Mahlkonig E80 Supreme vs K30: Which is Better for You?

Are you torn between the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and the K30? Since they’re both high-quality Mahlkonig grinders, choosing one or the other can be difficult. 

We’re here to help you make an informed decision with this post. We’ll be putting the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme vs K30, comparing them each in detail so you understand which one is better for your home or business.

This is what we’ll be covering:

• Features these Mahlkonigs have in common.
• Which features are different between them and why they matter.
• Guidance on how you can decide which one to choose.

Quick Summary

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme

 

 

The Mahlkonig E80 Supreme is one of Mahlkonig’s latest examples of accuracy and convenience. It has an illuminated spout so your employees can safely use it in all settings. Furthermore, its patented Disc Distance Detection system allows your baristas to dial in the grind with an unprecedented level of precision.

See This Machine in Store to Check Price >> 

Mahlkonig K30

Looking for a user-friendly grinder? The Mahlkonig K30 could be the end of your search. You’ll have the ability to program single and double shots right into the grinder for easy access every time your baristas need to whip up a drink. Plus, with its black or white color options, it will be simple to ensure you end up with one that’s the perfect match for your décor. 

See This Machine in Store to Check Price >>

Similarities

Stepless Grind Adjustment

If you’re crafting specialized drinks for your customers, you’ll want to have as much control over your grinder as possible. A good espresso-based drink starts with the grinder, and fineness settings are important for flavor.

That’s why the stepless grind adjustment system on these Mahlkonigs is so great. Instead of having to choose from manufacturer-set options, you’ll be able to choose the fineness or coarseness of your grind from a huge range of settings.

In other words, you’ll always be able to grind to the perfect consistency, whether it’s espresso-fine or on the coarser side.

Portafilter Holder

Do you often have lines of customers at your counter? Then the last thing you need is for employees to have to stand at the grinder, holding a portafilter up while they wait for it to finish.

This won’t be an issue on either the E80 Supreme or K30. Because of their built-in portafilter holders, the grinders can hold the portafilter in place for your baristas. No more being stuck to the grinder while waiting for a freshly ground shot. 

Standard or Short Hopper

No two businesses or homes are exactly alike – everyone has their own unique needs. That’s why a grinder with no customization options will only be ideal for a limited number of situations.

These Mahlkonigs make themselves more applicable to a wider array of settings because of their hopper setup. On either one, you can choose the standard or short hopper.

Going with the standard hopper will mean you can store more beans in your grinder. That way, you can grind for longer periods without needing to refill the hopper. 

But if you’re short on space, fitting the standard hopper under a cabinet could be tricky. In that case, you can choose the short hopper, which doesn’t need as much room as the standard one does.

Shot Counter

Part of running a successful business is understanding what your day-to-day expenses are. Being able to get a clear picture of how much espresso and coffee you’re using on average will help you get a snapshot of your business expenses.

The Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and K30 can both assist you in that regard. With their integrated shot timers, you can check on how many shots of espresso are being made and keep tabs on your costs. 

Cool Grinding

Grinding nonstop may be an everyday occurrence in businesses with a high volume of espresso orders. The problem with this is, your grinder will overheat unless it’s equipped to deal with the heat of continuous grinding.

These Mahlkonigs are both equipped to beat the heat. With their integrated cooling systems, they’ll stay in the optimal temperature range during extended periods of use. 

Not only will this promote longevity in your grinder, but it means your beans will be protected from burns. At the end of the day, it leads to a better-tasting espresso.

Flat Burrs

Within either the E80 Supreme or K30, you’ll find flat burrs. These are the popular commercial alternative to conical burrs, which are cone-shaped and produce a light, zesty flavor.

Flat burrs, in comparison, are two serrated rings that rest on top of each other. They’re famous for producing coffee and espresso with a sweet, rich flavor that your customers will love.

That’s not all, though. Flat burrs are also legendarily consistent, creating particles of an even size and promoting a balanced extraction. You can be sure either one of these grinders will create drinks of an unwavering quality.

On-Demand Grinding

Some grinders have containers you grind into, storing large batches of espresso or coffee grounds. For some businesses, this setup can be perfectly fine. Unless you’re going to use up all those grounds, though, it can lead to waste.

Similarly, if you don’t use the grounds up rapidly enough, they’ll quickly go stale. Your customers will definitely notice the dip in quality with a stale-tasting drink.

To prevent these situations from happening, the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme and K30 both utilize an on-demand grinding design. Rather than grinding into containers, you’ll grind single servings into portafilters, making drinks to order each time.

On top of reducing your waste, this design guarantees your customers are getting the freshest drinks possible. The flavors in their drinks will be much more potent and memorable as a result.

Are you curious about how Mahlkonig grinders compare to other brands? Try reading our Mahlkonig vs Baratza comparison to see how they hold up against each other.

