xpanam
Well-known member
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
KITCHENAID MODEL KCM COFFEE BEAN MILL
- Thread starter xpanam
- Start date
Help Support :
I've never seen this model. I wonder if it spews all over the place like the A-9's tend to.
I found an A-9 revival model at Goodwill several months ago. After taking it apart and giving it a thorough cleaning, it worked fine the first time, then spewed grounds in all directions the next, which is a common complaint. These grinders are powerful and lightning fast, but the spout assembly seems to be the weak link. I gave mine to my sister, who grinds her own beans each morning. I have a Cuisinart grind & brew so didn't need the KA.
Some months back there was a rare A-10 listed on eBay. The seller stated in his description that to avoid flying grounds, the user should hold the spout cover closed during grinding until the motor begins to slow down, then release. I didn't bother to try that with my A-9, but passed the information along to my sister. I haven't asked her if she has tried it out yet.
I found an A-9 revival model at Goodwill several months ago. After taking it apart and giving it a thorough cleaning, it worked fine the first time, then spewed grounds in all directions the next, which is a common complaint. These grinders are powerful and lightning fast, but the spout assembly seems to be the weak link. I gave mine to my sister, who grinds her own beans each morning. I have a Cuisinart grind & brew so didn't need the KA.
Some months back there was a rare A-10 listed on eBay. The seller stated in his description that to avoid flying grounds, the user should hold the spout cover closed during grinding until the motor begins to slow down, then release. I didn't bother to try that with my A-9, but passed the information along to my sister. I haven't asked her if she has tried it out yet.
Only the "revival" model A-9 mills spewed coffee all over. The originals worked very well when properly adjusted. I myself have one as do several people I know and we all LOVE them. Stay away from the revival ones.
The one pictured above date from the late 60s or early 70s. From what I understand they were good performers. The slightly less convenient thing is that I THINK the grind selector is underneath which is not quite as convenient as the twist collar on the a-9.
The one pictured above date from the late 60s or early 70s. From what I understand they were good performers. The slightly less convenient thing is that I THINK the grind selector is underneath which is not quite as convenient as the twist collar on the a-9.
I wish I had my mom's coffee grinder... It's still at the old house, but the cord on it is too tangled up & I usually buy my coffee pre-ground, besides...
-- Dave
-- Dave
Messy A-9's
Ralph,
Indeed they are messy. I got an A-9 (New version) and I think I may have used it only a few times. It takes longer to clean up the mess then to grind the coffee. A couple times I took it out on the deck so it didn't have the cleanup. I have a Braun chopper that has ground about 100 pounds by now and it still works fine, although it has developed a dead spot where it sometimes won't start.
The A-9 really needs to run the burrs slower and have a redesigned chute. If they simply replaced the flapper door with a turned down elbow I bet it would be fine. I think the older flat flapper door actually worked a bit better at containing the mess then the new round "logo" door.
The other problem I have with mine is high speed vibration that tends to make it wander a bit on the counter, perhaps my burrs aren't balanced... Get a little coffee dust under the rubber feet and I have to hold the base while it runs.
I'd really like one of the KitchenAid Pro series but they are kinda pricey and not as classic in appearance.
Ralph,
Indeed they are messy. I got an A-9 (New version) and I think I may have used it only a few times. It takes longer to clean up the mess then to grind the coffee. A couple times I took it out on the deck so it didn't have the cleanup. I have a Braun chopper that has ground about 100 pounds by now and it still works fine, although it has developed a dead spot where it sometimes won't start.
The A-9 really needs to run the burrs slower and have a redesigned chute. If they simply replaced the flapper door with a turned down elbow I bet it would be fine. I think the older flat flapper door actually worked a bit better at containing the mess then the new round "logo" door.
The other problem I have with mine is high speed vibration that tends to make it wander a bit on the counter, perhaps my burrs aren't balanced... Get a little coffee dust under the rubber feet and I have to hold the base while it runs.
I'd really like one of the KitchenAid Pro series but they are kinda pricey and not as classic in appearance.
Messy coffee grinding?
Yes, forgot that mom's old Mr. Coffee coffee grinder got behind on cleaning, no matter how thoroughly scrubbed it got after each grind; a few hidden particles got out or lingered behind...
And no matter how meticulously I clean out my blender (yes, I used my Osterizer once to grind coffee) it got a few ground & unground grounds in my milkshake, too! (Yeccchhh!)
--Made me wish instead of "Easy Clean" and "Grind", my blender would at least, just have a "Frappé"...!
-- Dave
Yes, forgot that mom's old Mr. Coffee coffee grinder got behind on cleaning, no matter how thoroughly scrubbed it got after each grind; a few hidden particles got out or lingered behind...
