A5 Portable Grinder Review from 2021 Canadian Brews Cup Champion Ply

【Speaker Introduction】

The speaker in the video is Ply Pasarj, the 2021 Canadian Brewers Cup Champion and the 2023 World Brewers Cup Champion coach. Ply also runs "Rogue Wave Coffee," a well-known café in Canada.

【Compact Size with Convenient Charging】
In the video, Ply highlights the advantages of the A5 electric coffee grinder, particularly its large battery capacity and excellent charging performance, sharing his personal experience.

At their café, they occasionally use this grinder for espresso, pour-over, and Turkish coffee, yet on average, they only need to charge it once a week.

Ply also emphasizes one of the grinder's standout features: its automatic stop function. Once grinding is complete, the machine automatically stops, which he finds quite impressive!

Additionally, the video mentions that this grinder doesn’t support fast-charging adapters, so it’s important to use the USB-A to USB-C charging cable when charging.

【Precise Grind Adjustment】

In the video, Ply mentions that the A5 electric coffee grinder’s adjustment ring has a total of 300 settings. Each click moves the burrs by approximately 0.008mm. The fine adjustment capability of the burrs makes it ideal for dialing in espresso grind settings with precision.

【Easy Disassembly and Cleaning】

Ply points out that both the bean hopper and grind cup of the A5 grinder feature a magnetic design, making them easy to detach. While showcasing the burr sets of the A5, 1Zpresso's K-Ultra, and X-Ultra, he emphasizes that the A5’s 53mm burr size increases grinding efficiency at the same speed, thanks to its larger surface area.

Additionally, Ply highlights the magnetic design of the cleaning brush located beneath the burrs, which makes it simple to remove. The brush works simultaneously with the grinder to clean any fine particles sticking to the burrs during operation.

However, Ply notes one less user-friendly aspect: when reinstalling the burr set, the square axle must align with the motor base's grooves for proper assembly. He adds that if the burr set doesn’t fit immediately, you can rotate the burr slightly while installing to adjust the axle, which should allow it to fit. While this may take a little extra time, Ply doesn’t see it as a significant issue.

【Ply’s Overall Experience】

In the video, Ply uses the A5 electric coffee grinder to brew both pour-over and espresso coffee. His tests show that with a cold start, grinding 15 grams for pour-over takes 19 seconds, while grinding 20 grams for espresso takes 58 seconds, with no issues of beans getting stuck during the process.

Moreover, the residual grind rate is impressively low, even without using RDT (the method to reduce static), with only 0.1 grams of residual coffee remaining after grinding 15 grams.

Ply mentions that the pour-over coffee produced by the A5 has a very clear and pure flavor, while the espresso highlights the coffee's acidity. He further explains that the espresso it produces is particularly suitable for drinks like cappuccino or flat white, which have lower milk content. In contrast, when made into a latte, the coffee flavor may not stand out as much.

Overall, Ply finds the A5 electric grinder to be compact, stylish, and convenient for carrying, requiring infrequent charging, making it suitable for home use, camping, and coffee shops. He particularly appreciates its magnetic design and ease of disassembly.

However, Ply also notes that the grind cup capacity might be insufficient for those who need to brew large quantities of coffee.

In conclusion, Ply recommends the A5 electric grinder to anyone looking to avoid using a manual grinder while not wanting a bulky machine, as well as to those with camping or travel needs.