Hi Guys
My Rocky is nearing the end of its useful life so I am shopping for a replacement, I have narrowed my choice to the above and would appreciate the views of anyone who has used either or both

Regards Keith

Keith,

Pro-M vs Mazzer is no contest. Pro-M simply does not get to play in that league. Pro-M I tried could not grind fine enough for 14 gram espresso (and there are others that are reporting same problems). I also did not like construction quality of Pro-M since it is plastic-icky and not user serviceable so if you need to change burrs you must send it for repairs. That's crazy. It is also telling that Mahlkoening is introducing yet another new version of Pro-M, this time called Pro-M espresso since obviously the Pro-M original could not grind fine enough for espresso thus they needed to create completely new product... I have not tried new Pro-M espresso though. I just don't feel good about these grinders...

I would suggest looking into the Wega Max 6.8 which is rebadged Compak K-10 at about half the price. Those 68mm conical burrs are killer and you just can't go wrong with that burr set.

Hope this helps.

Hi Dennis
Thanks for that unfortunately the Wega does not appear to be available in the UK

tekomino wrote:. . . the Pro-M original could not grind fine enough for espresso thus they needed to create completely new product...

This sweeping generalization is not universally true. While I cannot dispute your experience, of course, it is absolutely contrary to my experience with the ProM, which I have been using daily since last fall.

at the pricepoint of a mini-e ($950-ish), i'd also consider the cimbali max-hybrid ($900-ish). former is well known flat burr, latter has better conical/flat combo grinding at a lower pricepoint. and both are well below the pro-m $1400 asking price (you pay for that red dot).

tekomino wrote:....obviously the Pro-M original could not grind fine enough for espresso.....

Obviously??? Really??

While I use my Pro-M for drip and FP mostly, I've had no issues whatsoever using it for espresso. It'll choke my machine at a 14g dose (happened just yesterday).

My experience with Mahlkönig grinders (Vario, ProM, K30 Vario) is that they come calibrated too coarse for my setup. But every one of them could be recalibrated to produce nice espresso. Unfortunately the coarse end tends to get a bit restricted, at least with Vario and ProM, when you change the calibration.

samster wrote:...and both are well below the pro-m $1400 asking price (you pay for that red dot).

In addition to the red dot, you pay for:

Precision grind and time controls that smoothly and quickly adjust and then hold their position.
Saying goodbye to single dosing and weighing rituals (see previous bullet).
Having a single grinder for espresso and brewed coffee.
Superior, longer-lasting steel alloys for the burrs.
Hand finishing of the burrs that does not waste coffee during "break in"
A size that fits under any counter with its hopper.
A design that complements modern kitchen and bar equipment, instead of looking like a refugee from a machine shop.

Whether those things are worth the $1,250 U.S. street price is up to the customer. I have not personally had a problem with fine grinding.

K-sugden wrote:Hi Guys
My Rocky is nearing the end of its useful life so I am shopping for a replacement, I have narrowed my choice to the above and would appreciate the views of anyone who has used either or both

My last three grinders have been: Mazzer Mini-E, ProM and Vario.

I had one of the earliest ProM's ever built. It had issues with choking, which is why I switched to Vario.

I would not go back to Mini-E from Vario. If ProM was changed so that you could access the burrs (hence eliminating choking issue), or I could otherwise convince myself that the issue is gone for good, I would go back to ProM.