Technivorm Grinder Review: Is This the Best Grinder for Drip Coffee?

I make no secret of the fact that in my opinion, the Moccamaster is the best drip coffee maker in the world – no matter what other manufacturers come up with.

That’s why I was so excited to unpack the Moccamaster KM5 and update my Technivorm grinder review. Even at first glance, it’s clear that, unlike many other grinders I’ve tested, it doesn’t even try to work for all coffee brewing methods. 

Rather, the Moccamaster KM5 burr grinder presents itself through and through as a coffee grinder for drip machines, ruling out espresso from the outset. But the question remains: is it even worth investing over $300.00 in this thing?

Having tested the Moccamaster KM5 in the Coffeeness kitchen, I can give you my opinions in this updated Technivorm grinder review. Read on to see whether it lived up to my high expectations.

Bare-bones Burr grinder

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder

Simple and very effective

Very consistent and precise grinding for drip

Very straightforward operation

High-quality construction

Not suitable for espresso

Seems rather overpriced

No timed grinding feature

	CHECK PRICE
	CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder
Current price on Amazon	$285.99
All specifications

Overview: Technivorm Grinder Review

If you’re not yet familiar with the Technivorm brand, let me bring you up to speed. The Dutch manufacturer has been around since the 1960s, dutifully slinging its beloved Technivorm Moccamaster brewer to fans around the world. In fact, this brewer has been among the top home drip coffee makers for decades now.

With that context, it’s no wonder the coffee world was beside itself when the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder was released.

Like other Technivorm products, the Moccamaster KM5 grinder has a generous five-year warranty and is repairable for life. Plus, all models are handmade in the Netherlands and are certified by the European Coffee Brewing Centre (ECBC), so you know you’re getting a good product for the $285.99 price tag.

First Impressions

I really appreciate that Technivorm makes no secret of what the KM5 burr grinder wants, can do and should do. It is explicitly advertised as a complement to the Moccamaster coffee maker and is based on it not only in terms of design but also in terms of technology.

This means that the coffee grinder does away with everything that isn’t relevant to filter coffee and immersion brewing methods. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:

The diameter of the burrs alone makes it clear that the KM5’s fast grinding speed is likely to impress. After all, for a flat burr grinder to demonstrate its advantages, the burrs must be significantly larger than 40 millimeters.

More importantly, this is an extremely high-quality burr grinder, both at first glance and on closer inspection. For example, the catch cup is made of glass instead of plastic, as is usually the case. And thanks to the airtight rubber lid, you could theoretically also use it as a coffee storage container. Then again, using a transparent container isn’t the best idea.

Clocking in at around 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms), the KM5 is a good deal heavier than many of its competitors. This further demonstrates Technivorm’s commitment to quality.

Still, the fact remains that you’ll pay a premium for this grinder, even though it’s pretty darn basic. And it’s common knowledge that you don’t have to spend much to get a perfectly good grinder for drip coffee.  Check out my Baratza Encore review for proof. So, is the Technivorm KM5 more of a show-off coffee grinder for die-hard Moccamaster fans?

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder Features

Now that we’ve gone over the bird’s eye view of this Technivorm Grinder review, let’s look a little closer at what we’re dealing with.

Size and Design

As far as looks go, I’ll admit that I don’t find the Moccamaster KM5 to be that attractive. 

Sure, I’ll concede that the grinder matches the slimmed-down and industrial aesthetic of the Moccamaster brewer. And I love how the brewer looks! At the same time, the grinder somehow doesn’t pull off the vibe quite as well.

For starters, the grinder only comes in three colors: Polished Silver, Matte Black and Matte White. This is all well and good, but one of the things I love about the brewer is its array of color options. There’s something about Yellow Pepper or Juniper housing that softens the industrial vibe just enough that it fits into a home kitchen.

On that note, the silhouette of the Technivorm grinder is boxy and kinda boring. I wouldn’t mind this so much if it belonged behind a diner counter, but it doesn’t look so chic on a kitchen counter. Meanwhile, I would never say as much about the Moccamaster brewer; that thing is a real beauty.

