Mahlkonig K30 Review: Why We Love the Vario Air Espresso Grinder

It seems like the Mahlkonig K30 comes with everything you need, but is it the right grinder for you? To answer this question, we looked at design, performance, features, ease of use, and overall value, compiling all of the information in one spot. While we recommend the espresso grinder, it always helps when you can review the product specs. Here’s everything you need to know about the Mahlkonig K30 in our Mahlkonig K30 Review.

While we certainly love this commercial coffee grinder, it has become clear that Mahlkonig is letting the K30 die out, focusing their efforts on the newer, high-end E80 model. Looking to buy a K30? Upgrade to the E80 instead! 

Upgrade to an E80 →

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Introducing the Mahlkonig K30 Vario Air

Sleek, stylish, and packed with advanced features, the Mahlkonig K30 Vario Air is an impressive espresso grinder. It’s designed to run all day without overheating. The compact machine can also grind 4.8 grams of beans per second. 

With its ‘Grind On Demand’ function, the K30 minimizes any loss in aroma and taste. The grinds are immediately dropped in the portafilter for easy transfer to your brewer. In only a couple of seconds, you can sip a shot of espresso.

The K30 is a commercial espresso grinder that is also ideal for home use. Its compact and stylish design, along with easy usability, make it a great addition to any home kitchen. Here’s a quick look at the machine’s specifications before we get into the in-depth review.

4.8 ⭐out of 5

Specs:

• Width: 24 cm
• Height: 55 cm
• Depth: 32 cm
• Bean hopper capacity: approximately 1500 g

✅ Durable, precision burrs

✅ Automatic start for hands-free use

✅ Adjustable settings for single and double-shot

✅ Portafilter preserves taste and aroma

✅ Illuminated display

✅ Winner of the Red Dot Design Award

🚫 The Mahlkonig K30 is priced higher than most similar machines, but you also get more for your money.

The Mahlkonig Brand 

Since 1924, Mahlkonig has been setting trends in the coffee industry with its top-performing grinders. Their ‘grind on demand’ principle has set new industry standards and brought attention to the benefits of fresh grinding.

The company’s inspiration comes from its close relationship with the international coffee community. Their goal is to contribute to the enjoyment of the drink by designing and manufacturing grinders that preserve the taste and aroma of the espresso beans. With each generation of coffee grinders, Mahlkonig shows why it is a leading name in the industry.

Mahlkonig K30 Review

Are you thinking about adding the K30 Vario Air to your coffee bar or kitchen? Before you do, it’s a good idea to know how the grinder operates and understand why we are recommending it.

We looked at several factors, including value. The price tag is slightly higher than some competitors, but we think it’s worth the price when considering the machine’s performance. It is also the winner of the 2005 Red Dot Design Award, which recognizes the best products in an industry.

Design and Build Quality 4.8/5 ⭐ 

The K30 is a compact grinder with sturdy construction. The portafilter and exterior housing are constructed from stainless steel. The material is rust-resistant, durable, and will last for years. 

The machine also comes with plastic components that include the portafilter. It does reduce overall weight but also affects overall durability. Some components may need replacing when you frequently use the grinder.

The burrs’ construction often determines quality. Without the burrs, the machine can’t grind the espresso beans. The Mahlkonig grinder comes with large 65 mm burrs, perfectly sized for crushing the beans. 

They are also constructed from a steel alloy that can withstand the pressures of constant use. Unlike some competitors, the burrs in the K30 are flat. It gives you a fluffy grind with all of the flavor and aroma intact.

Weighing 13 kg, the coffee grinder is a little heavier than you may expect. You may be surprised by its weight, so be prepared when you pick it up. It is compact; thus, you won’t have any problems fitting the machine under a kitchen cabinet.

The single-chamber grinder also boasts a stylish design. You can choose from black or white to match any home or professional décor.

Performance 4.9/5 ⭐ 

If you are looking for a quiet, high-performance grinder, the Mahlkonig K30 is a good option. It is surprisingly quiet when running, even when the powerful cooling fan kicks on. You also get minimal vibrations, thanks to the innovative design. You don’t have to worry about the machine vibrating off of the counter.

When it comes to taste and aroma, it is hard to beat the K30. Its ‘grind on demand’ design ensures every shot of espresso is fresh and aromatic with the flavor you want.

The machine will grind up to 4.8 grams of espresso beans in one second when you use a universal portafilter. The speed cuts down on the amount of time it takes to brew a shot and ensures maximum freshness. The portafilter works with almost any machine on the market, further increasing the grinder’s value.

Ease of Use 4.7/5 ⭐ 

Some grinders require a manual and plenty of familiarity with the machines before you can use them. The Mahlkonig K30 is different; it is designed to be easy to operate, even if it’s your first time using a coffee grinder.

Everything about the machine is designed for intuitive use. Busy baristas will be able to keep up with the customers without long delays.

It offers hands-free grinding, thanks to the portafilter. It has a holder that keeps it securely in place. Start the grinder, and the machine will do the rest.

You also don’t have to time the machine manually. It comes with programmable buttons for single and double shots. Just program the buttons, and the grinder will take care of the rest. You get the precise amount needed without having to stand over the machine. It’s simply press and go.

The programmable buttons let you preset grinding times down to increments of 0.01 seconds. You will always get the correct amount of grinds in the perfect size as the machine stores the information for later use. You don’t have to keep setting the buttons. Just do it once, and the machine remembers until you change the settings.

