What Ownership Is Really Like
Forty-five grinder settings create useful range
The conical burr system allows small adjustments as coffee ages. The manual suggests the espresso region around settings 8–12 as a starting point, not a universal answer. Keep dose and target yield stable, move gradually and allow retained grounds to clear before judging.
Timed grinder presets are not scales
Single and double grind commands improve repetition, while bean density, hopper level and fineness still change output weight. A scale reveals the actual dose. The dosing ring and anti-static design reduce mess but do not distribute the bed evenly.
The 52mm basket requires deliberate preparation
After grinding, break up clumps, spread coffee to the edges, tamp level and clean the rim. A narrower basket produces a deeper puck. The advertised 20-bar pump cannot correct channeling or an overloaded filter.
Three temperatures are a genuine taste control
The selectable levels are about 194°F, 197°F and 204°F. Darker coffee may benefit from lower heat and lighter coffee from higher. Temperature should be adjusted after grind and ratio are close, because it cannot rescue a shot that gushes or stalls.
The large tank supports household rounds
At about 60.9 ounces, the reservoir reduces mid-session refills. Rinsing, hot water and steaming still consume more than the beverage. Refresh the water, clean the tank and leave enough height above the 14.7-inch machine to remove the hopper and reservoir.
Milk remains fully manual
The steam wand also dispenses hot water. Purge condensation, texture cold milk, wipe and purge immediately. Multiple milk drinks remain sequential even though integrated grinding speeds puck preparation.
Bean switching has a retention penalty
Coffee remains in burrs and the chute. A full hopper is convenient for one bean, but regular-to-decaf switching creates carryover. Load smaller quantities when changing often and brush the dry path; never put water into the grinder.
Maintenance has four separate zones
Brush burrs and chute, rinse portafilter and group, clean the steam wand and descale the hydraulic circuit every few months according to hardness. One procedure cannot replace another. Empty the tray daily because purges accumulate unseen water.
Who will enjoy it
CM1628 fits a buyer wanting fine grinder control and temperature options in one station. It is less suitable for automatic milk, frequent bean switching or someone who wants a modular grinder upgrade path.
Our Editorial Take
SHARDOR gives the CM1628 unusually strong control density for an all-in-one: 45 grind positions, three temperatures and a generous tank. The tradeoff is a multi-system maintenance routine and the need to measure what the presets actually deliver.
Amazon currently shows 20 customer reviews for this listing. That is an early evidence base, and no topic-level themes are governed; isolated comments are not expanded into Amazon-customer consensus about the grinder, espresso, milk or durability.
