Welcome to The Coffee Experiment, I'm Mark. I have taught new baristas to read grind, flow and crema. The La Pavoni coffee grinder is a family of electric flat burr espresso grinders from the Milan maker La Pavoni. The brand now belongs to the Smeg Group. The range covers the Kube Mill, the Cilindro, the Zip and the Zip Pro. Each one feeds from a hopper.
The Kube Mill and Cilindro share 50 mm hardened steel flat burrs and a stepless dial. The Kube Mill cuts grinding noise by about 20 dB. The Cilindro saves single and double doses. The Zip is a doser built for speed. Owners praise the dial and the build, and they dislike the exposed hopper and the Cilindro height.
I go through 7 key questions, including burrs and grind adjustment and dosing and noise, with no sponsor. Reviews are few, and no independent test of grind quality exists. Only the Zip has a confirmed US price, at $769.
What Is the La Pavoni Coffee Grinder?
La Pavoni coffee grinders are electric flat burr espresso grinders from the Milan maker La Pavoni. The brand sells them as partners for its lever and semi-professional machines. Current models include the Kube Mill, the Cilindro and the Zip.
Desiderio Pavoni founded La Pavoni in Milan in 1905. Its first machine, the Ideale, was modeled on Luigi Bezzera's Gigante. In 1961 the company introduced the Europiccola, a compact direct-lever home espresso machine.
Smeg acquired La Pavoni in 2019, and the brand now sits inside the Smeg Group. All the grinders are electric.
Each grinder is hopper-fed, which means the beans sit in a container above the burrs. The burrs cut the beans, and the ground coffee drops straight into a portafilter. A portafilter is the handled metal basket that holds the grounds. A doser is a different part. It is a chamber that stores ground coffee and releases it with a lever.
No independent lab or sifter test of a current La Pavoni grinder was found. The figures here come from the maker, authorised dealers and owner threads.
Which La Pavoni Grinders Exist Today?
Four La Pavoni grinders exist today: the Kube Mill, the Cilindro, the Zip and the Zip Pro. The Kube Mill and Cilindro are home grinders. The Zip and Zip Pro are commercial-style dosers. This means they release a set amount of ground coffee for each shot.
The Kube Mill is the starting point for the home grinders. It uses 50 mm hardened steel flat burrs and a 310 W motor at 1350 RPM. Its hopper holds 150 g (5.3 oz), and it comes in chrome and black. Dosing is manual.
The Cilindro shares the Kube Mill motor and burrs, so its grinding is built on the same base. It adds an LCD for programmed doses and a 500 g (17.6 oz) smoked Tritan hopper. The larger hopper and the programmable display set it apart from the Kube Mill.
The commercial-style models handle more coffee. The Zip has 65.5 mm flat burrs and grinds up to 13 lb (5.9 kg) per hour. Its hopper holds 2.2 lb (1 kg), and a doser lever releases the coffee.
The Zip Pro has flat burrs and a 2.2 lb (1 kg) hopper. It adds a touch screen for one or two automatic doses and a 280 W motor.
La Pavoni Grinder Models:
| Model | Burrs | Hopper | Dosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kube Mill | 50 mm flat | 150 g (5.3 oz) | Manual |
| Cilindro | 50 mm flat | 500 g (17.6 oz) | Programmable LCD |
| Zip | 65.5 mm flat | 2.2 lb (1 kg) | Doser lever |
| Zip Pro | Flat, 280 W motor | 2.2 lb (1 kg) | Touch screen, 1 or 2 doses |
The older Jolly doser, with a 61 mm burr, earned praise from a 2007 owner for exceptional espresso.
How Does the La Pavoni Coffee Grinder Work?
A La Pavoni coffee grinder drops beans from the hopper between two flat steel burrs turned by an electric motor. The burrs cut the beans to a set gap. The grounds then fall through a chute into the portafilter.
The motor sets how fast the burrs turn, and that decides how fast coffee comes out. The Kube Mill and Cilindro share a 310 W motor that turns at 1350 RPM. The Cilindro grinds 1.2 to 1.6 grams per second for espresso.
Both models feed from a hopper, not a single-dose bin. Beans stay in the hopper between uses and meet air. Switching between two coffees means emptying the hopper first, because the old beans would otherwise mix with the new ones.
Light is the other thing that can reach beans while they wait in the hopper. The Cilindro hopper is smoked Tritan, a tough clear plastic. The tint keeps light off the beans.
What Burrs Does the La Pavoni Grinder Use?
The La Pavoni grinder uses 50 mm hardened steel flat burrs on the Kube Mill and Cilindro. Hardened steel resists wear. The two flat discs sit parallel and cut each bean between them.
Flat burrs produce a tighter spread of particle sizes than conical burrs. A tighter spread suits espresso, where small differences change the shot.
The Zip uses larger flat burrs, at 65.5 mm. That size supports its rate of up to 13 lb (5.9 kg) of coffee per hour.
How Does the La Pavoni Grinder Adjust Grind Size?
The La Pavoni grinder adjusts grind size with a stepless micrometric dial. Stepless means no fixed clicks. The dial moves in the smallest increment that still changes the grind.
