Aspiring Niche owner… how well does it switch between brew methods?

Ernie1

Shamefully I’ve been a bit stubborn about the Niche since it was released. I’ve always thought the industrial design looks great and it’s hard to argue with so many glowing reviews, but I’ve favoured flat-burr grinders from more established brands and haven’t really been inclined to single dose up until now.

However, in light of continued dissatisfaction with my current grinder (x54), the hope of finding one grinder that covers all brew methods and my growing inclination to start single dosing more often, the Niche is making a lot of sense.

The multiple brew method thing is a big deal for me. I make at least two V60 cups every morning, occasionally a MoccaMaster if family or friends are over, and at least two to three espressos every day.

Whilst the x54 doesn’t do a terrible job of either brew or espresso, switching between them is a pain and wastes enormous amounts of purged coffee.

I tried a Fellow Ode as a dedicated brew grinder since it’s small and looks great, but I returned it… so much potential but SO MUCH MESS. Grinds all over the cup and then all over the work surface… For £300 I really shouldn’t need to stir beans with a wet teaspoon to make up for design decisions. Also I didn’t really rate the performance for making single cups on lighter roasts. A shame, as like all the other Fellow stuff, it looks great.

I know the Niche is clearly a fantastic performer for each individual brew method, but how is it for switching between methods on almost every use? Ideally I’d love to just grind a few doses of filter in the morning, then two espresso doses in the afternoon and not have to worry about running a dial-in shot before each espresso.

I appreciate it’s a tall order but I’d love to just have one grinder that does it all.

Thanks!

(I’m aware they’re not immediately available but happy to wait).

Rob1

It’s perfect for switching between brew methods. You just need to run it while adjusting finer and drop a bean or two in to clear any retention out. So long as you don’t move the black calibration ring while you’re adjusting you’ll find you can move it back to where it was easy and get the same results…the adjustment is not sensitive and is very forgiving of minute differences. Much easier to dial in than flats which I believe it common to conicals.

Will not discuss flat vs conical as it’s personal preference and you can alter ratios to suit taste but can say I have an 83mm flat Ceado I don’t use anymore. And I drink light or medium roast generally, can’t remember the last time I had a dark roast.

Ernie1

That’s really helpful, thanks.

I must admit I don’t really have a rational preference for large flat burrs other than their speed. I’ve had many a coffee I’ve preferred from a conical.

I better get an order in!

gotters

I’m no expert but what I’ve noticed from some reviews is that several grinders need the adjustment knob turning several times and its a clock face like scale but without any actual numerics on it, so you do 3.5 turns for example

What I love with the Niche is that I’ve not found a need to go between the marked numbers on the dial and have made espresso in my Robot (not that often but done it) and it’s simply a half turn or so from the espresso end of the scale to the bit I use for my Clever several times a day.

Couldn’t be easier and recalibrating is a piece of cake too taking mere seconds.

PortafilterProcrastinator

I use my Niche to go from pourover (c.83) to CCD/ Moka Pot (c.32-35) regularly. I often make a CCD (long steep, so 45-60min) and then make a pourover to have immediately.

All very easy. Making big changes going finer I run the burrs every 5-10 ‘steps’ on the dial.

Are there more fines when grinding pourover immediately after grinding for the others? Yes, slightly. Does it make a difference in the cup? Not materially, to me. I do think bellows would help being more thorough, but I’ve not found any I like yet.

I don’t think any grinder can be perfect, especially when making large changes to grind size.

Ernie1

Thanks for the helpful replies.

I realise I’m asking a lot to expect a grinder to switch from pourover to a light espresso grind and back without faff. I’m willing to give it a go.

I simply don’t have the counter space for a second grinder, between the Bianca, which is massive, the Moccamaster, x54 (also a fairly large footprint) brew kettle and soon an RO unit… as you can imagine the frequent ‘So when are you opening the coffee bar in our kitchen?’ comments suggest more equipment is not the best idea.

DavecUK

Ernie1 I realise I’m asking a lot to expect a grinder to switch from pourover to a light espresso grind and back without faff. I’m willing to give it a go.

