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If you are planning to run your own business, it is of great importance that you have the proper equipment, such as a , over a standard type of equipment. A or a simple cannot simply keep up with the demands in a business.
When it comes to purchasing a , there are many things that you need to know. First, let’s take a look at what these machines are and what they can do for you that your standard or home grinders can’t.
- It has a larger and better quality mechanism than the standard . This allows you to at a much faster rate and can tackle larger daily volumes with ease.
- It has better heat resistance from the internals so to preserve the taste of freshly
- Increased durability, especially for moving parts, is ideal for large-capacity grinding. This means you will deal less with replacement parts and services.
- Overall enhanced quality will give you top-notch brewed .
Note – If you just brew at home, there is a good chance you won’t need that bulky . Instead, check out our list of the Best Budget Grinders that will be perfect for home use.
Now, are you looking to make business? Then, you are in the right place. I’ve done my research to find the best commercial grinders of 2022. So, let us finally kick it off and see what they’re all about! in bulk for a big event, in a restaurant, or simply to support your small
Table of Contents
The 7 Best Commercial Coffee Grinders
When it comes to choosing the , there are a variety of options in the market. Each of these commercial grinders has its own promising features such as being ideal for safety, suitable for any type of , perfect for big businesses, or easy to use for the everyday barista.
Let us explore your options with the 7 best commercial grinders we listed below.
Best For Safe Grinding: La Pavoni ZIP-B Commercial Espresso Grinder
- 63.5mm tempered steel flat burrs
- Die-cast aluminum body
- 0.33hp (~250 watts) motor that runs at 1400 RPM
- Automatic stop function when the hopper is empty
- Adjustable dose
- Multiple selection
- Hopper capacity of 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
- Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 21 inches (33 x 20.3 x 53.3 cm)
- Weight: 29 lbs (13.1 kg)
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First on our list is known for its safe grinding and that is the La Pavoni ZIP-B Commercial Espresso Grinder. This is an Italian-made commercial that features a large 63.5 mm tempered steel flat burrs that can 13 lbs (5.9 kg) of beans per hour. The semi-automatic dosing adjusts from 5 g (.17 oz) to 8 g (.28 oz).
The motor’s thermal shield helps block out sound, and the insulation retains heat while grinding. The die-cast anodized aluminum body provides stability and long-lasting durability.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Automatic stop function protects the motor
- Fast
- Produces consistent
- Semi-automatic dosing function (5g to 8g setup)
Cons:
- No timer
- Limited options
La Pavoni ZIP-B is ideal for big-batch brewing or if you have a huge amount of to . It is very user-friendly, works well with grinding, and is quite durable. This one also offers safety features, unlike many other similar commercial grinders in the market.
Best For Busy Cafes: Mazzer Super Jolly Espresso Grinder
- 64 mm hardened steel flat burrs
- 2.7 lbs (1.2 kg) hopper capacity
- 0.6 lb (0.27 kg) doser capacity
- Dosing mechanism dispenses 5.5g to 8g
- Stepless adjustment
- Starts working when timer dial is set
- 350-watt motor at 1600 RPM
- Dimensions: 24 x 7.75 x 10.5 in (61 x 20 x 26.7 cm)
- Weight: 31 lbs (14 kg)
The Mazzer Super Jolly is an impressive machine that can handle a busy is also easy to use and set up. house without any hitch. This
The Mazzer can take up a lot of space, though, in your brewing area, but it is perfect for large quantities of delicious production. It is a stepless so it can produce an endless range of fine to coarse grounds.
The dosing mechanism dispenses 5.5g to 8g of for quick brewing. No more long lines or angry customers and your machines are always brewing as this can up to 17g per second.
Pros:
- Quick and consistent
- Grinds beans from fine to coarse
- Can handle large capacity grinding
- Dosing mechanism for quick dispensing of
- On/off switch is integrated with the dial timer for quick operation
- Durable steel construction
- Large hopper
Cons:
- Large footprint
The Mazzer Jolly is ideal for a busy cafe and making loads of delicious cups of . It is durable and made to handle large capacity brewing. The Mazzer Super Jolly is the ultimate monster.
