‎Smeg ‎CGF01RDEU Electric Grinder - Review 🏆

The Smeg CGF01RDEU is an electric conical burr coffee grinder designed for home use. Part of Smeg's iconic 50s retro appliance line, this grinder comes in a stylish matte red finish that will look great on any kitchen countertop.

Featuring adjustable grind settings, a generous hopper capacity and low noise operation, the CGF01RDEU aims to provide easy and consistent grinding for the perfect cup of coffee. Its compact size takes up minimal space while the stainless steel grounds container keeps mess to a minimum.

With a powerful 150 watt motor, durable conical steel burrs and user-friendly controls, Smeg targets this model at home brewing enthusiasts looking for cafe-quality results from a grinder that also adds a touch of vintage flair to the kitchen.

Design

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder features a sleek and stylish retro design that Smeg is known for. It has a glossy die-cast aluminum body available in several bold, bright colors including red, black, cream, pastel blue, and pastel green. The colors and curvature give it an unmistakable retro 1950s aesthetic.

The housing has gently rounded edges and an hourglass-like shape. On the front is a large silver-colored bean hopper with a clear plastic lid that allows you to see the beans inside. There are also two sturdy arms on either side to hold the grinder steady. The Smeg logo is emblazoned largely on the front.

Overall the design is visually striking yet compact enough not to take up much space on your kitchen counter. The high-quality die-cast aluminum gives it a premium feel. While the retro styling may not appeal to everyone, it makes a bold statement and adds a pop of color to your kitchen.

In contrast, the Sage ‎BCG600SIL offers a contemporary design with a focus on functionality. Its sleek stainless steel finish is both elegant and durable, making it a great addition to any modern kitchen. The BCG600SIL features a precision grind size selector, allowing users to customize their grind from fine to coarse, perfect for various brewing methods. Its integrated precision timer ensures that you measure the perfect amount of coffee every time, enhancing the brewing experience.

Size and Weight

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder has a compact and stylish design that won't take up much space on your kitchen counter. It measures 5.5 x 5.5 x 10 inches (WxDxH) and weighs just 4.4 pounds, making it easy to store in a cabinet or leave out on display. Despite its small size, it still packs in all the functionality you need in an electric grinder.

The petite dimensions make the Smeg a great option if you have limited counter space or want a grinder that's easy to tuck away. It has a small footprint that takes up minimal room. The lightweight build also makes it simple to grab and move around as needed. You can easily lift and carry it with one hand. So if you need to grind coffee at the office or take it to a friend's house, portability is no problem. Overall, the compact size and low weight create a versatile grinder that works well in any setting.

In comparison, the ‎DmofwHi ‎DCG01 PRO offers additional features such as multiple grind settings, allowing you to tailor the coarseness of your coffee beans. It has a sturdy design and measures 6 x 6 x 10 inches, weighing 5.5 pounds. While it's slightly larger, its efficient performance and sleek design make it an excellent addition to any coffee enthusiast’s collection. The DmofwHi DCG01 PRO is built with premium materials, ensuring durability and quality in every grind.

Grind Settings

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder offers a wide range of grind size options, making it suitable for various brew methods. The grinder has 12 adjustable grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune the grind size.

At the finest setting, the grinder can produce an ultra-fine powder for use in espresso machines. As you adjust towards the coarser settings, the grind becomes ideal for methods like drip coffee and French press. Even at the coarsest settings, the grinder produces a relatively uniform grind without too many large particles.

The clearly marked grind selector on the front makes it easy to choose your desired setting. You can precisely dial in the size you need for the brew method you are using. The grind settings cover an impressive range, accommodating everything from Turkish coffee to cold brew.

Overall, the generous grind adjustments give you flexibility and control over the results. You can brew different coffee drinks while optimizing extraction based on the grind size. The Smeg coffee grinder truly excels at grinding for espresso, but also handles other methods requiring medium to coarse grinds.

Hopper Capacity

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder features a generous 150g hopper capacity, allowing you to grind enough beans in one go for 6-8 cups of coffee. This is a decent amount for making coffee for a few people or a small gathering. The hopper is made of clear plastic, so you can easily see how many beans you have left.

One downside is that the hopper is not removable, so cleaning it out fully requires tipping the grinder upside down over the sink or trash. But the large capacity means you won't have to refill it too frequently. Overall, the hopper size strikes a good balance between reducing the need to refill small batches while still keeping the grinder compact in size.

