What Does a $3600 Grinder Offer?: Kafatek Monolith Max 2 Review and Burr Chat 

Please hit that like and sub if you haven't! Well, if you enjoy the videos and work that goes into them! Hope this is enjoyable, whether or not buying a grinder at this price is on your radar. I tried to ensure it was educational in areas I thought warranted a tangent. Thanks for the support!

After Hoffman's video on a grinder yesterday the price point whiplash in coffee is hittin hard.

I love that lance releases this video the same week Daddy Hoff releases a video on a $33 grinder

Will I buy one? Never. Am I glad it exists? Absolutely.

Can’t wait for the hance ledrick cut

Man, that mustache is bodacious.

Mentioned in your community post,, but please never change Lance.. I highly value your opinion, playful off the cuff times, and if you come across as arrogant or otherwise, it's not detrimental to the experience of your channel... in my opinion. You being you is why I choose you over Hoffman and Morgan... not that I don't watch their channels, but mostly you.

Please make a comparison vs the Lagom 01 with the 102mm burrs :)

You are great Lance, you are not shy of who you are, you are a great coffee nerd, and we all here are, and that what makes your videos so special, thank you and never change.

Really nice detailed look at a great grinder! Thanks!

I bought one last year,, the preorder was about 5 - 6 months. and I got it in December 2023. A few small notes from the video, The Dial indicator isn't a sticker on the Max 2 like it was in the OG max. its a CNC metal ring. Also if changes are made after the preorder, Kafitech will add these to the new grinders as long as they arnt sipped yet. Over all ive been very happy with it, have the SLM burrs , and it switches from spro to filter brew very nice.

Thank you for your in depth videos!! Always learn something new.

I just wanted to say that my new Kafatek MAX2 literally arrived at my door the second this video went live.

Please do the Monolith Conical MC6 next!

Great video as always. Love your content and how much your recommendations have helped me improve my espresso preparation. Hope you get to try a Lagom 01 with the blind 102 burrs. That grinder with the Weber Blind Shaker have me in a very sweet spot.

it's oddly comforting to know that this $3600 grinder has more of an annoying retention workflow than my offerup $200 Eureka silenzio lol

Just an absolutely beautiful tool. I'll stay with my Fellow Ode Gen2. Thank you very much Lance.

Thank you Lance! I have the EG-1 and original Niche but I found this video to be very useful. I love the detail of your content.

As someone who has owned two Kafatek grinders and both SSW and SLM burrs this is a good overview of what Denis produces. I completly agree about the seasoning, personally I found the process complete only after about 70lb through. Good job Lance.

Maybe I'm a bit jaded, but a coffee grinder of that price category needing multiple bellows, having stuck beans or large chips and not being intended to be cleaned with risk of warranty issues is crazy. I think I paid a lot for my Niche Duo and perhaps I am not deep enough into coffee that I would notice the difference in coffee between these grinders, but it does not have these same issues at all.

Always enjoy the content. I hope you enjoy making it.

I’m happy with my AllGround Sense after years of single dosing. Especially as a med/dark drinker, no fuss and get delicious latte’s every time. But when I get back in to single dosing I’m going straight for the Kafatek MonoCon for sure. Thanks for the video!

This was great! I am a Flat Max 2 owner for about a year and I have been super happy with it!.

Amagad so excited for this vid!

Nice! Looking forward to this one!

Have had my Monolith for 6 months. It’s amazing!

Hey Lance! Thanks for the video. I just got a DF83v and I am loving it. One interesting point you made is regarding when going from large grind size to smaller grind size. Would that apply to DF83v as well? Thanks!

Very thorough. I have max2 and I can relate. I love the fact you tested the calibration to the micron. Been waiting for this review forever but you did not disappoint.

Nice video. I’ve got an Kafatek MC5 that I love - probably loses out a bit on quality vs Max for light roasts, but has a great, fast, no fuss, no mess workflow for anything medium/dark.

Awesome video! Its fun to see these kind of grinders, even if I'll never own one

Hey Lance, been excited for this one to come out! Thank you. You said the SLM are similar to the Core in the 80mm size. Are there any in the 64mm size that are also seem similar for you?

Very well done review. I also find the air puffer necessary with my MC6. I use the VSGO Air-move Air Blower

You’re spilling the beans!!

Brilliant video. Quick question Lance if you don’t mind. Do you enjoy cleaning your equipment? Taking things apart and seeing how they operate? I do and I love taking my EG1 and LM Strada EP1 apart. Keeping it clean is part of the enjoyment of coffee.

