We Need to Talk: Geimori GU78 by WIrsh

Summary

In this review, the creator discusses a pre-production coffee grinder currently raising funds on Kickstarter. While praising its innovative features, such as large 78mm burrs, variable RPM, and a plasma generator to reduce static, the reviewer highlights several design flaws, including poor build quality, excessive noise, and top-heaviness. The grinder's pre-production state is criticized for unfinished components and a lack of refinement. Despite its potential, the reviewer suggests the product requires significant improvements before justifying its price, especially considering competition from established brands like Timemore.

Takeaways

• 😀 The product in question is the Gorei G78 grinder, which is currently in its Kickstarter phase and has raised over $150,000.
• 😀 The Gorei G78 is competing in the high-end grinder market, with a focus on offering unique features and innovations, including 78mm burrs and variable RPM (500 to 1500).
• 😀 One standout feature is the plasma generator inside the grinder that aims to reduce static, a common issue in coffee grinding.
• 😀 The Gorei G78 has a plastic water bottle attachment on the hopper, designed to allow users to spray water on the beans to reduce static, although this feature is met with mixed reviews.
• 😀 While the grinder offers significant power (5Nm torque) and large burrs, it struggles with issues like top-heaviness and a flimsy lid, which detracts from its overall build quality.
• 😀 The burr geometry in the Gorei G78 is similar to the SSP multi-purpose burrs but was originally patented by Mal and Kunig for their commercial grinders, making this design somewhat contentious.
• 😀 The grinder features a quick-release grind adjustment system, but there are issues with the finishing and build quality, such as sharp edges and loose components.
• 😀 The grinder has performance issues, including static retention problems and inconsistent grind consistency, especially at lower RPMs.
• 😀 Despite marketing claims, the grinder’s noise level and grind performance don’t significantly outperform competitors like the Timemore.
• 😀 The review is critical of the grinder's current quality, stating that it is not yet ready for launch due to numerous engineering and design flaws, and that it doesn't justify the price point, even at the early bird discount.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on reviewing a coffee grinder that has gained attention through a Kickstarter campaign, comparing it to other popular grinders, and highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.

What caused the 'ruckus' mentioned in the video?

The 'ruckus' refers to the initial success of a Kickstarter campaign that raised $5 million, leading to a surge of excitement, FOMO (fear of missing out), and gear acquisition syndrome among coffee enthusiasts.

How does the new grinder compare to other products on the market?

The new grinder is positioned as offering unique features like 78mm burrs, variable RPM, and a plasma generator for reducing static. However, the reviewer suggests that it is not as innovative as it claims and has several issues that need improvement.

What is the issue with the plastic water bottle in the grinder’s cap?

The plastic water bottle in the cap is intended to spray beans or the hopper, but the reviewer finds it unnecessary and potentially problematic, as they do not want to introduce water into the hopper.

What issues does the grinder have in its pre-production form?

The pre-production unit has several issues, including loose internal parts, a poorly designed top, and a problematic power button that lacks satisfying feedback. Additionally, the burr system and auger design could use significant improvement.

Why does the reviewer believe the grinder’s burrs are not unique?

The reviewer points out that the burr design in the grinder is not unique and is essentially the same as those found in other grinders, such as the SSP Multi-Purpose burrs, which have been used by other companies like Mal Koenig for many years.

What concerns does the reviewer have regarding retention in the grinder?

The reviewer expresses concerns about retention in the grinder, noting that while the company has made some improvements to reduce it, the design still causes coffee grounds to remain in the grinder, which is inevitable when grinding coffee.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the grinder's noise level?

The reviewer finds the grinder to be quieter than others, such as the TimeMore, but doesn't consider the noise level a significant selling point. It is still noticeable and not as quiet as the manufacturer claims.

What did the reviewer find disappointing about the grinder’s build quality?

The build quality is disappointing, with rough finishes, sharp edges, and loose parts that affect the overall experience. The lack of tight internal engineering is a significant drawback.

What improvements does the reviewer suggest for the grinder?

The reviewer suggests several improvements, including better engineering to eliminate looseness, a more robust auger to pre-break beans, a magnet for the hopper lid, and overall refinement of the design to justify the high price.

Would the reviewer recommend this grinder to consumers?

Currently, the reviewer would not recommend the grinder due to its high price and the number of issues that still need to be addressed. They suggest waiting for further updates and improvements before purchasing.