Best For Specialty Drinks: Baratza Forte Coffee Grinder
- 54 mm all-purpose flat ceramic
- Digital touch screen
- 260 adjustment settings
- Time-based, weight-based, and manual mode setup
- Portafilter holder
- Easy calibration of burrs
- Quick and easy removal of for cleaning
- Built-in scale for weight-based grinding
- Belt driven drive system
- Hopper capacity of 10 oz (285 g)
- Dimensions: 5.1 x 14.2 x 7.1 in (13 x 36 x 18 cm)
- Weight: 13 lbs (5.9 kg)
Baratza has always been a popular name in the world of . Their products continue to improve and become more innovative.
The Baratza Forte sports a compact size. But don’t let its small size fool you, as it is packed with amazing features and functionality backed with research and modern technology enhancements. That is why it is favored among barista and owners.
This has a ceramic flat that produces grounds suitable for any brew method of your choice. It has a lower capacity of 5 lbs per day to serve as a supporting . You could use this as your dedicated for decaf beverages or serve as an . The Baratza Forte’s versatility allows you to use the to meet your needs.
Pros:
- Compact and sleek design
- Small footprint
- Great for and other brew methods
- Quiet operation due to the belt drive system
- Grinding capacity of 5 lbs per day
- Durable metal construction
- Programmable for up to 3 presets
Cons:
- portafilter needs to be held to prevent sliding while grinding
- small hopper size for commercial use
- some lower quality plastic parts
The Baratza has a variety of functions and is perfect for cafes that serve specialty beverages that an ordinary cannot match.
Best For Reliability: Compak K6 Equipped Platinum Espresso Grinder
- 64 mm flat tempered burrs
- Aluminum housing
- Hopper capacity of 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg)
- Stepless electronic adjustment control
- Precision dosing
- Dimensions: 25 x 8.3 x 14.4 in (63.5 x 21 x 36.5 cm)
- Weight: 35 lbs (15.9 kg)
If you need a quick and reliable for your busy cafe, the Compak K6 Equipped Platinum Espresso Grinder is the right for you. This is designed and built for professional baristas and can handle any high-volume cafe with its grinding rate of 23 to 27 pounds of beans/hour.
The motor is designed to be running nonstop so there is no need to worry about heating issues. Its stepless electronic adjustment setting allows for any consistent .
Pros:
- Large hopper capacity
- Durable aluminum body
- Precise dosing
- Consistent ground particles
- Long-lasting build
- Small footprint
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- pricey replacement parts
The Compak K6 Platinum is built for reliability. It is large, fast, and durable. Absolutely better than any .
Best For Convenience: Mahlkonig K30 Air Espresso Doserless
- Long-lasting stainless steel casing
- Stepless adjustment
- Built-in rear fan to keep the whole unit cool
- 65 mm high precision flat burrs
- Doserless
- Programmable pushbuttons
- Hands-free operation
- Timed dosing (single or double)
- 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) hopper capacity
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 12.6 x 21.7 in (24 x 32 x 55 cm)
Another excellent for your business is the Mahlkonig K30 Vario. This is the United States and World Barista Championships’ official . Now that’s some serious business!
So, what does the K30 Air have to do with the K30 Vario? The K30 Air is the refined version of Vario. You’ll get the same features as from the Vario plus some added features in the K30 Air.
The K30 Air’s metal body has a rear fan that constantly cools the chamber and motor. It also has a hands-free operation and programmable pushbuttons for straightforward grinding.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Serves you the freshest all the time
- Cool grinding preserves the aromatic oil
- Active cooling for large capacity grinding
Cons:
- Might be too complicated and might take time to master
The Mahlkonig K30 Air is packed with features that make large capacity grinding a walk in the park. If you like convenience, this is for you. You can leave the grinding task to Mahlkonig while you focus more on the important stuff.
Best For Heavy-Use: Compak K10 Conic Black Coffee Grinder
- Stepless electronic control
- Motor runs at 400 RPM for a cooler
- 68 mm sandblasted tempered steel conical burrs
- Accurate doser
- Powerful 1hp motor
- The huge hopper that can hold 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg)
- Built-in cooling fan
- Dimensions: 25 x 8.3 x 14.4 in (63.5 x 21 x 36.5 cm)
- Weight: 40 lbs (18.1 kg)
The Compak K10 Conic grinds with a massive 68 mm that is made of tempered steel burrs. The ‘s burrs run at a slow speed of 400 RPM and can 35 to 39 pounds of beans per hour.
