analogdino
New member
Hi All.
I'm trying to get Cuisinart to improve their coffee grinder. Here the email exchange a while back:
For product design management
To whom it may concern.
We have Subject Burr Mill (grinder.) It works well enough, subject to the comments below.
Grind size:
The average setting (fine - medium - coarse) is very easy, however the amount of "fines" produced at any setting (above "fine") is excessive. The grind-size should be determined solely by the burr separation. In this unit I sense that, within the burr gap, there is an excessive "ballistic" action due to excessive grinder speed. As you know, this is why blade grinders are very poor, they are all ballistic action.
I did not measure the motor speed, but my guess is that it is close to 3,600 rpm (typical of a two pole AC motor)... I did not pursue this.
To test this premise I ran the grinder (in the workshop) from a variable AC source (Variac) to cut the speed. It will run down to 75 VAC at a slower speed, at which fewer fines are produced. However, it will not start or run at 70 volts due to low torque.
How to fix:
Reduce grinder speed. This could be done by using a 4 pole AC motor to get 1,500 rpm, or better by using a DC motor and speed control... for the DC motor I would target around 1,000 rpm maximum to minimise ballistic action and the production of "fines" when a medium or coarse grind is wanted.
Other:
Apart from the above, it is a pity that this unit will not grind directly into the espresso machine filter handle. Transferring ground coffee from the plastic box to the filter cannot be done without fine ground coffee being spilled (I do it over the sink.) I imagine an adapter could be made to allow the handle to be inserted under the burr outlet... I've not tried to design this!
On the subject of the plastic box, it is not very strong. It would be better if it were metal, whence it could incorporate the above mentioned handle filler.
I trust the above will lead to an improved grinder in due course.
Comments welcome...
Very best,
etc...
Their reply:
Hi Roger
Thank you for your email and our apologies for the delay as we're currently experiencing extremely high volumes. Your feedback is very important to us. I am forwarding your comments to our Quality Assurance team thank you for taking the time to write to us.
NOTE: Your reply will be answered according to your position in the queue, please avoid sending multiple emails as this will put you farther back in the queue and increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience.
Warm Regards
S.M - Conair Consumer Service Representative
My reply:
You said:
"... please avoid sending multiple emails as this will put you farther back in the queue and increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience."
Indeed, a good point. But you've had long enough!
Was my note actually sent to the product people? I am trying to help you make a better grinder. If you don't want advice, then please just say so... don't just ignore it.
Note: Since there is no thread attached to your reply, I have copied my original letter below. [not here]
Thank you.
Name etc...
Their reply:
Hi Roger
As mentioned your email was sent to your Quality Assurance team, thanks.
NOTE: Your reply will be answered according to your position in the queue, please avoid sending multiple emails as this will put you farther back in the queue and increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience.
Warm Regards
S.M - Conair Consumer Service Representative
Then total silence... this was well over a month ago. I hesitate to write again!
So, I conclude that Cuisinart is not interested in any of this and that their "customer service" is just a vehicle for a sales pitch and warranty claims. I'm not trying to dump on Cuisinart... we have a number of its products in the kitchen and most work very well.
I'd appreciate comments from this august group; many thanks for all replies.
Cheers,
Roger
I'm trying to get Cuisinart to improve their coffee grinder. Here the email exchange a while back:
For product design management
To whom it may concern.
We have Subject Burr Mill (grinder.) It works well enough, subject to the comments below.
Grind size:
The average setting (fine - medium - coarse) is very easy, however the amount of "fines" produced at any setting (above "fine") is excessive. The grind-size should be determined solely by the burr separation. In this unit I sense that, within the burr gap, there is an excessive "ballistic" action due to excessive grinder speed. As you know, this is why blade grinders are very poor, they are all ballistic action.
I did not measure the motor speed, but my guess is that it is close to 3,600 rpm (typical of a two pole AC motor)... I did not pursue this.
To test this premise I ran the grinder (in the workshop) from a variable AC source (Variac) to cut the speed. It will run down to 75 VAC at a slower speed, at which fewer fines are produced. However, it will not start or run at 70 volts due to low torque.
How to fix:
Reduce grinder speed. This could be done by using a 4 pole AC motor to get 1,500 rpm, or better by using a DC motor and speed control... for the DC motor I would target around 1,000 rpm maximum to minimise ballistic action and the production of "fines" when a medium or coarse grind is wanted.
Other:
Apart from the above, it is a pity that this unit will not grind directly into the espresso machine filter handle. Transferring ground coffee from the plastic box to the filter cannot be done without fine ground coffee being spilled (I do it over the sink.) I imagine an adapter could be made to allow the handle to be inserted under the burr outlet... I've not tried to design this!
On the subject of the plastic box, it is not very strong. It would be better if it were metal, whence it could incorporate the above mentioned handle filler.
I trust the above will lead to an improved grinder in due course.
Comments welcome...
Very best,
etc...
Their reply:
Hi Roger
Thank you for your email and our apologies for the delay as we're currently experiencing extremely high volumes. Your feedback is very important to us. I am forwarding your comments to our Quality Assurance team thank you for taking the time to write to us.
NOTE: Your reply will be answered according to your position in the queue, please avoid sending multiple emails as this will put you farther back in the queue and increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience.
Warm Regards
S.M - Conair Consumer Service Representative
My reply:
You said:
"... please avoid sending multiple emails as this will put you farther back in the queue and increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience."
Indeed, a good point. But you've had long enough!
Was my note actually sent to the product people? I am trying to help you make a better grinder. If you don't want advice, then please just say so... don't just ignore it.
Note: Since there is no thread attached to your reply, I have copied my original letter below. [not here]
Thank you.
Name etc...
Their reply:
Hi Roger
As mentioned your email was sent to your Quality Assurance team, thanks.
NOTE: Your reply will be answered according to your position in the queue, please avoid sending multiple emails as this will put you farther back in the queue and increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience.
Warm Regards
S.M - Conair Consumer Service Representative
Then total silence... this was well over a month ago. I hesitate to write again!
So, I conclude that Cuisinart is not interested in any of this and that their "customer service" is just a vehicle for a sales pitch and warranty claims. I'm not trying to dump on Cuisinart... we have a number of its products in the kitchen and most work very well.
I'd appreciate comments from this august group; many thanks for all replies.
Cheers,
Roger
