Ok, ok, I already know the answer to this question- a resounding "Yes" but my thoughts are these: I've decided on a Cimbali jr and Mahlkonig K30 as my first setup (ordering from Chris in a week or so) but I can already foresee the need for a secondary grinder for decaf, FP, moka, chemex, vacuum, etc, to avoid emptying the hopper and dialing in the grind every time. I thought about picking up a Baratza Vario for this duty but can't help considering the K30 twin for this. I know the k30 + Baratza will work great for about $500 less than the price of the twin but talk about a bulletproof home setup with the Cimbali and K30 twin sitting there! I'm concerned less with the extra cash and more with quality, both in the espresso and in longevity of the equipment (they're pretty sexy, too).

Another concern is how the K30 does with the coarser grinds. I assume it'll be at least as good as the Baratza, correct?

What are your thoughts? First post so be gentle!

Not only overkill, but probably a poor choice for non-espresso. If you have the budget and real estate (and you obviously do), I'd look at a shop grinder, a Baratza or ProM for your non-espresso grinds.

Thanks for the input- That was my initial thoughts as well. I'll research the pro-M a little.

Marshall wrote:Not only overkill, but probably a poor choice for non-espresso. If you have the budget and real estate (and you obviously do), I'd look at a shop grinder, a Baratza or ProM for your non-espresso grinds.

What is it about the K30 that makes it a poor choice for non-espresso?

Tomesd wrote:What is it about the K30 that makes it a poor choice for non-espresso?

Ask Pete Licata. When he won the USBC this month in Houston, he brought a ProM (shown behind his left hand) for the French pressed coffee he used in his specialty drink and a K30 Twin for his espressos (in the foreground). As you can see in this photo from Tumblr:

Didnt the prom and k30 use the same 65mm burrset?

Bluecold wrote:Didnt the prom and k30 use the same 65mm burrset?

The K30 and the ProM I have sitting side by side do not use the same burr set, observed empirically. One might extrapolate and assume the same for all K30's and ProM's, but I can speak only to the actual examples I have in front of me.

Bluecold wrote:Didnt the prom and k30 use the same 65mm burrset?

[Edit] It's a little smaller (I was told - but the online specs are the same, so I can't guaranty this), does not run as fast and has a different grind path design (which I am told will be modified again, when Mahlkonig's "espresso-only" ProM goes into production later this year). I was also told the espresso-only version will have a metal portafilter holder like its bigger brothers, and the timer interface will be digital.

Richard wrote:The K30 and the ProM I have sitting side by side do not use the same burr set, observed empirically.

Observed empirically?

marshall wrote:It's a little smaller, does not run as fast and has a different grind path design

Are you saying the burr set is smaller? If not, I don't understand what relevance your statement has to the stated question:

Bluecold wrote:Didnt the prom and k30 use the same 65mm burrset?

jammin wrote:Observed empirically?

Empirical: originating in or relying or based on factual information, observation, or direct sense experience usually as opposed to theoretical knowledge, i.e., by looking at the burrs and observing they're not the same and can therefore state as fact that they are different