How’s that acceptable to have such a poor workflow and high retention for that price?

i like the high end grinder reviews a lot, even though i don't see myself getting one any time soon i like to see what's out there and what's going on in the top of the line

The double bellow,magic 🙏🏼 love it Lance

1 of 12!!! Thanks for making the video! Loved it!

Very comprehensive, thank you, I made some comments in Kafatek forums. Beautiful Faema in the background! Do you have a video on that / plan to make one? I searched, didn't find...

Another banger Lance. Will you be doing a review vid of the Aries soon?

I’ve had several Monoliths over the last 8 years. Currently running the Max1 with SSWs and love the espresso I’m making. It’s amazing to watch Denis improve them over the years

Interesting grinder. Glad for that video.

Amazing video! Lance, can you recommend grind setting for your Ultimate pouriver recipe on Sculptor 078. I saw on your review the setting was 6, but isn't it too fine?

Dang my kidney not even worth $3600 😝 love the informative content always keep it up lance thanks 🙏

Lance was getting some hate on the KafaTek forum before the video launched expecting it to be negative, but it was really fair. I have a Max SLM and reading all the comments i can see how it looks crazy to buy such an expensive grinder and need to play all these games... but then you taste the coffee and you understand...

for light - medium roast espresso, do you have a preference between eg1 core burrs vs. SLM burrs?

The one I really had an inkling towards was the Levercraft Ultra. Nowadays my endgame would be one of the newer Zerno grinders but since that's a long shot I'll stay pleased with my K Plus.

As mentioned near the start of the video in regards to what features may be included with the grinder on pre-order, I wonder what the cutoff date for new features/tech/design etc is as there is an update agreement that one agrees to when ordering a grinder that states it may receive minor to major improvements from what was pictured at the time of placing an order

Lance, a tangential question: like brews, do you also prefer HU in something like an EK or does it perform similarly in every grinder?

Great video Lance and fellow coffee nerds. I'm lucky to have an EK43 with pre 2015 burrs. What's the issue with pre 2015 burrs thats briefly mentioned? Can anyone point me towards more info? Cheers.

Awesome video. Hope you'll a bit how much the auger on the Philos, negate the effect of slow-feeding. I love the results of slow-feeding, but hate the process.

I just bought one with MD burrs (Medium Dark)

I had a Eureka single dose for nearly a year and I thought it was an amazing grinder since it usually gets good reviews and is made in Italy. THEN I got an all-black MAX2 and honestly there is no comparison at all. The MAX2 does everything better. not only that but I can taste the notes for the first time. I know it's expensive but after being an espresso drinker for years I came to the conclusion that having an expensive grinder with a regular/basic espresso machine is way better than owning an expensive espresso machine but having a basic grinder.

Since you mentioned it how do you like pk100 burrs and maybe a few words on the grider?

Nice video... I can see that finally prebreakers are the new trend... and rightly so. I use cheap grinder from automatic KRUPS machine with RPM adjustment as my prebreaker for Lagom P100 and it works perfectly. Please all flat burrs producers... start designing grinder with the prebreakers :D

I was interested in one of these because of the great build quality, but that double bellow business is insane for a grinder at this price point! That cone pre breaker is pretty sweet though.

Yes! I'm part of the 12 people statistic!

All that was left for you to do Lance was to throw those Shuriken burrs like the coffee ninja you are.

I’m considering the conical version to pair with my decent - I prefer comfort classic medium-dark espresso. Would love to see a review of the MC and how it compare to the flat max2

What’s that nice white ceramic vessel you use to spritz your beans before dropping them into the grinder in all these videos?

Lance, were there shims in place when you took it apart? If so, can you simply reassemble suing the same shim and shim layout?

Great video as always Lance ! Just a little question, you mention quickly SSp 98 LU, but how does theses burrs position themselves in relation to other SSPs / kafatek/ EK... ? ( for filter and espresso ) . Thank you very much for your answer, it's difficult to have any feedback on theses burrs 😅

Had my Monolith Max for about two months and I’m still working through all the variables but, it’s transformed my shots beyond all recognition.

Lance, maybe you could go into more burr details/tasting and brewing optimization with the various Shuriken burrs on your Unfiltered channel? I now have two Max2 grinders one with LM and one with CR. My favorite filter burr previously was the original 98mm SSP Brewing but I believe I prefer the Shuriken CR over it for the most part. I just received the Max2 with CR and it seems notably cleaner than what I remember my Max1 CR being. I'm curious how you feel this impacts optimal extraction parameters, TDS targets, etc? Also, how do you prefer to approach LM burrs? I find that they over extract (to my preferences) with something like a Sworks High Flow but shine with slower flowing baskets? Your thoughts? I enjoyed watching the review very much even though I have been a lover of Kafatek for quite some time.

