The First Look At The Zerno Z2 Grinder
The next evolution of precision grinding is almost here.
We’re thrilled to introduce the 80mm Z2: the latest addition to the Zerno platform, designed to push boundaries in both performance and workflow.
The Z2 platform builds on everything you loved about the Z1—and pushes it further.
Who is it meant for?
The Z2 is perfect for the experienced home barista who is looking for an end game grinder to take their setup to the next level. The Z2’s numerous swappable components give you full control to tinker and achieve the end result you desire. If you love to tweak and optimize every variable of your workflow, this is the platform for you.
Release Timeline
We will begin beta testing with a small group of users this summer. Based on their feedback, we will finalize the design and plan to start preorders shortly before the end of the year.
Let's dive into some of highlights that you can expect from the Z2:
Simplified Design
We've reimagined the design to make your workflow smoother, your cleaning easier, and your grind cleaner.
By reversing the rotary and stationary burr positions, disassembly is now even quicker and more intuitive. We also tackled retention head-on—eliminating the hidden space behind the burr carrier and reshaping the grind chamber to keep grounds moving. And to top it off, we added a built-in knocker to clear the chute with a simple tap.
The result: Less mess and more control.
Why We Chose 80mm Burrs
80mm burrs strike the perfect balance between performance and practicality.
They’re large enough to minimize heat buildup during grinding—which helps preserve delicate flavor compounds—but compact enough to fit comfortably on a countertop. Less heat during grinding means better flavor expression in your cup.
So why 80mm instead of 83mm?
Interestingly, 80mm burrs actually offer more usable surface area. That’s because their inner diameter is smaller, resulting in a broader effective cutting surface. 80mm also opens up access to some interesting and unique burr geometries that are in high demand from the specialty coffee community.
Here is a visualization that explains the differences in surface area across several sizes of burr sets:
Source: Nolan & Matt from Lance Hedrick’s Discord Channel - see post
Reddit discussion: see post
More Burr Set Options
The Z2 will support a wide range of already available 80mm traditional burr sets, in addition to magnetic blind burrs. 80mm allows us to open up access to some interesting and unique burr geometries that are in high demand from the specialty coffee community.
Want To See More?
Watch our friend Lance Hedrick chat with Zerno Co-Founder Vel about the Z2 during SCA last month. See Video(37:15 - 42:30)
Important Note: The Z2 design and features are under development, and could change before its official release.