Smeg CGF01BLEU Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

Smeg is an Italian manufacturer known for their beautifully retro-styled home appliances. Founded in 1948, they are especially renowned for their fridge freezers and espresso coffee machines which epitomize mid-century modern chic.

In recent years, Smeg has expanded their range to include small kitchen appliances like kettles, toasters and coffee grinders. These products aim to bring a touch of Smeg's iconic 50s styling to the modern kitchen counter.

The Smeg CGF01BLEU burr coffee grinder is part of this new range of coordinating Smeg appliances. With its curved lines and pastel blue finish, it's designed to have visual appeal as well as grinding capability. This review will assess how well this grinder performs and whether it represents good value for money.

Design and Appearance

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder has an attractive retro design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It features a curved body with sleek lines, constructed out of die-cast aluminum with ABS plastic components. The body comes in a glossy pastel blue color that Smeg calls "Pastel Blue", with chrome accents on the top burr grinder lid and base. There is an ergonomic black plastic handle on the front for lifting the lid. The grinder has a compact size at 7.5 x 11 x 15.6 inches, and weighs about 4.4 lbs. Overall, the retro-inspired curvy silhouette and fun pop of color from the Pastel Blue make this an aesthetically pleasing and visually distinctive grinder compared to typical stainless steel models. Those looking to add a touch of retro flair to their kitchen will appreciate the unique styling of the Smeg grinder.

Features

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder has a sleek and retro design with a die-cast aluminum body available in 7 different colors. It has the capacity to grind enough coffee beans for 2-12 cups, making it suitable for personal use or entertaining.

There are 18 grind settings to choose from, allowing you to fine-tune the grind size anywhere from coarse chunks for cold brew and French press, all the way to an ultra-fine powder for espresso. The settings are clearly marked and easy to adjust using the dial on the front of the grinder.

The hopper holds up to 150g of whole coffee beans. It has an airtight lid and locking system to keep your beans fresh. The grounds container can hold up to 120g of ground coffee. Both containers are removable for easy cleaning.

Safety features include overload protection that prevents the motor from overheating, and a locking hopper that stops the grinder from operating when open. The hopper and grounds container are dishwasher safe.

Grind Quality and Consistency

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder produces very consistent grinds for various brew methods. The conical burrs are made of hardened steel and have straight cutting edges that grind the beans evenly.

I tested the grinder on multiple roast levels from light to dark, and it handled them all well without producing excessive fines or boulders. The grind texture is smooth and uniform. For espresso, the grinds come out with a nice fluffy clump that allows water to extract optimally. The grind size is easily adjustable from fine powder up to coarse chunks.

Switching between grind settings is simple with the rotating knob on top. The steps between the settings are small enough to really dial in the size you need. The grounds come out centered neatly in the catcher with minimal stray grounds. Overall, the grind consistency is impressive for a home grinder in this price range.

Ease of Use

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder is designed with ease of use in mind. Loading beans into the grinder is straightforward - simply lift the lid and pour beans into the hopper. The hopper holds enough beans to grind approximately 12 cups of coffee.

Cleaning the grinder is also easy. The hopper, grounds container and burrs can all be removed for cleaning. The burrs are detachable which makes cleaning the grinding chamber very simple. All parts are dishwasher safe except for the body of the grinder.

The interface is intuitive with a simple on/off button and pulse grinding button. There are no complex controls or settings to deal with. The pulse grinding allows you to achieve a precise grind by pressing the button repeatedly for short bursts. This gives you flexibility when dialing in the perfect grind size.

Overall, the Smeg coffee grinder makes grinding coffee an easy and mess-free process. From loading beans to cleaning to use, it's designed for simplicity and convenience. The lack of tricky controls or settings makes it accessible for beginner home baristas while still allowing for customization of grind size.

Noise Level

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder produces a moderate level of noise when grinding beans. It is not whisper quiet, but the noise is far from excessive or irritating.

When grinding a small amount of beans for 1-2 cups of coffee, the noise is noticeable but not intrusive. It's comparable to a loud blender running briefly. The stainless steel body seems to muffle the sound well.

Grinding enough beans for 4-6 cups of coffee increases the noise some, but only for the 15-20 seconds needed to grind the beans. The noise does not seem excessive and is unlikely to disturb others even in close proximity.

