The ANFIM Mill is out of stock and is not being imported into the U.S. anymore! You can still buy it with the Pasquini tags on it, and you will pay a lot more. Luckily, the Rocky SS Mill without a doser is a really, really fine replacement - read the Rancilio Rocky review!
Some people are just not happy with consumer-model coffee mills, and that's understandable. It amazes me that nobody has invented the burr mill equivalent of the ubiquitous "whirling blade" grinder: inexpensive, rugged, reliable. Alas, the whirling blade produces grind like rubble from a landslide.
For those who want a near-professional quality mill, not specifically for espresso, we offer the doser-less Italian-made ANFIM Haus Mill. ANFIM is a behind-the-scenes manufacturer, hence no bold badge on the mill. In fact, ANFIM makes high-end home and commercial mills for several Italian makers, most noticeably in the US home market, Pasquini. This is the same chassis and internals as the Pasquini Moka mill, without the doser.
This mill performs well throughout the grind range, with the only drawback being that in the fine espresso settings (ristretto grind) it takes 30 seconds to produce 15 grams for a double shot. That's not a big complaint, considering that the quality of the grind from the 50 mm machined burrs is very respectable! From extremely coarse to Turkish fine, and you have 360 degrees and 25 numbers and 50 stops on the setting dial to play with.
This is one solid chunk of metal, weighing in at 14 Lbs. The motor is powerful and grinding is quiet. It is a 100 watt motor, but I have no exact rating for the RPM -compared to Mazzer and Ditting, I would guesstimate it at 1300 RPM. It is 15.5" high, 6.5 inches wide, and 8" deep with the apron.
A problem: It does hold back a small amount of grind in the chute, a problem with every coffee mill including professional ones. It's a complaint people have with dosers on espresso mills too. In cupping, the standard is to toss a few beans into the mill and grind them to clear the last coffee. I keep a little rubber mallet by the mills, and tap the chute a couple times as the burrs spins. The chute comes off with one screw -I thought that I might see if I can dispense coffee without the chute, but haven't tried it yet. The coffee dispenses without static and without scattering. As someone who wants a versatile grinder that can do perfect espresso too, but doesn't want a doser, the ANFIM is a perfect match.
ANFIM Haus Mill, Nero (Black) $269 (+ 15 Lbs. Shipping) Out of stock forever! This review is for reference only ...