Solis Crema Maestro G 285
Conical Burr Grinder

 

Product Features

• Anti Static Design   
• Grind Coffee For Any Brewing Method  
• Automatic & Manual Operation   
• Swiss Made Grinding Wheels   
• Easy to Clean  

Product Description

The Swiss made Solis Crema Maestro G 285 Conical Burr Grinder is an attractive and featured filled coffee grinder that produces all types of coffee. Its 40mm conical burr grinders and 40 grind settings operate under the power of a 240 watt DC motor.

The Solis Maestro is extremely quiet when running and its design prevents the usual static cling of the coffee. A nice feature indeed.

Reviews on the Solis coffee grinder include comments on the unit being one of the quiestest machines available, as well as providing a consistent grind and being well built. Negatives have mentioned the unit being a bit pricey and messy.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Swiss made conical burr grinder with 240 watt DC motor.
  
  
• Very quiet operation with 40 grind settings and reduced static.

Customer Reviews

Customer Review #1
"The grinder is all I expected it to be and more. It's very quiet, consistant in the grind quality, and doesn't throw coffee all over like my previous grinder. In fact, it doesn't leak at all and there is little, if any static electricity.
Great little grinder.
N Feero
Half Moon Bay, CA "
- Actual review from Amazon.com

Customer Review #2
"As far as grinders go, this one is a beauty. The Solis Maestro is quiet and easy to load. It does not send coffee all over the counter like many cheaper machines. The coffee goes straight down into a plastic container that pulls out. You can also grind coffee straight into your portafilter if you have an espresso machine. I looked at lots of machines and chose this one because it can grind for espresso, drip, or french press. It is quiet and fast. First thing in the morning I cannot handle a roaring machine that spits coffee grinds everywhere. Most coffee grinders are messy. The Solis Maestro is neat. It has conical burrs so the grind comes out perfect. If you are thinking about a blade grinder, imagine weed wacking your coffee. Burr grinders give an even grind.

This model has a timer feature on the side. It does not have markings so I call it a guess timer. This does not bother me because I usually just hit the button right on the front of the machine. You just hold it until your beans are finished grinding. This machine does not have much of a static problem. Most of the coffee just slides out. The machine is skinny enough to fit on your counter easily. Out of the box, it seems like a lightweight. Ahhh...looks can be deceiving. This grinder makes coffee making fun and easy. It grinds those beans in a skinny minute. Cleaning has not been a problem. The directions are pretty easy. Fill with beans and hit the button.

This machine gives professional results without investing a fortune. Of course, I spent over two hundred dollars on an espresso machine. But my $35.00 coffee maker really loves freshly ground beans from my Maestro. The coffee has improved by about half because of the quality grind I am filling the machine with each morning. I bought my grinder online and plan on having this thing for years. The plastic bean bin might have to be replaced one day. Nothing is perfect.."
- Actual review from Epinions.com

Customer Review #3
"THE GOOD: I have used the Solis Maestro daily for over a year. I've gained some serious experience with it. It's a nice, slick machine that produces a good, even, fine grind for espresso (about all we ever grind around here). It runs quietly and doesn't have static electricity problems. The lower hopper fits well so it seals tightly. And it has a self-timer - which is useless. Why useless?

THE BAD: This thing has INEXCUSABLE feed problems. Beans will slide smoothly into the grinding "burrs" for only a few seconds without assistance. It's bad enough that my wife gets frustrated and abusive with the machine, so I have assumed the bean-grinding responsibility.

I have found NO beans that will simply feed into the burrs without constant help: rocking, banging, poking with spoon or chopstick, etc. I've heard that "oily beans" or "large beans" may have a problem: but in a year I have found NO beans, none - not oily, not dry, not big, not small - that feed without constant attention.

Rocking or banging the machine keeps the beans moving, but knocks the burrs together when on the finest settings - this causes burr damage! I've found that a bamboo chopstick is the best feed-assist tool; if it is nicked by the rotating burr, it causes no damage. Best approach is a gentle poking and sweeping motion through a half-filled hopper.

THE UGLY TRUTH: you must figure that EACH time you use the machine, you will give it FULL-time attention, feeding the beans down the hopper.

ENGINEERING: As a mechanical engineer, I think the problem should (and could) be addressed by the manufacturer. I believe they had to have discovered this in development and pre-release testing, but released it anyway. I think this is reprehensible.

The machine runs smoothly and quietly and doesn't vibrate like cheaper grinders; but probably this smoothness exacerbates the problem. Perhaps a bump, or bumps, on top of the rotating burr would "cam" the descending beans with each rotation, and keep them disturbed and moving. Or perhaps a central polyethylene or Teflon plug above the rotating central burr would occupy that space and keep beans from interlocking and packing there, and "bridging" the burr-set. Perhaps some combination, with a rotating central Teflon plug which is cammed toward the top, and relieved toward the bottom... anyway, I've intended to try some experiments, but haven't yet. Has anyone else?"
- Actual review from Amazon.com