Kafatek Monolith Grinder Evaluate: Final Espresso Grinder

Residence Grounds has mentioned it earlier than, and I’ll repeat it: a superb espresso machine is nothing with out a good grinder. And the most effective espresso machine calls for the most effective grinder.

If your private home coffee-bar sports activities one thing like a Slayer, a Synesso, or a La Marzocco GS3, and also you desire a first rate grinder to match, contemplate a Kafatek Monolith – assuming you continue to have cash left in your checking account.

Kafatek Monoliths are endgame espresso grinders that vary in worth from borderline loopy to even crazier. However for the discerning espresso lover, nothing can beat them. Maintain studying this Kafatek Monolith grinder overview to search out out whether it is value your cash.

The Full Kafatek Monolith Grinder Evaluate

Kafatek makes three Monolith grinders, first launched in 2016 (1). Priced from low to excessive, there’s the Monolith Titan Conical, the Monolith Titan Flat, and the Monolith Flat Max. This overview will talk about all three, with any distinctions talked about.

Design – 5/5

All Kafatek grinders are designed and in-built Seattle, USA, a world hub of specialty espresso and high-end espresso. Kafatek describes them as “espresso grinders boiled right down to the essence,” and so they have that feeling. 

In the event you’re used to a typical low-cost burr grinder with a hopper on prime and a grounds bin on the backside, you in all probability wouldn’t instantly establish the Kafatek Monolith as a espresso grinder. They appear like superbly engineered microscopes, albeit enticing ones with easy and smooth designs.

Regardless of their giant burr units, all three Monolith grinders are surprisingly compact. The Monolith Titan fashions measure 6” large by 8” deep by 14.5” tall, and they’re distinguished by the colour of the higher aspect – pink for Flat and black for Conical. The Monolith Flat Max is essentially bigger as a result of its bigger burrs however nonetheless maintains a footprint appropriate for dwelling kitchens, measuring 7.5” large by 8.7” deep by 16” tall.

Every features a brief, magnetically hooked up grounds exit chute, one among Kafatek’s signature design options. Eradicating and brushing out any trapped grounds is simple, minimizing grind retention.

Sturdiness – 5/5

An enormous benefit of the “grinders boiled right down to their essence” philosophy is that there’s little or no that may break – no fancy contact screens, programming, or laptop management. The construct is completely metallic, and so they don’t even have the ever present plastic hoppers discovered on many costly grinders.

The engineering high quality and a focus to element in manufacturing and meeting are instantly evident. World Barista Champion and low skilled James Hoffmann famous this in regards to the Flat Max, however we discovered the identical factor with the Titan grinders.

The Flat Max mannequin has just a few further longevity options. The motor is sized in order that it normally solely works at 50% capability, sometimes as much as 70%, and lasts longer as a result of it’s by no means pushed to its restrict. 

Moreover, the DC motor will not be custom-made however sourced from extensively obtainable elements in commonplace sizes. Kafatek desires this grinder to final no less than 50 years, and so they know digital elements will probably fail in that point. So they need them to be shortly and cheaply replaceable. 

Ease of Use – 5/5

The Kafatek Monolith is a single-dosing grinder holding about 40 g of espresso beans. Which means no bean hopper or dosing system. You weigh exactly the quantity of espresso you want, add it to the grinder, slot it into the portafilter holding fork, and grind till it’s accomplished. 

Single dosing is rising in recognition amongst dwelling espresso fans for a number of causes.

• For dwelling customers, storing espresso beans in a transparent, plastic bean hopper for any interval will trigger them to go stale quicker.
• It’s simple to modify between totally different coffees day by day, although you’ll nonetheless have to dial within the grind dimension.
• It’s extra constant, as grinders that dose by time will be influenced by the quantity of beans within the hopper.

In fact, the drawback is that it provides the step of weighing espresso beans to your espresso prep workflow.

Grinding Functionality – 5/5

If these grinders don’t warrant 5/5 on this class, nothing does. That is nearly as good because it will get, even amongst different prosumer-type grinders. Why? For one factor, Kafatek’s founder {custom} designs the burrs, utilizing never-before-seen grinding geometry for unimaginable grind high quality and consistency. 

That is one class the place it’s value trying on the three fashions of grinder individually. Although, notably, all of them share exceptionally low grind retention.

Monolith Titan Conical

The Conical model of the Monolith is supplied with a double set of 71 mm conical burrs. Kafatek was the primary firm to innovate the dual-burr design, and whereas they’ve impressed just a few copycats, they nonetheless reign supreme on this model. The primary burr set is designed and made in-house and does a rough pre-grind. The second set for finer grinding comes from world-renowned producer Mazzer. 

