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I swapped out the momentary switch for a standard on/off switch from Amazon for my Eureka Mignon Filtro grinder.
The tiny act of not having to stand there pressing the button in the whole time you are grinding coffee seems petty and ridiculous but genuinely results in a better routine overall. I am now free to focus on other aspects of coffee prep and as a result the routine, even if just for the short time the beans are grinding, is improved
I like multitasking. What can I say.
It's likely designed for safety (in a cheap way) so that the thing isn't left on and running for too long. It probably can't properly get rid of the heat it generates fast enough to run continuously. My (higher end, but still made of plastic) burr grinder insists on only running for about 30 seconds at a time because I can't afford an all metal behemoth like at the local coffee shop that can chew through several pounds of beans in one go. The machine needs time to cool between so that it doesn't wear out prematurely.
Also, for devices in homes that have the potential to chew up an entire head of hair or suck in a loose bit of clothing like a tie in an instant, it is good to have their operation tied to a dead man's switch.
and supposedly high temps burn the beans
This is a home grinder, usually grinding for an espresso last less than 30 seconds, it will have time to cool down, no issue there Many grinders like the Niche have a similar on/off switch.
The main thing is definitely safety. Imagine long hair getting caught in it and trying to fiddle with an on/off switch instead of being able to just let go of the button. Or if a child sucks their hand in it.
It could make for a disastrous situation. But if OP doesn't have long hair or children, then they're probably fine.
Doesn't the grinder have a lid on the bean hopper? That would limit unintentional grinding of non-beans.
Safety, like ogres and onions, is all about layers.