• Grinders

  • Niche Zero - One Year in Review

JHCCoffee I found the review to be quite unbalanced and I’m still scratching my head wondering what chemical ingestion produced such an strange rant.

The thing with Hoffman is that he’s very careful to qualify comments that he makes about his personal preferences e.g. “but that’s just me and there are many other who like this style and you may be one of them …”. In other words, Hoffman is the personifciation of the diplomatic Englishman. Hendricks seems to be more “gunboat diplomacy” style. (Still of Britich origin I know but never let the facts get in the way of humor).

Lance, good guy that I"m sure he is, comes across as a bit too much like Kaafetitus (Greek God for coffee that I just made up) as in “thus I have spoken”. I suspect @DavecUK is right in that he may be trying to create engagement and you certainly do that when you voice strong opinions. YouTube comments go up, advertising goes up.

And to be fair, sinking my hard earned into a new piece of kit has a knack of making me a tad more sensitive to critisism about my new toy.

      tompoland And to be fair, sinking my hard earned into a new piece of kit has a knack of making me a tad more sensitive to critisism about my new toy.

      Honest question: Does that make you bias, maybe unconsciously, when you review your equipment? 🤔

          MediumRoastSteam fair question.

          IMHO it’s impossible not have some unconscious bias. It goes with being human.

          Just adding another thought @MediumRoastSteam : I would say though that if a grinder goes “clunk-whack-bang”, it does have a way of cutting through any unconscious bias!

          And that’s OK so long as I stay aware that my conclusions / preferences aren’t universally applicable. Not just because of some degree of inescapable bias but also because everyone has a different experience of reality.

          That’s why it’s always “just my two bobs worth”.

            PS speaking of reviews, just finished the review of the Olympia Moca SD. It’s now with Olympia for the manufacturer’s right of reply. Due to post it in ten days time.

            When I bought my first niche I sold it within the week, couldn’t see what all th fuss was about 🤣

            Now I’m more learned I have a niche,

            But use the mazzer 😜

            Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

            tompoland yeah I’ve watched her vids for quite a while on YouTube, seems quite grounded tbf. Takes guts to have that level of pressure upon you.

            Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

              JHCCoffee I am sorry I came off as insulting! Was not my intent. I actually tried really hard to ensure I was sensitive to those who enjoy it. I am a firm believer in “enjoy what you enjoy.” But, I had loads of people telling me of their buyer’s remorse when the Niche was not all it was cracked up to be. I originally was not going to make a Niche video because, well, I did not enjoy it much outside of traditional espresso. I only made the video (and tried tiptoeing) because I thought it might help people who are easily influenced with the fandom surrounding the Niche.

                  tompoland I buy most of what I have, to be fair. I overspent my Youtube and Patreon money last year by a few grand. Spent $24,000 and made$ 20,000. So I was in a $4k deficit. This year will be even worse since I built a studio. Side note- it’s not very cool saying a fellow creator had a “chemical ingestion.” I have championed a few of your videos to others. So, that kind of sucks.

                      Inspector just to be sure, I made the review first and only after, reached out to try and make a burr. In the end, John took the idea and made a burrset without me. I would never deceive. Authenticity is my number one priority, hence keeping a full time job at Onyx Coffee Lab. Youtube is a side thing for me, not full time like so many others. I want to be able to keep me on the channel, hence you have never seen me use sponsors or paid ads. I have never used affiliate links (just started an amazon one but I don’t push it) like Fellow, etc, as others. I just make what I want to make. Of course, there is nothing I can really say to prove this other than my word. Cheers and thanks for giving it a watch, regardless!

                        @lancehedrick

                        I don’t think the niche was ever really touted for really light roasts was it, esp being conical it will lend itself to more a traditional shot.

                        I have a mazzer major and a niche but I 90% use the mazzer with its flat burrs for med-light.

                        More traditional or milk stuff is in the niche for guests or the Mrs

                        So with that being said what’s your go to espresso grinder for your preferred Bean.

