varieties for me personally, makes a really zingy and tangy shot, which i love, also Sweetshop from them works great in the Niche as well, and this week i've been using my first ever purchase from Rave coffee beans, a Kenyan, and it's amazing in the DF64/Solo, with blackcurrant being the most prominent note i can detect, as a kid in the 80's in the UK Ribena cordial was my favourite, so blackcurrant is always a win in my eyes, can't go wrong with either grinder, now i'm wondering if SSP burrs would be worth the money, as i love the titanium burrs i already have.
@@Rock-Steady1888 if you're just doing espresso I think the stock df64 burrs are great you might get a little more clarity and even less body from ssp espresso burrs and then another step further with the multipurpose unimodals. I didn't think the difference was that dramatic for the price unless you're also doing coarser brewing methods. Vs stock burrs I noticed Less bitterness and more clarity even with ssp espresso burrs for aeropress.
If you love the clarity though and also have the niche the Unimodals may be worth it for you.
@@BensCoffeeRants the only reason i changed to the titanium burrs in the first place was they where badly aligned, and ended up a bit damaged, so i managed to get the titanium burrs for it from Bella Barista at a good price, and they fit almost perfectly 1st time, so my espresso range changed massively, went from 5 to almost 0 with the badly aligned burrs, to on average, these days using between setting 15 and 11 for espresso, which i think is what's made the most difference, more so than any titanium, i rarely drink anything other than espresso, i'll have a think over it, and maybe down the line try the SSP burrs, thanks for the advice 👍
Excellent video Kyle. Thank you. I too have a huge problem with vibration and noise from my Eureka Mignon Oro Single Dose Grinder. The noise and vibration has got worse as time has moved on and been using it every day for 3 to four cups of espresso per day over the last 3 weeks. Maybe the clump crusher is getting clogged up although I do get some air through the outlet from the bellows. Also the rubber bellows material has got softer and hence more difficult to stay onto the plastic hopper. Static has also been an issue for me here in the UK winter period. I was advised by the Eureka UK Dealer I bought the Grinder from not to RDT the beans. So haven't done. All in all, I don't think this Grinder deserves the Eureka 'Oro' badge. I will be sending the Grinder back to the Dealer this week. This is a pity as I love the look of the Grinder (mine is all chrome) and it does grind nice fines. I reckon a lot of people will be returning their Eureka Mignon Oro Single Dose Grinders. It wouldn't surprise me if Eureka issue a recall !
Really helpful to hear your experience. Thanks for taking the time to share. One of the most startling things to me was that you said the rubber bellows got softer - which is really worrying in that amount of time. It won't be easy to use or do its job if it keeps softening. I'm really disappointed in the Oro SD. You really hit it - doesn't deserve the Oro badge!
I use a scale and I love you Kyle. Now that we've checked those boxes as requested, this was an enjoyable video. I love my Niche. I've had it for a year and a half and you hit the note -- it just works.
Please add Lagom mini too into your coming comparison. It may seems not fair for its price point, but it's a single dose low retention nonethelees. Thanks.
I bought a DF64 when it first came out as I could never find the Niche available. However about 6 months ago I finally got the Niche and since then it has fully retired the DF64. I find the ease of use, ease of adjustment and more importantly the taste of expresso with the Niche to be excellent. I really cannot see me needing another grinder now I have the Niche, and nothing about the Oro would compell me to buy one. Thanks for the review though, it was really well done.
Really interesting to hear about your experiences with the DF64 and the Niche. Could you please elaborate more on why the Niche retired the DF64? I'm seriously considering a Niche and would love to hear your experiences. I've not been able to find enough info about the difference in the cup. Thanks so much!
I use a scale. This video is especially pertinent to me. My Niche has been in daily use for about 20 months and just isn't performing as well as it used to. I've been considering a Eureka Oro for a few weeks and just didn't know if it would be a good choice. Thanks for your honest comparison. It's truly helpful.
Love you Kyle! Just got an oro 2 days ago and am just trying it out....fingers crossed!
Yes Kyle we love you and your reviews! From one Canadian to another. Just recently got myself a Bezzera BZ 10 (I’m a total newbie but jumped right in) and love using the bottomless portafilter. Also uber-researched the Niche 0 and currently waiting for its arrival. After watching this review I’m confident I made the right choice. Best, Elisabeth.
I loved the Oro initially. It has so much charm and it produced a really good cup. I thought I could get over the details you mentioned (static, retention, vibrations, noise level, mediocre finishing, chute blockage) but I was wrong. I quickly started regretting my decision once I had enough daily experience with it. The most annoying thing is the vibration. I had it on top of a knockbox drawer, and the vibrations became unbearable. This also made me question its durability. I returned it and am now waiting to receive the Niche. And to answer your question at the beginning of the video, I use a scale. Great job on this review, Kyle! I love your content and your hard work does not go unnoticed.