Noise Level

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder produces a moderate noise level when grinding beans. Users report the grinder operates at around 65-75 decibels. This is comparable to the noise level of a normal conversation and is unlikely to disturb others even in close proximity.

The grinder utilizes a 150-watt motor which is not as powerful as some commercial models. The more moderate motor power helps keep noise levels lower. There is a muted hum when grinding beans that some owners find less jarring than louder grinders.

Overall, the noise output seems acceptable for most home kitchen use. It can grind beans reasonably quickly without an excessive or disruptive sound level. The noise may be slightly louder than hand grinders but is much quieter than many electric models. For those wanting an early morning coffee without waking the household, the Smeg CGF01RDEU produces a reasonable and unobtrusive grinding noise.

Grounds Container

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder comes with a generous grounds container that can hold enough used coffee grounds for several cups of coffee. The container is made of clear plastic, allowing you to easily see how much ground coffee has accumulated.

With a capacity of around 60-70 grams, the container is large enough that you won't need to empty it out after every use. Even after grinding enough beans for 4-5 cups, there is still ample room before reaching max capacity. This is convenient as you won't have to stop mid-coffee brewing to empty out the container.

The grounds container features a handy release button that allows you to detach it from the base with one hand. Simply press the button and the container pops off, making it easy to dispose of used grounds and clean out the container.

Overall, the sizeable grounds container with its clear visibility window and one-touch release system is a useful feature of the Smeg coffee grinder that enhances the convenience and ease of use.

Ease of Use

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder scores high marks when it comes to ease of use and user-friendliness. The grinder has an intuitive, streamlined design that makes it very convenient to operate on a daily basis.

There is only one control knob on the grinder, keeping the interface simple and straightforward. The knob allows you to select between five different grind settings, ranging from fine espresso to coarse drip, with clear markings. It's easy to dial in the perfect grind size for your preferred brew method.

The bean hopper on top has a generous 12oz capacity, reducing the need for frequent refilling. It also features an airtight lid to help keep beans fresh.

Operating the grinder is very simple - just add beans to the hopper, select your grind setting, and press down on the knob to start grinding. An auto-stop function turns the grinder off when done, so you don't have to monitor it constantly.

Overall, the streamlined design and intuitive controls of the Smeg coffee grinder make it a user-friendly, convenient option for daily home use. It's easy for anyone to operate and requires minimal effort to produce consistently ground coffee.

Durability

The Smeg CGF01RDEU coffee grinder has excellent durability thanks to its high-quality construction. The grinder housing is made of durable die-cast aluminum with an ABS plastic base, so it can withstand daily use without any issues.

Reviewers mention that the grinder feels very sturdy and solid when holding it, with no loose or flimsy parts. The hopper and grounds container are also made of durable materials that can handle regular cleaning.

Many customers have used this grinder for years without any decrease in performance or build issues. Even after daily use for espresso grinding, the burrs stay sharp and the motor continues grinding efficiently.

The longevity of this grinder is helped by the use of commercial-grade conical burrs made of tempered steel. They are less likely to chip or dull compared to stainless steel burrs. The powerful 166W motor also maintains its power over time.

Overall, the excellent build quality of the Smeg coffee grinder makes it a highly durable appliance that can handle daily grinding and last for many years. Its solid construction gives it a longevity that exceeds many other grinders in this price range.

Price

When it comes to price, the Smeg CGF01RDEU is on the higher end for coffee grinders, but offers good value for money. At around £150, it's more expensive than many entry-level grinders. However, you get a premium product that is built to last and can handle daily use for years to come.

The all-metal construction and powerful 150W motor justify the increased cost over plastic grinders. Smeg is known for making high-quality, stylish appliances that command a price premium. While not cheap, the CGF01RDEU delivers performance and durability that helps offset the initial investment.

For those who are serious about coffee and use a grinder daily, the Smeg is reasonably priced. More affordable grinders often have lower build quality and inconsistent grinds. The precise burrs and versatility of grind settings on the CGF01RDEU make it suitable for brewing espresso, drip coffee, and other methods - adding to its value proposition.

In the end, the Smeg CGF01RDEU is a premium grinder priced accordingly. It may not be ideal for casual users. But for coffee aficionados who want quality results cup after cup, it represents a worthwhile long-term investment. The price reflects the performance and durability built into this high-end appliance.