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).

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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? :)

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

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.

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

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.

dutchy101

30g between brew methods?? Wow.

I remember when getting into home espresso about 18 months ago and looking for my first set up. I saw so many recommendations for the Niche at the time. My heart broke when I saw it was £500. I had no idea of the importance of a grinder at the time. Especially when this was more than I was planning to spend on my machine in the first place.

What’s interesting about the Niche is I have never seen anyone say it’s not worth the money and the build quality and versatility seem brilliant as an all rounder.

I personally opted for the Solo over the Niche when I upgraded my grinder, mainly based on looks. I saved myself £100 and a wait in the process, but from a workflow perspective, the Niche would win the test hands down. Not that it bothers me, but it might for a lot of people.

For home use, I’d struggle to see why anyone would want anything other than a single dose designed grinder and the Niche was the catalyst for that sentiment as far as I understand (hand grinders excluded).

Ernie1

I completely agree and if I could rewind a few months I’d certainly get the Niche. Embarrassingly it was recommended at the time against the x54.

I suppose my justification was that at the time, I had an espresso machine I didn’t particularly enjoy using. It was slow and not hugely user friendly and I stuck with hopper-fed grinders so I could just speed up the coffee making process. Fill the hopper with a bean my partner and I like, get it dialled in and then coffee making was quick(ish) and convenient.

I’ve since bought the Lelit Bianca which has been a game changer. It’s gotten me excited about coffee again in the same way when I discovered the V60 and a Baratza grinder about 12 years ago.

So now single dosing and subsequently the Niche are a lot more appealing.

Frothbewithyou

I own a X54 and while I understand the ‘want’ for a niche and your personal experience. I’ve seen retention levels of less than 0.2g and purging required of maybe 3grams if I haven’t quite switched over bags at the right time. I use a full bag of beans….hoover during change of bean and I alway tap (the dispenser funnel) after my programmed times.
Now I will probably purchase a second hand grinder for workflow purposes (and I’m experimenting with more bean variety) but I haven’t had any bother with switching between grind sizes daily.
Obviously as many followers on here know, I’m not an ‘enthusiast’ per say, so if you looking at the minute detailing regarding grinders then some more experienced fellows have multiple devices they have tried and tested.
I just felt the need to add my personal experience with the X54 as an ‘all rounder’.

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.

DavecUK

Pompeyexile 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 changin

It’s really not worth doing, just use it as designed. I don’t believe you can taste or see any real difference in the shots.

Pompeyexile

DavecUK It’s really not worth doing, just use it as designed. I don’t believe you can taste or see any real difference in the shots.

And I don’t mean that sarcastically. I just know my betters when it comes to this topic.

DavecUK

Pompeyexile The best way to think about it is, assuming a grinder that’s done at least 4 shots after any cleaning and not been puffed, or slapped about.

You grind 18.10g and get 17.95 out = 0.15g discrepancy
You grind 18.10g and get 18. 08g out = 0.20g discrepancy
You grind 18.05g and get 18.15 out = 0.1g discrepancy

This is typically what I see with medium to medium light roast bean at espresso grind. Variations so small they have no effect on the extraction or taste within the cup.

I talked about an “Exchange” figure, which I directly measured on the Niche, from memory I think it was 0.3g. Please note if Eureka quote an exchange figure on their new grinder, it has to be an estimated one, there being no way to measure it. I believe retention was around 0.7g. The total retention sets the maximum exchange weight that’s possible, for obvious reasons.

I’m going to introduce 1 new concept here which I think I kept out of the review to keep it simple. “Retention” is of two types. Static and Dynamic..Static is the stuff that will never move and dynamic is the stuff capable of participating in “Exchange”

Keeping all the above in mind and the fact that only a portion of coffee available for exchange, actually does exchange, which is a reasonable assumption. In every 18g grind, you might get up to 0.3 g of coffee from the previous grind, it can of course be much less..

All using the puffer does is bring out that part of the coffee that would participate in exchange for the next grind (the dynamic portion of retained grinds)…so if for example you got 0.4g out, you are simply going to lower the grind consistency by an extra 0.1g and be puffing again to get all the coffee out….you will be forced to use the puffer all the time in your workflow.

All this faff for eliminating up to a maximum of 0.3g of exchange, which you see any effect from, in extraction or in the cup. A single coffee bean only weighs about 0.8g!!

There are a few things people do with the Niche which is pointless and counterproductive

Banging the lid, the grinder, or rocking it to get more out
Frequently calibrating, which is absolutely pointless, you do not need to calibrate after cleaning, unless you accidentally moved the black clicky ring with the grind indicator on it.

Pompeyexile

Now this is the type of advice I like! Backed up by proper facts in a way even a dullard can understand.
I think you should start a thread Dave called ‘Mythbuster!’ You could save a lot of people a lot of time and money.

DavecUK

Pompeyexile I think you should start a thread Dave called ‘Mythbuster!’ You could save a lot of people a lot of time and money.

It would just make people unhappy.

I sometimes feel like setting up a webcam in the kitchen so people can see every single shot….and my general lack of any shot prep.

gotters

I agree on the taste aspect of not worrying about exchange or a fraction of a gram left in the machine

What annoys me though is mess, so the puffer gets all the leftover out (as does a cupped hand lightly tapping) which ensures every time you nudge the machine or move it you don’t get that stuff falling out onto the wooden holder or into the cup.

From the looks of some YouTubers set ups and posts people put online there are varying degrees of OCD about having a bit of ground coffee lying around.

It annoys the hell out of me though.

Ernie1

I must admit that is one big plus of the x54. It is by a margin the cleanest grinder I’ve owned and barely even leaves any debris around the chute let alone random dumps on the tray.

Pompeyexile

So I suppose the reason the DF64 has the bellows must be for two reasons…

Because it has more grinds left inside after a dose compared to the Niche.
It is trying to be all things to all men including the OCD amongst us.
It’s a sales gimmick because as a certain supermarket chains says…‘Every little helps’

DavecUK

Pompeyexile So I suppose the reason the DF64 has the bellows must be for two reasons…

You actually listed 3 reasons… 🤣

The whole Bellows thing is just not the Niche way of doing things….done right, a grinder shouldn’t really need a bellows. The 4th reason related to the 1st you mentioned is that as grinds build up, they accumulate faster and faster, until the retention is more significant. So puffing them out helps stop this accumulation.

With the Niche, this is unnecessary.

Pompeyexile

DavecUK You actually listed 3 reasons… 🤣

Maths was never my strong point, more of a home economics kinda guy. My teacher said I made the best shortbread she had ever tasted… from an eleven year-old.

DavecUK

Pompeyexile

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