Differences

Grinding Speed

If you were to put these grinders next to each other and use them simultaneously, you’d notice there’s a difference in speed. 

The Mahlkonig K30 can grind up to 4.8 grams per second. It’s a pretty fast grinder, and coffee-centric businesses of any size could use it. 

But the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme, able to grind up to 7 grams a second, definitely outpaces the K30. It can grind almost twice as much as the K30 in the same amount of time, which means an even shorter wait for your customers.

Read Also: Best Commercial Grinders

Hopper Capacity

The size of the standard hopper on each of these grinders is another difference. With the E80 Supreme, you’ll be able to store 3.9 pounds of beans in the hopper.

In comparison, the K30’s standard hopper can store up to 3.3 pounds. It’s not much smaller than the E80 Supreme’s. 

However, the approximate half-pound difference could be important in businesses making back-to-back orders. It means you won’t need to refill the E80 Supreme’s hopper as often. 

Burr Size

Hoppers aren’t the only parts of these grinders with a size difference – their burrs are also different sizes. Once again, you’ll find the bigger ones in the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme.

Measuring at 80 millimeters in diameter, the E80 Supreme’s burrs are absolutely huge. This is partly what helps it speed through grinding. 

The K30’s burrs, on the flipside, measure at 65 millimeters in diameter. They’re certainly not too small, but this does mean the K30 cannot grind as quickly as the E80 Supreme.

Mahlkonig K30 Color Options

You’ve probably spent your whole life being told that looks don’t matter, and it’s true that they shouldn’t be the most important consideration. However, when it comes to a business setting, having a good-looking environment is critical. After all, impressing your customers will help convince them to come back later. 

In terms of looks, the Mahlkonig K30 is the more flexible in this comparison. Because it’s available in black or white, you have more options to ensure the grinder blends in well with your décor. You could even choose the color that stands out more if you’re hoping to draw your customer’s eye with an impressive-looking grinder.

Mahlkonig E80 supreme Disc Distance Detection

The fineness of your grind depends on how far apart the burrs are in the grinder. Monitoring the distance between them is beneficial because you can be sure you’re grinding at the right setting for every single blend.

Using the E80 Supreme’s advanced Disc Distance Detection (DDD) system, this couldn’t be any simpler. The system calculates the distance between the burrs down to a single micron, granting your baristas the greatest level of accuracy. 

Mahlkonig K30 Programmable Single and Double Shots

If you’re not familiar with their use, learning to operate a grinder can be intimidating. Luckily, the Mahlkonig K30 can be easy for new employees to adjust to because of its programmability. 

You’ll have the ability to program the times for both single and double shots. Later on, when your employees need to make a single or double espresso, setting up the grinder to do so will be as effortless as choosing the right pre-programmed option. With this kind of simplicity, the time spent training new hires on appliance operation could be reduced. 

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme High-Resolution Display

Just like the K30, the Mahlkonig E80 Supreme has features designed to make it less intimidating to users. Namely, it has a high-resolution display that’s crisp and beautiful.

The grinder’s settings can be effortlessly tweaked using this large 3.5-inch display. Plus, since the display is so large, it’s easy to see without having to get close to the grinder.

Read Also: Mahlkonig E80 Supreme vs Peak (don’t have link yet, as it has not been posted yet) 

Pricing Considerations

If you’re looking for the lowest prices online, you’ve come to the right place by dropping by the Majesty Coffee store.  Our Mahlkonig E80 Supreme is available for $3,250 and our Mahlkonig K30 is available for $1,700. 

So, Which is Better for You? 

Still can’t decide which grinder you should choose? No need to worry – we’ll give you some advice on what factors you can think about to help you choose the best one for you.

Are you concerned about learning to use the grinder? You’ll probably appreciate the programmability of the K30. Once you’ve got the single and double doses programmed in, all you’ll need to do is choose the right setting.

If you’re looking for the fastest grinder, you’ll want to go with the E80 Supreme. It can grind significantly faster than the K30, which makes it suitable for especially busy coffee shops or restaurants.

Aside from grinding speed, there’s also the E80 Supreme’s hopper capacity to factor in. Because it can hold a bit more than the K30, you won’t need to stop for refills as often. In a packed coffee shop, this can make all the difference. 

Don’t be afraid to think about appearances, either. If you need something that’s a little more flexible visually, you may want to look more closely at the K30, because it’s available in either black or white. 

Here’s our overall recommendation:

Large coffee shops or businesses with a large amount of espresso orders should choose the E80 Supreme. It’s both faster and doesn’t need a coffee bean refill as often.

The K30, however, is perfect for places where there are a lot of new hires. Because you can program single and double doses into it, you can guarantee consistency even when you’re working with a lot of beginners.

You can dig deeper into either of these Mahlkonig grinders here:

Mahlkonig E80 Supreme 

Mahlkonig K30