Eureka Mignon Specialita Review – Is This Coffee Grinder Worth It in 2024?
Nothing beats a perfect brew in the morning, and every great cup begins with a reliable grinder, wouldn’t you agree?
If you’re on the search for your next automatic grinder at home, then look no further. In this review of the Eureka Mignon Specialita, I’ll get down into the details from its key features to its pros and cons. I’ll also list down some alternatives you’d want to consider.
After all is said and done, you’ll know the answer to the question: Is using the Specialita grinder from the Eureka brand still worth it in 2024?
Eureka Mignon Specialita Review 2024 – Key Takeaways
The Eureka Mignon Specialita espresso grinder offers great value with its standout look and excellent features. This stylish home grinder from the brand’s Mignon range has a durable metal chassis paired with a touchscreen display for easy operation.
It also satisfies with its performance, delivering consistent quality with its flat hardened steel burrs and versatility with the micrometric grind adjustment. It’s most effective as an espresso-focused grinder but it also gets the job done with other brewing methods such as drip coffee.
Overall, Eureka’s Mignon Specialita grinder offers convenience and high-quality grinds that can keep up with your drive to craft the best espresso. I’d say it’s one of the best espresso grinders I’ve used.
Pros
Cons
Features of The Mignon Specialita Grinder
To get to know the Mignon Specialita better, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this grinder:
Design and Aesthetics
Starting with first impressions, I think the Eureka Specialita is quite the eye candy. It has an elegantly modern, blocky look, that makes it stand out when compared to other electrical grinders. It is not trying to be cool like a Niche, but follows a functional, minimalist styling.
It has a wide selection of over 20 color options, although you’d have to check with your retailer about availability. Whether you prefer the classic hues of black, white, or grey; or like a splash of vibrant red, orange, or my personal pick– the Tiffany Blue; this grinder has a style that will fit your kitchen for sure.
Adding to its eye-catching look is its very compact size (13.3″H x 4.7″W x 5.5″D) that doesn’t take up too much space. The 5.6 kg weight also makes it easy to move around when it’s time to clean up my coffee space.
The Specialita boasts a sturdy metal casing crafted and assembled by artisans in Florence, Italy. It comes with a transparent hopper made of plastic which feels durable enough, and hardened steel burrs.
Easy to Use
Another thing I like is the simple black-and-white display, which I find easy on the eyes especially when I just wake up and prepping my morning brew.
Using the machine is pretty straightforward. You can program two timed dose settings for single or double shots of espresso. It also has a portafilter holder so you can let the grind time run hands-free after a touch of the button.
Using this grinder is pretty easy, that’s why I was quick to adapt to mine 🙂 Just follow these instructions:
- Plug in the grinder and turn it on.
- Feed the coffee beans of your choice to the hopper on top.
- Use the knob on the top right to adjust the grind size.
- Adjust the grind time or choose your dose (single or double cup) on the display.
- Push the portafilter into the grind button on the face of the machine and watch as the coffee grounds drop into your portafilter.
You can set the grind time for the doses ahead of time, but you’ll need a scale to measure the grinds, as the Specialita does not have one built in.
Dealing With Static Buildup
The machine’s ACE System prevents clumps and electrostatic charge from the ground coffee to keep its flow out of the chute smooth and clean while maintaining a consistent grind dose.
I found it works extremely well, this is one of the least messy grinders I’ve used. You can also adjust the height of the portafilter holder, so you can make sure all of the grinds go where they are supposed to.
Versatile Grind Settings
Talking versatility, the Specialita does not disappoint. It uses Eureka’s patented Stepless Micrometric Regulation System that has infinite adjustment points through lower burr repositioning for great versatility and lower grind retention.
Since it has a stepless grind adjustment system, it’s a bit inconvenient to shift between grind settings, so I just use mine as a dedicated espresso grinder, which is where this machine shines.
I did try making coarser grinds for my drip coffee and the Specialita grinder with 55 mm flat burrs that run at 1350 rpm (revolutions per minute) still provided impressive results.
How Loud Is The Specialita?
The quiet operation of the grinder is another of its strengths. Eureka boasts the sound-insulating features of their machines’ Silent Technology and I can attest to the reduced noise when grinding with this device.
Using a smartphone noise level app, it peaked at around 45 db when grinding for espresso.
So rest assured, you can make your morning brew in peace, without worry of waking up the whole household.
Generous Capacity
The Mignon Specialita can easily carry the load of your caffeine needs with its bean hopper capacity of 300g.
You can also purchase their tall bean hopper with a 510g capacity that fits right into it as a replacement. Alternatively, if you want a grinder that is more suitable for a small coffee shop or similar business, consider going for the Eureka Atom 75.
