Kafatek Monolith

[samuellaw178]

Just put the Monolith Conical through its pace for my morning coffee...


I can see why there're so many home barista that get infatuated by the Monoliths...there's no voodoo or anything magical about it. But it's just the level of details - everything done so right that, all the work flow and results that fit together, as what a grinder should've been - that's the magic in itself.

So compact. The most compact electric grinder I have had on my bench. Now I have so much space that I don't know what should I do with it No wonder some get a second Monolith after their first one, it's a conspiracy!

So easy to use - super even pour even for newbie (I think I am no newbie but the ease of textbook perfect naked pour just awed me).

So consistent - shot after shot is just predictable.

So gentle - grinders are always a beast by nature - they roar, they vibrate and they make noise. This is a gentle kitten when grinding. I've not seen anything like that.

So forgiving - the grind setting sweet spot is so broad that it's hard to screw it up. One of the best adjustment mechanism I've had used.

Often you get a tick or two out of the above, but never all of them come together in a single grinder. Mind you, it's a new grinder that's not broken in yet.

It's not zero retention yet at the moment, and some work need to be done. Very close though (I hear the static gets reduced and it gets better).

It's really a grinder for home enthusiasts like none other on the market. If you single dose, there's really nothing like it.

[Melbroaster]

Damn........ thats awesome

[338]

Congratulations! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.

[samuellaw178]

That $3300 ZM is the older model of ZM before the new one with a LED faceplate. Almost certainly use the 83mm burrs from Mazzer Major.


Btw, the Monolith is here! Shipped on Friday and here on Monday, awesome! Much easier and more even bottomless pour on VST too. Seems like the alignment talk is real.

[mrgray]

however you might need to then buy the espresso burrs if that is your goal. i don't know the cost of those.

[mrgray]

there is one on sale for $3,300 here in Oz on ebay

[Melbroaster]

How much is the 'zm filter display' model going to be?

[Logga]

The mazzer zm is a filter grinder. Apparently you can get espresso burrs for it but that wasnt the intention when they designed it.

Be interesting to see how it goes with espresso

Yes that's true with filter burrs, but then put espresso burrs in it, and what do you know, its an espresso grinder. And they are making a portafilter holder for it to.

[Logga]

simonsk8r, samuellaw178 and logga thank you for your replies.

what a wonderful scope of reply, simonsk8r with encouragement re: single dosing and DIY, samuel basically saying "live a little" (and i agree) and Logga with another grinder entirely to think of.

based on your reply samuel seems to me that whilst other grinders can be modified, it is all about ease of work flow.

ok i ma off to try and find out something about this new mazzer.

The ZM is a bit pricey and big, but with espresso burrs it could be good.

[trentski]

The mazzer zm is a filter grinder. Apparently you can get espresso burrs for it but that wasnt the intention when they designed it.

Be interesting to see how it goes with espresso

[greg-g]

I’ve had a motorized HG1 since they were first released, It will probably be on the market soon and I expect it will bring a reasonable price. It’s a very good grinder but upgraditis is a problem.

I picked up an excellent Kony-E at auction about a year ago and kept it for several months. I just don’t think the cavity under the burrs is compatible with single dosing and it dwarfed everything else around. I sold it back into a commercial environment where I’m sure it’s perfect.

The Monolith Flat apart from price I think is the almost perfect single dose home grinder. (and it's a lot less expensive than some others that have been discussed)

[mrgray]

simonsk8r, samuellaw178 and logga thank you for your replies.

what a wonderful scope of reply, simonsk8r with encouragement re: single dosing and DIY, samuel basically saying "live a little" (and i agree) and Logga with another grinder entirely to think of.

based on your reply samuel seems to me that whilst other grinders can be modified, it is all about ease of work flow.

ok i ma off to try and find out something about this new mazzer.

[Logga]

Have you seen the soon to be released Mazzer zm digital, no retention, single dosing

[samuellaw178]

i am wondering whether i am being foolish. surely i could adjust my quite wonderful kony to single dose?

landed the monolith flat is going to cost me around 3.7k i think. that's a bunch of money. i do think the grinder is more important than the espresso machine, but i already have a kony-e, which is a very good grinder i think.

but then i try and single dose the kony-e and i immediately come up against a few issues which are:
- sweeping out chute - hate doing it
- without a hopper of beans grind size changes.
- grinds clinging to chute
- tapping and turning on grinder to get retention out - hate it

You sounded exactly like me many months/a year ago. You may try resist it as long as you want...do a million things to justify why you don't need the Monolith..but most likely you will break down eventually and get the right tool to do it properly (provided it doesn't break the bank and you can still pay the bill on time, life comes first!)

Seriously I had a hard time swallowing the price, or even get past the mindset barrier - as the Monolith is single-handedly the most expensive thing I've ever purchased coffee-wise! But once you accepted it and budgeted for it, the number is just a number...if you consider the resale value, it isn't too bad..you could easily spend that much on a vacation, with nothing remains after that (except for photos and memories with important but intangible values).

Before I decided to place the deposit, I have tried to make a Robur E works for single dosing, bought a used Versalab only to find it's not the answer, got second hand but mint Mythos & K30 only to realize that hopper dosing just isn't really the same despite how 'low' the retention is...also had a HG-1 that didn't quite suit me..suffice to say I have tried all grinders available but none does it. Currently single dosing a Compak E10 but mainly I am using a hand grinder (Helor 101) in the morning due to noise.. Here's hoping the Monolith is the silver bullet I am hoping for..it's due to arrive within a few days (Conical version).


Most grinders can be worked to single dose with <0.2g retention, including the Kony. The question is how much extra faff, and if the consistency/grind quality is compromised. I seem to notice a wee bit more shot-to-shot inconsistency (in timing, not ideal though still acceptable) using Robur E maybe because of the high RPM (causing more popcorning effect). The Compak E10 is better at handling single dosing, but it's got minor variance occasionally too. Then I realize when I place my hand on the upper burr carrier on the E10, I can feel it vibrate when the beans are grinding (means there is some slight play in the mechanism - the Mazzer is supposedly even worse in that aspect). That might be some of the reason for inconsistency as they're not designed for single dosing.

[simonsk8r]

Hmm, I can't help you in terms of knowing much about the Kony or Monolith grinder, but I'm currently trying to design a workflow using hopper dosing that will resemble single dosing in certain ways: a) minimising retention, b) reduce wastage, and c) allows easier grind changes.
I still think some minor purging will be required, but pretty minimal, am going to tape the routine at some stage after I've nutted it out haha.

It won't allow for easy bean changes as I'll have my hopper more or less full, it will hopefully allow for easier grind change, and also end of session waste reduced.

But good luck with your decision haha