Sorry to hear this rolando. Happy you were able to find a resolve.
Hey! Did you receive your Niche? And how is it comparing to Oro? Would like to here your feedback.
Another great video Kyle. Your production quality is fantastic! More people need to discover your content. I'll keep spreading the word in my circles.
Oh man, means the world Brian!
I love your videos and your cheerful personality Kyle!
You're so fair and honest, which make reviews like this video great!
Great review Kyle, I thought you were fair in your criticisms and expectations of the Oro grinder. I have been using a Niche for the past 7/8 months. All the stuff about the ease of use with the Niche I agree with and it's simplicity is part of the reason why I love it. Also since you asked earlier I always use a scale whenever I brew. Whether it is for espresso, filter coffee, or any other brew method. Keep up the great videos it's always a pleasure to watch! Love ya man
Thanks Tristan! So appreciate the comment
@@KyleRowsell you’re welcome!! Keep up the great videos! Everything from the reviews to the brew guides I find immensely helpful!
Always use a scale. Even if I bought my dream grinder (Atom 75), I’d still use a scale to weigh out my doses.
I found the QC on the Single Dose so disappointing and given the Niche has zero literally available (lol), I sprung for a DF64. Thanks and God bless from a Torontonian!
Appreciate your honesty Kyle “I was cheering for the Mignonette, but…” . I’ve been enjoying your output which has helped me with my purchasing decisions. Interesting to hear you explain the different flavour profile from conical vs flat burrs too.
Just a comment for the algoritm and your awesome vids Kyle!! Love the aproach and donation
I use a scale. I even have my wife using a scale.
Anyway, I had been waiting on this grinder for a while, but eventually just decided to get a Niche when a black US became available. Nothing I have seen about the Mignon Oro has made me regret that for a second (I use an Ode with SSP for filter, primarily, and the Niche doesn’t *replace* my hand grinders, but is my primary espresso grinder now).
The Oro really seems like a “near retail prototype” that was rushed out instead of a retail ready product. A real shame.
Scales all the way. Good to see an Irish coffee roast being used, as I'm based in Ireland I'm gonna have to give them a try.
You have the most expressive hand gestures, that somehow remain genuine and not over the top, of anyone I have ever seen. That is all.
Thanks? 😅
Nice review
Love you Kyle. Proud of what you've done last year. Can't wait to see more of you in 2022!
Thanks Arian!
Love this video! And yes… very much on the scale train with an Ohaus SPX2202 I use throughout the kitchen!
Checked everyday on CZcams anticipating this review and it was well worth it. Thanks Kyle and I also weigh my coffee
I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't use a scale. But then it's only for drip. I'm surprised there were so many issues with this grinder, especially at the price. I just got a selenzio and I am really loving it. It's my first real grinder. Thanks for a great review!
I weigh my beans. Thank you so much for the review. I’m gonna wait until Eureka fixes these issues before buying a Oro. And Kyle, you’re my favorite 🤟🏼🖤🤘🏼
Thanks Kyle, I was waiting for your review for so long. I really appreciate your insights. I canceled my Oro order and ordered a niche. The dial the the little flaws of it just drew me from it. I have a Eureka Perfetto, which did a good job for filter. But since I am now also brewing Espresso it is just a nightmare to dial in. So I am eagerly awaiting my new niche which will arrive in February hopefully. Thanks again for the review.
Glad to help!
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Perfetto. I've been wondering if the Perfetto's differently calibrated dial (that should make it easier to switch between brew methods) would mean that dialing in espresso would be more difficult, since you don't have the same ability to fine tune, when compared with Eureka's other type of dial available on their more espresso focused grinders. Sounds that my concerns were valid. So sorry to hear it's been such a pain but it was helpful to hear, as someone researching grinders now (and briefly considering that model).
@@raevenphillips417 Yes! I had big hopes too. The Perfetto is okay for filter, although its more on the finer side. But switching between Espresso and Filter is not enjoyable. The dial wheel can be turned 360 degrees. So dialing in an espresso is a pain because if you turn just a tiny millimeter its a big change on espresso. And for some beans I needs at least 5-6 shots to get it right because of the retention, occasional clumping (blocked burrs) and too much change due to the dial wheel.
What grinder are you going for?
I think design wise it is better to pair up for the Linea Mini owners since both of them are “Linea”. I always think the NZ round and smooth design are not in sync with the design of Linea Mini. I watched a few other reviews of the Mignon Single Dose and Kyle you did a good job here. Liked your videos and keep up your good work!
Almost got this grinder and ended up going with the Niche. Every review I've seen since it came out has convinced me I made the right choice.
I feel like after a few iterations and updates this could be a real competitor, not just for people who want a project, but as of now it just seems unpolished.
yeaaah same for me!
Yup going with Niche too
Yup! Unfortunate but the truth.
Measure espresso and look with flat burrs with so much room to improve through customization over time like the Eureka.
