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

Weber Workshops Key MK II – 83mm Conical Espresso Grinder

The Key stands narrow on the counter, barely wider than the burrs inside it, and you lift off the magnetic dust cover, pour the beans into the chamber, set it back down – it clicks softly into place. A turn of the knob, the motor starts up slowly, almost deliberately. The 83mm conical burrs turn leisurely, without haste, without heat, and you hear a deep, calm grinding instead of a high-pitched whir. The Magic Tumbler catches the grounds, the built-in wiper distributes them evenly, and you pull it off and tap it into the portafilter. A grinder that takes up almost nothing – barely any space, barely any coffee, no patience required.

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 Apple's iPod nano team. Inside works an 83mm Mazzer burr set, the largest conical burr set available for home and café use. Coffee Coaching Club is the exclusive Swiss importer of Weber Workshops and carries the entire lineup 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 aligns the burrs at the factory, partially pre-ages them, and seals the cutting edges with a food-safe TiN coating (titanium nitride). That means consistent results from the very first shot, without the usual break-in period – and a burr set rated for 5'000 kg of throughput, several coffee lifetimes' worth.

Conical burrs turn slower than flat ones. That's not a drawback, quite the opposite: lower RPM means less friction heat, and less heat protects the volatile aromatic compounds 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 around 50% more torque than its predecessor, thanks to a new gearbox and stronger power supply, and grinds even very light beans effortlessly. 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 slim footprint

With the Key, you grind directly into the Magic Tumbler. A built-in, antistatic wiper distributes the grounds automatically using the WDT principle and brings retention below 0.1 g – less than most scales can even display. The Bean Feeder, permanently built into the Mk.2, doses the beans evenly into the chamber, while the magnetic dust cover keeps the roughly 40 g loading chamber clean.

Despite the large burr set, the Key stays narrow – its width is determined by the burr set itself, not by unnecessary housing. The wood accents on the base 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

Who the Key MK II is for

Key MK II is for anyone who loves the dense, full-bodied character of conical burrs and deliberately works single-dose. For anyone with little counter space who still wants an 83mm burr set. And for anyone looking for a grinder that lasts for 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, calmly grinding its beans. If you'd rather have clarity than body, you're better served by a flat-burr grinder like the EG-1 is the better fit – both are valid, burr sets are like engines in cars. Whoever wants it knows why. That's our view, one of many.

Order directly online

Key MK II can be ordered directly in our webshop, in black (Onyx) and white (Snow). Delivery Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. For a grinder in this class, we recommend Click and Collect in Bern, Gerberngasse 44 or Zürich, Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Financing available through Heylight. Not sure which grinder to choose? Our advisory tool can help.

What goes with it

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

For dosing by weight: affordable and precise, the Normcore scales (exclusive Swiss importer), and with app and flow-rate display, the Acaia (Swiss importer). For tamping: the Normcore Tamper or, for anyone who wants 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 like the ones in the Key tend toward a bit more body and texture in the cup, with a classic, dense espresso character. Flat burrs like the ones in the EG-1 tend toward more clarity and aroma separation. There's no better or worse here – burr sets are like engines in cars, it's a matter of taste. The Key's conical 83mm Mazzer burr set is the largest available for home and café use.

How fast does the Key turn – and why so slow?

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

Which portafilters does the Magic Tumbler fit?

The included Magic Tumbler is designed for 58mm portafilters and automatically applies WDT distribution via a built-in wiper. For 49mm baskets, the standard cup is available, and you grind directly into the tumbler, pull it off, and transfer the grounds into the portafilter, the Aeropress, the moka pot, or the filter.

Are the burrs interchangeable with the HG-2?

Yes. The 83mm Mazzer burr set shares its 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 unit?

Occasionally we offer a showroom display unit at a reduced price, selectable as its own variant; you can see the exact condition in person in Bern or Zürich, or ask about it at office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.

Can I see the Key MK II before buying?

Yes. In the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zürich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b), the Key is set up in action. The quiet grinding sound, the slim footprint, and the feel can't be conveyed through photos. Feel free to bring your own beans.

How quickly is the Key MK II delivered in Switzerland?

2 to 4 business days Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein. Click and Collect available in Bern and Zürich. Financing available through Heylight.