1 hour ago, HemiSam said:

Well, after 6 years my Niche Zero appears to be giving up the ghost.  The electric motor got hung up grinding 20 grams of espresso beans.   

Some quick googling suggests that if you contact Niche, they'll sell you a motor that six months or so ago would only run you ~$70+ import fees (~$50 at the time).  Might be worth a shot?  If you decide to move on, let me know.  I'd like to have a go at fixing it.

Interesting, never even attempted to clean mine - maybe I should?

19 hours ago, n_maher said:

Some quick googling suggests that if you contact Niche, they'll sell you a motor that six months or so ago would only run you ~$70+ import fees (~$50 at the time).  Might be worth a shot?  If you decide to move on, let me know.  I'd like to have a go at fixing it.

Thank you, n-maher!

I did see where a gent sent one in to be repaired by Niche.  

@luvdunhill I did not clean mine frequently, but it is worth going in there every now and again IMHO.  Very easy to do and there's a few vids out if you like having a reference.

HS

I just picked up an outin nano espresso maker and fino grinder. Total cost under $300. Battery powered, and comparable in size to an aero press and hand grinder. 
 

makes pretty darn good espresso from my beans. Good crema, good body. 
 

 

After my Niche Zero grinder started having issues with lighter espresso beans I reached out to Niche.  They first recommended a cleaning...same same.  Then, when they realized I've had mine for 6 years and it was obtained via their Indegogo campaign, they recommended I purchase a new motor and board.

$41 for the parts, $40 shipping from the UK, and duties $21...  Duties were charged on shipping...LOL.

All buttoned back up and working like a champ.

 

I ordered a Zerno Z2 grinder, but it'll be a loooong while before it shows up.

HS

 

Old Bisbee got some more Bali in if interested.

I ordered the monthly special today which had one pound of BBK and Mysore in it.

On 3/5/2026 at 11:34 PM, HemiSam said:

After my Niche Zero grinder started having issues with lighter espresso beans I reached out to Niche.  They first recommended a cleaning...same same.  Then, when they realized I've had mine for 6 years and it was obtained via their Indegogo campaign, they recommended I purchase a new motor and board.

$41 for the parts, $40 shipping from the UK, and duties $21...  Duties were charged on shipping...LOL.

All buttoned back up and working like a champ.

 

I ordered a Zerno Z2 grinder, but it'll be a loooong while before it shows up.

HS

 

Six years on the original motor is a solid run and forty one dollars for parts beats replacing the whole grinder, though the shipping and duties sting more than the repair. Lighter beans are denser and need more torque, so a tired motor shows up there first, and if it helps this page on the Coffetek Zen shows how commercial units handle consistent grinding under load, which puts into perspective how hard a small home motor works. The duty charged on shipping is exactly the kind of petty nonsense that catches everyone off guard. Waiting on a Zerno Z2 sounds like a long game but worth it. Repairing what you have and ordering the upgrade separately is the smartest path.

Mine actually gave up on me last year, and I was gutted, I'd had it for years and loved it. I ended up paying for a new motor and board too, but the whole thing left a sour taste.