La Pavoni is probably best-known for their solid espresso machines that are designed to last for years. However, like most experienced espresso gear manufacturers, they’ve also made a few quality grinders with the same reliable construction.
One such grinder is the La Pavoni Zip. If you’re trying to decide whether you should buy one for yourself, you’re in the right place. In this La Pavoni Zip Grinder review, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the grinder, so you learn everything you need to know about it.
This is what we’ll be covering:
- The most important features on the La Pavoni Zip and why they matter.
- Other versions of the La Pavoni Zip.
- Comparable alternatives to the grinder.
- Some quick background information on the brand.
- Our recommendations on the best environments for the grinder.
Let’s take a closer look…
Quick Summary
There are many great things about the La Pavoni Zip, but one of them is that it’s available for such an inexpensive cost. It helps bring high-level espresso grinding to those on a budget. There’s a lot you get for the modest price, too, such as speedy grinding and a sturdy die-cast body designed to withstand the test of time.
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Important Features and Why they Matter
Flat Steel Burrs
No grinder review can call itself complete without talking about the grinder’s burrs. Because burrs are so important, we think they’re a logical starting point for this discussion.
The La Pavoni Zip has 65.5mm flat burrs. As far as burrs go, these are quite decently sized, which contributes to the grinder’s impressive grinding speed of up to 13 pounds of coffee per hour.
It’s also important to talk about the influence the burrs’ shape has on your grinding. Flat burrs are well-known for their ability to produce coffee particles that are all the same size, which often results in a sweet flavor.
Die-Cast Aluminum Body
No one wants a coffee or espresso grinder that doesn’t feel dependable. If your grinder was mostly made from a fragile material, you probably wouldn’t trust it all that much.
That’s why the La Pavoni Zip’s die-cast aluminum body is so appealing. All you need to do is touch the machine to feel how durable it is and assure yourself that it’s not going to break down anytime soon.
Read Also: Best Espresso Grinders Under $1,000
Large-Capacity Hopper
Planning on grinding coffee beans for several drinks in a row? Then one of the first things you should check out is the size of your grinder’s hopper, because this will directly influence how long you can grind for at once.
The La Pavoni Zip’s hopper can hold 2.2 pounds of coffee beans. If you’re looking for a grinder to use at home, this is an absolutely massive hopper that you won’t need to refill all that often.
Even in a small coffee shop, a hopper of this size is likely to get you through your busiest periods. While not the largest hopper out there, it’s still quite generous in size.
Color Options
The color of your grinder is far from the most important quality to concern yourself with, but appearances do still matter. Those who have a specific color scheme or decorating style they’re following in their home or business may be concerned about their grinder’s color.
You’ll get some choice when it comes to the La Pavoni Zip’s color. You can purchase it in a vibrant red or a refined black, expanding the number of settings it can blend right in to.
Related Article: Best Espresso Grinders Under $1,500
Portafilter Holder
Imagine if, every time you used your grinder, you had to stand in front of it and hold your portafilter beneath the chute. While it may only take a few seconds to have a shot of espresso ground, those seconds of holding a portafilter can add up over time. It’s even more frustrating when you’re grinding larger batches of coffee.
To save you that frustration, the La Pavoni Zip has a portafilter holder on the front. Because you don’t have to hold your portafilter in place the entire time, you’re free to multitask while the grinder works.
Doser Grinding
The Zip is a doser grinder. A doser is an attached container on the grinder that coffee grounds are dropped into first. When you need some grounds, you pull a lever on the side to dispense them into your portafilter.
Doser grinders are excellent for businesses that go through ground coffee and espresso quickly. During a lull in orders, you can run the grinder for a bit to build up a stock of grounds to use in advance.
The downside is that if you don’t use those grounds quickly, you risk that they’ll become stale with time.
Different Configurations
Making sure you get the right amount of coffee grounds is vital when you’re using a grinder. On the basic Zip, this means you would need to time the duration of the grind yourself. Unfortunately, it can be easy to get distracted and lose track of the time if you’re multitasking.
The key difference between the basic Zip and the Zip Auto Commercial version is that the latter has digital dosing. You can program single and double doses into the machine’s buttons, so that the grinder will time itself for you after you choose the right button.
Another difference here is that the Zip Auto Commercial doesn’t have a doser. It’s an on-demand grinder, which means it grinds single servings fresh every time. This is great for businesses or homes that wouldn’t go through a dosing container fast, as it ensures you’re getting grounds that aren’t stale.
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Comparable Alternatives
The Nuova Simonelli MDXS made numerous improvements on the design of its predecessor, the MDX. Its bean hopper, dosing lever, and dosing regulator were all improved to make it refreshingly easy to use.
If you’re on the lookout for a quiet grinder, this could be a great option for you, too. The MDXS is packed with sound-dampening technology, so you can use it without worrying that you’re going to disrupt customers or wake up your family.
These are some other intriguing MDXS features:
- Large 2.6-pound capacity hopper.
- A sturdy die-cast aluminum body.
- Precise stepless grind adjustment system.
Learn More: Nuova Simonelli MDXS Doser Grinder Review
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About the Brand
If you hadn’t guessed already based on their name, La Pavoni is an Italian manufacturer that was formed in Milan, Italy. Specifically, they were created in 1905, so they’re well past the one-hundred-year mark in the age of their business.
Being one of the oldest coffee and espresso gear manufacturers on the market today, you can trust that La Pavoni has the experience to create long-lasting machines. We’ve had customers report that some of their La Pavoni machines have lasted for decades – not just years.
Ideal Grinder Applications
The La Pavoni Zip’s large 2.2-pound hopper capacity, big 65.5mm burrs, and sturdy die-cast frame make it an excellent fit for small to medium businesses. Since it has a doser container, we’d recommend it specifically for businesses that will go through ground coffee and espresso fast, such as coffee shops and restaurants.
Pricing Information
Majesty Coffee carefully prices every single grinder and espresso machine in our store to ensure that our machines are on sale for the lowest prices anywhere.
We have the La Pavoni Zip for $769 and the La Pavoni Zip Auto Commercial for $899. We also have the Nuova Simonelli MDXS available for $1,012.50.
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Tony Barlow, with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry, is the go-to technical sales expert at Majesty Coffee. He's passionate about helping businesses find the right espresso equipment for their needs.