                        Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                          Cuprajake totally! But, it has been touted as a catch all- I even saw a few argue that in this thread. Those voices had been gaining popularity without any pushback. The DMs were growing of people asking me how I make lighter coffees and pourovers on my niche, so I figured i’d film a video.
                          I do enjoy the niche if i’m feeling a more traditional lever style shot. But, most of the time, I am not feeling that. I tend to enjoy the EG1 with core burrs or playing around with HU burrs on the DF64. If I’m doing something like a turbo or allonge, then either ULF burrs on EG1 or MP burrs of df64

                            It’s a hard one with grinders,

                            The niche is £500 and the Weber 4k I think, so it should perform better

                            I’ve never looked at th niche that way I’ve always seen it as a good entry into better coffee. Remember when it launched there wasn’t anything really like it esp the price point, you had the mignons, or sette. That was about it.

                            Now with all these 64mm grinders there’s an influx of different burrs, there no longer reserved for the big burr grinders anymore.

                            The df64/solo did need modding too. Not sure the new models do.

                            Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                              Cuprajake certainly! I don’t mean to pit the EG1 vs the niche. When I made that video, i did not have an eg1 haha.

                              also, to get a niche in the states, it is about $800 or more. In lots of countries, it is well over$ 1000 (in AUS, like $1600 or so). the rising prices and limited availability also leave loads of people upset, thinking they can’t be a part of this cool online club without the grinder. At that price point, I just want to ensure people tehre are awesome alternatives, often better.

                                True I didn’t look at it globally I suppose

                                Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                                  Cuprajake I can’t speak to this, but I had many people tell me there were extra charges they had to pay on the niche that were pocketed. This is hearsay, but some of the prices people told me they paid are quite insane. Even in Portugal, one said there was an added 200 or so euro price that was not the VAT.

                                    It’s true during covid when they became limited, there were niche selling new for £800 rrp£500

                                    Genuine buyers were losing out.

                                    Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                                      I just wish they did more than just Hu burrs for my mazzer.

                                      Would love to try different styles, but don’t know if it’s a down grade going to 64mm when I’ve been spoilt with 83

                                      Decent De1pro v1.45 - Niche Duo - Niche Zero - Decent is the best machine ever made -

                                        Cuprajake he now has a brew burr available! Just came out within the last coupel of months. I haven’t gotten my hands on them yet, though

                                            lancehedrick I am sorry I came off as insulting! Was not my intent. I actually tried really hard to ensure I was sensitive to those who enjoy it. I am a firm believer in “enjoy what you enjoy.” But, I had loads of people telling me of their buyer’s remorse when the Niche was not all it was cracked up to be. I originally was not going to make a Niche video because, well, I did not enjoy it much outside of traditional espresso. I only made the video (and tried tiptoeing) because I thought it might help people who are easily influenced with the fandom surrounding the Niche.

                                            Lance, apology accepted. I am sure that you were well meaning. And I know that you have alot of expertise is your field, that you wish to share. I welcome the information, as all opinions are helpful. And there are many.

                                            Now, you will have to for a moment put up with a lecture from a senior citizen. Please take this as constructive comment from someone who has experienced interaction with many egos.

                                            There seem to be many many “experts” in your chosen coffee profession. They seem to agree on some things but disagree on alot. A number have oversized egos. It is difficult for us consumers to sort out the wheat from the chaff. But we are (for the most part) intelligent people, including those of us that have taken on espresso as a hobby. In this light, disparaging remarks, even if veiled, even if well intended, are not well received.

                                            All of us on this board that bought the NZ are knowledgeable, thoughtful, intelligent people who researched their NZ purchase very carefully, including consulting amongst one another as to their experiences. Towards that end, everyone on this board has been and continues to be generous and helpful. I (and others) made a thoughtful and conscious decision to buy the NZ. Accordingly we do not appreciate being considered ignorant for doing so.

                                            You (and we) all have knowledge and experience in our chosen professions. With age comes the wisdom that while while we may be more knowledgeable than others in some areas, we are not their betters. In the end, we all look the same in our graves. It is difficult for some executives and experts to realize that their advice is better received if delivered with respect, consideration and a dose of humility.

                                            And as my wife likes to say …. “Its just coffee”. There are many more important issues to be solved in our time.

                                            May I suggest that you remove your well intended review from Youtube and replace it with a humbler and more respectful video.

                                            That’s it for my senior citizens lecture. I suspect that you are an affable fellow that I will like if we ever meet in person.