Part of using a grinder is cleaning up afterward. With some machines, it is a dreaded chore. Thankfully, the opposite is true with the K30. It is just as easy to clean as it is to use. 

The machine is a breeze to disassemble, especially the components where grounds are most likely to get stuck. A magnetic strip holds the portafilter in place. Just remove the filter for quick and easy cleaning.

Whether you’re using the grinder at home or in a coffee bar, you want a machine that’s as easy to clean as it is to use.

The only problem with the grinder is its bulky weight. Not everyone wants to move a 13 kg coffee bean grinder every time it needs cleaning.

Features 4.9/5⭐ 

Mahlkonig didn’t skimp on features when they designed the K30 espresso bean grinder. It comes with everything a professional barista wants, along with some that will excite home brewers.

One of the most notable features is the machine’s doserless grinding, also referred to as on-demand grinding. It means you only grind the beans as needed. Some machines stockpile grounds so they are ready when you need them. The problem is this ruins the beans’ flavor and aroma.

The K30 takes care of this problem. It only grinds the amount of beans you need. You get a fresh, great-tasting shot of espresso every time. Customers will notice the difference, and so will espresso brewers at home.

You have complete control over grinding. Along with pre-programmable settings, the grinder comes with a handy adjustment dial. Known as stepless grinding, it gives you almost endless options when it comes to the grind.

The difference in flavor between stepless and a stepped grind adjustment system is instantly noticeable, even if you aren’t a coffee aficionado.

A stepped system gives you some grinding options, but the manufacturer presets them. It is easier to use; you just turn the dial and wait for the grind to finish. With a stepless system, you are in complete control. 

The K30 lets you turn the dial to any point on the grind spectrum. You are in charge of how fine the grind is.

An illuminated display ensures you select the right setting every time. Mahlkonig understands that you’re not always grinding espresso beans in optimal lighting. Coffee bars often have mood lighting. It soothes the customers but makes it hard to see the controls on the grinder.

The illuminated display on the K30 ensures you always select the right setting. You don’t need to turn the lights on to get the perfect grind.

The coffee grinder also boasts a powerful cooling fan that is remarkably quiet. The built-in cooling system keeps the grinder from overheating. You can grind shot after shot of espresso beans without worrying about the machine. 

The silent fan will keep all of the internal components cool. Go ahead and serve everyone in line; the K30 will easily keep up.

One feature you don’t want to forget to look at is the hopper’s size. If you are only planning on grinding a shot or two of espresso beans daily, it’s not a huge consideration. It’s nice to have a large enough hopper to grind beans for friends and family, but it’s only necessary if the grinder is used frequently.

Mahlkonig designed the K30 for commercial use, and this means it needs a large-capacity hopper. You want to be able to grind enough beans to keep customers moving steadily through the line.

With the Mahlkonig grinder, you get a hopper that can hold over 3 pounds of espresso beans. It is 3.3 pounds if you are looking for the precise amount. You probably won’t need to grind over three pounds of beans at home, but in commercial settings, it will keep your customers and baristas happy.

Another great feature of the K30 is the integrated shot counter. Once again, it’s not necessary for home use unless you like tracking your espresso bean usage. In a commercial setting, it’s a handy feature that makes tracking supplies a breeze. You’ll know exactly how many shots are ground and how much inventory you’re going through.

Value for the Money 4.8/5 ⭐ 

If you are using the coffee bean grinder in a commercial setting, you may give it 5 out of 5 stars for its value for your money. It’s not the same for home use. You still get a great value, but you may be paying for features you won’t use at home. For example, you’ll probably not going to grind over three pounds of espresso beans or need to track the number of shots made in a day.

While these features aren’t necessary for home use, they are critical in a commercial setting. You can minimize waste with the convenient portafilter that catches every grind without the need for a barista to hold it in place. It also only takes one second to grind enough beans for a shot of espresso. Your customers don’t have to wait for their morning coffee. 

It also applies at home. Just select the grind, and the machine does the rest. Within two seconds, you can have your morning sip of perfectly ground espresso.

You are paying a little more for the machine, and it’s worth it when you consider what you get with the K30.

How to Use the Mahlkonig K30 

With all of its features and functions, the K30 espresso grinder can seem intimidating. Add in its hefty weight, and the machine can seem too advanced for the average espresso drinker.

It’s not the case with the K30; it’s incredibly easy to operate. In less than a minute, you can have a shot of espresso made from your ideal grind.

The directions for use are incredibly simple. You start by filling the hopper with the desired amount of beans. Remember, it can hold over three pounds so pay attention to how much you are pouring in.

After the beans are in the hopper, attach the portafilter. It connects to the front, and a sturdy magnetic holds the filter in place. You don’t have to hold it, but don’t go far. It only takes a second to grind enough beans for a shot.

The dial on top of the machine allows you to select the fineness of the grind. Your options are endless since it is a stepless system. Select the grind and press the button; it’s all you have to do.

The machine may seem imposing, but it’s designed to be a breeze to operate.

Final Verdict 

There’s a lot to like about the Mahlkonig K30 Vario Air. It’s a fast machine that’s ideal for use at home or in a commercial coffee shop.

It does come with a price tag that reflects its advanced features, and it’s something to think about for home use. You may not need every function at home, but there are also the same ones that make the espresso grinder a great fit in commercial settings.

If you want complete control over your grind, check out the Mahlkonig K30. You will get the exact grind you prefer for your shot of espresso.

Upgrade to an E80 →