Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I used to own a german made wooden box grinder of similar price that I used for a little over 6 years, but the main problem with that grinder was that the grind was not consistent because the screw adjustment for the burr would keep moving. This was a big problem while trying to grind for my espresso machine, since inconsistent grind changes the quality of the pull in a big way. I've been using the Porlex JP-30 every day for about two months now, and these are my impressions and comparisons with my former box grinder. First off, the locking mechanism used to adjust the grind is as advertised, it locks and doesn't change the grind on the fly. I did have to search on the web to find that the best grind position for espresso, and how to adjust the grind position (the adjustment mechanism is on the bottom of the grinder, and is the nut that "clicks" when you move it), because my Japanese isn't as great as it used to be (the manual is indeed only in Japanese). Espresso grind according to the web is two stops from the finest position. The grind has been very consistent, hasn't changed at all through use. A few observations that might be helpful for anyone else thinking of buying this. The grinder is long and narrow, very similar ergonomically and aesthetically to a medium sized high-end pepper mill. I've had to adopt a different "technique" for grinding than my old box grinder. Essentially I use it just like a pepper mill, with both hands going in opposite directions while grinding, in order to generate enough force. This may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but for the people who want to grind directly into the portafilter or into an aeropress, and to keep the bottom of the mill stable in one place, I can imagine that it would be harder than first thought. The burrs are about half way up the side of the mill, and the bottom half of the mill separates from the top half and is the holder. I grind into the bottom of the mill. At full capacity, the grinder will grind 4 tablespoons of espresso ground coffee. Grinding feels relatively fast or comparable with other grinders I've used. Build quality is excellent, can't imagine that the ceramic burrs will become dull in my lifetime. Very happy with the product in the end, would recommend it.