If you want a single dosing, small footprint grinder that switches easily between brew and espresso….There is very few options. If you want one that seems to have proven the test of time…there’s only 1 option.

Ernie1

Very true!

Pompeyexile

A proven, single dosing, small footprint machine with the ability to switch between brew and espresso? Well that sounds like it’s a bit of a niche product to me. I wonder what it is? :)

ken0062

I tried using my niche for both espresso and filter but soon got fed up chopping and changing the settings and in the end reverted back to hand grinder for filter (aergrind) I know it is a lot easier than most but still think a seperate good quality hand grinder is the way to go

DavecUK

ken0062 I guess if people already have a good hand grinder, it can make sense to use if for filter duty, as they grind pretty fast at filer settings.

Ernie1

I totally agree the ideal solution is two grinders. I had such high hopes for the Fellow!

Niche plans are frustratingly on hold until I figure out what to do with the grinder I can’t return or sell…

DavecUK

Ernie1 Niche plans are frustratingly on hold until I figure out what to do with the grinder I can’t return or sell…

Is this the Fellow Ode?…I don’t know much about it…

Pompeyexile

Well, I’m gtting closer to ordering the Niche as two thirds of my money from Ebay has come through. Having listened to what others are saying here about maybe using their hand grinder for pour over and the Niche just for espresso, If I find it a bit of a grind (pun intended) in changing the Niche settings, then I can use my ROK grinder for pour over etc and the Niche for Espresso…Sorted!

DavecUK

Pompeyexile I personally find it very easy to switch between grind methods. Just remember the number of the espresso setting and you can go right back to it without a problem.

Pompeyexile

DavecUK e I personally find it very easy to switch between grind methods. Just remember the number of the espresso setting and you can go right back to it without a problem.

Once I get my Niche I will try and switch between grinds of course, just to see how I get on. But I guess it’s good to know I will have an alternative method should I need it.

I will however buy one ‘accessory’ that looks like it is worth it (unless you tell me different) one of those sputum cup thingys for puffing out those very few grinds left behind, especially for when I’m changing beans.

ken0062

I also found it very easy to switch between grind methods its just the nagging tempation to purge a few beans through every time you change or I always get the feeling there will be a few fines left from the old settings

hornbyben

I switch most days and have never had an issue, just remember what number you were on.

The only time I had a problem was when I forgot to switch it back and tried to do an espresso at 35 grind setting. It was too much for the basket, so I had to spoon some out, and then it went really fast. Only then did I realise my mistake 🤦

Ernie1

@DavecUK

It was the Fellow Ode yes, I bought it as a dedicated brew grinder. Form-factor wise it’s perfect. Sadly in my experience it struggled with light roasts for one-cup (couldn’t go fine enough) but the bigger issue it makes enormous amount of mess due to the design (and static). Both issues can be helped by spraying the beans and upgrading the burrs but it’s already a £300 grinder.

I returned it as I only had it a week.

The one I’d like to return so I can afford a Niche is the x54, but the retailer isn’t having any of it and I feel it’s not really fair to sell it privately when I’m aware of issues with it.

DavecUK

Ernie1 The one I’d like to return so I can afford a Niche is the x54

Really, I had read only good things about the X54 when it was first launched…I must admit, I have not kept tabs on it since. Lots of very happy YouTube reviewers all saying great things.

Ernie1

As a clean, quiet, 54mm flat grinder, which grinds well in a ‘set it and forget it’ way, I can’t complain. I like how it looks and when it’s dialled-in it isn’t a bad grinder. I’ve had some really good results in the cup. It’s also pretty well put together.

But then for £500, if that’s all you want it for there are obviously better options. Someone on Home-Barista put it well in saying it’s an overpriced entry-level grinder dressed as an EK65.

I sold my Mazzer E to buy it because I wanted to grind for different brew methods, but I’ve ended up with a grinder that does the same thing but not as well.

My big issue is that it simply does not do what it is marketed to do without costly compromises. Realistically it needs a 30g purge between changes, even small ones, and the small, stiff dial makes it incredibly difficult to make small adjustments.

Perhaps I was naive believing the marketing hype!

I’ve been hovering over the Niche buy button regardless. We’ll see how long my self control lasts.