Fine increments matter because a shot's speed depends on grind size. A shot that runs a few seconds fast needs a nudge, not a jump between two settings. Small steps let an owner chase a target shot time.
Similar grinder designs have coarse steps. The Kube Mill dial avoids those steps. Its fine control suits lever machine owners.
What Are the Benefits of the La Pavoni Coffee Grinder?
The La Pavoni coffee grinder offers stepless adjustment, quiet grinding on the Kube Mill and programmable dosing on the Cilindro. The Kube Mill and Cilindro also carry a 24-month warranty through authorised dealers.
The La Pavoni grinders covered here are three models, each with its own strength:
- Kube Mill: This model is compact, at 330 mm (13 in) tall and 130 mm (5.1 in) wide. It fits under most cabinets.
- Cilindro: This model grinds 1.2 to 1.6 grams per second. An 18 g (0.6 oz) espresso dose takes about 11 to 15 seconds at that rate.
- Zip: This model has a die-cast aluminum body and a portafilter holder on the front. Its hopper holds 2.2 lb (1 kg). The holder frees both hands while it grinds.
Does the La Pavoni Cilindro Dose Automatically?
Yes. The La Pavoni Cilindro does dose automatically: one press grinds a saved single or double dose. An LCD screen holds both programmed doses.
Saved doses do not cover every need, so the Cilindro has other ways to grind. It offers a continuous mode, a time-based mode and a manual function. Manual grinding handles amounts outside the saved doses.
The Zip Pro also grinds automatically, with one or two doses set on a touch screen. The Zip Auto Commercial has no doser. It grinds single servings on demand.
Is the La Pavoni Kube Mill Quiet?
Yes. The La Pavoni Kube Mill is quiet, with about 20 dB less grinding noise than conventional grinders, as the maker rates its anti-vibration system. A 20 dB drop is a large cut on the decibel scale.
The Cilindro is a different case. One dealer describes it as quiet for its output. That same dealer points noise-sensitive buyers to the Kube Mill instead.
No independent decibel reading was found for either model. The 20 dB figure comes only from the maker.
What Do La Pavoni Coffee Grinder Reviews Say?
La Pavoni coffee grinder reviews are few and mostly come from owners and dealers, not independent testers.
The ratings that do exist rest on very small samples. The Amazon Cilindro listing shows one 5.0 rating. The Wayfair Zip listing shows 4.7 out of 5 from 3 reviews. A score built on one or three reviews says little about how the grinder performs over time.
Larger numbers can mislead in a different way. One European store page shows 4.9 from 93 reviews for the Kube Mill. Those reviews rate the shop and delivery, not the grinder, so they say nothing about grind quality.
Forum threads add a third source, but they focus on a different question. They mostly ask which grinder pairs with the Professional and Europiccola lever machines.
What Do Owners Like About the La Pavoni Grinder?
Owners like the La Pavoni grinder for its fine stepless dial, solid metal build and repeatable dosing. The dial gives fine control. A single Cilindro buyer gave it a 5.0 rating.
A stepless dial has no fixed clicks, so the user can set the grind at any point between two settings.
The Zip body is die-cast aluminum, and dealers describe it as built to last. The Zip also carries a 4.7 rating from 3 reviews.
Programmed doses let anyone in a shared kitchen get the same result. The grinder stores the amount, so each person gets the same dose without measuring.
What Are the Common La Pavoni Grinder Complaints?
The common La Pavoni grinder complaints are the exposed hopper, the Cilindro height and stale grounds in the Zip doser. Beans in a hopper meet air, and switching coffees is awkward.
The Cilindro stands 410 mm (16.1 in) tall. Buyers need clearance above the lid to pour beans in.
The Zip doser holds ground coffee ready to dispense. Grounds that sit unused go stale.
No documented pattern of failures was found for any model.
Common Complaints:
- Beans sit exposed in the hopper
- Switching coffees means emptying the hopper
- The Cilindro needs 410 mm of height
- The Zip doser holds grounds that go stale
How Does the La Pavoni Coffee Grinder Compare to Rivals?
The La Pavoni coffee grinder uses 50 mm flat burrs, smaller than the Eureka Mignon Zero and DF64 Gen 2. The Eureka Mignon Zero has 55 mm flat burrs and a 320 W motor. The DF64 Gen 2 has 64 mm burrs.
The Eureka Mignon Zero is hand-built in Florence and uses stepless adjustment. Beean Coffee names it the best overall pick for La Pavoni lever machines. It lists around $470 at Home Coffee Solutions.
The Rancilio Rocky Doserless also uses 50 mm flat burrs, so burr size alone does not separate it from the Kube Mill. It lists at $440 at Whole Latte Love.
The Baratza Sette 270 uses 40 mm conical burrs and 270 settings. It grinds a dose in about 5 seconds.
The DF83V has 83 mm flat burrs and variable speed from 300 to 1600 RPM. The DF64 Gen 2 grinds single doses with low retention. Flat burrs, as on the DF64, give a tighter particle spread than the conical burrs of the Sette 270.
