Zerno Z1 | Unboxing & First Impressions

Nearly a year after joining the waitlist for the Zerno Z1 it's finally arrived. So you know what that means, it's time to crack it open on camera and give it the quick unboxing and first impressions treatment. So let's dig into this new hot commodity of a grinder.

↓CHAPTERS↓
[00:00] Intro
[01:27] Standart Sponsor
[02:12] Unboxing
[05:34] Burr Cleaning
[06:50] Setting The Zero
[08:16] Espresso Test Shot
[10:28] First Impressions
[14:53] Outro

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[robertebob]

I was also in the Dec. ''24 batch (SSP HU Blind, black, dark walnut). Mine arrived early about 2 weeks ago. There's so much for me to love because it's a significant upgrade for me and I do get additional flavor notes compared to what I was using. The bottom of the catch cup is magnetic and adheres to my scale, so I won't be using it for weighing. Mine also came with a dusting of test coffee. I wasn't annoyed over that. I didn't buy the case. Mine did not come with all those nice tools and I was a bit panicked during unboxing. Apparently, they did a reconfigure and now only one wrench and an Allen key are needed or so they tell me. I have a bellow from a different grinder fits perfectly so I use it instead of banging on the top and it works well. Overall, I'm very happy with it.

[EricB]

Good on you to providing you opinion on it and no issues as you bought it with your own money.

Looks like a great grinder. Personally I cannot justify giving them all my $$ up front but to each their own.

[obsessedcloset]

EG-1 comes with used grounds in it and so does the Kafatek monolith flat max 2. It’s for testing as you mentioned. These guys don’t have time to strip and clean unless you want to pay another $50-80 bucks. I’ll have mine with coffee in it thanks. Who care to be honest.

[Dan_Mirai]

Just got mine last week.
Almost the same setup. The SSP MP and the slow feed auger.
Mine too came with coffee still left inside.
I did opt to install the slow speed auger right away. When they say slow it is really slow. I've been dosing 19g of pretty light coffee and it takes like a minute. I'm going to change it out back to the medium speed ones.
For my workflow static hasn't been really an issue. 4 squirts of water from the spray bottle and static isn't an issue. I also dose into the cup. This really does keep the mess to a minimal.
Overall I have been overall satisfied with the Zerno. I'm getting tasty shots and do find the build quality very nice. I am coming over from a Niche Zero and hand grinding and I don't find the noise that bad. It's maybe a little louder than the Niche and higher pitched.

[phber]

While I like some of the ideas such as blind burrs, as a European neither Option-O nor Zerno grinders are really an option imo, import taxes make them just way too expensive. You would probably end up paying 2k+ Euros for either the P64 or Z1, so more than twice the price of a Philos.

[davidhunternyc]

Hmmm... for me, this was my most anticipated video of yours in ages. I feel like the Z1 could be a game changer. A perfect balance between the Niche Zero, without the plastic parts, and high-end grinders, like the Kafatek and Weber EG1. The Z1 reduces its parts to a minimum and each one made of the highest quality. That's rare. The heavy metal parts and precise engineering make my knees buckle. The $49 Pelican case is a non-conversation in my book. I'd pay the extra price for the Pelican and have the equipment laid out nicely rather than the grinder coming in a cardboard box. Also, perhaps I don't mind the coffee grinds in the burrs? The coffee might mitigate the smell of new metal. My concern is the quality of the grind, quality of the machine, speed, and ease of function and cleaning. I can't quite tell if the noise of the motor would be bothersome or not. If it's too loud for you, what is the solution? In future versions, can the motor be made quieter? This was a first impression video but my "impression" from watching it is that you're on the fence about the Z1. I'm uncertain as to why. Too many questions and not very many answers, but that's why it's called a "first impression" video. You need more time with it. We are all waiting with anticipation what the final verdict will be and how it compares to other grinders, yes, obviously the P64 but also to Weber grinders and other more expensive grinders. I get the feeling that the Z1 is punching above its weight class. I could be wrong. Stay awesome.

[mtpastor]

Waiting your comparison with Mazzer Philos

[retupmoc]

Could not afford time and frozen funds conditions. Thank you Mazzer for showing up on time. Adorable peace. Not looking back to all the waiting lists nonsense.

[danielbiturbo]

I agree !
Seasoning burrs must be 100% Placebo, that TIN coating is so thin and hard, that ANY changes to the Burr geometry would instantly show up with a "no gold" grey finish.
From Wikipedia "In most applications a coating of less than 5 micrometres (0.00020 in)"
I like the styling, and If you like me need a low grinder it seems a good option, many grinders are so high.

[etismyname]

Been using it for almost half a year now. Not the biggest coffee nerds out there.

I love things that FEEL mechanical, I shoot manual focus lens, wear mechanical watches, multiple mechanical keyboards etc.

This grinder feels great to use, the adjustment dial offers nice resistance, and the on and off switch feels great to flip around.

A bit noisy but it doesn't take long to grind and look incredible with the design. And coffee grinder belongs to an area that should look and feel great to use, it's something that's part of your daily coffee making session. 100% worth the money imo, understated premium

[SetaRossa]

Your reviews are always a pleasure to watch

[NeverMind]

Ordered the Zerno, so thank you very much for these thorough impressions and lack of sugarcoating! Also went for the blind SSP MP, very curious to see what you will say a couple months down the line.

[ilkzode]

Very refreshing to hear from a channel with many followers, the BS behind seasoning. You dont season newly bought kitchen knives, power tools, wrenchs. Etc. And why waste so much coffee beans. Its a straight slap in the face expecially to an industry thats "" all about fair trade, equal rights, sustainability.
Hopefully youre happy with ypur purchase. I couldnt justify that much. Suprisingly the df54 has suprised me in taste and quality. Sold all my previous grinders just out of principle

[pdxrunner]

I would be interested in a comparison with the Philos. I'm very impressed with my Philos fitted with the I200 burrs.

[colew]

I currently have a Niche Zero and while I have been following your channel for a while, just got into espresso earlier this year. I'm contemplating if this should be my end game grinder. I love its aesthetic.

[michaelbubly]

The biggest turnoff and reason I went for a philos was I didn’t feel like giving a company a 10+ month interest free loan to receive a product. Would have likely purchased one via a deposit system or actual drops, but I’ve been burned before my hobby’s that use prepay group buys and will never do that again.

[costam]

Would you recommend the Zerno over the Philos?

[macehead]

No doubt a quality grinder. Just can’t really see what would make me choose it over something else at a similar or even cheaper price point🤷🏻‍♂️

[danishtravelingbrothers]

As for the static, They say in the manual that it increases with the foam pads underneath the cup. I myself found it to have too much static but after removing the foam, it is much better. Night and day! :D

[AnanFakheraldin]

For the full review, please try the SSP HU with slow auger, i think thats the best setup for espresso ! and then compare it to different grinder if you want to