Review: The Niche Zero Grinder

Music:
"Look Up" by Watermark High

Links:

[jameshoffmann]

IMPORTANT: If you see an ad on YouTube for a site selling this grinder for a very low price: IT IS A SCAM! Please report the ad if you can. (Sorry to make the pinned comment about this, but it is a real issue)

[nichecoffee]

So proud watching this review, thank you so much for making this video James

[Reynevan]

The biggest praise for this grinder is that James is still using one in his videos months later ;)

[Meerkat]

I got my Niche Zero recently and came back to watch this, it's worth noting that since the release of this video, Niche have addressed the "popcorning" issue by adding a little plate over the burrs inside the coffee funnel, it prevents beans from popping back out and works quite well!

[st]

Just to mention, "pop-corning" is promptly addressed by the Niche - they have now NFC disks. And I just had an update, that states: "All new orders will include the NFC disk pre-fitted."
Great work Niche! I'm more than happy to support manufacturers, that listen to the problems of their customers!

[paulloader]

I was one of the first 100 Indiegogo backers and from forum traffic late in 2018 probably the 2nd person to receive theirs once the 'perk' was 'fulfilled' hence I have about 9 months using the Niche now (and previously used Macap, Mazzer and Ceado grinders through many years). Good balanced review and echoes that it isn't designed for machine-gunning dosed shots to a queue of customers in the commercial world, simply a superb, low-priced (by coffee equipment standards!) grinder that handles home made espresso, moka-pot, cafetiere and brewed coffee and happily partners with high-end kit. I agree on the popcorning and unless/until a lid with an additional insert is introduced my simple fix has been to use the clear plastic lid of a Pringles carton on the beans reducing the distance those splinters can travel and stopping any from falling outside the edge of the lid :-)

[baristajosh]

"Do I like anything? ... I do. I do like things." -James Hoffman

[craigezard]

I wish i could recreate this guys passion levels. If he hates or loves anything to do with coffee he just shows incredible passion for his trade. Probably one of the reasons he is so successful.

[JustJimWillDo]

I love my Niche. It is a gorgeous machine that just works. I also love that most of the issues here have been resolved. The anti-popcorn disk is genius and works like a charm. You can now have a flat burr set, if you wish. More colours are available. We understand how to repeatably grind coarser for pour-over/filter methods. Sure, my grinder cost ~3x the price of my espresso machine, but I'm good with that too.

[grunow]

I have one of these. It has been with me this last year. Im very happy with it. It is my first grinder. Sometimes I have problems with the adjustment but nothing serious. It is small, minimalist, not noisy, ... what else. Love it. It fits perfectly in my small kitchen.

[ozeltzex]

My best investment in coffee gear by far. 350GBP when published on Indigogo bought me a considerable upgrade from my Mazzer Mini E. No need to waste coffee, dialing for Turkish and then back to espresso with no purge at all, easy to clean and usable when grinding directly into the Portafilter using a funnel.
Probably the last grinder I will ever need.

[sator_project]

James Hoffmann at cocktail parties in June of 2019: "do you have a moment to talk about minimum retention indiegogo coffee grinders"

[Shakespeare]

I had watched your terrific review of the Niche Zero and after a year I decided to purchase one of the new black models.
I have become a mad scientist checking on the retention levels of the Niche using different coffee beans and grind sizes. I can honestly say the retention level isn’t “amazing small” It as become a non issue. 
I have never had anything larger than two tenths of a gram. 
And in a Great majority of measurements, it’s one tenth or zero retention. I do have a method to keep it this low, and I find it simple.  
+++Just tap on the top of Niche with some exuberance a few times.+++
I

[BillB]

Placing a portafilter BACKFLUSH DISK upside down on top of the beans will minimize the popcorn effect. Been using mine for 6 months now and love it. Sold my K10 Barista Pro and never looked back. Because I don't have to sweep out the grinder and double weigh the grinds, the speed to make a shot is much faster. The price point is stunning for the build quality and taste performance.

[IMissMrKitty]

Does anyone else love watching his reviews on things they'll never be able to afford? His voice is so calming and I feel like I always learn a lot.

[Betleejuice]

I found this channel quite unexpectedly, and have to say that I absolutely love it. Not only is the content informative, but the presentation style is so neat and cohesive that I believe absolutely every word I heard. Really well done!

[dusanmaticic]

Using it for about a year now and I'm impressed. Great for using if you try different beans for espresso as it's quick to dial in. Pour over can be a bit tricky, especially with the marks going up to 50 but sometimes I need to go past the marks for a coarser grind (especially for larger batches and especially for cold drip/cold brew). But overall really good!

[chunlizzz]

Love the thoughtful dosing cup - should be an industry standard.

[michael.burman]

I took the risk during the preorder phase and have been using mine for a while now. What didn't get mentioned (directly) is the ability to change between espresso and filter coffee. The dialing stays the same, so if it was 17 for espresso, it's going to be 17 later as well, even if you do filter coffee in between. I do this adjustment almost daily, morning coffee through Moccamaster and later during the day some other variety (cappuccino usually).

[avfc]

Early adopter & it's a terrific grinder - use it with my ACS Vesuvius machine. To avoid 'popcorning' I place the plastic top of a Pringles can over the beans. Close lid, flick switch & job done. Simple!