And no matter how meticulously I clean out my blender (yes, I used my Osterizer once to grind coffee) it got a few ground & unground grounds in my milkshake, too! (Yeccchhh!)
--Made me wish instead of "Easy Clean" and "Grind", my blender would at least, just have a "Frappé"...!
-- Dave
Only the "revival" model A-9 mills spew
I know someone with the original A-9 model and has the same problem with spewing. Was there a difference in the design on the "revival" types other than the spout cover? What sort of adjustment is possible on the original A-9's?
I agree that the spout needs an elbow that's aimed downward. That would solve the problem nicely, but it would have to be detachable or cleaning would be a worse job than it is already.
[this post was last edited: 7/12/2013-23:46]
I know someone with the original A-9 model and has the same problem with spewing. Was there a difference in the design on the "revival" types other than the spout cover? What sort of adjustment is possible on the original A-9's?
I agree that the spout needs an elbow that's aimed downward. That would solve the problem nicely, but it would have to be detachable or cleaning would be a worse job than it is already.
[this post was last edited: 7/12/2013-23:46]
xpanam
Well-known member
I wonder if it spews all over the place
Hey Ralph! Hasn't skipped a beat or spewed one grind. This is the one to have.
Hey Ralph! Hasn't skipped a beat or spewed one grind. This is the one to have.
The KCM
Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for one. I like the look of the A-9, but function trumps form in this particular case, and the KCM isn't a bad looking machine either. When were the KCM models produced? The box and the unit itself look very 70's.
Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for one. I like the look of the A-9, but function trumps form in this particular case, and the KCM isn't a bad looking machine either. When were the KCM models produced? The box and the unit itself look very 70's.
About 1965 - 1972
Mark, thanks for the dates. I hadn't noticed in your post further up that you provided a range.
The pictures in the eBay listing do show the grind selector on the bottom. In some ways I can see that being an improvement since whenever I would remove the hopper jar on the A-9, I tended to grip the selector ring, which caused it to move and the jar to stay put. I think most people would set the selector on one grind and be done with it, so I wouldn't find a selector on the bottom to be inconvenient.
One question I do have about the KCM model is whether the burrs are any better at rendering finer grinds. It's clear that the A-9's weren't cut out to grind fine enough for espresso or Turkish.
The pictures in the eBay listing do show the grind selector on the bottom. In some ways I can see that being an improvement since whenever I would remove the hopper jar on the A-9, I tended to grip the selector ring, which caused it to move and the jar to stay put. I think most people would set the selector on one grind and be done with it, so I wouldn't find a selector on the bottom to be inconvenient.
One question I do have about the KCM model is whether the burrs are any better at rendering finer grinds. It's clear that the A-9's weren't cut out to grind fine enough for espresso or Turkish.
xraytech
Well-known member
I have my great-Aunts A-9 coffee mill and I love it. I used it fairly often, but it is in the church kitchen at the moment since I fresh grind coffee I buy at the Polish market for my kitchen helpers.
I have never had an issue with mine being messy. I always leave mine set on a medium coarse setting since I use a percolator I don't want a fine grind
I have never had an issue with mine being messy. I always leave mine set on a medium coarse setting since I use a percolator I don't want a fine grind
You can actually get a pretty fine grind out of the original a-9 mills by raising the lower burr using the adjustment screw. It may not be quite a turkish grind, but I can get a pretty fine grind out of mine. Mine is set so that the most coarse grind is for a percolator, the medium grind is for the Sunbeam coffeemaster and the finer grind is for the drip pots.
KCM
Next time you're down, Ralph, play with ours. That's what we have for a KM coffee mill.
I've had two--no spewage whatsoever. In high humidity, mine did clog on grounds, but was easily remedied with a quick poke from a skewer to free the clump.
Next time you're down, Ralph, play with ours. That's what we have for a KM coffee mill.
I've had two--no spewage whatsoever. In high humidity, mine did clog on grounds, but was easily remedied with a quick poke from a skewer to free the clump.
" . . . play with ours . . . "
Did he just say that?
So does this mean the coffee I send or bring should be in whole bean form?
Did he just say that?
So does this mean the coffee I send or bring should be in whole bean form?
Ha!
No, dear, we'll have a heap of instant on-hand, just for you. ;-) Then you can load your coffee cup into that top-load Wards.
"We've secretly replaced Ralph's normal coffee with new Folgers Crystals. Let's see if he notices."
:-D
No, dear, we'll have a heap of instant on-hand, just for you. ;-) Then you can load your coffee cup into that top-load Wards.
"We've secretly replaced Ralph's normal coffee with new Folgers Crystals. Let's see if he notices."
:-D
