Mahlkönig EK43 S Coffee Grinder

Mahlkönig EK43 S is a professional all-purpose grinder for espresso, pour-over, batch brew and cupping. It was made for roasteries and bars that want the EK43 grinding mechanism but have no room for a machine over 80 cm tall. 98 mm flat burrs and an output of up to 21 g/s give the highest throughput in the entire Mahlkönig grinder range.

Mahlkönig EK43S: a short body with the full EK43 mechanism

The letter “S” stands for short. The EK43 S is 68 cm tall, while the classic EK43 measures 82.8 cm. That is almost 15 cm less, which in practice often decides whether the grinder fits under a bar shelf.

Both models use the same grinding mechanism. They differ mainly in body height and the standard bean hopper. The EK43 S is the newer, more compact version, but it does not have lower output or smaller burrs.

As standard you get a hopper holding around 0.25 kg of coffee. That works well for weighed doses, cupping and frequently emptying the grinder. Larger hoppers of around 1.2 kg and 1.8 kg are available as options.

98 mm burrs and up to 21 grams per second

A grinder with 98 mm burrs is made for places where speed and consistency count. The flat burrs are made of hardened premium cast steel. They are produced in Germany, and their stated life is around 6,000 kg of ground coffee.

The motor runs at 1,450 rpm at 50 Hz. Grinding output is 19-21 g/s, and around 10-12 g/s at a very fine Turkish grind. A 100 g batch brew dose can be ground in about 5 seconds, depending on the beans and grind size.

Adjustment is stepless and fully mechanical. There is no display, no electronic burr gap setting and no weight-based dosing. The operator measures the dose and sets the grind, which works particularly well for single doses and for switching between brew methods.

The manufacturer does not give a confirmed retention figure in grams, so we do not attribute a specific number to this grinder. When changing coffee, allow for a small amount to purge the previous beans from the chamber and spout.

Short or tall version: the key differences

• Grinding mechanism: the same in both models, 98 mm flat burrs.
• Height: EK43 S 68 cm, EK43 82.8 cm.
• Height difference: 14.8 cm in favour of the S version.
• Standard hopper: EK43 S around 0.25 kg.
• Use: both grinders suit espresso, filter, batch brew and cupping.

If the grinder is going under a shelf, measure the space above the counter first. Allow not only for the 68 cm height of the grinder but also for the room needed to pour in beans and remove the hopper.

Listings in Polish shops often quote a power rating of 890 W for this model. The manufacturer states 1,300 W at 200-240 V, 50/60 Hz, and we treat that figure as correct for the grinder we sell.

For roasteries, batch brew and high-volume bars

The EK43 S is not a filter-only grinder. Its stepless adjustment range lets you grind for espresso, pour-over, batch brew, cupping and very fine for Turkish coffee. You will get the most out of it in a roastery, a café selling a lot of one coffee, or a station where larger quantities are ground regularly.

It can technically be used at home, but for most people it will be impractical. It weighs 24.5 kg, has a 1,300 W motor and reaches 87 dB(A) while grinding. At idle the noise level is 60 dB(A). It is a loud machine, so when planning the station avoid placing it right next to the till, the service point or an open seating area.

The grinder is 23 cm wide, 41 cm deep and 68 cm high. It is made in Germany by Mahlkönig, a brand of Hemro Group. It comes in matte black and matte white, and costs 15,899 zł gross.

There is no integrated PuqPress tamper for the EK43 S. On a separate station you can use a freestanding PuqPress Q GEN6 or PuqPress Pro.