About this Video

• Video Title: Review: The Niche Zero Grinder
• Channel: James Hoffmann
• Speakers: James Hoffmann
• Duration: 13:05

Introduction

This video is a review of the Niche Zero Grinder, a coffee grinder initially discovered on Indiegogo. The reviewer, James Hoffmann, initially dismissed it due to its origins but later received a unit for review. The review covers the grinder's design, workflow, performance, and drawbacks.

Key Takeaways

• Design and Build Quality: The Niche Zero is compact, lightweight (approximately 5 kg), and feels well-built and solid. Its design is described as a blend of kitchen appliance and coffee grinder aesthetics, available in white and black. The reviewer particularly appreciates the thoughtful design, reflecting the experience of the manufacturer.
• Workflow and Features: The grinder boasts a simple workflow: weigh beans, load into the funnel (which also serves as the grind adjuster), close the lid, and turn on. A notable feature is the integrated, well-designed dosing cup (under 58ml) for mess-free transferring of grounds to a portafilter.
• Performance: Using conical burrs (similar to Mazzer Koney), the Niche Zero produces tasty espresso shots, although the reviewer slightly prefers the clarity of shots from a Mythos One (flat burr grinder). The grinder's ease of adjustment and calibration are highlighted as positive features.
• Drawbacks: The grinder suffers from some "pop-corning" (beans bouncing around) towards the end of the grind cycle, which can slightly affect grind consistency and shot timing. The bean hopper's capacity (around 50-55 grams) is considered too small for larger batches of filter coffee.