KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder – Onyx Black

Kitchen-aid is a reliable brand and normally I prefer to buy something tried and true when it’s an appliance I use every day. I absolutely love my other kitchen-aid brand appliances and none of them has ever worn out- they’ve only ever needed replacement due to misuse on my part. However I really wish that they would put some time into redesigning this specific one.

This is my second time trying out this exact model of coffee grinder and while it’s not a BAD product, it is just not-right enough for my needs to make starting every day using it a little less good than it could be. I would not have given it a second try but the first one was a gift years ago and I forgot until I experienced the same issues with this one again that I had bought my last grinder to replace it because of those annoyances.

Some specifics to my needs/situation:
– I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and have difficulties with fragile skin, joint pain/dislocation, and a tendency to get repetitive stress injuries from just normal daily activities, so ergonomics is very important to my health and well-being.
– I drink coffee every. single. day.
-I am neurodivergent and loud noises at the wrong time can be difficult for me.

Good things:
– Removable stainless cup is convenient and lifting just the cup to the coffee maker is easier on bad shoulders than lifting the whole grinder.
– Takes up very little counterspace. I have food allergies and have to cook at home a lot, and big appliances like burr grinders take up too much real estate that I need for other appliances and for prep.
– Reliable. The cup locks securely into the base which means that wear and tear on the turning/gear mechanism and therefore the engine is minimized.

Bad things:
– The cup locks so securely into the base that it’s difficult for bad hands to get the cup in and out.
– The cup has a sharp edge at the top so one of the angles that I use to try to grip and turn the cup to get it out of the base hurts my fragile EDS skin. I haven’t had the skin *broken* yet but even some uncomfortable pinching/jabbing is not the best way to start the day.
– The grinder cup does not seal to the lid, so when you grind, a small amount of grounds fly out of the cup into the base where the gears that turn the blade are. Then the already-snug fit between the grinder cup and the base becomes even more difficult to get in and out.
– LOUD. If I have someone over and want to make coffee I have to wait until a pause in conversation to press the button because we won’t be able to hear each other over it. For most of my life I thought this was just how it had to be but now that I know that quieter grinders out there, I kind of can’t stand the loud ones.

When I last used this same model of grinder, my replacement was a no-name brand that was easier on my hands to use. Unfortunately the motor burned out in almost exactly 2 years, and likely part of the reason why is that the cup didn’t fit as snugly into the base causing more wear and tear on the motor. Likely also the quality of the motor was poorer to begin with, but I can’t prove that.

BUT, the cup on the no-name grinder created a seal between the top of the grinder cup and the lid so that grounds didn’t fly out into the base while grinding, and the edge of the lid was rounded so that it was comfortable to grip the top and twist to remove the cup.

Unfortunately like a lot of no-name brands on Amazon, that company either dissolved or renamed themselves and that specific product is no longer available. I did find another better grinder: the SHARDOR brand, specifically model US-CG638B2009. You can check my review there for details. Here’s hoping that grinder lasts more than two years, and/or that the brand continues to exist if it burns out.

My search for the perfect coffee and spice grinder has finally come to an end with the KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder Combo Pack. This machine has been nothing short of a revelation, and it has become a cherished part of my daily routine.

First and foremost, this grinder is a dream come true for coffee lovers. It offers a uniform and consistent grind every single time, bringing out the true flavor and aroma of my favorite beans. The controls are intuitive, and the quality of the grind can be easily adjusted to suit different brewing methods, from French press to espresso.

But it’s the spice grinding capability of this machine that truly sets it apart. From the robust spices like cumin and peppercorns to the more delicate ones like saffron, this grinder handles them all with ease. Yes, even saffron! As a regular user of this precious spice, I was initially skeptical about grinding it, but the KitchenAid blade grinder performed exceptionally well, preserving its delicate flavor and yielding a fine texture.

The dual grinder cups are a fantastic addition as well. It’s great to have the ability to switch between coffee and spices without worrying about flavor cross-contamination. And cleaning? It’s a breeze! The stainless steel cups can be removed easily and cleaned, which is a godsend for maintaining hygiene and freshness.

Design-wise, the KitchenAid blade grinder is sleek and compact, fitting well into my kitchen without taking up too much space. It feels robust and durable, echoing KitchenAid’s reputation for long-lasting appliances.

In summary, whether you’re an avid coffee drinker or a home cook looking to elevate your dishes with freshly ground spices (even the tricky ones like saffron), the KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder Combo Pack is an unbeatable choice. Its superior performance, ease of use, and sturdy build quality make it a worthy investment for any kitchen. Highly recommended!

Llegó a tiempo y funciona muy bien, el único problema es que por su diseñó que no es totalmente cerrado cuando la usas suele tirar una pequeña cantidad del producto molido