Overall, the noise level seems reasonable for an electric burr grinder. While not silent, the Smeg grinder produces a manageable noise that is unlikely to be disruptive or annoying to users. The noise level should not be a deterrent for potential buyers of this grinder.

Value for Money

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder offers excellent value considering its build quality, features, and performance. At around £150, it sits in the mid-range price point for electric coffee grinders. For the price, you get a stylishly designed appliance made of quality materials that delivers consistent grinds for great tasting coffee.

Some key factors that make this grinder a good value purchase:

• Sleek and elegant design made of die-cast aluminum with stainless steel accents. Looks great on the counter and built to last.

• Powerful 150W motor provides plenty of grinding power for fast results.

• Conical burrs made of hardened steel ensure precise and uniform grinds. Burrs are removable for easy cleaning.

• Generous 90mm grinding chamber can hold enough beans to make 12 cups of coffee.

• 15 grind settings to fine tune everything from espresso to french press. Precise grind size adjustment.

• Built-in timer allows pre-setting grind times from 5 to 60 seconds.

• Quiet operation compared to many other electric grinders.

• 2 year warranty provides peace of mind on an appliance that should deliver years of service.

When you consider the quality materials, performance, and durability of the Smeg grinder, it stacks up very well against competitors in a similar price range. You get excellent bang for your buck without having to spend £200+ for high-end grinders. For most home brewing needs, the CGF01BLEU hits a sweet spot of quality and value.

Comparison to Similar Models

The Smeg CGF01BLEU stands up well against other electric coffee grinders in its price range. It offers comparable features and performance to models like the De'Longhi KG89 and Sage Dose Control Pro, which cost around the same.

In terms of design, the Smeg has a retro 50s look that helps it stand out. The Sage and De'Longhi have more modern and minimalist designs. When it comes to grind settings, they all offer a wide range from fine to coarse.

The Smeg matches them on consistency and uniformity of grind across settings. All three produce grounds suitable for various brew methods like espresso, drip, and French press. The grind chamber capacity on the Smeg is average at 90g, same as the De'Longhi but less than the Sage's 100g.

The Smeg is relatively compact and lightweight making it easy to store away. But the Sage is a bit more compact. In terms of ease of use and cleaning, they are all straightforward with removable hoppers and burrs. The Smeg produces less noise compared to the Sage and De'Longhi when grinding.

Overall, the Smeg holds its own against the competition on performance, while offering a unique retro design. The choice between them would come down to individual preferences on design, size, and price. But the Smeg delivers comparable quality and value.

Pros and Cons

The Smeg CGF01BLEU coffee grinder has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Stylish retro design that looks great on the countertop
• Powerful 150-watt motor provides fast grinding
• Large hopper holds enough beans to make 12 cups
• User-friendly controls and simple operation
• Produces consistent grinds for espresso to French press
• Quieter than many other electric grinders
• Durable stainless steel burrs for long lifespan
• 2-year warranty provides peace of mind

Cons:

• More expensive than some comparable grinders
• Hopper lid can be tricky to properly align and close
• No settings for coarse grind sizes like cold brew
• Fairly loud compared to high-end grinders
• Grounds can clump together in very fine settings
• Small grounds container may need frequent emptying
• No portafilter holder or other accessories included

The Smeg coffee grinder delivers solid performance and eye-catching style. For those seeking great espresso grinds in a retro-inspired package, it's an attractive option despite some minor shortcomings. Overall, the CGF01BLEU offers a good value for the price point.

Conclusion

Overall, the Smeg CGF01BLEU electric coffee grinder is an excellent choice for home use. Its sleek retro design and range of color options allow it to stand out on your kitchen counter. The conical burr grinder delivers a very consistent grind, which is essential for brewing quality coffee.

The simplicity of use is a major plus - with just one button to press and an easy-to-read display, anyone can use this grinder to achieve their desired grind size. It grinds beans quickly and quietly compared to many other models. The grounds container is a good size and easy to remove and clean.

While the price is on the higher side, the performance, quality, and stylish design help justify the cost for serious coffee drinkers. This grinder will provide reliably great results for drip, pour over, espresso, and other coffee brewing methods.

Overall, the Smeg delivers where it matters - grind consistency and usability. For anyone looking to elevate their daily coffee routine with less hassle and mess, the Smeg CGF01BLEU electric coffee grinder is highly recommended. Its combination of form and function make it a clear choice over competitors.