How Much Does a Commercial Coffee Grinder Cost?

As someone who has researched opening a coffee shop, I wanted to know how much a commercial-grade grinder would cost. Thus, I posted my findings here.

This guide will explore different machines you’ll find in various price ranges. Afterward, I’ll cover each device’s pros and cons, who they’re best for, and a quick summary of whether it’s good.

Here in an overview:

Let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways

• Commercial coffee grinders cost $1,000–$13,000
• Industrial coffee grinders will cost more than $13,000 usually.
• Factors that contribute to a coffee grinder’s price include burr type, hopper capacity, features, & more.
• You’ll need to replace your coffee grinder every 5–10 years.

Overview – How Much a Commercial Coffee Grinder Costs 

Categories by Price

Matching Your Espresso Machine Price

You’ll want to ensure you match your machines. For instance, if you get an espresso machine that’s over $15,000, you’ll want a commercial grinder around this price range. Following this rule ensures that both machines can handle whatever volume of customers you’re trying to meet.

This also ensures that your grinder matches the quality of grind you should use for your espresso machine.

Under $1,000

I’ll compare the following commercial coffee grinders under $1,000:

• Baratza Sette 270
• Eureka Mignon Specialita
• Anfim CODY II On Demand

We’ll explore each device’s pros and cons, a summary of whom they’re best for, and other information that may prove relevant when shopping for a machine.

You’ll want a machine under $1,000 if you’ll run a small café or coffee shop that’ll serve less than 20 customers an hour.

Let’s dive in.

1. Baratza Sette 270

Pros

• Easy to use 
• Affordable

Cons

• Not fine enough for Turkish coffee
• Espresso not quite as good as the rest of my picks

The Baratza Sette is best for smaller coffee shops that don’t want to focus on grinding Turkish coffee or espresso due to its conical burrs.

While not ideal for high-end espresso or finer grinds, it suits coffee carts that serve fewer than 50 drinks daily and experienced home users. With 40 mm conical burrs, it delivers impressive espresso flavor at an affordable price.

The 300 g bean hopper ensures efficient grinding for up to 30 cups, making it a practical choice for those seeking affordability without sacrificing taste.

2. Eureka Mignon Specialita

Pros

• Very affordable 
• Super quiet 

Cons

• Not a perfect espresso 
• Not enough for Turkish coffee

The Eureka Mignon Specialista works great for home baristas who are entertaining guests or very small cafés and coffee shops.

This grinder will do a fantastic job providing consistent grinds, but not ideal for grinding fine enough grounds for Turkish coffee or espresso. It’s also not ideal for grinding for large amounts of people. You’re better off getting a Eureka Helios 80.

However, I wanted to provide a more affordable option on this list for folks who don’t want to “go big.” With their coffee shops.

3. Anfim CODY II On Demand

Pros

• On-demand mode
• High-quality machine
• Consistent grinds

Cons

• Not a low-retention grinder
• Doesn’t grind the quickest
• Inconvenient location for the LCD screen

The Anfim CODY II On Demand works best for coffee shops and small cafés that don’t have the most foot traffic due to the machine’s smaller hopper.

The machine’s built like a tank and doesn’t have that many fine grounds mixed in with the coarse. Or vice versa. But from testing, this machine tends to have 10 grams of grind retention, which isn’t ideal and will require constant cleaning to ensure the freshest taste.

Moreover, it doesn’t grind the quickest. Hence, why I recommend using it for smaller businesses.

Now we’ll discuss machines that aren’t as affordable.

$1,000–$4,000

The following sections will compare these grinders within the $1,000 and $4,000 range:

• Weber EG-1 Flat
• Mahlkönig EK 43 Grinder
• Mahlkönig Guatemala 2.0

You’ll learn where each machine shines and doesn’t, who it’s best for, and a summary of other relevant information.

These grinders will work better for shops serving around a hundred customers an hour.

Let’s go.

1. Weber EG-1 Flat

Pros

• Elite coffee grinding at all levels
• Fantastic build quality 

Cons

• Very expensive 
• Only a year of warranty

The Weber EG-1 Flat is the best choice for cafés and coffee shops who need a machine that’ll grind large amounts of beans at once without the need for an industrial machine.