The Conical makes use of a exact step-less grind mechanism, which runs from coarse to nice. Although this grinder was designed for espresso, it delivers equally nice outcomes for pour-over brews. The motor runs at a sluggish 120 RPMs, which is nice. For conical burrs, slower grinding produces higher consistency, which is why many guide grinders have conical burr units.

Monolith Titan Flat

The Monolith Flat makes use of a set of customized 75 mm Titanium Nitride-coated Shuriken-LM flat burrs. Their distinctive geometry means they’ve extra chopping floor than commonplace flat burrs – nearly like they’ve packed the grinding energy of an 80 mm burr right into a smaller package deal. 

The variable pace motor is adjustable from 22 RPM to 800 RPM, which is one purpose for the value soar between the Conical and Flat fashions. Kafatek recommends adjusting the grind pace to the kind of espresso, slower for porous darkish roasts and quicker for dense mild roasts.

Monolith Flat Max

The additional value of the Flat Max is principally as a result of its burr set. It makes use of huge 98 mm {custom} burrs. Only some business grinders can match them for dimension, and just a few dwelling customers will actually get their cash’s value. Says Kafatek, “Monolith Flat MAX is the results of espresso obsession taken to its restrict. “

This can be a grinder designed for the area of interest of sunshine roast espresso. In fact, with the step-less and lock-less grind adjustment system, you possibly can grind for any model of brew you favor. However mild roast espresso, which is notoriously arduous to get proper, is the place the Flat Max distinguishes itself from the group.

Just like the Monolith Flat, it has a variable pace motor, adjustable from 22 to 400 RPM. However in an improve from the Monolith Flat, it’s additionally outfitted with a real-time pace show.

Worth for Cash – 3.5/5

The Kafatek Monolith grinders value more cash than most individuals ought to spend on a grinder. There’s no denying that. However that’s okay as a result of these aren’t grinders for everyone. That’s why they’re not mass-produced and by no means will probably be. Proper now, the Monolith Titan Conical retails for $2250, the Monolith Titan Flat is $2650, and the Flat Max is $3450. That’s a whole lot of dough, but it surely’s value it for the hardcore espresso obsessive.

Why? Let’s discuss what you’re paying for.

The {custom} burr set and engineering at work are unmatched by any cheaper grinder. Every made-in-the-USA Monolith is precision machined to tolerances of 10 microns or much less – significantly lower than the diameter of a human hair (2)! They’re designed to final 50+ years, so that is an endgame grinder in each phrase. It is going to in all probability outlive you.

Each Monolith is hand-built and hand-tested; they don’t simply check whether or not it grinds. First the testers grind, then they make espresso, which is taste-tested and measured with a refractometer. A grinder that fails these assessments by no means leaves the workshop, and that kind of high quality management prices cash.

The Monoliths ship with a superb equipment of equipment – a WDT software, an RDT spray bottle, small bellows charmingly referred to as Mr. Puff, and a 58 mm dosing funnel (3). They usually include a 1-year guarantee.

Notably, Kafatek solely recommends the Flat Max to these keen about mild roast espresso. The Monolith Titan Flat delivers comparable high quality for medium and darkish roasts, making it a greater worth.

Don’t Purchase the Kafatek Monolith Grinder If…

• You don’t have the finances: Even the most cost effective Kafatek Grinder is the value of a used automotive. In the event you can’t justify that expense to your self or your partner, there are extra inexpensive single-dosing choices. In the event you desire flat burrs, contemplate the DF64 espresso grinder, and for those who desire conical burrs, the Area of interest Zero is a well-liked selection. Each run a few quarter the value of the Monolith Titan, although neither matches its high quality.
• You favor a grinder with a hopper: If single-dosing isn’t for you, you’re in luck as a result of most dwelling grinders are nonetheless rocking bean hoppers nowadays. Try the Mazzer Mini for cheaper choices, or learn our full overview of the Fiorenzato F4. For a barely pricier and extra superior mannequin, you possibly can’t go incorrect with the Eureka Atom 75.
• You desire a business grinder: The Kafatek Monolith isn’t designed for business use. Certainly, their guarantee is void in a business setting. In the event you’re opening a espresso store, we recommend the tried-and-true king of economic grinders, the Mahlkonig EK-43s.

The Verdict

Not everybody can or can buy a Kafatek Monolith espresso grinder, and few of us actually have the palate or the espresso-making expertise to understand these grinders’ capabilities actually. However for many who do, little else matches the engineering and design of Kafatek. 

Kafatek grinders are costly, however you get what you pay for on this case. They aren’t expensive due to a model identify or advertising and marketing hype; you’re paying for the most effective grinder your cash should buy.