Worked well for 11 months, then the blade came out and wouldn’t fit back into place. Also some damage around the blade area as shown in photo.

At first it was felt very good but after 2 months it’s broke down. The build quality from outside it ok but I think it’s was not designed for every day task.Other models are far better .

Was impressed with this spice grinder initially, but it has now gone up in smoke after less than 6 months! Only used for grinding fennel seeds - so nothing heavy duty!

Great product, perfect for coffee beans

Aesthetically pleasing the design is superficially good. However it totally fails because the plastics that it is made of are of very poor impact resistance. The first cracks appeared after the first time it was used. They continue to increase and the point will come soon when sections will fall out – see photo. I only use small sections of spices – e.g. nutmegs would be divided into at least quarters and cinnamon only used in very short lengths. I understand the functional limitations of the machine. However spices are hard – hence the need to grind them. This is where the key weakness lies. The casing around the grinding area is far too thin and employs a plastic with an impact resistance far too low for the job. The clear top cover although thicker has failed in the middle – the crack is clearly visible. Hence the switch arrangement which is a push fit becomes detached – it falls off. One further problem in its manufacture is quality control. I noted that the plug rattled. As can be seen from the photo there was a screw left inside the plug. This had the potential to short the circuit out. The stainless steel insert would obviously not crack but can only be used with very small quantities of spices – a teaspoonful. Now this is marketed as a spice grinder but in practice most spice mixes require more than a teaspoonful when the spices are in their raw state. Hence it is not fit for purpose on those grounds.

The product feels generally very flimsy. The worst feature it the pulse button which clips onto the lid. Or rather it falls off it. On unpacking it fell off to the floor. On finding it and refitting it I find that it slides off every time the lid is removed. To locate it in position requires carefully holding it in place as you fit the cover.Removing and fitting the bowl is also fiddly especially when there is some residue of spices on it.This problem could be fixed by gluing the button to the cover but it would then be awkward for washing.I am returning it as unsatisfactory.

The product feels generally very flimsy. The worst feature it the pulse button which clips onto the lid. Or rather it falls off it. On unpacking it fell off to the floor. On finding it and refitting it I find that it slides off every time the lid is removed. To locate it in position requires carefully holding it in place as you fit the cover.
Removing and fitting the bowl is also fiddly especially when there is some residue of spices on it.
This problem could be fixed by gluing the button to the cover but it would then be awkward for washing.
I am returning it as unsatisfactory.

Can't grumble with any James Martin products

Although used only occasionally it seemed a good product. However, after 18 months it has now stopped working (not the fuse in the plug) and I doubt it has been used more than about 10 times total?! :(

Brilliant - allows you to grind tiny quantities if required

This is our third one of these because they seem to break fairy willingly if you get water anywhere near the electrics, but we have tried different brands and it’s a general spice grinder issue rather than something about this brand. We have come back to this one because the attachments are the best on the market. Importantly, you can take out to watch them with reduces the chance of getting water in the mechanism. I like the inner insert for making the space smaller to grind spices, rather than having to try and get by with just the big coffee grinding chamber (this is what you get with many competing products that claim to be spice grinders).

This is our third one of these because they seem to break fairy willingly if you get water anywhere near the electrics, but we have tried different brands and it’s a general spice grinder issue rather than something about this brand. We have come back to this one because the attachments are the best on the market. Importantly, you can take out to watch them with reduces the chance of getting water in the mechanism. I like the inner insert for making the space smaller to grind spices, rather than having to try and get by with just the big coffee grinding chamber (this is what you get with many competing products that claim to be spice grinders).

Great little grinder. One of the best I have had. The extra part for really smooth is perfect!!

Bought as a gift. I have the older version and this is a much better design. Only used for coffee beans but does the job in seconds.

Bought this to replace the same unit we have had for a couple of years which burned out due to me overloading the small spice compartment. Take note that this product is VERY sensitive to overloading the small spice compartment and they do provide a lot of warnings in the packaging to this effect. The small spice compartment attachment should only be used to fine grind just a teaspoon of spice.ProsGrinds sppices very well.Small spice compartment is great for fine grinding small amounts of spice (See caveat above!)Spice grinder and small spice compartment are easily detachable and dishwasher safe.Power cable rolls into the base of the unit which opens and closes to accomodate it which is great for storage as little or no cable to tangle up.ConsHave to be careful not to overload small spice compartment otherwise unit burns out having to be replaced.Some moisture can be trapped under the plastic casing of the spice grinder which can be a pain to dry out / remove (Doesn't affect the grinder though)

Bought this to replace the same unit we have had for a couple of years which burned out due to me overloading the small spice compartment. Take note that this product is VERY sensitive to overloading the small spice compartment and they do provide a lot of warnings in the packaging to this effect. The small spice compartment attachment should only be used to fine grind just a teaspoon of spice.

Pros
Grinds sppices very well.
Small spice compartment is great for fine grinding small amounts of spice (See caveat above!)
Spice grinder and small spice compartment are easily detachable and dishwasher safe.
Power cable rolls into the base of the unit which opens and closes to accomodate it which is great for storage as little or no cable to tangle up.

Cons
Have to be careful not to overload small spice compartment otherwise unit burns out having to be replaced.
Some moisture can be trapped under the plastic casing of the spice grinder which can be a pain to dry out / remove (Doesn't affect the grinder though)

Worked once and never worked again. Everything is fine except it's not working for some reason. Can I get a new one?

This worked fine for about 6 months of use once a week or less. Then the plastic somehow reacted with the volatile oils in my spices and became brittle; first getting a crack, then completely snapping. It still works though, so it has some determination. Nowadays I only use it when my other grinder is in use. The snap in the plastic bowl means it gradually heaves off spatterings of ground spice all over my bench.

does a good job grinding spice

Plastic topping of motor pin got chewed up after 4 uses (grinding 'normal spices' and not diamonds or something else ridiculously hard...) resulting in small bits of black plastic being in with the spices. Avoid if you want anything that will work for more than one go and don't fancy eating plastic! Judging by the number of bad reviews of this product, I'm sad to say this doesn't appear to be an isolated occurrence.