The Weber EG-1 boasts 80 mm flat burrs for versatile grinding. Ideal for cafés or experienced home brewers, it ensures freshness in single servings. Despite the steep price, it’s quiet operation and robust build make it an unmatched investment, backed by a one-year warranty for peace of mind.

2. Mahlkönig EK 43 Grinder

Pros

• Choose between single dosing or a bean hopper
• Massive burrs for great grinding

Cons

• One of the most expensive grinders available 
• Maybe slightly too even for French press

The Mahlkönig EK 43 is best for businesses with moderate foot traffic that need a grinder for espresso and Turkish coffee.

The Mahlkönig EK43, renowned for 98 mm flat burrs, excels in espresso and Turkish coffee. With a one-year warranty but ‘lifetime pro support,’ it offers comprehensive assistance. Choose single dosing or the 250 g bean hopper for up to 25 g per grind.

You’ll often find this grinder in coffee shops like Starbucks, Joe and the Juice, and Espresso House.

Priced similarly to the top-rated Weber EG-1, the EK43 competes closely in quality, justifying a slightly higher cost in some markets.

3. Mahlkönig Guatemala 2.0

Pros

• High RPM
• Huge burrs

Cons

• Large and heavy
• Not ideal for espresso or Turkish coffee

The Mahlkönig Guatemala 2.0 is best for coffee shops and cafés that focus on brewing drinks that don’t require fine grinds (e.g., cold brew or filter coffee).

This beast has 71 mm burrs and will grind in 3.02 seconds, which makes it a great coffee maker for serving more than 100 drinks an hour. So long as they’re not made with espresso or are Turkish coffee.

That’s because testing has shown many coarse grinds despite grinding it on a fine setting.

We’re entering coffee grinders that are out of most small businesses’ budgets.

$4,000–$13,000

The next section will cover a machine on the pricier end that’ll work well for serving more than 100 drinks an hour. I’ll talk about its pros and cons, who it’s best for, and a summary of its pros and cons.

Keep reading to learn more.

1. La Marzocco Swift

Pros

• x2 4.4 lbs hoppers.
• Programmable.

Cons

• Heavy.
• Expensive.

The La Marzocco Swift is one of the best choices out there for busy coffee shops that serve multiple bean types.

The separate, massive hoppers allow you to use 2 types of beans without mixing them. For instance, if you wanted one hopper to have decaffeinated coffee and the other one not to.

It’s also programmable, which allows you to preset the amount of coffee ground to ensure consistency. But it’s heavy and expensive. You’d need a bodybuilder to move this 75 pound machine through your shop and a huge budget to afford it.

2. Pinecone Foxtail Commercial Coffee Grinder

Pros

• Can grind 5.51 lbs per minute
• Great for multiple brewing methods

Cons

• Heavy
• Hard to take apart

The Pinecone Foxtail Commercial Coffee Grinder works best for high-volume coffee shops and coffee roasters who need to meet bulk demand.

The massive 120 mm steel burs will grind over 5 pounds of coffee per minute and will prove reliable for over 9 tons of coffee. Testing has shown that it’ll grind most brewing methods (e.g., cold brew) without mixing.

By “mixing” I refer to fine grounds mixed with coarse, or vice-versa.

However, the machine’s heavy, which doesn’t make it easy for your baristas to maneuver. It also requires more steps to take apart and clean, which may make it not ideal for troubleshooting during a rush.

Here’s an example of the most expensive commercial grinder.

$13,000+

This last section is for folks who want to grind hundreds of pounds of coffee per hour. This type of coffee maker would work well for folks who sell their own coffee grounds.

There’s a single machine that I recommended in this section. I’ll talk about its advantages and disadvantages, who it’s best for, and I’ll summarize its pros and cons.

Let’s begin.

1. Mahlkönig DK27 LVH

Pros

• Can grind up to 616 pounds per hour
• Tungsten carbide steel burrs

Cons

• Expensive
• Not ideal for small shops

The Mahlkönig DK27 is the best machine for any high-volume coffee shop that needs to grind a lot of beans per hour. Or if you’re selling beans to customers and need to quickly grind them.

