Not sure how is it bad. Because it's stepped? Stepped has their own advantages. Not for me though.
Anyway beans are oily, they will clump and stick on their own nature. Different beans are also different in their level of oiliness and stickiness. Fresh beans are also more "wet".
All grinders will retain more or less, nothing much to do with the brand.
The reason why hand grinders retain lesser is because you have to dismantle everytime and can easier hand held it to knock to tilt or whatever. It's wireless, it's easier to manipulate and empty the grinder but requires much more time and effort.
An on demand grinder may takes less than 10 secs to on and grind straight to your portafilter .
Hand grinders have to weigh the beans, dismantle the grinder, grind to powder then transfer the powder to your portafilter.
If I can spend that effort to eliminate retention on a hand grinder. I believe I can also eliminate quite a bit with an on demand grinder.
If you ask me, do what you are comfortable with is more important. And is it used by only you or you are sharing with other users? Are they comfortable?
For me, I'll just tap the nozzle area and most retained coffee will drop off.
No matter whether it's Rocky or a Mazzer.
You can't escape the fact there's powder trapped between the burrs. So it maybe necessary to push out some powder to remove those that are not fresh, before your first cup.
Whatever the grinder's brand is, it is still the user in control. The grinder is dumb. I think speed and ease of use is important to me than a little wastage.
Especially when it's my whole family or my colleagues are using it. Can't expect everyone will want to do hand grinding. Spending so many minutes and effort.
So on demand grinders with automatic timing certainly is my choice.
Yes I've a little more wastage but more people are enjoying and help me finish the bags in time before going wasted, so I'm absolutely fine.
If you hate retention and willing to spend much more time and effort, then maybe get a hand grinder.
