Subminimal Subscale Review
The Subminmal Subscale is the lates product to be released from Subminimal.
As a barista turned home barista, I've always emphasised the importance of precision in coffee making. Whether it's ensuring the grind size is perfect, water temperature or the dose is measured to the gram every detail counts and makes a monumental impact to the taste of your coffee.
Design and Build
The Subminimal Subscale boasts a sleek, compact design that fits neatly on any kitchen counter or coffee bar. Its lightweight yet sturdy construction makes it easy to handle, yet it feels durable enough to withstand daily use.
The clear digital display is a standout, offering easy readability which is crucial when you're aiming for that perfect brew or in early morning conditions.
Subscale Performance
Powering up with a standard DC 3.7V and an impressively low working current, the Subscale is energy efficient, which is appreciated during those long brewing days. The Subscale is able to measure down to the 0.01 of a gram meaning regardless of measuring coffee beans, water, or even small additions like syrups or milk, the measurements are spot on.
User Experience
Operating the Subscale is straightforward. It doesn't have unnecessary buttons or complicated settings, which is perfect for quick, efficient morning routines.
I've also found the battery life to be excellent, which means less worrying about frequent recharging and more focus on brewing and enjoying my coffee.
How To Clean The Subminimal Subscale
Adhering to the manufacturer's advice, I avoid using corrosive cleaners, sticking to mild soapy water and a soft cloth. This simple care routine has kept my Subscale looking as good as new, without any degradation in performance or damage to the unit.
Subminimal Subscale Pros:
- Precision Accuracy: Ensures consistent coffee brewing results.
- Compact and Lightweight: Easy to handle and doesn't take up much space.
- Energy Efficient: Low current usage and excellent battery life.
- Easy to Read Display: Makes it simple to get accurate measurements every time.
- Simple Operation: No complicated settings, ideal for quick use.
Subminimal Subscale Cons:
- Easy to funnel, difficult with portafilters: The Subscale doesn't easily fit into portafilters, if you plan on grinding directly into the Subscale using an espresso funnel or dosing ring will help heaps with this.
- Limited water resistance: The Subscale isn't entirely waterproof, while you can pour a latte or espresso directly into it, you can't expose the base to water or submerge the Subscale.
- Sensitive to Chemicals: Care must be taken with cleaning agents to avoid damage.
Summary
The Subminimal Subscale is an incredibly handy tool for any coffee enthusiast, especially for those who, like me, have a background in working in cafes. Its precision and simplicity allow me to make cafe quality coffee, ensuring that my brews are nothing short of excellent. You can never have too many scales around and by using a digital dosing cup with a built in scale replaces two objects on my coffee bar.
