1st-line Sonny On Demand Stepped Doserless Espresso Coffee Grinder

DISCONTINUED 1st-line Sonny Espresso Coffee Grinder

4.5 out of 5 based on 4 customer ratings
(4 customer reviews)

This product has been discontinued at 1st-line Equipment.
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1st-line “Sonny” On Demand Stepped Doserless Espresso Coffee Grinder

The smallest of 1st-line’s series of entry-level espresso coffee grinders, the ‘Sonny’ is a heavyweight champ for the home barista. Available in black or chrome, it’s a perfectly sized grinder for any stainless steel espresso machine. The black version matches the black handles and knobs on most stainless steel espresso machines. The chrome version matches polished stainless steel superbly.

The ‘Sonny’ grinder can be used manually by pressing the portafilter firmly against the switch (for 2 seconds or more) just above and behind the forks and holding it until the desired amount of ground espresso coffee is dispensed. Or, the Sonny grinder can be programmed for either a single or double dose (only one of the two) whereby the built in programmable timer will stop the grinding when the programmed time is reached. Need a little more ground coffee in the portafilter? No sweat! Just hold the portafilter for 2 seconds or more for a little more ground coffee.

Inside of the chute of our Sonny espresso coffee grinder, there is a clump breaker that does a pretty good job! However, when taking it down to almost Turkish grind, there is some clumping. We found there is only about this ~3 grams of retention in the chute. Not bad for a well built espresso grinder!

The stepped adjustment makes it super easy to get back to the fineness setting desired, and the bean hopper is easily removable or can be secured to the adjustment dial with two included screws.

Cleaning is easy by putting in some UrnexGrindz in Sonny!

Sonny-grinding-adjustment

Grinding adjustment

  • Stepped – Adjustment dial is located underneath the hopper. The entire dial is numbered so you can remember your current grind setting easier. Turn clockwise for a finer grind and counterclockwise for a coarser grind.
  • Setting lock – A setting lock button keeps your current setting. Prevents users from accidentally altering it and spending time to find your correct setting again.
Sonny-grinding-burrs

Grinding burrs

  • Flat burrs – Sized at 50 mm. Not as noisy as other grinders around this price level.
  • High rpm – Faster spinning rate at 1400 rpm. The higher the speed, the faster the production, which can increase efficiency and reduce wait times.
Sonny-on-demand-grinding

On demand grinding

  • Easy operation – Below the coffee chute is the grinding button. Simply press the button and the grinding automatically starts and stops at the set time.
  • Timer controls – In the back of the grinder, there is a screw that adjusts the on demand grinding time. Using a flat head screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise to increase time and counterclockwise to decrease time.
  • Semi-automatic control – Holding the grinding button for 2 seconds will activate semi-automatic grinding. Once you have enough grinds, release the button to stop grinding.
Sonny-bean-hopper

Bean hopper

  • Low profile – We include the short hopper in your purchase of the Sonny grinder. The overall height in under 16″ which will easily fit and operate under standard 18″ cabinets.
  • Tinted – Helps to avoid pre-mature deterioration of beans from light sources (such as sunlight).
  • Finger guard – Prevents users from “accidentally” putting their fingers in the grinding burrs. The finger guard is removable.
  • Set screws – There are 2 screws that come with the grinder. These screw into holes underneath the finger guard. This helps secure the hopper to the grinder. Prevents users from quickly removing the hopper, spilling beans everywhere.
Sonny-grinds-catch-tray

Grinds catch tray

  • Small size – The tray has a 1/4″ depth. This will be able to catch and hold a lot of grinds.
  • Removable – The tray sits on a platform with a hole that it locks onto. This keeps the tray from sliding away from the grinder. Easy to install or remove.
Notes

Espresso Coffee Grinder Warnings:

  • Changing grind settings: It is very important to only change grind settings when the unit is powered on and the burrs are in motion. If you do not do this, the burrs will ‘gunk’ up and render the grinder to only produce very coarse grinds or no grinds at all. To remedy this, you will have to open up the grinder to get access to the grinding burrs. This issue will be considered operator error for lack of following directions, and not be classified as a defective grinder.
  • Electrical cord: For most grinders, the cord is placed between the packaging (foam or cardboard) and the underside body of the grinder. During shipping, it is normal for a bend or insignificant blemish/slice to damage the cord.
  • Finding coffee grinds in a new grinder: Most manufacturers test their grinders with coffee beans before they leave their facility. Unfortunately, they are not always able to get every trace of coffee out of the grinders after testing. As a result, you may find coffee beans or grinds inside your grinder, or there may be grinds in the packaging.
  • Static issues: There are static issues with all grinders, even the highest-quality models. We firmly believe that the static comes from the coffee beans. If you are having static problems with your coffee grinder, try using a different blend of beans.
  • Electrical: To avoid electrical damage (which is not considered a manufacturer’s defect), please acquire and install a single-outlet surge suppressor rated at 1080 joules or higher. A surge without protection can damage a grinder at the power switch, the capacitor, the motor, or the wiring.
  • Burr cleaning: For routine maintenance of the grinding burrs, we recommend using grinder cleaning agents. We do not recommend any removal of the burrs or the burr carrier for cleaning (unless necessary) as re-assembly can cause damage.
  • Replacing burrs: NEVER use a flathead screwdriver and hammer to wedge under the burrs for removal. This could badly damage your grinder.

Specifications

Brand

1st-line
Height (inches)

15.5, approximate
Width (inches)

6.5, approximate
Depth (inches)

11, approximate
Weight (pounds)

12
Wattage (watts)

213
Voltage (volts)

110 – 120
Burr size (mm), Type

50, flat
Grinding speed (RPM)

1400
Hopper capacity (grams)

250
Country of manufacture

Italy
Approvals

CE

Finding your part
  • Please use the parts diagrams provided below to determine the part(s) you need. Then use our search box above to find the part(s) on our website. If no results come up, more than likely we do not stock the part.
  • If uncertain, please go to the equipment model or part product page. Then use the Q&A tab found on that web page to ask your question.
  • Lastly, and only if the first 2 options were exhausted, please use our parts inquiry page.
  • Our call center does not have the training to handle parts inquiries for over 60,000 different parts items. Asking any questions regarding parts will more than likely result in you being referred to the above steps.
  • Please note also that all parts purchases are non-returnable or refundable and do not include technical support, instructions, or warranties as the purchase price of any part does not cover the cost of technical support. Technical support is available for repairing equipment in our shop.
  • Sorry, we will only special order a part for a model we carry AND was purchased through our supply chain.
  • Since we are unaware of the mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing expertise of a parts buyer or the tools owned by a parts buyer, we are never able to advise if a self-repair can be performed.
Parts-Diagram-1st-line-Sonny
# SKU
1 P042
2 P040
3 P023
4 P036
5 P034
6 P036F
7 P022
8 EB011
9 P02
10 EB011
11 DF53
12 P08
13 DF90
14 DF85M
15 DF6
16 EB05
17 P033
18 DF84
19 DF15
19 DF15110
20 P050
21 MT11
22 P011
23 DF75
23 DF75110
24 P035
24 P035110
25 P094
26 P041
27 EB019
28 MT913
29 P037
30 P012
31 DF91
32 P016

Customer reviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
5 stars 2 50 %
4 stars 2 50 %
3 stars 0 0 %
2 stars 0 0 %
1 star 0 0 %

4 reviews for DISCONTINUED 1st-line Sonny Espresso Coffee Grinder

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      Is the illustration for grind-size (below the settings-ring 'numbers' - under the hopper) reversed?
    1. 0 votes
      Q Is the illustration for grind-size (below the settings-ring 'numbers' - under the hopper) reversed? answer now
      Asked by RandiO on February 4, 2023 5:09 pm
      Answered by the admin

      Yes, it is reversed on the Sonny espresso coffee grinders.
      2. portafilter guide (metal ring below spout where ground coffee exits) is easy removable?
    2. 0 votes
      Q portafilter guide (metal ring below spout where ground coffee exits) is easy removable? answer now
      Asked by Larky Delgado on February 1, 2020 1:34 pm
      Answered by the admin