If you want, they also offer a 160g ground coffee catcher that you can order separately.
Converting the Specialita For Single Dosing
It’s worth noting though that this machine does not have single dose capability out of the box.
If this is a dealbreaker for you, you can check out third-party single-dose hoppers on the market to modify your machine, or the parts that come direct from the manufacturer.
It includes a single dose hopper with a popcorning plate, as well as a bellow to blow any grinds through the chute.
Price
The Mignon Specialita is not cheap by any means, but it offers great value for its price point and is comparable to similar, high-quality grinders.
Sure, there are more affordable alternatives in the market, but the construction of this device along with the simple but efficient programmable settings make the Specialita a bang for your buck.
The Eureka Mignon Specialita is a compact, automatic coffee grinder known for its quiet operation and consistent grind quality, particularly for espresso. It features a durable metal chassis, a touchscreen display, and flat hardened steel burrs with micrometric grind adjustment.
While it lacks a single-dose capability out of the box and a grounds bin, it offers versatility across various brewing methods and has a wide range of color options
Alternative Grinders
Still undecided about the Specialita of Eureka? Here are alternatives you might want to check out:
Eureka Mignon Crono
The Crono is a more affordable choice from the lineup of Eureka grinders. It has the same 300g bean hopper capacity, stepless adjustment by Eureka, and ACE System for mess-free grinds. It does not have a touch display and is controlled by knobs, and it has a smaller 50 mm burr set, but it comes with its own coffee grounds bin.
If you can let go of such features, the lower price tag of the Crono makes it an attractive alternative.
Niche Zero
While more expensive than the Specialita, the Niche Zero grinder has single-dose grinding and sports a premium 63mm conical Mazzer burr set not found in the former. The Niche Zero also provides exceptional versatility and precise control with its infinite adjustment for a consistent grind size and maximum flavor extraction.
I also like how the Niche Zero looks very different and unique look which strikes me as vintage in style.
Turin DF64 Single Dose Grinder
Simpler and smaller than the Specialita, the Turin DF64 single-dose grinder comes with 64mm stainless steel flat burrs. It also has stepless adjustment for infinite settings with a plasma generator for less static and no popcorning where coffee beans bounce around your hopper.
Comparing it to the Specialita, this burr grinder offers a minimalist approach to your grinding sessions, while offering excellent performance.
Need more info as you pick your next grinder? Read my comprehensive guide to the different coffee grinder types.
How to Clean the Mignon Specialita
Deep cleaning requires a bit of time and effort, but it’s still a simple process once you get used to it.
Here are the steps:
- Turn off and unplug the grinder.
- Pull off the Eureka emblem on the back.
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the long screw on the back.
- Unhinge and lift off the top lid from the housing.
- Unscrew the top burr using a Phillips screwdriver. Clean it thoroughly with a small stiff brush or a vacuum.
- Unscrew and remove the bottom burr using a flat-bladed screwdriver. Clean it similarly.
- Next is the chute. If the top lid is already removed, unscrew the top two screws holding the display onto the housing.
- Unscrew the screw holding the “nose” (where the portafilter leans).
- Slide the display unit up and away from the housing, then pull it aside.
- Gently pull the rubber up and away from the chute to expose the clear plastic chute.
- Unscrew and remove the jagged piece of metal (the declumper) from the exit chamber.
- Brush it to clean and reassemble.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to some related questions about the Specialita grinder:
Eureka is a reputable and high-quality brand hailing from Italy aka the home of authentic espresso. Eureka has been around since the 1920s and today, it has established itself as an excellent producer of coffee grinders.
Single-dose grinders are coffee grinders that grind the exact amount of coffee beans you need every time. Then you have hopper grinders like the Specialita where you put bigger batches of beans into the hopper and then you just grind what you need with a touch of a button.
Hoppers are convenient, but single dosing allows you to experiment with different coffee beans.
Eureka’s Mignon lineup is comprised of grinders for home use. This lineup of machines includes the following:
– Mignon Manuale
– Mignon Silenzio
– Mignon XL
– Mignon Brew Pro
– Mignon Specialita
– Mignon Perfetto
– Mignon Single Dose
So, Should You Buy The Eureka Mignon Specialita?
This espresso grinder with 55mm flat hardened burrs with a metal casing feels premium from the hopper to the base, giving you great value for your money.
Coming from a reputable brand, it’s packed with desirable features that get the grinding done efficiently and quietly while maintaining a reasonable price. It may not have single-dosing capabilities, but it doesn’t take away from the convenience which I think automatic coffee grinders are really about.
If you ask me, if you’re opting for an automatic grinder that is both stylish and excellent in performance, then yes, the Mignon Specialita is definitely still worth buying in 2024.
