Niche flat burr released

FadedFrontiers A large study is going to be costly and no one is going to be interested in footing the bill. I don’t expect a large scale scientific study, but anyone who has 2 grinders/burrs to compare can take some basing measurements, especially for drip/filter. I do it for every brew I make at home (times, EY, subjective preference score, some flavour perception notes & often a sifting result after dial in).

Gagne’s Q factor seems a lot like the previously used (last 80yrs?) std.dev in sifting. I haven’t been able to find any relationship between a sifted Q factor and overall preference myself, with filter.

This word “geometries” seems very popular at the minute, do you mean shape & size of burrs, or something more detailed (e.g. pre-breaker & finishing area characteristics)?

MediumRoastSteam The Niche Zero folks don’t specify the wattage of the motor, as far as I can tell. That indicates that they don’t see this as a selling point, otherwise they probably would specify it.

From a quick survey, it seems that most coffee grinder manufacturers will specify the wattage of the motor. In fact, it’s to find a grinder manufacturer that doesn’t, except for Niche. Fellows doesn’t seem to specify wattage, but they do specify torque, which is arguably a better measure than wattage.

DavecUK - thank you for answering the question, Dave. 👍

To voice my concerns a different way, because I’m not smart enough to understand electrical specs;

Is there a risk of burnout or stress with using a motor designed for 64mm conical burrs with 83mm flat burrs?

I appreciate they will have tested it it’s just there are rumours this was possibly rushed out to compete with the growing number of well regarded competing SD flats, competition that didn’t really exist when the Niche Zero was launched.

Obviously just rumours, not saying I agree or support those rumours at all, just curious.

Ernie1 there are rumours this was possibly rushed out to compete with the growing number of well regarded competing SD flats, competition that didn’t really exist when the Niche Zero was launched.

I didn’t know that. The more interesting question might be, what is their basis for making such statements?

DavecUK

No solid basis at all I don’t think. It’s speculation based on the unexpected launch with practically zero hype (admittedly very weird even from a marketing perspective if nothing else) and the possible need to get it out to compete with the other releases from the likes of Timemore I suppose.

There’s obviously every chance that the Duo will go on to see the same success and praise as the Zero, and I hope it does but I guess it’s the internet, you’ll always get naysayers.

dutchy101 They’ve most likely been developing and refining it for years

My thoughts exactly. And as I said before, it’s unlikely Niche would release something they are unhappy with. Take the df64 for example. It’s 3 years old and owners are still doing mods to it. Going by Niche’s reputation (let’s not forget the Zero was in the design/prototype phase for years), it will be a finished product.

Still, it would be great if Niche sent units away for open and honest feedback and/or demonstrating the product in a much deeper level of detail.

I’m not saying they made it overnight, we’d seen the patent applications, but it could’ve launched with limited testing. Not saying it did, just that it’s possible.

It’s just really unusual for any product in this day and age, especially to a specialist market, just appear with absolutely no announcement prior to release. Even without competition it just doesn’t make any sales sense at all.

Some would say

Not having every new product rammed down your throat.

Take the sculptor as an example, it’s being heavily promoted ATM, the 78s hasn’t been tested yet it’s amazing,

The new world of social media has alot to answer for in reality.

We are guilty as consumers, the likes of Amazon and YouTube/Instagram give us instant gratification, and we want everything yesterday.

I think launching on April fools is brilliant, why pay/give freebies to influencers when it’s spread across every forum and Facebook/Instagram page anyway, and on a plus point those scalpers who bought niche zeros won’t have a clue about it .

Ernie1 just appear with absolutely no announcement prior to release

If you think about it, it hasn’t been released yet. You can pre-order, but delivery is for July. You could argue that’s the announcement, and people are welcome to pre-order (or they can wait and buy when it’s readily available).

Fair points, as above, I’m hopeful. I’d been wanting a flat burr Niche for a long while.

MediumRoastSteam You could argue that’s the announcement,

As you say here and Cuprajake above, isn’t it refreshing that the established, and reputed company that it is is releasing this like this? You know their reputation, you know what they do, here is another product from them, no nonsense, just click if you want to buy one! It would be great to have some info/reviews on it before ordering but maybe the confidence/reputation is there to not need it? Compared to the big hype going around of other totally unknown stuff costing this and more at the moment I like it

JahLaza - I’m sure it’s a great grinder. I suppose people have different approaches to making an informed choice. You can trust someone based on reputation, of course. A grinder is not something I depend upon. I’m happy to wait until there’s more information about it out there.

MediumRoastSteam yes, I think it’s an interesting decision to go with the interchangeable burr sets. I’m not sure how that will play out- would you really want to be going through all that each time just for a different brew type? Maybe, might suit some, but dialling in then becomes more labour intensive as you try get it back to exactly wherever was woth the other burrs etc etc Maybe it’s the best balancing act rather than having two grinders in the kitchen. I too, am very interested to see/hear some feedback