Today, we’ve compiled two of the most demanded and well-made premium coffee grinders in the market and discussed their strong suits and shortcomings.
At the end, you will be capable enough to decide if the Monolith’s overall popularity is enough to beat the aesthetics of EG-1.
Monolith Max Vs EG-1 – Features & Specifications
| Kafatek Monolith Max | Weber EG-1 |
|---|---|
 Picture Credits |  Picture Credits |
| Dimensions. 7.5″/19cm. 8.7″/22cm. 16″/40.6cm. Made in the USA. Variable RPM. Range from 22-400 revs. Burr Size. 98mm (flat shuriken burr). Weight. 32lbs/14.25kg. Available in both 110v & 220v. Made for home use. | Dimensions. 9.25″/23.5cm. 11″/28cm. 18″/45.7cm. Made in Taiwan. Variable RPM. Can rev up to 1800. However, the range is not officially claimed. Burr Size. 80mm (magnetic blind burrs). Made for commercial use. |
Monolith Max vs. Weber EG-1— Key Differences.
The key difference between both premium-quality grinders is their burr size. In this case, size does matter. This is the crucial deciding factor for many of us hunting for the best value-to-money premium coffee grinder.
The burr size plays the most important part in a grinder. After all, the only job of a grinder is to reduce those whole beans to ground coffee form. So, the bigger the size of the burr, the less time it would eventually take to get results.
The second most eminent difference is, undoubtedly, the price. We all knew that was coming. The Weber EG-1 is almost $800 (Shipping excluded) more expensive than the Monolith Max, even though both do the same job.
The EG-1’s price places itself in a different league of coffee grinders. At this price, people would expect a self-serving machine to come with it that would grind coffee and brew coffee for them!
Monolith Max vs. EG-1 – Pros and Cons.
Monolith max— Pros
The Monolith is compact in nature and ergonomic in style. Its petite style means it won’t take as much space as the EG-1. It is marketed for home use which may be why it’s popular.
The 98mm Shuriken burr size makes for one of the sweetest, if not the sweetest, coffees in the industry. This is the party trick of this grinder, as the sweetness can linger on for a long time and give you a richer flavor.
It is very consistent. The chances of pulling a bad shot are significantly less, making it less frustrating and less complicated for beginners.
The Kafatek Monolith Max can be used in cafes. Even though it isn’t marketed for commercial use, this grinder can still be used in cafes. It would take less time to brew consistent coffees because of its burr size advantage.
Monolith Max— Cons
The variable RPM is lower than its rivals. The Weber EG-1 can rev up to 1800. Even the Levercraft Ultra, a $2,400 grinder, can go up to 1500 revs. Lesser revs can also lower the variance of your coffee flavors, so you can’t play with the flavors much.
The RPM adjuster looks cheap and feels like an after-thought even though the rest of the machine is solidly built.
For having a $3,500+ price tag, there are no blind burrs, which means less uniformity while grinding beans. Also, having a traditional flat burr makes the cleaning process a bit complicated.
Sold out, in just a matter of minutes after going live. It’s very hard to get your hands on one.
Weber EG-1— Pros
- Having magnetic blind burrs means no screws in the burrs, which means cleaning the burrs is very easy. Also, these magnetic burrs mean that the EG-1 is completely tool-less. How cool is that?
- The EG-1 looks flawless and exquisite. You would want to look at this machine in the morning as you grind your coffee.
None of the components feels cheap by any means. On the contrary, even the RPM adjuster looks well-incorporated and high quality. But, on the other hand, everything feels expensive and classy, from the dosing cups to the rev machine knob.
- Thanks to its magnetic burrs, no screwdrivers are needed. This makes cleaning a hell of a lot easier. Even the company website states that the burr set can easily be accessed in under 20 seconds. In fact, you’d rather enjoy the process of cleaning, which is a bit strange…
- You can change from one type of coffee to another in just a matter of clicks, thanks to the very ergonomic design of the adjustment collar. This can be resourceful in environments where more than one type of coffee is required, like cafes, labs, and coffeehouses.
Weber EG-1— Cons
Less information relayed on the company website means you need to do extensive research about this grinder to decide whether it’s the best for you or not. You can’t rely on a couple of lines of information before spending $4,500.
Small burr size means that you won’t be getting that same deep texture that the Monolith Max offers. Also, this is bad news for those who have a keen eye for detail in their taste preferences.
Many users have reported burr alignment problems. Even though Weber has made the accessibility of the burr very easy, it still complicates things for the end-user.
The EG-1’s dimensions make it a non-conventional coffee grinder for home use. Those looking to use it in their homes need to make more room to fit it in their households.
Monolith Max Vs. EG-1 – Who Are They For & Which One To Get?
On the one hand, you’ve got a grinder from the year 2050, and on the other hand, you’ve got a grinder that Is so popular that you have to pay a deposit upfront to be the first one to get it. While that may be true for a car, it’s absurdly weird for a coffee grinder.
Both are great & well-made grinders that are very closely matched. Both have their strong suits, as discussed, and both have their imperfections.
The shortcomings of the KafaTek Monolith Max have been addressed in the Weber EG-1, like having a solid build and easy maintenance. But, be that as it may, the Weber still costs too much. Yes, the EG-1 can upgrade to ultra SSP burrs, but that would be more damaging to your wallet.
So, it all comes down to the price. If you’re a diehard coffee fan and happen to have a couple of thousand bucks lying around, buy the Weber EG-1 with Ultra SSP burrs without any second thought; it is a great all-rounder and checks all marks. For that price tag, it is worth it. You know where your money’s going.
However, if you are budget-constrained and want to take no risks with newer coffee grinders, then the KafaTek Monolith Max is your go-to.
Not only does it produce one of the sweetest yet darkest textures, but it also has one of the best quality burrs in the coffee grinder industry. There’s a reason why this coffee grinder is widely known in the coffee world.
Conclusion— KafaTek Monolith Max Vs. Weber EG-1
Say that you have money to buy one of these grinders; however, it would still be very difficult to get your hands on either. They are sold in batches and go out of stock within minutes of going live. While you are on the lookout for premium-quality coffee grinders, you may want to consider the Ceado E37Z-Hero.
The Ceado E37-Z is like the love child of the Monolith Max and the Weber EG-1. Words simply cannot do enough justice to the beauty of this grinder. With DLC-coated blind burrs, up to 1500 RPM, and a handsome, sleek design, this grinder offers everything the other grinders offer. But better.
Plus, you can get these fine Italian-craftsmanship grinders on the web very easily. Unlike the other two coffee grinders, this does not go out of stock often. For those interested in the Ceado E37Z-Hero, I have provided some links. You should check them out.
It addresses all the shortcomings of the other two grinders without compromising on any. From rust-free diamond-cut burrs to incredibly fast results, this grinder is overkill!
We highly recommend this grinder if you are unable to source a Monolith or an EG-1 or you can’t wait for the pre-orders to roll out after months. Also, the price sits between the other two grinders ($3,300-$3,900), making it the Jack of all trades.
Final Thoughts
Having a great espresso grinder is as important as having a great friend always by your side: it can do you wonders. To some, the only key to a tasteful coffee is a good grinder.
Us coffee-lovers would go an extra mile to ensure top-notch taste in our espresso, even if it means spending 3-4 grand on a precision grinder!
However, the number of coffee grinders in this price bracket has been killing us and making it difficult to pick out the best, ideal coffee grinder for ourselves, the one that exactly matches our coffee needs.