The 180 mm tungsten carbide steels are virtually indestructible and won’t require a replacement for more than 10 years. Saving money in the long run. These burrs will grind up to 616 pounds of medium ground coffee per hour. Or 572 pounds of Turkish coffee.

Because of having the highest quality specs possible and the size, I wouldn’t recommend this for small coffee shops. Unless you specialize in selling ground coffee.

Let’s talk about factors that’ll determine your grinder’s cost.

Factors That Contribute to Commercial Coffee Grinder Costs

The following factors will lower or raise your commercial coffee machine’s price:

I’ll provide examples of what to look for when shopping for machines under each of these factors. For instance, if you’re a small shop, I’ll explain whether you should opt for a higher- or lower-end machine in said category.

Let’s dive in.

1. What It’s Used For

Breaking down commercial coffee grinders into the following categories will also impact your machine’s price:

• Commercial espresso grinder: Ideal for grinding espresso in large quantities.
• Industrial coffee grinders: Meant for grinding large amounts of coffee grounds at a time.
• Commercial filter coffee grinders: Makes batches of drip or filter coffee.
• Retail coffee grinder: Best for stores who have customers that’ll grind beans.

Industrial and retail coffee grinders will usually cost the most. That’s because these grinders are enormous, have a huge capacity, and have some of the highest-quality parts available. Since you’ll have customers constantly grinding beans all day.

Commercial espresso grinders often require higher-quality burrs and better motors than commercial filter grinders. Hence, these grinders will typically have a higher price tag.

In addition to the type of grinder, the burrs also have a massive impact on price.

Summary: Industrial and retail coffee grinders will cost the most. Commercial filter grinders will cost the least.

2. Burr Type

Almost all commercial and industrial coffee grinders will use flat burrs. These burrs allow you to have a more even grind compared to conical ones. Since the burrs aren’t vertical, they allow for a more consistent texture.

Conical burr grinders will cost less and can work better for brewing methods like French press, drip coffee, and cold brew. But I’ve seen plenty of flat burr grinders that do fine with grinding for most brewing methods.

Like the Mahlkönig Guatemala 2.0.

Then there’s the burr material, let’s compare them:

Titanium-coated burrs will result in the highest-costing machine, since these burrs will last the longest. They also have the highest heat resistance, which means your beans won’t lose much flavor. However, it’s “coated.” Meaning the coating could chip and mix with your beans.

Ceramic burrs are also resistant to heat, but will likely demand more replacements. Since they’re not as durable as steel or titanium.

And steel balances affordability and durability, but they’re likely to overheat and negatively impact your beans’ flavor. Some machines will have motors that prevent the burrs from overheating, though.

Let’s talk about the thing that stores your beans.

Summary: Conical burrs will cost the least, but won’t provide the best results. Titanium coating is the best material, but most expensive. Steel is usually the most affordable.

3. Hopper Capacity

The bigger the hopper you have, the less your team members will need to refill your grinder. Thus, they’ll use their time more productively. Grinders with larger hoppers will cost more.

Additionally, larger hoppers might incorporate advanced features like precision dosing mechanisms, adding to the overall complexity and production expenses.

But it won’t affect the price as much as the burrs or motor.

Many commercial coffee grinders will have 2–4 pound capacities. Industrial machines will store more than 15 pounds of beans.

Here’s another factor that’ll add more costs to your coffee grinder.

Summary: Larger hoppers will usually add a higher price tag.

4. Additional Features

Additional features elevate the price of commercial coffee grinders due to increased manufacturing complexity and enhanced functionality. 

Here are examples of features that’ll likely increase your device’s price:

Some lower-cost devices will include these features as well. For instance, Fiorenzato offers many grinders under $1,000 that use a touchscreen interface.

Let’s talk about how the machine’s built.

Summary: Only get machines with features that you’ll utilize. Otherwise, you’re wasting money.

5. Build Quality

Grinders with higher build quality are typically made from more durable materials, have tighter tolerances, and undergo more rigorous quality control measures. This results in grinders that are more reliable, last longer, and produce better results.

Here are factors that’ll impact your machine’s price:

• Material: High-quality materials, such as stainless steel, ceramic, and durable plastics, are more expensive than cheaper materials like plastic or aluminum.
• Manufacturing costs: Requires more precise tooling and manufacturing processes.
• Quality control costs: Undergoes more rigorous quality control measures.