@@KyleRowsell I've recently received what I suspect is a 2nd batch Mignon Single Dose and could give some thoughts on what I suspect are updates vs the 1st run. Like many my first choice was the NZ but it was such a pain to find one and ended up costing the same or more than the SD where I live. Overall the SD is pretty good and it sounds like my grinder has resolved some of the issues you've experienced.
The good: The vibration seems to be way better by the looks of things and the bean hopper gate now slides in no worries. I found it really consistent from the first grind so I suspect with 'seasoning' it will get better, didn't have to align the burrs either. Retention wise the worst I'm getting is 0.2g. Never had an issue with static since where I live is always humid lol. The overall build quality seems to be very good, not sure how the original ones were like but the more recent batches seem alot better, no misalignment or paint issues.
The bad: The bellows are absolutely useless that I ended up removing it, it just blows air out of the gaps in the hopper. The timber base was missing two feet, they didn't fall off they just weren't put on... The retaining screw for the hopper was too small for the hole which boggles my mind how it got past QC.
Would I have bought a Niche if they were more readily available? Probably... Is the SD good, I reckon so, but I do agree with those that say this is a v1.0 with mine being a v1.0.1 essentially. Good to see Eureka appears to be listening though. Might get a Niche to complement this grinder down the road to have a conical burr grinder as well.
Thanks for the great video. The problems with the de-clumber seem to mirror those of my Mazzer Mini-E. Thus, I won’t replace the Mazzer yet.
I do use scales - cheap ones - for weighing beans before grinding and feeding my Flair 58.
Great video. New to espresso here started with the picopresso and a budget grinder and was getting ok shots. Then upgraded to the Jx-pro and that instantly made a much better shot. I just recently got a gaggia classic pro and have been using that for about 2 weeks with the jx-pro and getting great results. Thinking about in the future getting a better grinder so this video was very interesting.
Did the same when I picked up my Gaggia Classic Pro last year. Used Kyle’s hand grinder video to help decide, went with the j-max and it’s been great for espresso and has started to become my daily driver over my Baratza Encore for filter coffee and areopress weekend brews.
Keep the jx pro and maybe get a df64 with espresso or unimodal burrs as a high clarity option in the future. I don't think the eureka would be much of an upgrade.
Man, I’ve been waiting so long for this video and thank you so much!!! So glad I didn’t impulse buy the SD cuz it’s not as impressive anymore after several reviews with similar issues. I absolutely love my niche but now anxiously waiting to see what flat burr grinder to buy this year to first hand experience the conical v flat burr profiles. Glad to know I’m one of your favorites haha!
What did you go with?
I've been using scales for cooking long before I got into coffee, so it only made sense for me to use scales for brewing as well. Weight measurement is the single most important thing you can do to raise your standard of food and drinks preparation. I'm sorry that I'm not some magical grandma that can seemingly know how much of everything goes using pinches and randomly sized tablespoons, but scales are basically the great equalizer whether in the kitchen or in the cafe.
I appreciate your reviews, especially now that I find myself in the market for a coffee grinder. You're diction is clear and you are very thorough and fair. Thank you.
I'm starting my way down the better coffee journey. Using drip and I'm tired of bad coffee. I've moved to better coffee and water in my drip and it's helped, now I want even better. I'm trying to figure out where to start. I'm learning a lot from your videos!
We're also on the road towards better coffee now. I'm not an expert but I've been doing a lot of learning and the thing I've heard most often is that the grinder is the single most important piece of equipment - even more than an espresso machine (if one is going that route). We're looking at getting a grinder that's quite a bit more expensive than what we paid for our espresso machine (granted, we got a crazy, crazy sale over the holidays). From everything I've learned, a good grinder will improve any and every way one brews coffee.
@@raevenphillips417 Thank you for this. I'm trying to figure out the point of diminishing returns on grinders. I know there is a a big difference at each step $50 to $100 to $200 to $400 to $800. Any idea where you stop seeing a significant improvement?
I use a scale for both my beans, and my shot pull (I only do espresso). I had considered waiting for the Oro, but it was out of stock when I was buying (so was the Niche), so I got a Silenzio and modified it with a single-dose hopper/bellows. and angled base - and saved a good bit of money. It's been a pretty happy combo.
I LOVE YOU KYLE! You really are an amazing youtuber that I've learned a lot from and absolutely can't wait for the df64 video!
Thanks Drake! Means the world friend
I like your reviews. They are quite straight to the points.
Also, love how you clearly say "I prefer the clarity in Oro's shot because it's the nature of flat burr" instead of saying "Niche is not good because it produces less clarity than flat burr." > (1) less powder in the chamber (2) easier to adjust grind setting
You cannot go wrong picking one over another. However, for me, I decided to keep NZ since
(1) its workflow is much cleaner >> lower coffee powder scattering, cleaner coffee station.
(2) I tend to brew 2 types of coffee (medium and light roast) for latte and americano. >> Less retention.
