Goudveer F1: a portable electric coffee grinder
Discover the Goudveer F1, a coffee grinder that stands out for its elegant design and remarkable performance, ideal for coffee enthusiasts wishing to appreciate fresh and precise flavors. This article explores its unique features, such as its conical burrs and micrometric adjustment system, while introducing you to its crowdfunding adventure on Kickstarter. Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your coffee experience with this innovative tool!
Welcome to the second episode of our “Reaction” series! We’re looking at innovative products that are offered through crowdfunding. Our goal is to give you an informed opinion based on available information. We don’t claim to be completely impartial, but we try to highlight both the positive and negative aspects of the featured product. Today, we’re going to explore the fascinating world of coffee and crowdfunding. Perhaps we’ll discover the product that will revolutionize the way you prepare it. Drawing on my expertise gained from my former blog, I’m going to present a new project on Kickstarter: the Goudveer F1.
The Goudveer F1 Features
The Goudveer F1 is an innovative coffee grinder that combines the advantages of a manual grinder and an electric grinder. Thanks to its compact size and rechargeable battery, it can be taken anywhere to enjoy freshly ground coffee. Here are some of its key features:
48 mm conical burrs: they are made of 420 stainless steel offering good longevity.
Micrometric adjustment: The grind adjustment is located at the base of the grinder, near the burrs. It offers 100 precision levels, with an 18-micron (0.018 mm) difference between each level. This allows you to choose the fineness of your coffee according to your preferences and brewing method.
Minimal retention: The Goudveer F1’s design is inspired by manual grinders, which minimizes coffee retention.
Battery-powered grinder (or hand crank): The Goudveer F1 runs on battery power, giving it great autonomy. According to the manufacturer, a full charge allows for between 35 and 50 grinds. The grinder is easily recharged using a USB Type-C cable provided with it.
Auto-Stop: An intelligent protection system equips the grinder and detects the resistance of coffee beans. The grinder stops automatically if the beans resist too much, to prevent the burrs from being damaged.
Design and durability
The Goudveer F1 displays a modern and elegant design, which reflects the care taken with details in the choice of materials and the overall design of the grinder. It combines the advantages of a manual grinder and an electric grinder, giving it great versatility.
However, at Coffeegeek, we have some reservations about the grinder’s battery operation. While this offers appreciable freedom of movement, it also raises questions about the long-term performance of the battery-powered motor.
Indeed, the use of batteries has a significant environmental impact, and they tend to degrade with repeated charge cycles. Fortunately, the grinder can still be used manually if needed.
Another aspect that concerns us at Coffeegeek is the location of the adjustment system. Indeed, from experience, we know that manual grinders that adjust from the top (like the KINGrinder) are more precise than grinders that adjust from the bottom. Therefore, we fear that the Goudveer F1 may be somewhat limited for espresso, as we concluded for the C40. But this is an assumption, and we will have to wait for user feedback when the first units are delivered.
Yes but… (UPDATE)
One thing that surprised me about the Kickstarter project is the presence of this photo:
The photo presented by the Kickstarter project authors to prove that their grinder, the Goudveer F1, does not cause channeling is actually a photo of channeling. A credit in the top right indicates the source of the image and refers to an article from “cremacoffeeproducts.com” that explains what channeling is. However, this article does not seem to relate to the Kickstarter coffee grinder.
Thus, this photo could suggest that the project authors are not sufficiently informed about the subject they are presenting.
Availability and price
The participation price for the Goudveer F1 Kickstarter seems quite reasonable to us. Indeed, for $99, you can acquire a hybrid grinder that offers great flexibility of use. However, once the grinder is officially marketed, its price will rise to $199, which will put it in competition with many more precise manual grinders. You will therefore need to weigh the pros and cons between the convenience of electric mode and the quality of the grind.