Higher-quality materials are more durable, corrosion-resistant, and heat-resistant, which means they will last longer and perform better. With these better materials, they’ll require higher labor costs and more specialized equipment to ensure everything fits together precisely.

To ensure these grinders will perform as expected, quality control specialists must perform more rigorous testing like measuring tolerances, inspecting components, and testing for performance.

Resulting in higher costs.

Not all brands will produce high-quality machines, though. Let’s see if that’ll affect your price.

Summary: Higher-quality machines will last longer and perform better, but will cost more. However, they won’t need replacements as often.

6. Brand

Commercial coffee grinders from well-known brands are more expensive than grinders from less well-known brands.

This is because well-known brands have a reputation for producing high-quality products. They’ll also invest heavily in research and development and spend a lot of money on marketing and advertising.

The more well-known companies tend also to have better customer service and warranty policies. This isn’t universal, though. Because plenty of large brands exist that have crappy customer service and still charge an arm and a leg for their machines.

Brands like Mahlkönig and Nuova Simonelli offer more expensive devices, which are suited for industrial use a lot of the time. While Eureka provides smaller, more affordable grinders.

We have one more factor to consider.

Summary: Pay attention to each brand’s warranty policies.

7. Motor

The revolutions per minute (RPM) your machine has will determine what kind of brewing methods your machine’s good for. RPM is the speed at which your device will most coffee particles around the chamber.

Different revolutions per minute will produce a better quality grind for various brewing methods. Machines with a higher RPM will typically cost more due to having a more robust motor.

Here’s a table that outlines the best RPM for different brewing methods:

Some machines will operate at different RPMs based on the hertz they’re using. For instance, the Mahlkönig GH2 will have 1,400 RPM at 50 Hz and 1,600 at 60 Hz.

Most commercial coffee grinders I’ve seen have at least 1,300 RPM. However, some had around 1,100. This won’t make the biggest difference in your coffee’s taste, but it’s a contributing factor.

Ensure you’re also considering what I mentioned when shopping for a machine.

Hey, you’re not done spending money on your coffee shop. Consider these additional expenses.

Summary: Motors with higher RPM will work better for finer grinds.

Additional Costs for Commercial Coffee Grinder

You’ll also need to consider these costs when using a commercial coffee grinder:

• Replacement burrs or blades: Over time, burrs wear out and need replacement.
  • Can cost around $50 to $300.
• Brushes and cleaning tablets: These cost around $10 to $30 and are mandatory for cleaning your grinder.
• Electrical: Installation and power requirements incur extra costs.
  • Ongoing electricity usage, roughly $20 to $50 monthly, contributes to operational costs.
• Maintenance: Regular cleaning and part replacement.
  • Costs, often between $50 and $200.
• Warranty Extensions: Optional extended warranties for added coverage.
• Training: Staff training for proper usage and maintenance.

In addition to the above costs, you’ll need to eventually replace your grinder. Let’s check out the price for that.

How Often to Replace Your Commercial Coffee Grinder

You should replace commercial coffee grinders every 5 to 10 years [1]. Replace the burrs for your grinder at least every 6 months if you grind more than 30 pounds a week. Grinding under this amount demands burr replacements once a year [2].

The replacement frequency hinges on usage volume, maintenance diligence, and technological advancements. Routine care can prolong their lifespan, but newer models may offer improved grinding consistency and efficiency.

Ensure you replace burrs regularly.

Regularly replacing burrs in your commercial coffee grinder can save money by ensuring consistent grind quality. When burrs wear down, they produce uneven and inconsistent grounds, leading to wasted coffee and lower beverage quality. 

Inconsistent grinds may also result in over-extraction or under-extraction, leading to wasted coffee beans and lost revenue. By maintaining sharp burrs, you maximize the yield from your beans.

There’s nothing else to cover.

Conclusion

Coffee grinders for smaller businesses can range from under a thousand dollars to several thousand. Industrial grinders will require tens of thousands. It depends on how high of quality of a grind you’ll need and how many folks you’ll serve daily.

Figure out what else you’ll need for your coffee business by checking out our other guides.