When I started making coffee I used that classic little grey scale that is sold under different brands, that it seems everyone has at least one of.
I had that break on me at some point, and I upgraded to the Timemore Black Mirror. It’s an amazing scale, and I haven’t had any issues!
Great video as always kyle. Quality just keeps going up!
I drowned my first one when I stupidly walked away from a shot pulling super slow. I figured I got time to quickly get something but when I got back it qas drowning in espresso. Dried it out for three days butnit still didn't work so I smashed it out of anger and got a slightly nicer version at 30 bucks instead of 20....
I broke my first one by putting it loose in a bag for travel. I guess it smashed the sensors or something because it always just have an error code after that.
I weigh and single dose because I use the Eureka Mignon Manuale. So far single dosing is not slowing my morning workflow as much.
Hey Kyle, keep them coming.
I have a NZ and weigh always. Used for both espresso and V60. No issues, love it
Yes I weight out my ☕️ for sure both espresso and pour overs. I think its important for notes. I also noticed differences on dark roast being more fluffy as to medium it makes a difference in the basket. Love the info on your vids.
Im voting for better cup of coffee! Buying the Eureka!!!!!!!
Hey, nice review.
I just recently purchased and new grinder and chose the Eureka Mignon over the Niche Zero.
I’ve. been using it for a few weeks now and I must say that I’m very happy with it.
I agree with your take on the good aspects, but I have not experienced any of the issues you mentioned.
I live a tropical country, so I believe the humidity eliminates any issue of static.
I have yet to encounter the clogging or retention you mentioned.
In fact, since I weigh my coffee before and after grinding, I can validate the “ultra low retention” claim of Eureka, with the grinds weighing a mere .1g lighter than the beans.
As for build quality, I am happy in that department too.
This machine actually replaces my old workhorse, a circa-2005 Euereka Mignon MCF 220. This machine has no issues whatsoever despite being 17 years old. All I have done for maintenance, aside from cleaning, is simple flat burrs replacement, which are so easily sourced online.
It’s a testament to the impeccable build quality of this company that’s been hand- making machines in Florence, Italy since 1920.
I chose them over a recently-formed English company that’s been outsourcing their manufacturing in China.
Heritage matters to me.
I love you Kyle. Just subscribed after watching a bunch of your videos over the last couple weeks. Really enjoy your laid back style and knowledgeable videos.
Thanks!
Thanks for this video! It answered all my questions about this grinder as I was holding out hope that it would be the single dose grinder for me. It's definitely shown me that my concerns were valid as well as some problems I wasn't aware of but would really bother me especially in a $1K CDN grinder.
Thanks again!
Really great point - these issues would be highly aggravating in a $500 grinder but unacceptable in a $1k grinder.
Great video Kyle, I have been single dosing for over 15 years, was’nt always easy because of those older grinders, the Niche changed all that, simply love that grinder, not perfect for some, but for me it is perfect! 👍
Umm weigh your coffee bean and grind .. presto you have a single dose. Eureka is friggin brilliant, remove the electronics off the Oro XL swap for a cheesey plastic bellow and charge the same $$ money.
I love you Kyle! Thanks for the thoughtful review, although I'm glad I bought my Eureka Mignon ORO Single Dose grinder before I watched your video. Don't get me wrong, your review is quite useful. However, I have not had any of the problems with my grinder that you have had with yours I'm pretty sensitive to how motors should and shouldn't sound, and mine is fine. I am impressed with how quiet it is and I absolutely agree with you on how comforting the sound is. Also, it is within a tenth to two tenths of a gram of zero retention. My burrs are aligned out of the box and the coffee tastes great. I have some of the same minor quibbles about details that ultimately don't matter much, but overall I am extremely pleased. For me it has delivered.
Hi Kyle,i am part of the nuts case person who weight his coffee. I use a scale. Love the channel thanks
Love the videos as always. I do use a scale every time.
I ordered a Niche Zero last week. The Eureka ORO single dose was on my short list but after seeing many negative/mixed reviews and posts about it, I removed it as an option. I settled on the Niche, which was one of the other main options I was considering. This video only confirms that I feel I made the right choice. I want something that works well and is consistent and doesn't need a bunch of tinkering to make it work.
Still don’t get why Kyle has less subs than sprometheous, this is such a fantastic channel
I Just started in the fall of 2020. Super appreciate this comment. Spro makes great content too ☺️
@@KyleRowsell damn didn’t realize I been here since the beginning, you helped with my hand grinder selection and general knowledge 🙌🏼
@@joem3793 haha yeah time flies!
I’ve been single dosing for years and will never go back! Great review though. I was really hoping the Oro was going to be my next purchase. The NZ is never in stock and I think looks like a cartoon character 🤷🏻♂️ Absolutely love the looks of the Oro. I love you, Kyle!
