When a talking grinder is at work, the room feels hushed and powerful. Not to disparage the decent blade grinders out there – they have their place – but any grinder that uses burr technology is worlds apart from your average dinky little blade grinder. The Mahlkonig brand is the go-to grinder for espresso aficionados and barista competitions alike. Their reputation for German engineering and design is well earned.

Choosing the Right Mahlkönig Grinder for Your Coffee Business

The X54 continues to live up to the Mahlkonig name and is one of the best flat burr grinders for espresso available in this price range. Its sturdy, insulated construction and cylindrical shape feel strong and robust at every touchpoint, while the LED display offers four programmable recipes and a manual option. It also provides no-nonsense error and event logs as well as a super-in-depth breakdown of how many shots the grinder has pulled, each recipe’s stats broken down individually, total grinding time, total motor on time, and even when the burrs reach the quoted 25,000 shot lifespan and need to be replaced.

To keep your grinder working at peak performance, regular cleaning is a must. Use a damp microfiber cloth with a mild dish soap to wipe down the components and remove coffee oils and residue. Using a clean hopper and grounds bin also helps prevent clogging and promotes a hygienic grinding environment. If the grinder’s burrs become misaligned over time, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for calibration to ensure accurate and repeatable grind settings.