Grinder Comparison:
| Grinder | Burrs | Adjustment | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Pavoni Kube Mill | 50 mm flat | Stepless | No US price found |
| Rancilio Rocky Doserless | 50 mm flat | Not confirmed | $440 |
| Eureka Mignon Zero | 55 mm flat | Stepless | About $470 |
| DF64 Gen 2 | 64 mm flat | Stepless | Not confirmed |
| Baratza Sette 270 | 40 mm conical | 270 settings | Not confirmed |
Which La Pavoni Grinder Fits Better: Kube Mill or Cilindro?
The Kube Mill fits one or two coffees a day, and the Cilindro fits busy shared kitchens. Both use the same 50 mm burrs, stepless adjustment and 310 W motor.
Because the grinding hardware is closely matched, the choice comes down to workflow, not cup quality. Stepless adjustment means the grind can be set to any point, not just fixed clicks, and both models offer it.
Size is the first difference. The Kube Mill stands 330 mm (13 in) tall, 130 mm (5.1 in) wide and 190 mm (7.5 in) deep. It weighs about 6 kg (13.2 lb). That small footprint suits a counter used by one or two people.
The Cilindro is larger. It stands 410 mm (16.1 in) tall, 154 mm (6.1 in) wide and 230 mm (9.1 in) deep. It weighs 5.3 kg (11.7 lb). The extra height comes with a 500 g hopper. This holds more beans for a kitchen where many people make coffee. The Kube Mill hopper holds 150 g, enough for a small daily routine.
Dosing also differs. The Kube Mill is manual, so the user controls each dose by hand. The Cilindro is programmable, so it can repeat a set dose for each cup. Both carry a 24 month warranty.
Kube Mill vs Cilindro:
| Spec | Kube Mill | Cilindro |
|---|---|---|
| Hopper | 150 g | 500 g |
| Height | 330 mm | 410 mm |
| Footprint | 130 x 190 mm | 154 x 230 mm |
| Dosing | Manual | Programmable |
| Warranty | 24 months | 24 months |
How Much Does the La Pavoni Coffee Grinder Cost?
The La Pavoni Zip costs $769, and the Zip Auto Commercial costs $899 at Majesty Coffee. Those are the only US dollar prices found for the range.
No US price turned up for the Kube Mill or Cilindro. Listings found were in euros, pounds and Australian dollars, so no figure is given here.
The Cilindro costs more than the Kube Mill. The extra money buys the LCD dosing and the 500 g hopper.
Units sold in Europe run on 220 to 240 V. A US buyer needs a 120 V unit or a step-down transformer.
The Eureka Mignon Zero lists around $470, well under the $769 Zip. The Rancilio Rocky lists at $440.
One Wayfair Zip listing offers a 3 year protection plan for $139.99. The plan is the retailer's, not La Pavoni's.
Is the La Pavoni Grinder Worth the Price?
Yes. The La Pavoni grinder is worth the price because the Cilindro charges for workflow, not for a better cup, because its burrs match the Kube Mill. A daily one-cup user can buy the Kube Mill and lose nothing in the grind.
The Zip is a doser, a grinder that holds a set amount of ground coffee ready to dispense. It grinds up to 13 lb (5.9 kg) per hour, which is commercial speed. It costs $769, a modest price for a doser of its class.
Larger-burr rivals exist. No US price comparison was possible for the 50 mm models, so their cost against the Zip stays unknown.
What Warranty Covers the La Pavoni Grinder?
The La Pavoni warranty covers the Kube Mill and Cilindro grinder for 24 months through authorised dealers. An authorised dealer keeps the warranty valid and supplies genuine parts.
The warranty period for the Zip was not confirmed. A Wayfair listing sells an optional 3 year plan for $139.99.
Is the La Pavoni Coffee Grinder Worth It?
Yes. The La Pavoni coffee grinder is worth it for lever machine owners who want a stepless flat burr grinder and a compact footprint.
La Pavoni sells three grinders, and each fits a different kind of use:
- Kube Mill: This grinder suits one or two coffees a day. It is 330 mm (13 in) tall, so it fits low benches that rule out the Cilindro.
- Cilindro: This grinder suits busy households that want dosing handled for them. It is 410 mm (16.1 in) tall.
- Zip: This grinder suits small shops that grind fast.
Daily volume and bench height decide between the three.
The verdict rests on specs and flat burr design. No independent test data exists for grind quality. A sifter test or a measured retention figure would change that picture.
Who Should Skip the La Pavoni Grinder?
Single-dose users, filter drinkers and owners of low benches should skip the La Pavoni grinder. The hopper design suits one coffee at a time poorly.
Single-dose means weighing one dose and grinding only that dose. A hopper does not do this. The Eureka Mignon Zero and DF64 Gen 2 are single-dose grinders.
Both home models are built around espresso. A filter grinder such as the Fellow Ode Gen 2 fits filter coffee better.
The Cilindro needs 410 mm (16.1 in) of height.
Skip If:
- You weigh and grind single doses
- You mostly brew filter coffee
- Your bench has under 410 mm of clearance
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