Cuisinart, you suck

So as a gift I received a nice (or so I thought) Cuisinart whirly-blade style coffee grinder. Yeah, I know it isn't the best solution for a french-press, but it is a multitasker as I can grind spices with it.

So I made 4 to 5 batches with the first one we had before I noticed the RPMs severely dropping. Then the 'removable' cup wouldn't come off, and then the unit died shortly thereafter. It was apparent to me that the copper bung on the bottom of the blade shaft was getting very, very hot.

Thinking it was a dud we exchanged it for a like model. I used the second one THREE times before the same thing started to happen. This time I looked a little more into what the heck was going on. Well apparently Cuisinart has become a cheap, cheap company. There is no bearing. The blade shaft, with an outer shell of plastic, sits freely within the hole in the bottom of the cup. This means there is a lot of back and forth play.

Now you don't need to be a genius to figure out that plastic-rubbing-on-plastic at high RPMS is going to create some friction. This friction heats up the copper bung which sits on the base-motor part. So hot it will burn you, in fact. (don't ask). The copper expands, gets stuck to the base, and also closes the gap between the shaft and the hole, thus slowing the motor down until it burns out.

I looked on Amazon.com at some of the reviews of this (and other) Cuisinart product and they are mostly bad. With respect to the grinder I had, the reviews all indicate the exact same problems. With respect to the other burr style grinders, most reviews are bad as well. Click for description

I also researched some of the mechanics used in this grinder and found that the motor assembly and design was created by Conair. Yes, the people that make HAIR DRYERS. What in the hell does that have to do with food??

I am switching to the KitchenAid line of products for my kitchen. The coffee grinder was not the first "new" style Cuisinart product I or my friends have had problems with. They don't make their stuff solid anymore like my mom's food processor.

It may interest you to know that KitchenAid products were created by Hobart, the company that produces huge mixers and other devices for commercial applications. I have yet to ever have a product from KitchenAid fail prematurely.

The icing on the cake was that I emailed Cuisinart explaining my problem and offering suggestions on how to fix the issue. I didn't even ask for a refund or anything. I received absolutely no response. Not even a generic form letter thank you.

Therefore, Cuisinart, you have lost a customer. Not that it matters to you corporate big-whigs...you just make up for it in sheer volume of sales. But, I would like to point out you are filling up our landfills with piles of your electronic junk.