The cooling system allows you to all day. Additionally, you can make the freshest tasting due to limited heat transfer that interferes with quality.
Pros:
- Cool operation due to the cooling fan
- Long life-cycle of 1.2 tons
- Minimal or no clumping at all
- Consistent fluffy
- Huge hopper capacity
- Quick and simple to use
- Quick grinding at a rate of 35 to 39 lbs per hour
Cons:
- Chute retains grounds
The Compak K10 is perfect for producing large amounts of with ease.
Best For User-Friendliness: Bunn G3 HD 3 lb Black Bulk Grinder
- Precision burrs for consistent distribution
- High-volume Turbo grinding system
- Automatic stop
- Grinds 1 lb in 30 seconds
- Wide range of settings
- Dimensions: 16 x 27 x 7.4 inches
- Weight: 54.5 lbs
The Bunn G3 HD 3 lb Black Bulk is a simple commercial . Grinding with this is fast and efficient.
The Bunn Bulk can up to 3 pounds of beans at a time. A switch stops the motor when the bag is removed which prevents grinding until a new bag is in place. Precision burrs cut the beans so that there’s a consistent distribution for an exquisite taste.
Pros:
- High volume grinding
- Automatic start
- Easy to use
- Works fast and efficient
- Has a multiple of choices for coarseness variety
- Consistent distribution
Cons:
- Louder than other machines
The BUNN Bulk is easier to use compared to other grinders which are similar to the BUNN Bulk . is ideal for a large amount of . This
There you have it. Our 7 best commercial bar or thriving shops. Some of these even made it to our grinders for your Best High-End list.
Grinders in Comparison
Before we move on, here are some brief comparisons to help you pick which of the grinders listed above will suit your business.
For Safe La Pavoni ZIP-B
- automatic stop function
Best For Busy Cafes: Super Jolly
- easy to set up and use
- handles large capacity brewing
Best For Specialty Drinks: Baratza Forte
- sleek, compact design
- various features and functions
Best For Reliability: Compak K6 Equipped Platinum
- large capacity
- durable body
For Convenience: Mahlkonig K30 Air Doserless
- programmable
- hands-free option
Best For Heavy-Use: Compak K10 Conic Black
- cooling fan
- large hopper
Best For User-Friendliness: Bunn G3 HD 3 lb Black Bulk Grinder
- automatic start
- multiple grind settings
Ultimate Buyers Guide for Commercial Coffee Grinder
The secret to a great-tasting is a high-quality made possible with a top-notch . Buying a commercial is a big commitment and also an investment for your or business. Here are some points for you to consider before you choose your next .
Conical VS
Both grinders can be excellent, which is why both are often used. Let’s take a look at their differences.
Conical Burr Grinders
The is two cone-shaped burrs that slowly beans. This slow process keeps the beans cool which protects the flavor.
Grounds are produced in large and small particles. This could be good for brewing methods using coarse grounds as the smaller particles slow down the filtering process to extract more flavors.
Conical burrs are known to bring out brighter notes or fruitier flavors.
Pros:
- Best for fruitier blends
- Quiet grinding
- Generates less heat during grinding
- Easier to adjust
- Best for brew methods requiring coarse grounds
Cons:
- two-sized ground particles produce unbalanced extracts
Flat Burr Grinders
A flat uses flat-shaped burrs that spin so fast to crush the beans in between them. Flat burrs are known to generate heat due to their high RPM speed which leads to a risk of burnt beans.
However, modern engineering creates top-quality flat grinders designed to quickly dissipate heat to protect .
Unlike conical burrs, flat burrs produce single-sized particles for a balanced extraction.
Pros:
- Best for customizing blends
- More balanced extraction
- More uniform grounds compared to grinders
Cons:
- Loud grinding operation
- More difficult to adjust
Depending on your needs, you may want both types of commercial grinders. If you have smaller brewing needs, one kind may get the job done.
Which do you prefer? A or a flat ? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Doser VS. Doserless Grinders
You might also want to consider if you need a doser or doserless for your commercial grinding needs. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages, so let us take a look at them.
Doser Grinders
A doser is a container that catches the grounds and has a dispenser. It helps baristas to get an accurate dose with just a pull of a lever. Some grinders have electronic dosers that work without a container, which can make things even easier.
