Weber Workshops The Key MK II 83mm Conical Grinder Coffee Grinder

Weber Workshops Key MK II – 83mm Conical Espresso Grinder

The Key stands slender on the counter, barely wider than the burr set inside. You lift the magnetic dust lid, add the beans to the chamber, replace it – it softly clicks into place. A turn of the knob, the motor slowly starts, almost thoughtfully. The 83mm conical burrs turn leisurely, without haste, without heat. You hear a deep, quiet grinding instead of a high whir. The Magic Tumbler collects the grounds, the integrated wiper distributes them evenly. You remove it and tap it into the portafilter. A grinder that takes almost nothing away – hardly any space, hardly any coffee, no patience.

The Weber Workshops Key MK II is Weber Workshops' conical single-dose grinder – designed by the team around Douglas Weber, whose design roots lie in the iPod nano team at Apple. Inside, an 83mm Mazzer burr set operates, the largest conical burr set available for home and cafe use. Coffee Coaching Club is the exclusive Swiss importer for Weber Workshops and carries the entire range including accessories and spare parts.

What makes the Key MK II special

The heart of the Key is an 83mm burr set from Mazzer. Weber Workshops factory-aligns the burrs, partially pre-ages them, and seals the cutting edges with a food-safe TiN (Titanium Nitride) coating. This means consistent results from the first shot, without the usual break-in period – and a burr set designed for 5,000 kg throughput, which is several coffee lifetimes.

Conical burrs rotate slower than flat burrs. This is not a disadvantage; on the contrary: lower RPM means less friction heat, and less heat protects the volatile aromatics that make up a coffee. The Key runs at variable speed, adjustable down to around 30 RPM – slow for light, delicate roasts, a bit faster for dense, dark ones. The Mk.2 delivers about 50% more torque than its predecessor, thanks to a new gearbox and stronger power supply, and effortlessly grinds even very light beans. In the cup, the conical burr set shows its character through body, texture, and a dense sweetness – the classic, round espresso profile.

Magic Tumbler, Bean Feeder, and the slender footprint

You grind directly into the Magic Tumbler. An integrated, anti-static wiper automatically distributes the grounds according to the WDT principle and brings retention below 0.1 g – less than most scales can even display. The Bean Feeder, permanently installed in the Mk.2, dispenses beans evenly into the chamber, while the magnetic dust lid keeps the approximately 40g capacity loading chamber clean.

Despite the large burr set, the Key remains slender – its width is determined by the burr set itself, not by superfluous housing. The wood accents on the plate and brush handle come standard in oak and can be swapped for walnut or teak, to match your kitchen or bar.

At a glance

Grinding type	83mm conical burrs (Mazzer), TiN-coated, pre-aged
Burr lifespan	designed for 5,000 kg throughput
Speed	variable, adjustable down to approx. 30 RPM
Torque	approx. 50% more than its predecessor (Mk.2)
Grind size adjustment	stepped, Turkish-fine to V60
Dosing	integrated Bean Feeder, Magic Tumbler with WDT wiper
Retention	< 0.1 g (with Magic Tumbler)
Loading chamber	magnetic dust lid, approx. 40 g
Wood accents	oak standard, walnut or teak optional
Power	350 W max
Input voltage	90–240 V (worldwide compatible)
Dimensions (W × H × D)	10.9 × 35.0 × 24.8 cm
Weight	9 kg
Colors	Black (Onyx), White (Snow)
Burrs	shared with the HG-2 hand grinder
Scope of delivery	Key, Magic Tumbler + spare wiper, dosing funnel, cleaning brush, glass RDT sprayer, air blower, C13 cable with CH adapter, hex key

Who is the Key MK II for?

The Key MK II is for anyone who likes the dense, full-bodied character of conical burr grinders and consciously works with single-dosing. For those with little counter space who still want an 83mm burr set. And for anyone looking for a grinder that will last for many years.

Nobody needs the Key. You want it – or you don't. As with a car, in the end, it's not the measurement curve that decides, but the feeling when it stands on the counter in the morning and quietly grinds its beans. If you prefer clarity over body, a flat-burr grinder like the EG-1 is a better choice – both are valid, burrs are like car engines. If you want it, you know why. This is our view, one of many.

Order directly online

The Key MK II can be ordered directly in the webshop, in Black (Onyx) and White (Snow). Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. For a grinder of this class, we recommend Click and Collect in Bern, Gerberngasse 44 or Zurich, Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Financing available via Heylight. Unsure about choosing a grinder? Our consultation tool can help.

What goes with it

The Key MK II pairs well with thermally stable espresso machines. The La Marzocco with a saturated group head is a classic combination. If you prefer flat grinding – clarity over body – the EG-1 from our Weber Workshops Collection is the counterpart; a comparison of the large grinders can be found on the page EG-1 vs. Lagom P80 vs. Lagom 01. An affordable alternative is offered by Varia (exclusive Swiss importer), for 80mm flat burrs, the Option-O Lagom series.

For dosing by weight: affordable and precise Normcore scales (exclusive Swiss importer), with app and flow rate display Acaia (Swiss importer). For tamping: Normcore tampers or, if you want more, the Weber Workshops tamper from the Weber Collection. For precise coffee water: Apax Labs mineral concentrates (exclusive Swiss importer).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Key's conical burr set differ from a flat-burr grinder?

Conical burrs, as in the Key, tend to produce a bit more body and texture in the cup, with a classic, dense espresso character. Flat burrs, as in the EG-1, tend towards more clarity and flavor separation. There is no better or worse here – burr sets are like car engines, it's a matter of taste. The Key's 83mm Mazzer conical burr set is the largest available for home and cafe use.

How fast does the Key rotate – and why so slowly?

The Key runs at variable, low speed, adjustable down to around 30 RPM. Slow grinding generates less friction heat and thus protects volatile aromatics, especially with light roasts. At the same time, the Mk.2 delivers about 50% more torque than its predecessor and effortlessly grinds even dense, light beans.

Which portafilters does the Magic Tumbler fit?

The included Magic Tumbler is designed for 58mm portafilters and automatically applies WDT distribution via an integrated wiper. For 49mm baskets, there is the standard cup. You grind directly into the tumbler, remove it, and transfer the grounds to the portafilter, AeroPress, Moka pot, or filter.

Are the burrs interchangeable with the HG-2?

Yes. The 83mm Mazzer burr set shares burrs with the HG-2 hand grinder from our Hand Grinders Collection. The Magic Tumbler also fits the Key, HG-1, and HG-2.

Is the Key MK II also available as a showroom model?

Occasionally, we offer a display model from the showroom at a reduced price, selectable as a separate variant. You can see the exact condition on site in Bern or Zurich or inquire about it at office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.

Can I see the Key MK II before purchasing?

Yes. The Key is in use in the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). The quiet grinding noise, the slender footprint, and the haptics cannot be conveyed through photos. Bringing your own beans is welcome.

How quickly is the Key MK II delivered in Switzerland?

2 to 4 working days throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich possible. Financing available via Heylight.