I also had hoped that the Oro SDG would be "the one". I had also hoped that the larger dial that they use on the Oro series would've made it easier to switch between grind sizes. I'm really grateful for Kyle's honesty in explaining that it's not easy to do. I've heard on the regular Mignon line, it's a nightmare to switch back and forth. :(
@@raevenphillips417 I have one of the original Mignon’s, and yes, I don’t dare try switching back and forth for espresso and pour over. It’s strictly for espresso in my home. Have a 1ZPresso K-Plus for pour over 👌🏻 Amazing hand grinder
@@seand7508 Thanks for confirming. I had really hoped it would be possible because I do think Eureka makes great grinders but space is limited and we need a grinder that can do both. It's a cool adjustment setup for espresso only but with the rise in interest of all-in-one grinders, I really do agree with Kyle and feel like it's time Eureka updates their grind setting knob to something more like the DF64 or Niche where they can be switched more easily between brew methods.
Thanks Kyle. I fried the motherboard on my Niche (user error) and was dreading having to get a $$ replacement and was exploring options but James at Niche sent me a replacement motherboard so I'm back up and running PHEW. I love the Niche... sure for more money I could get a slightly better cup, but I'm still damn good and the user experience is just soooo easy. I always weigh beans in and coffee out (Bianca). Curious for your 64 review
Sweet video Kyle!
I've recently purchased the Eureka Mignon XL, which is similar to the ORO but without the single-dose hopper and bellow. I figured it was easier to use a timed grinding dose for my wife, rather than to have her weight out her shots. That way the variables stay as constant as they possibly can without too much effort on her part.
As you mentioned, the Eureka Mignon has its faults but nevertheless can make a great cup of coffee. At first use, the grinder clogged... as it did for you due to grinding at a finer setting. All of these fines ended up clogging the chute and necessitated being opened up to clean. Since then I haven't had to deal with this issue yet. I've also noticed that retention is around 0.1 - 0.2 g's, but I am not searching for perfection just yet.
I have noticed that some users have moded their own XL grinder to resemble the ORO, with a similar slanting as well as attaching a custom-built single dose hopper. I'll be looking into this in the future but for now, will enjoy the grinder for what it is.
FWIW, just so you know, Eureka recently announced that their OEM single dose hopper and bellows system (they call it their Blow Up System) will be available and will work on all of the Mignon series grinders. So, in addition to all the options out there from third parties, you can actually have one from Eureka. BTW, they also recently told another reviewer that they will be smoothing out the metal hopper closure piece so it won't have sharp edges. Just thought you might want to know, since this will give you a very similar experience as the Oro SDG. :) And you can definitely find a 15 degree slant base for it. The nice thing is, you can always take it off again, should you need to. Seems like a great option to give the best of all worlds. :) Congrats on your XL!
@@raevenphillips417 well I'll be damned. Thank you for the info on this so called Blow Up System. It will be interesting to see at what price point they will mark it at.
I've definitely looked into third party manufactured options but will patiently wait for Eureka's release.
I have the single dose and haven’t experienced any of these “issues”. It’s exactly what I needed for my single dose routine and my retention is consistently 0.1-0.2g. It’s superior to the niche in espresso quality, noise, and speed in my opinion. Yes, I weigh my coffee in and out.
Glad to hear it! Wish everyone else had this same experience
@@KyleRowsella lot of people actually do from my CZcams research. A lot of this ends up being subjective
the review we all hv been waiting. so far the best out there! awesome
Glad you think so!
I love you Kyle!! Thanks for the review, I was wondering how it stands against the Niche. But no regrets here since I bought the Eureka. These issues you described are not a concern to me personally, I'm after the flavor.
Ps. I do weigh my beans and the extraction. Consistency is important (:
Glad to hear it!
You are amazing mate! Big fan! Cheers and keep safe
I do weight out coffee and single dose. I've been doing it since before it was cool. Just seemed logical to me and worked very well with the super low 0.3g retention Varatza Vario! (Low Retention before it was a thing!).
Got the XL, shortly before the SD came out. Basically identical except incline&belows - display&timer.
Used it first with standard hopper, now as SD with 3d print incline stand & hopper/belows.
I think the vibration is worse as SD because of idel noise without beans, it was less with standard hopper (also, the mat from the XL certainley helps isolating vibration)
Cup closer to the chute helps with mess/static.
Thanks Kyle, yes I use it scale
I've gone the budget route. The Niche is way above my means
Just got a Mignon Facile: $339 from WLL. 50MM flat burrs, silent technology and not much more. I bought a single dose hopper with bellows and looking into an after market adjustment collar. For around $400 this little guy punches with the big boys.😊
Great review! I love you Kyle 😉 I think I'm going for the Option-O Lagom Mini for filter coffee. I had high hopes for the Eureka and that it might be a contender but not after seeing your review.