Pros:
- Great for busy cafes
- Accurate dosing for consistent brewing
- can hold a large quantity to anticipate high-volume orders
- Eliminates hit and miss dosing
Cons:
- Grounds may lose freshness while inside the doser
- Doser requires cleaning
- Models without containers may be messy
Doserless Grinders
Doserless grinders lack the container that catches grounds. Instead, it grinds directly to a portafilter, filter paper, or grounds bin. These grinders are usually used by experienced baristas who usually use their sense of sight to determine the right amount of grounds.
Typically, these grinders are equipped with just an on/off switch. However, some modern designs have a timed dosing function.
Pros:
- More control over the dispensing of the grounds
- Guarantees freshness
- No containers to clean and maintain
- Less waste from staled grounds
Cons:
- Best operated by an experienced barista
- Can create a mess
Stepped VS Stepless Grind Settings
Stepped and stepless settings refer to selecting the right according to the intended beverage. Both types set a machine to from coarse to fine.
Stepped Grind Settings
Most people are most familiar with a stepped grinders. . This is normally found on most entry-level commercial
It usually clicks when you adjust the because of the notched increments. settings are usually marked with numbers that represent how coarse or fine grounds will be produced.
Pros:
- Easier to set
- User-friendly, especially for newbie baristas
- Best for different brew options like , pour-over, and French press
- Works well for baristas in training
Cons:
- Limited options
Stepless Grind Settings
Unlike grinders with stepped settings, stepless grinders have no notch increments that click, though some have visible markings such as numbers. This allows for more versatility.
Pros:
- More precise settings
- Allows a barista to experiment on different
- Better flavor extraction
Cons:
- Difficult to repeat the same settings previously used
- Takes time to learn the exact settings
Hopper Size
A hopper is a part of the where you temporarily store your . If you are brewing for a crowd, hopper size really matters. If you are hosting a large event or work at a busy cafe, the hopper size on your should be big enough to store enough to and serve to customers.
Your ‘s hopper capacity should also match the capacity of your needs and space.
Manually Set VS Programmable Grinders
Many manufacturers are integrating smart technology with their products. The old or is being replaced by more advanced machines which are meant to make life easier and also help produce a better-tasting .
With that said, both manual and programmable grinders have advantages.
Manually Set Grinders
A requires you to manually set the desired and proceed with the grinding process.
A may have a timer that can be set manually to get the exact amount of grounds you need.
Usually, setup for manually set grinders needs to be repeated. This can be a tedious task, but old-school enthusiasts find these machines to be fail-proof.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- No complicated electronics to deal with
- Less expensive
- Easier to repair
Cons:
- Needs to be repeatedly setup
Programmable Grinders
Programmable grinders, on the other hand, use electronics and LCD screens to set. To use, you just push some buttons and let the smart do its magic.
However, there are some grinders using electronics that you need to reprogram daily as they are not equipped with a memory.
For the more advanced grinders, like the Baratza Vario, you can dial in 3 different preset programs that you repeatedly use. So the next time you use it, you only need to activate the preset and the can immediately the beans.
Pros:
- Works well if you use consistent settings
- Dosing and timers are more accurate
- Those with built-in preset programs provide quick operation
Cons:
- Can be pricy
- Takes time to get used to the programming
- Not as appealing to old-school java enthusiasts
Grinder Footprint
We often get so fascinated by the size of a the ‘s footprint or its measurements. If your counter space doesn’t have the room for something massive, you can either choose a that is more compact or make space. and we’re excited about the capacity that we forget to consider
You probably want your machine to fit well and look nice in the space you’re using. If so, be mindful of measurements.
Business Needs
If you’re feeling eager about a new machine, especially if you’re just starting up, take a moment to consider your needs.
Do you need multiple grinders for a variety of blends? Or is just one good enough to support your daily operations?
If you serve (or plan to) a large number of customers, you probably need a huge hopper or multiple machines. On the other hand, small cafes may be okay with one machine and possibly a backup.
Now, if you’re a part of a business that offers grinding services, then a separate retail or multiple grinders would be necessary.
Other things to consider are barista experience, desired appearance, and durability.
Your Budget
And of course, the most important thing to consider is your budget. Are you dreaming about the most expensive, fancy ? We don’t blame you! However, budget is important in business.