What we have been looking for! Pressing the like button even without watching.

Why the "old" version looks matt and the new Max 2 glossy? The black matt finish look more uniform. Very nice

Don’t they also have a large conical? Will you be doing a review on that as well?

I'm rocking the Max V2 with a Flair 58. Wondering if I should upgrade to the Strietman C2? Hint, hint Lance?

And what is the current "out of the box" grinder for filter "ace brews"?

Jesus, nearly 4k for that retention clearing workflow?!

Is it better than Weber EG-1?

I can't wait for Hance Ledrick's video on this one. It's a freaking gem with all the huffing and puffing and double prodding.

Thanks Lance, I have an lagom 01 on order but i am a bit worried about getting locked into just the 102MM mizen maybe it is worth going to kafatek, it is really tough at this level.

Lance, can you do some home roaster reviews and guides? I think it’d be a great series.

15:39 Please find a way to add a vacuum to remove chaff between the pre-breaking and final cutting burrs, manufacturers of multi burr grinders.

I love to see the Option-O dosing cup everybody hates (because it is so cheap made) in so many videos 🤣 I have one too and use it every day 👍 Made my day 🙂

Why does the version you purchase look like a prototype compared to the original? The textured lines give it a 3D print vibe, I prefer the matt over glossy, and that yellow sticker I assume can be removed?

Have you tried the sweet lab burrs that SSP makes for the eg-1?

Hey Lance! Can you please shed some light on the import duties (and/or process) to Europe as you are a good example for the typical experience now. Thanks a lot!

Anyone know where I can find info about the p100 mod he talks about to reverse spin?

Good review and as always thanks for spending the money so I don’t have to ❤

I have the v1 with SLM burrs and have not had it stall since the first 3 months of use where the burrs were still getting seasoned. Also cleaning is not that hard just unscrewing the top. I have never seen that double puff though 😂

Hey Lance, i love your videos on grinders i can not afford 😬 off-topic question: In many videos you say that you do not like E61 style group heads but i have not seen a review from you on Ascaso thermoblock machines. They are quite popular. Is there any reason?

Sheesh that double bellow technique got me all….you know what gang nvm

What is the vacuum I see in the beginning

For that amount of money, the grinder seems just odd with the amount of retention, screwed in burrs and beans stuck in the auger, all from normal use. Also not enough tilt for the low rpms, and why down to 5 rpm? This seems like a feature slapped onto it, with not taking into account the rest of the geometry. I was considering this as an endgame option, but at min 15 in the video im just sitting here, forehead in wrinkles. Also, retained grounds despite double puffing plus knocker and purgebutton even with previous RDT? WTF? The coffee might be good, but workflow seems like a huge miss

Lance i have $1500 to upgrade with on a new espresso machine, What would you buy? Thank you

My gen 1 with LM burrs has never stalled.

Dis gonn be good

Appears to be using a servo motor, like in robotics and direct drive wheels in sim racing etc.

Great video. This crazy expensive grinder with a less than desirable workflow, fussiness and retention makes me believe that the Zerno delivers everything one needs in the higher priced grinder category. I would easily prefer the Zerno Z1 over this Kafatek.

You are my favorite Lance.

I love how you're a coffee nerd first and a content creator second. You shouldn't take apart the grinder, but…. 😂 Thats exactly what I would do!

Videos such as this remind me of the golfing gadgets, each of which will add 5 yds to your drive, or fuel gadgets that give you extra MPG. There is a law of diminishing returns, which for me is to use none of it, be it golf, gas, or coffee.

When is the Strietman CT2 review coming?!

Yes! Thank you Lance! I have the Monolith Max2 (LM Burrs) and the EG-1 (DB2 Ultra). I tend to use the EG-1 more (for all filter and most espresso). I find that I can't grind fine enough for espresso with the LM burrs if I have a very light coffee. Glad to see burr comparisons.

11:30 for a grinder in this price range the workflow is hurrendous, may aswell get the EK lol

I'm on the 12!

Ahhhh yes The Double Bellows was my signature move in high school.

I love the pre-breaker idea. I wonder if it will filter down to less expensive grinders (niche trio?) in the future. With the giant yellow sticker, this kinda feels opposite from the Mx. Cool Aries. I know if my grinder had a sticker like that, I would never open it ever. Thanks for doing the scary stuff, so we don't have to :D