I came here thinking - well, maybe there's a readily available and equally effective/clean/versatile/compact competitor to the Niche to look into - and you have teased me but thankfully told me the honest truth that I should probably stick with my pursuit of a Niche. And p.s. happy to be a favorite and love you too. Keep bringing that Canadian kindness, it is formidable competition to our southern hospitality in Louisiana 😁.
"I love you Kyle" lol watched the whole video. I've been waiting for this video and you've helped me determine which one I'm going to get now. Thanks =)
Fantastic review, Kyle.
I enjoy you videos so much as well as your point of view.
So far I've been using the NZ for almost 2 weeks. Love every single aspect about it.
From a fellow Ottawanian! I weigh my coffee and hear my wife eyes roll back into her head!.... For now... She'll come to a believer!
Thanks for content... Trying to learn more about the brewing experience...
Amazing video! Glad I waited. Your content is so amazing and useful as I’m diving into this world 😂
I love the niche. Easy to use, easy to clean, low retention, shots are delicious. I’d love to have a flat burr espresso grinder to compare the profile with the niche. I don’t think there’s anything that gives the same quality and user experience in a comparable price point.
You sum it up brother, the niche is great for now…..till ORO 1.5 or 2.0 come out.
Honestly df64 is great. I have both
Niche 2.0 PLEASE. 😇
@@marcusannegarn8497 And witch do u prefer ??
@@davidflynn2309 both are great. The Niche is still the best for most people who just want good coffee as simply as possible for any brew method.
The DF64 is still nice to use though and has the flat burr options.
I personally really like having both but wouldn't be missing out on anything fundimentally
Awesome video, as always.
I’m new to home brewing and just received my niche a few days ago. When I saw news of this video coming up, I was about to look into niche’s return policy lol. But having used it for a few days, I couldn’t imagine a better experience. Loving it.
Also, ordered it on Dec 4, received it on Jan 14 (black, white’s an extra 30 days)
Paid $122 CDN for import taxes etc.
Pretty reasonable all around.
It would be great to see a single dowse shootout in the same (similar) price range. If all or many of the grinders in this range are imperfect then it’s a trade off of what matters to each individual and could be an individual choice. The most important characteristic for me would be how the coffee tastes.
I weight my beans every time and am in the market for a grinder around the $800-$1200 mark, Single dosing and the ability to ideally make as good filter coffee as espresso, but less often.
I didn’t find that this review left me with a feeling that the Oro or Niche is a better choice.
Hi Kyle, Thanks for the honest review. I got both grinders. Been working with the Eureka for a few weeks. I do like the coffee it produces. I'm disappointed, my expectations might have been too high. I wanted a flat burr grinder that you don't need to mod.Bellows don't bellow and there is some issues as you named.I prefer the coffee from the Eureka but workflow vise the NZ is a clear winner. And yeah, I use scales. Also heading for something else for a flat burrs.
Thanks for the great video. I can’t wait for the comparison of the DF. I had high hopes for that grinder as well.
Love it Kyle! Single doser and weigh every shot. Got a mignon facile and really happy with it for the simplicity and price point. Seems like majorly diminishing returns by doubling the price. Thanks for the review!
Reminds me a scene from Home alone 2, but here we go.. I love you Kyle, thank you for keeping it honest
Thanks for this video Kyle! I'm keeping my Eureka XL. Was contemplating the Single Dose.. But not after seeing the many posts on the FB Group and this video - thanks!
I'd also like to try the niche at some point.
I use a scale. I'm brand new to making nice coffee at home. Currently doing v60s and aero press with the fellow Ode grinder. It has made such a huge difference in my every day happiness. It makes me excited to get up in the morning
I bought a specialita in November. The ACE clump solution thingy builds up a boulder of ground coffee that rolls as the burrs spin and creates a lot of retention. Also the burrs were severly misaligned, but it didn't take too much work to align them.
misaligned ?
that's a good tip - I've been looking at upgrading from my pretty awful Breville Smart Grinder Pro, and have been consider the Specialita. Worth knowing that I'll likely have to align the burrs... I have no idea how to do that yet, but I'm guessing CZcams is my friend there.
@@plexq yeah there are a lot of great examples online, specifically the video by the wired gourmet. He shows how he did it on his specialita.
I actually started with the Breville Dose Control Pro and the Specialita is a gigantic leap forward hahah. My experience with the specialita was frustrating at first, but once you fix the alignment and get used to dialing in your grind, it's really a great grinder and the taste in the cup is amazing.
Also another tip, I found my grind results were not consistent. I seasoned the burrs by grinding through 1kg of cheap beans from the super market, and that seemed to be enough to get it to perform consistently. My experience day to day with the specialita is nearly frustration free now!
Any link to alignment of burrs and other tips for this grinder?
I’ve had it for almost 3 years without taking care of it too much… I still have zero retention which is amazing although I have quite inconsistent shots… don’t know if I prepare my coffee bad or what it is but it seems as if some beans are easier than others.
Do you spray the coffee beforehand? I don’t. Dark or light roast?