Maybe I’m being a little harsh here, but I really think Technivorm could’ve done better in terms of aesthetic design. On the other hand, the Dutch brand is a big proponent of going back to the basics. In that sense, I understand why their grinder design is so simple and avoids any flashiness.

Fortunately, I can’t complain about the functional design of the grinder. It’s built like a tank, with aluminum metal housing that makes the grinder feel sturdy and reliable. Plus, it’s quite compact, with a height of just 12.8 inches (32 centimeters).

User Interface

Like the no-fuss Moccamaster brewer, the user interface for the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 grinder is remarkably simple. At this point, a slimmed-down interface is pretty much Technivorm’s signature.

In other words, this grinder doesn’t have any fancy flashing lights or built-in scales, timers or sensors. Nope, it only has the necessities: a dial for adjusting the grind and a basic on/off switch for grinding.

While I’m normally enamored of Technivorm’s interface designs, I became rather annoyed by the on/off switch. I mean, you have to press and hold the switch for the duration of the grind – so if you’re grinding coffee for a whole pot, expect to be standing there for roughly thirty seconds.

I’m no machinist, but it seems to me that it would be just as easy to install a switch that doesn’t require constant pressure. Needless to say, I don’t quite understand the thought process behind this design choice.

Stainless Steel Flat Burrs

It’s time for the flat burr fan club to stand up and give the Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 grinder a round of applause. That’s right, this home grinder features 50-millimeter stainless steel precision flat burrs.

For the record, I don’t pick favorites when it comes to burr design; I love ‘em all. I disagree with the notion that only flat burrs can achieve precise and consistent grind size. As it happens, all but one of my best espresso grinder picks feature conical burrs – and precision and consistency are key when it comes to espresso preparation.

Still, I understand the excitement over a home grinder that features flat burrs. After all, it’s not all that common, so people tend to get a little giddy.

Stepless Grind Size Adjustment

One of the KM5’s best features is its stepless grind adjustment. The grind is easy to adjust with a simple turn of a knob. What’s more, the knob has markers from 1 to 9 as a guide, 1 being medium-fine and 9 being coarse.

Again, the Technivorm grinder can’t grind fine enough for espresso, so you’ll need a designated espresso grinder. Beyond espresso, though, the KM5 is basically an all-rounder. 

As it happens, the finest setting is ideal for AeroPress or moka pot, while the coarsest setting is meant for cold brew. Between these two extremes, you’ve got plenty of room to dial in your grind for drip coffee makers, pour over and other brewing methods.

From my experience, you can blindly trust the recommendations in the instruction manual: Levels 1-2 are intended for medium-fine drip, levels 6-8 for French press and levels 7-9 for cold brew.

In referring to “steps” Technivorm only means the markings; you can adjust the grinder completely freely. For filter coffee from the Moccamaster coffee machine, I would start between levels 2 and 3 and adjust according to taste.

Finally, one last note: make sure you only adjust the grind while the motor is running. Doing so reduces wear on the burrs and motor, and prevents any haphazard crunching of beans that are stuck between the burrs.

Static-Reducing Dispensing Spout

Anti-static technology is becoming more and more common in new coffee grinders, and I couldn’t be more thankful. After all, coffee grounds are notoriously sneaky in that they end up pretty much everywhere. So, when a manufacturer claims that its grinder doesn’t spray coffee grounds all over the counter, I’m all ears.

In the case of the Technivorm grinder, it’s got a static-reducing dispensing spout. Plus, the rubber lid on the catch cup helps contain any pesky grounds to the cup itself.

Direct-Drive Motor

Thanks to the Moccamaster KM5’s powerful direct-drive motor, it has an impressive grind performance. It’s very fast, grinding 60 grams of coffee in less than 30 seconds. Trust me, you’ll notice how fast the grinding process actually is as soon as you start using the thing. The motor obviously has enough power to make excessive heat generation a non-issue.

I’ll admit that professional baristas who have worked with commercial coffee grinders may scoff at this. I mean, the heavy-duty Mahlkonig EK43 is lightning-fast in comparison.