      Sorry, it is not that easy. Unplug the unit. The three screws on the front panel need to be removed. Then the 2 front bolts on the guides need to be removed. The bolt needs to be slid off through the back of the front panel. Then a shorter replacement bolt needs to be placed in to avoid coffee grinds getting in through the 2 small holes. We are not responsible for any damage nor personal injury.
      3. I need the parts diagram
    3. 0 votes
      Q I need the parts diagram answer now
      Asked by Larry Delgado on January 27, 2020 5:03 pm
      Answered by the admin

      Sorry, this is currently being worked on.
      Answered by the admin

      Hi,

      Here is a link to the parts diagram:

      https://www.1st-line.com/technical-support/1st-line-technical-support/parts-diagram-1st-line-sonny/
      4. I understand the adjustment in the back controls the timed grind and when setting up the grind, there is a plus and minus sign when turning both ways. I assumed that if you turned toward the minus, you are decreasing the time. However, for me it is the opposite. Also, my grinder is clumping a lot and I am using medium roast espresso beans. I am not sure what to do to prevent this.
    4. 0 votes
      Q I understand the adjustment in the back controls the timed grind and when setting up the grind, t...... Read more answer now
      Asked by Lindley Jones on May 10, 2019 6:48 pm
      Answered by the admin

      We prefer to not use the timer. The reason is that every time you change the grind setting, the timer needs to be adjusted.

      It is possible that our manufacturer put on the wrong stickers. We will double check.

      Clumping comes from grinding the beans too fine and the design of the grinder. Too many customers grind too fine because they put too little coffee in the filter basket. Thus a finer grind is needed to have the proper extraction. However, we have noticed it is better to fill the 2 cup basket level to the rim, then tamp, then make grinder fineness adjustments based on the extraction results.

      Please read our articles getting started...
      5. Hello; How many milling adjustments have.
    5. 0 votes
      Q Hello; How many milling adjustments have. answer now
      Asked by Fernando on November 3, 2018 12:54 am
      Answered by the admin

      Currently, there are 40+ settings. Typically, only a range of 10 settings are used for espresso. This grinder is considered for only espresso grinding.
      6. How does Sonny respond to beans that are a bit on the oily side?
    6. 0 votes
      Q How does Sonny respond to beans that are a bit on the oily side? answer now
      Asked by carol on October 30, 2018 7:44 pm
      Answered by the admin

      Funny that you asked! We just loaded our showroom model with most oily beans we could find!

      The 'Sonny' was grinding some lightly roasted beans up until this past Monday, and this required a very fine grind because the oils were not at the beans' surface. When we placed in the oily beans on Monday, the grind fineness was too fine and choked the espresso machine which was pumping up to 11 bar. We had to coarsen the grind on the oily coffee beans because the oils are already at the surface.

      So far, the bean hopper chute has not stopped the gravity feed of the oily beans.
      7. I’ve purchased the ponte vecchio lusso 1 from you and being that the portafilter is 45mm will this grinder be centered under the chute?
    7. 0 votes
      Q I’ve purchased the ponte vecchio lusso 1 from you and being that the portafilter is 45mm will thi...... Read more answer now
      Asked by Mike on August 12, 2018 6:34 pm
      Answered by the admin

      Hi Mike. We just tested a Ponte Vecchio portafilter with the Sonny grinder we have in our showroom. The coffee chute extends a little past the portafilter rim.  When you initially grind, the coffee seems to stay inside the basket. However once the basket starts to fill, it then starts to spill outside the basket.
      8. What the DB sound level of this grinder?
    8. 0 votes
      Q What the DB sound level of this grinder? answer now
      Asked by Mike on August 12, 2018 6:30 pm
      Answered by the admin

      Immediately at the chute, the decibel reading ranges from 85-88. Approximately 3 feet away, the range in decibel reading was 65-68. Please note each different tool may read differently, and different readings can occur from different environments.

    Ingo K. from United States (US) purchased

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