I'm not sure the timer has as much of a point without a portafilter holder.
The timer is useful to grind just the right amount for individual portions, and that's convenient if you can grind it directly into the portafilter.
The ground coffee chamber seems intended to retain ground coffee for a period (from the seals, I'm guessing it tries to prevent oxydation).
For preparing individual portions though, this is adding a bunch of fuss.
Fine ground coffee (for espresso) tends to stick to the chamber walls (that's why some other models advertise being anti-static).
Even if you wanted to keep ground coffee in the chamber, it's pretty small: only good for 3 to 5.
Cleaning is a big chore: with the sticking grinds, it needs cleaning often.
With the little seals on the lid and the chamber that's a bit small for big fingers, it's a bother.
Oh and it won't run without the chamber in place, so you can't improvise holding the portafilter underneath.
Our point of comparison is the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($200) which has higher quality burrs and better build in general (but no timer).
The burrs on this Shador are smaller and not conical
(Conical burrs are supposed to produce a more full-bodied coffee, but aren't available in this Shador's price range.)
We need to set the setting lower on the Shador than on the Encore.
For espresso, try starting around #6 grind and 6-7s time for one cup.
It does OK, but we prefer the taste that comes out of the Encore.
The Encore doesn't need cleaning as often (and seems quicker to clean).
The build quality seems OK. The grind setting has a click for every setting, the timer setting is preserved...
It's nice that its small... until it gets to cleaning. And other models tend to be taller but not so much bigger at the base.
Looking at the competition, I'm noticing that Shador seems to be flooding the listings with 4 different models under $130.
This one (32 settings + timer), one with only 16 settings without a timer for about the same price as this one, one supposedly with conical burrs for $100 which seems cheap for conical,
one conical anti-static touchscreen for $126... I need quality burrs more than I need a touchscreen.
That's too many models for one brand within such a small price range.
The model by AMZCHEF is catching my eye: timer and portafilter holder. I've not had a chance to test that one (not conical though).
OXO have a conical coffee grinder with great reviews, I trust their products, but it's in a higher price range and no portafilter holder.
Basically, I'd try another model.
| Brand | SHARDOR |
|---|---|
| Colour | Black |
| Parcel Dimensions | 27.6 x 19.5 x 15.3 cm; 1.33 kg |
| Material | Plastic |
| Item Weight | 1.33 kg |
