Solis Grinder: What You Need to Know Before Buying

Solis is a Swiss brand that's been making kitchen appliances since 1908, but they're still relatively unknown in the specialty coffee world. Their coffee grinders occupy an interesting middle ground: better built than entry-level options, priced below the Italian premium brands, and designed with a focus on clean Swiss engineering. If you've stumbled across a Solis grinder online and can't find much real-world feedback, you're not alone.

I've spent time with the Solis Scala and Scala Plus models, which are their most widely available grinders in North America. I'll cover the build quality, grind performance, how they handle different brew methods, and where they fit in the broader grinder market. If you're weighing a Solis against the usual recommendations from Baratza, Eureka, or Breville, this should help you decide.

The Solis Scala Lineup

Solis sells several grinder models, but the two you're most likely to encounter are the Scala (also sold as the Scala Compact in some markets) and the Scala Plus.

Solis Scala

The base Scala is a conical burr grinder with a straightforward design. It features steel conical burrs, a stepped grind adjustment with around 20-22 settings, and a bean hopper that holds about 300g. The grind output drops into a removable grounds container.

It's compact, standing about 10 inches tall, and weighs around 5 pounds. The footprint is small enough to tuck into a corner of your counter without eating up too much space.

Solis Scala Plus

The Scala Plus adds a few features: more grind settings (often stepped up to 40+), a slightly larger bean hopper, and in some versions, a direct-to-portafilter holder for espresso use. The burrs are the same conical steel design, but the finer adjustment steps give you more control in the espresso range.

Both models run in the $100-$200 range depending on the retailer and any current promotions. That puts them in direct competition with the Baratza Encore, Oxo Brew, and Breville Smart Grinder.

Grind Quality and Consistency

The conical burrs in the Solis produce a reasonable grind for home brewing. For drip coffee and pour-over, the results are good. Particle distribution is relatively uniform at medium settings, and I got clean, balanced cups from both a standard drip machine and a Hario V60.

For French press, the coarse settings work well. Particles are large enough to avoid over-extraction during a 4-minute steep, and the resulting cup had body without excessive silt.

Espresso Performance

Here's where I need to be honest. The base Scala model does not grind fine enough for unpressurized espresso. The finest setting produces particles that are still too coarse for proper espresso extraction. If you're using a pressurized portafilter basket (common on beginner espresso machines), it'll work fine. But if you're pulling shots through a standard 18g unpressurized basket, the Scala can't get there.

The Scala Plus does better with its extended grind range. You can get into espresso territory, though the stepped adjustment means you might land between two settings and not be able to dial in perfectly. I found that for medium to dark roasts, the Scala Plus produced acceptable shots. Light roasts needed finer grinding than the Scala Plus could deliver.

Build Quality and Durability

This is where Solis earns some respect. The build quality feels a step above what you get from similarly priced competitors. The plastic is thick and solid, the grind adjustment mechanism feels precise without any wobble, and the overall fit and finish is clean.

The burrs themselves are well-machined steel. I disassembled the burr set to clean it after a month of use and was impressed by the quality of the casting and edge retention. These burrs should hold their sharpness for 3-4 years of daily use.

Motor Quality

The motor is quiet. Not Eureka Mignon quiet, but noticeably less loud than a Baratza Encore. Grinding 20g of beans produces a steady, moderate hum rather than the aggressive whirring some grinders make. It's one of those subtle things you appreciate during early morning brewing when the house is still asleep.

The motor also doesn't heat up much during normal home use. I measured burr temperature after grinding 5 consecutive 20g doses and found only a 3-4 degree increase. For typical one-or-two-dose mornings, heat is a non-issue.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Solis designed the Scala grinders with easy cleaning in mind. The upper burr pops out with a simple twist mechanism, giving you access to both burr surfaces and the grinding chamber. No tools required.

I clean the burrs with a stiff brush every 2-3 weeks, and I run a few grams of grinder cleaning tablets through once a month. The grounds container rinses easily and is dishwasher safe on the models I've tested.

One thing I appreciate: the chute between the burrs and the output container is short and relatively straight. This means less retention and fewer grounds getting stuck in corners compared to grinders with longer, more complex internal pathways. Typical retention is about 0.5-1.0g, which is decent for a hopper-fed grinder at this price.

Solis vs. The Competition

Let me put the Solis grinders in context with the models most people are cross-shopping.

Solis Scala vs. Baratza Encore

The Encore is the default recommendation in the $100-$150 range, and for good reason. It has a proven track record, excellent parts availability, and a huge community of users. The Solis Scala matches it in grind quality for filter coffee and edges it out in build feel and noise level. The Encore wins on parts support, community knowledge, and long-term repairability. If you value being able to replace any part easily 5 years from now, go Baratza. If you want a slightly quieter, slightly better-built machine and don't mind a smaller support ecosystem, the Solis is worth considering.

Solis Scala Plus vs. Breville Smart Grinder Pro

The Breville has more features: 60 grind settings, a digital timer, and a direct-to-portafilter cradle. The Solis Scala Plus has better build quality and a quieter motor. For espresso users, the Breville's wider grind range gives you more control. For filter-only users, the Solis is cleaner and simpler.

For a wider view of what's available across all price points, take a look at our best coffee grinder guide and the top coffee grinder roundup.

FAQ

Where can I buy a Solis grinder in the US?

Solis grinders are available through Amazon, Williams Sonoma, and a handful of specialty coffee retailers. Availability can be spotty since Solis doesn't have the same distribution network as Baratza or Breville in North America. Check current stock before getting your heart set on a specific model.

Are replacement parts available for Solis grinders?

This is one of the weaker points. Solis doesn't have the same parts catalog that Baratza does. You can get replacement burrs and some accessories through Solis directly, but finding third-party parts is limited. If your grinder needs a motor or electronic board replacement out of warranty, it may be more practical to replace the whole unit.

Can the Solis Scala grind for Turkish coffee?

No. Neither the Scala nor the Scala Plus grinds fine enough for Turkish coffee. You need a purpose-built Turkish grinder or a high-end espresso grinder dialed to its finest setting for that level of fineness.

Is Solis a reputable brand?

Yes. Solis has been manufacturing kitchen equipment in Switzerland since 1908. They're well-known in Europe but relatively new to the North American coffee market. The quality is genuine, and they have a solid warranty program in most markets.

The Takeaway

Solis grinders offer good build quality and solid filter coffee performance at a competitive price. The Scala is a reliable choice for drip, pour-over, and French press users who want something quieter and better-built than the typical entry-level options. The Scala Plus extends into espresso territory but with limitations. If you mainly brew filter coffee and want a clean, well-made grinder from a reputable manufacturer, Solis deserves a spot on your shortlist. Just keep the limited parts ecosystem in mind if you plan to keep this grinder for many years.