That said, the Technivorm grinder is very fast for a home grinder. And trust me – when you know how much commercial grinders cost, you’ll have more than enough patience for the Moccamaster KM5!

Bean Hopper

There’s not much to say about the KM5’s bean hopper, but there’s not much to complain about, either.

It’s made of BPA-free plastic with a sturdy plastic lid. Plus, it’s got a reasonable capacity of 9 ounces (255 grams).

Still, that isn’t enough to hold a whole bag of coffee. Either way, I always recommend investing in a storage canister to keep your coffee fresh until you’re ready to brew.

Finally, an exposed Phillips screw in the hopper makes it easy to remove the thing and access the burrs. I’ll talk more about how to clean the burrs a bit later in my Technivorm grinder review.

Catch Cup

I already mentioned the catch cup earlier in my Technivorm grinder review, but I’ll touch on it a little more.

So, the glass catch up has a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) capacity. Incidentally, volumetric lines on the cup are purportedly for dosing your grinds, but they don’t seem that useful to me. What’s more, it’s got a storage lid to cover any leftover coffee grounds.

Now, you know what I’m going to say here. In my opinion, you should only grind exactly what you need for each serving of coffee. No more, no less. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with one of two scenarios: stale-tasting coffee or a pile of wasted grounds in your compost bin.

How to Use the Technivorm Grinder

As I mentioned earlier in this Technivorm Grinder review, using pretty much all Technivorm products as easy-as-pie. This grinder is no exception.

First, before first use make sure to hand-wash and dry all removable parts, including the bean hopper and catch cup. Plus, it’s a good idea to season the burrs by purging a pound or so of cheap coffee through the grinder. That said, it’s likely that this machine comes factory pre-seasoned, so you can skip this step if you’d prefer.

Next, choose your grind size according to your preferred brew method. Here’s a quick guide to the grind size, courtesy of the manufacturer:

Keep in mind that every coffee is different, so you’ll need to further dial in your grind. Still, these are good starting points.

Once you’ve chosen your grind and you’re ready to start brewing, weigh out your desired dose on a coffee scale. Then, take the lid off the bean hopper, press the on/off switch and dump the coffee beans into the hopper. Release the switch when the coffee is done grinding.

The Technivorm KM5 Burr Grinder in Use: My Observations

A high-quality stainless steel flat burr set is beneficial for consistent results, but not necessarily for the ears. With a measured noise level of 84.1 decibels, the KM5 is almost 10 decibels louder than many of its competitors. However, the quality of the noise is more pleasant than with some other coffee grinders. Besides, since the Technivorm grinder works so quickly, you hardly have time to get annoyed.

What’s much more important is the KM5’s impressive performance. At least at the grind settings that are so important for drip coffee machines and pour over. Below setting 7, the particle uniformity is first class. However, once I started getting to setting 9, I noticed a significant drop in consistency, with plenty of boulders in evidence.

You can tell that the manufacturer has put a lot of thought into the design of its grinder. For example, the grounds chute directly connects to the catch bin’s rubber lid. This means that you don’t lose a single crumb of ground coffee. This isn’t just great for those who love cleanliness. You also have significantly less waste which is especially important when using precious single origin beans.

In fact, I didn’t suffer from grinder retention issues at all. Static charge and dead space are reduced to such an extent that you can almost ignore them. Of course, even this premium coffee grinder isn’t perfect. However, in comparison to plastic budget coffee grinders, the KM5 is infinitely superior.

As with the Moccamaster coffee maker, the manufacturer promotes its coffee grinder as having a long service life. You get a five-year warranty and all parts can be replaced. This is not only sustainable, but ultimately justifies the financial investment.

Whether or not the ECBC slaps on its certificate is relatively unimportant to me. However, I am pleased that this electric coffee grinder actually delivers on all of its advertising promises. Even the negative ones.

Technivorm Grinder Cleaning

I find it rather ironic that such a simple coffee grinder is more complicated to clean than some high-tech digital grinders. For starters, to remove the bean hopper you must first remove a screw.