I appreciate the in depth reviews. I was more confident to spend the cash on the Niche after hearing you talk about it. It has upgraded my coffee experience more than I thought. The Niche is really is in a different category of quite. In the next room, I can hear/feel the microwave oven fan louder than the Niche.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Kyle! YES! We weigh beans - kind of obsessively. Once you start weighing, you sort of wonder how you ever ended up with good coffee prior, as even volumetric measuring is so variable. We currently have a (don't laugh) nearly 15 year old Capresso Infinity Steel that only has a timer knob that you turn to grind so you never really new how much you're grinding if you rely on it, even if you could get it on an exact mark. We've been weighing beans and using it as a single doser for a few years now (yes, i literally pick it up and beat the sides every time I grind to try to lower retention - it works, but my hands get really sore!). Looking for a replacement for this grinder is why I've been waiting (im)patiently for this video from you for awhile now. I feel like you do a great job with reviews, very thorough and balanced. We started down the espresso rabbit hole over the holidays when we got a crazy deal on a consumer espresso machine. Even though it's not high end, coffee has been so much better. We've known we needed a grinder upgrade for awhile and the espresso machine just emphasized this. Hoping to find a replacement for our current grinder before it dies. I mean, nearly 15 years with no repairs...can't complain. I honestly thought the Oro SDG would be the one I'd get. Loved that it's from a European company that's 100+ years old with a great track record. I know the DF64 is a decent alternative but I really worry about the build quality, long term, and the ability to get parts to repair at home. This will be, by far, the largest investment we've made in a coffee related purchase and I guess we're spoiled having had the same grinder for so long, but I don't want to spend 6-8x the price of our current grinder only to have it die in a few years and be unable to repair or get parts. I can't get any answers on this question either. I'm leaning towards the Niche at this point. I think we may well like the cup profile of the Niche better anyway and I really like that Martin (of Niche) truly values home repair - and literally doesn't ever want to see a Niche in a landfill. DaveC's initial review of the Niche even covered this, stating how important keeping parts available for the lowest possible price was a high value for the company. And the few problems I've seem reported have all received parts quickly, when needed. Having said all that, I'd LOVE to see your DF64 comparison with the Niche as soon as you're able. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on flat vs conical in terns of flavor. I used to hear that flats emphasized deeper chocolate/nutty notes where conicals brought out sweeter, more rounded and fruity notes. But newer posts and info seems to say the opposite. I don't know it that's because we're now seeing much larger flats that give more clarity now than conicals do. I know taste is subjective but if you can share some of those taste profiles in your upcoming comparison, that would be amazing. :)
Now, if you got this far, know that you're my favorite! ;) Yes, I watched every single minute, right down to the end! Thanks again for such a thorough honest review. Seriously, that couldn't have been easy, especially since you like the Eureka brand. It shows real impartiality that you were able to see the flaws in a unit built by a brand who's grinders you've really enjoyed in the past. I have to say, I'm kind of baffled that there are so many reports of the motor struggling seemingly with the 15 degree angle - especially since users have been putting other grinders in the Mignon lineup on a custom 15 degree base for converting to single dosing and I've not seen reports of the struggle and vibration that the Oro SDG is experiencing. I was genuinely sad to hear about the issues. I hope they are able to get them worked out. I also genuinely hope that they revisit their grind adjustment system. It's the largest thing stopping me from getting one of their grinders (even if I converted to single dose). But I need to be able to reliably switch from espresso to various aeropress grinds to French press to cold brew and back again and every Eureka user I've asked has said don't even consider it - it would be a total nightmare. If they could keep the same internal adjustment system and use a large dial like Niche or DF64, that would change a lot! You'd think that they could since they already have at least two differently calibrated systems (the standard ones on their espresso focused grinders like the Silenzio or their "all around" style which is on just a few of their grinders, like the Perfetto). Again, huge thanks for the review! Hope long posts are OK. :) (Remember, now you're REALLY my favorite!)
What a comment! WOWZA!
Well said! Truly not sure how to respond to this one - but thank you!
If you have any questions maybe just bullet point them below?
Dear Kyle thank you for all the great content! I definitely weigh my beans. I am considering Mignon XL coupled to the single hopper / bellows system. Somehow I feel that the XL gives you much more than the Single Dose. I am based in Europe. The retail cost of XL + the aforementioned extras is slightly less (maybe 20euros less) than the Single Dose and 50euros less than the NICHE (VAT, shipping and all). XL has fast, timed grinding ability. Plus service locally in most countries (I consider it a serious Niche limitation). How good are the bellows + hopper combo in giving single dose capability I do not know. But for 750euros what are the better choices out there?
I've had my Oro for about as long as you. No, it's not perfect, but I still think it was the correct decision for me vs importing a Niche or DF64.
The Oro is not quiet, but compared to the Rocky it replaced, it's a dream. And compared to the Sette I use for filter, well...