While a commercial machine is crucial for large production and/or running a business, it doesn’t have to break the bank. With so many options for commercial grinders, you can certainly find one that’s financially reasonable for you.
If you have the budget, go for those high-quality and durable grinders that can last for years. But if you don’t, settle to a that won’t hurt your budget. And when the business grows, you can upgrade your to a fancier model.
Other Considerations: The Difference Between Commercial, Retail, and Industrial Coffee Grinders
What do you need for your business? Will you need a commercial, retail, or industrial ?
Let’s take a look at what each of these is to help you make your decision.
The Speedy Commercial Grinders
If you weren’t already familiar with commercial grinders, you probably are now. A is also popularly known as a professional for making a large amount of high-quality .
It’s either equipped with conical burrs or flat burrs to beans accordingly. Being able to pounds of beans on a busy day isn’t the only impressive capability of commercial grinders. They also produce highly consistent ground size from one to the next.
A commercial is an ultimate secret to a perfected beverage enough for large crowds.
The Supercharged Retail Grinders
As mentioned earlier, retail grinders are usually found in grocery stores or cafes offering retail grinding services.
Retail grinders can also be used in busy cafes if you sell ground beans to customers for at-home use.
Retails grinders can produce fine to coarse grounds. Depending on the product, they have the capability of grounds consistency and top-notch flavor.
Retail grinders are designed, not just for speed and consistency, but can directly to bags as well. Some models even have an inbuilt bag shaker that vibrates the bag to settle the grounds.
So, you may now be wondering if a commercial or retail suits your business needs best. You may even see a use for having both.
A retail Compak R8 with a built-in bag shaker to automatically settle the grounds. well worth a mention is the
The Turbo-Charged Industrial Grinders
To take grinding up another notch, let’s take a look at industrial products which are meant to offer a speed like no other.
But, do you need an industrial like the Compak R140?
If you work with a roastery (or are planning to) or extremely large quantities to sell in a cafe or to vendors, then you might just need an industrial .
These turbo-charged mills can usually a whopping 5 pounds of beans or more in just a minute. Not only are they able to fast, but they also reliably produce consistent grounds as they’re equipped with specially-designed burrs.
So, do you need retail and industrial mills for your business? Again, as discussed earlier, decisions will be based on your business setup needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know what to look for when it comes to buying your , you may have some questions before you make that purchase. Here are common questions people ask before buying their next .
What is the best commercial coffee grinder?
The top commercial depends on your business needs and preferences. Here are some things to consider:
- Daily volume
- Menu items
- Available counter space
- Budget
- Desired design and appearance
What kind of grinder does Starbucks use?
Starbucks uses the Mastrena High-Performance , which is not offered commercially. The manufacturer exclusively partnered with Starbucks, so you won’t see any of these machines being sold anywhere.
Their machines are also known as -to-cup machines.
What is the quietest coffee grinder?
All grinders produce a loud grinding sound. However, modern engineering has allowed manufacturers to produce more quiet grinders.
A decibel rating of less than a hundred would be considered as quiet machines, just like the ones in our list of the top commercial grinders (which average at 75db).
Why are coffee grinders so expensive?
These machines are made differently than the standard grinders you use at home. These grinders are made of high-quality materials that are meant to last for years and produce consistent and flavorful grounds.
More and more modern machines are coming out that are easier to use and provide more features.
You can always think of it like the old saying ‘you get what you pay for.’ With that said, there are definitely some budget-friendly options available.
Are cheap grinders worth it?
You want a high-quality product when purchasing something for business use, especially if is your specialty and if you’re going to use it for a long time. However, there are affordable options that can get the job done.
In fact, a can be much cheaper than an . It can achieve consistent, fine grounds. However, these do take more elbow grease.
Depending on how busy your business is, an electric machine that costs more may be worth it. On the other hand, a cheaper option could be worth it if you want to start small or if you’re not worried about big crowds.
In Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you decide on the for your business. It can be a big decision, but think about your needs and preferences. There are a lot of things to consider before purchasing your next commercial grinders such as the hopper size, type, appearance, and a price that meets your budget.
If you still can’t decide, a reliable option is always the Compak K6 Equipped Platinum .
Have you chosen your next in your business? Which one is it? Share it with us in the comments below.
Do you have an ? If so, check out our list of the For .
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We hope this guide has helped you decide on the perfect coffee for your coffee business!
Happy brewing!