Of course, you need a Philips screwdriver for this, and there is always the risk that you’ll misplace the screw. As you can imagine, this makes it overly complicated when you want to access the burrs and burr chamber for cleaning. After all, you can’t do so without removing the hopper.

Beneath the hopper you’ll find a plastic burr shield; pull up on the clips to remove that piece, too.

Finally, unscrew the three screws to remove the top burr for cleaning. Importantly, take note of the top burr’s position, because you’ll need to replace it in the same orientation. Otherwise, your burr position may not be calibrated with the adjustment knob.

At this point, use your cleaning tools to clear away any stubborn coffee grounds or residue. When you’re done, replace the top burr in the same orientation, tighten the screws, replace the burr shield and screw the hopper back on.

For me, all this is a very clear sign that you should not actually disassemble this coffee grinder, but rather rely on grinder cleaning tablets.

You simply run the special coffee-based cleaning beans through the grinder like regular beans, removing oils and dust in the process. It’s clean, simple and perfectly in line with Moccamaster’s philosophy. Of course, it’s up to you which product you use for this easy cleaning process, but I recommend using Urnex Grindz Professional Grinder Cleaning Tablets.

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder Technical Specifications

Technivorm Grinder vs Fellow Ode

Before finishing off this Technivorm grinder review, I first need to compare it to one of my favorite burr grinders: the Fellow Gen 2 Ode. 

As it happens, I am practically head-over-heels for all Fellow products. This one has a particularly special place in my heart, so let’s get into it.

For starters, I find the Ode to be much more attractive than the Technivorm grinder. It has a slimmer profile with a modern look and Fellow’s classic Matte Black aesthetic. I know I said looks don’t matter … but they kind of do. Sorry, Technivorm.

I also prefer the Ode grinder by a few other measures. For example, it has larger 62-millimeter flat burrs, a more streamlined grinding function (no need to press and hold for 30 seconds) and an auto-stop sensor. What’s more, it’s got a generous 31 grind settings.

On the other hand, it’s a stepped grinder, which could be a pro or a con, depending on your preferences. Plus, it’s a single dose coffee grinder, while the Technivorm grinder can be both single-dose and hopper-fed.

Beyond these features, these two grinders fit a similar niche. The Ode’s $399.95 price tag is almost identical to that of the Technivorm grinder. Plus, they both feature flat burrs and anti-static technology. Most importantly, neither grinder can grind fine enough for espresso. Rather, they perform well for drip and immersion methods.

Ultimately, these grinders seem pretty well-matched in terms of performance. However, if user experience is of the utmost importance to you, the Fellow Ode grinder is probably your best bet. And did I mention it’s quite a bit prettier?

See Also: Fellow Ode Review

Technivorm Grinder vs Fellow Ode Comparison Chart

Verdict: Technivorm Grinder Review

Bare-bones Burr grinder

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder

Simple and very effective

Very consistent and precise grinding for drip

Very straightforward operation

High-quality construction

Not suitable for espresso

Seems rather overpriced

No timed grinding feature

	CHECK PRICE
	CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 Burr Grinder
Current price on Amazon	$285.99
All specifications

The Technivorm Moccamaster KM5 coffee grinder is not an all-rounder and certainly not an espresso grinder. It’s really only suitable for drip coffee and pour over, but shines brightly when used for those brew methods. So, if that’s exactly what you want and nothing else, you’ll be very happy with the Moccamaster KM5.

For me, the Technivorm grinder’s high-quality construction and long service life offset any price concerns. But only if you want to get everything dialed in down to the micron when it comes to grinding for filter coffee.

Or to put it another way: the Technivorm grinder is just right for outrageously expensive Geisha coffee beans, which need to be ground to perfection. For decent, but more reasonably priced coffee beans, the Moccamaster is a bit over the top.

But as we know, this hardly bothers true coffee nerds. Still, those who prefer something a little more modest will find effective models at a significantly lower price point in my guide to the best burr grinders.