My blow-up didn't work from the start (probably because of the darker roasted coffee that IDC gave me). The solution is to tape over the holes on the hopper where the guard clips in and to really mash down on the bellows - this will blow out the blockage (and make it evident why it's called "blow up").
And... of course I weigh my coffee!
BTW - if you want to pronounce it like an Italian - it's oo-rek-a.
Omg I’m so biased , when I found out you were Canadian I subscribed instantly.
Welcome!
I always use a scale. Makes me nervous just thinking about skipping it.
I got a Niche last week and have been loving it. Still looking for a flat to keep by it’s side. Was hoping the Oro would be it but I’m looking elsewhere now. Would love if you could get a Kopi Concepts Deva. The amount of features for the price is amazing and it combines two of my favorite things; F1 and Coffee. Cheers!
Yes!! This!!! One of the only other grinders that has me interested other than the Niche is the Kopi Deva. It has good initial reviews (though too few) and the few nitpicks that they had (like placement of buttons) the manufacturer assured were all being address in production. The first back should be shipping this month so if you could get your hands on one, that would be amazing!
Any plans on making an update video on these two grinders?
Thank you for this video and the coffee community definitely loves you! I definitely use a scale because of single dosing.
Also was wondering for the DF64, if you plan on utilizing SSP burrs for the comparison?
The clump crusher also exists in other Eureka products. I'm surprised they didn't modify it in a way to minimize retention without adding static. Feels like Eureka just attached cheap single dose blower without any significant modification. It should be possible to add some sort of revolution indicator as the knob is rotated without redesigning the entire thing.
I would agree with most of your points. Oro looks great and gives me much more clarity than Specialita. I have not noticed any clogging or too much static. What I do not agree is Oro for pour overs. On finer settings it creates very muddy coffee bed that cloggs the filter. On corser settings gives very uneven grinds and vibrates soo much it can rotate the knob itself. I have few videos about that on YT if you interested.
Great show as always. Thank you!
love you Kyle! Appreciate the honest & smooth review
I appreciate that!
Love you Kyle! I have a Specialita which I use as a single dose style machine. I also measure my beans before they go in and after they come out. I’m really enjoying your channel!
Loving the love as they say. Nice review, it's interesting that these expensive tools do seem to have some fundamental design flaws. Got a house move to get through first, but after that it'll be coffee time.
Hey Kyle, thx for this interesting video. I own a Mignon XL and I actually love the timed dosing. I don't switch coffee everyday and I like the convenience of that. For the dialing in, I do use a scale of course. But once I've dialed in the grind setting and the dose, I don't use a scale every time.
PPS. Great to know I'm not the only coffee lover here in Ottawa.
Hi Kyle. Nice video as usual. I knew this video was coming but I was a little hesitant to watch it. I picked up a Niche Zero about five months ago. It’s been good to me so far. I have it paired with a Rancilio Silvia pro X at the moment.
Updated version has fixed or improved the vibration, supposedly tweaked the grind chamber so it doesn't clog up as much (it still clogs up but not as bad for me). The bellows is not so great, it requires a good beating to work for me, which is frustrating. It leaks air from the neck of the hopper area. It's probably better to use without the bellows at all, It seems like they added the 'blow up system' just to check off a feature on marketing list. Retention isn't too bad without using the bellows. The only concern is the clump crusher is holding back coffee and creating more fines than desired (similar to the DF64s older style clump crusher).
I have an updated version that hasn’t fixed all these issues…
Regarding the bellows: in the single dose hopper is this plastic anti popcorning thing mounted with 4 plastic pieces to the hopper. On my grinder there also leaked some air at those 4 connecting points. I put some glue inside and now the bellows work much better and effectively clean out the declumber.
@@Phil_OG great suggestion / fix if that works (mine was leaking more from the neck seal area of the hopper) I just thought it was kind of funny people make fun of DF64 benefiting mods but from an established player like Eureka I was expecting this to be perfected, but it too still benefits from mods!
@@BensCoffeeRants mine also leaks from the neck seal area but since the "glue mod" the bellows are very effective and there is hardly any accumulation at the declumber
@@Phil_OG Nice, yeah I liked the grinder, even without using the bellows I didn't think retention was bad! Just seemed silly they designed the bellows system in a way that doesn't seem to work out of the box!
Thanks! I've been single dosing for a long time and am currently looking to purchase a single dose grinder. This video helped, for sure. Oh, and I love you Kyle 😉
Always using a scale. That blank switch and portafilter holder hole is driving me crazy so I'm holding back for a improved version later.
Hi Kyle. Thanks for the review. Some feedback - it took 4 minutes to get through your ads and announcements which is tough to accept as a new viewer.
Great comparison. Looking for a new grinder and this has been helpful!
Also…I love you Kyle! XD
Yep! I use a scale Kyle :) simple single dose home brewer here.
So educational...learning lots! Thanks, Kyle!