Mazzer Kold S: The Updated Electronic Version Worth Knowing About

The Mazzer Kold S is the modern, electronic upgrade to the original Mazzer Kold. If you're shopping for a high-volume commercial espresso grinder with temperature management, the Kold S takes everything the original did well and adds a digital display, improved cooling, and better dose programming. It runs about $2,200-2,800 new and targets specialty cafes grinding 300+ shots per day.

I've had the chance to use the Kold S alongside the original Kold and several competitors, and the upgrades are meaningful without being gimmicky. Let me walk you through what's changed, what stays the same, and whether the S version justifies the price bump.

What Changed from the Original Kold

The original Kold was a straightforward analog grinder with timed dosing and a fan-based cooling system. The Kold S keeps the same 83mm flat burr platform but modernizes everything around it.

Digital Display and Programming

The Kold S replaces the simple timer buttons with a digital display that shows grind time, dose count, and cooling fan status. You program single and double shot times on the display, and the grinder remembers settings through power cycles. The interface uses three buttons: single, double, and a programming/menu button. It takes about 60 seconds to set up from scratch.

The display also tracks total doses ground, which is useful for scheduling maintenance. When you hit the burr replacement interval (roughly every 800-1200 pounds of coffee), the counter gives you hard data instead of guesswork.

Improved Cooling System

The original Kold used a single fan to circulate cool air around the burrs. The Kold S upgrades this with a more efficient fan placement and improved airflow channels through the grinding chamber. Mazzer claims the S version keeps grounds 15-20% cooler than the original Kold under the same workload.

In practice, the temperature difference matters most during peak morning service. If you're pulling 60-80 shots in an hour, the Kold S maintains more consistent ground temperature than the original, which translates to more consistent extraction across that rush.

Reduced Retention

The Kold S has a redesigned chute that brings retention down from 2-3 grams (original Kold) to about 1-1.5 grams. That's a nice improvement, though it still doesn't approach the sub-0.5 gram retention of modern single-dose designs. For a commercial grinder that stays busy all day, 1-1.5 grams is perfectly acceptable.

The 83mm Flat Burr Set

The Kold S keeps the same 83mm flat steel burrs that made the original Kold popular. These burrs produce excellent espresso grinds with a flavor profile that leans toward clarity and brightness. If you've used the original Kold, you know what to expect from the cup quality, because the burrs haven't changed.

Stock vs. Aftermarket Burrs

The stock Mazzer burrs are solid all-rounders. They handle light through dark roasts without favoring one end of the spectrum. But if you want to tune the flavor profile, aftermarket options from SSP and Italmill fit the Kold S.

SSP High Uniformity burrs will push the grinder toward even more clarity and a cleaner cup. SSP Multipurpose burrs give a rounder, sweeter profile. Italmill burrs tend to fall somewhere in between. Aftermarket burrs run $200-400, which is a significant investment on top of an already expensive grinder, but they can genuinely change the character of every shot you pull.

Grinding Speed

The Kold S grinds at roughly 2.5-3 grams per second for espresso. An 18-gram double shot takes about 6-7 seconds, which is fast enough for high-volume service. The large burr diameter and 350W motor keep the RPM moderate (about 1400), which reduces heat generation even before the cooling system kicks in.

Day-to-Day Use in a Cafe

Setting up the Kold S for daily service is straightforward. Fill the hopper (it holds about 1.5 pounds), dial in your grind with the stepless adjustment collar, program your dose times, and you're ready.

The adjustment collar is the same design as the original Kold. It's stepless, smooth, and has a locking ring to prevent accidental changes during service. One thing I appreciate is the collar's resistance. It requires deliberate force to turn, so a barista bumping the grinder while cleaning won't accidentally shift the grind setting.

Workflow

The Kold S supports both timed dosing and continuous grinding (hold the button). Most cafes use the timed dosing for consistency, with baristas weighing every 5th or 10th dose to verify the timer is still accurate. As beans age throughout the day, you'll need to adjust the grind finer to maintain your target extraction time. The Kold S makes this easy since the stepless collar allows micro-adjustments.

Noise Level

It's a commercial grinder with an 83mm flat burr set and a cooling fan. It's loud. Expect about 75-80 dB during grinding, which is louder than a normal conversation but normal for a cafe environment. The cooling fan adds a constant low hum even when the grinder isn't actively grinding.

Kold S vs. Competitors

Kold S vs. Mahlkoenig E65s

The E65s uses smaller 65mm burrs but offers better dose consistency and lower retention out of the box. The Kold S has more grinding power (83mm vs. 65mm) and temperature management that the E65s lacks. For a high-volume cafe doing 400+ shots per day, the Kold S has the edge. For a specialty cafe doing 200-300 shots with a focus on dose precision, the E65s (especially the GbW version) is hard to beat.

Kold S vs. Victoria Arduino Mythos One

The Mythos One takes the opposite approach to temperature: instead of cooling grounds, it heats the burrs to a consistent target temperature. Both solve the same problem (temperature consistency) from different angles. Flavor-wise, the Mythos tends rounder and sweeter while the Kold S is brighter and more articulate. Many cafes choose based on their espresso's flavor goals.

Kold S vs. Original Kold

If you can find a used original Kold for $400-600, the cost savings over a new Kold S ($2,200-2,800) is massive. The cup quality is identical since the burrs are the same. What you lose is the digital display, dose tracking, improved cooling, and lower retention. For home use or a low-volume cafe, the original Kold is the smarter buy. For high-volume specialty service, the Kold S upgrades justify the price.

For a broader view of where the Kold S fits among top grinders, check out the Best Coffee Grinder roundup.

Maintenance Schedule

The Kold S follows the same maintenance routine as most commercial grinders, with one addition.

Daily: Brush the chute and portafilter fork. Run a quick purge before opening if the grinder sat overnight.

Weekly: Run cleaning pellets through the burrs. Follow with 10-15 grams of waste coffee to flush residue.

Monthly: Remove the top burr carrier (three screws), brush all surfaces, inspect burrs for chips or wear, clean the adjustment collar.

Quarterly: Check the cooling fan for dust buildup. A compressed air blast clears the fan vents and airflow channels. A clogged fan defeats the purpose of the cooling system.

The dose counter on the display helps track when you're approaching burr replacement territory. At 1,000 pounds ground, start checking the burr edges for visible dulling. Most shops replace burrs between 1,000-1,500 pounds.

Who Should Buy the Mazzer Kold S

The Kold S makes sense for specialty cafes doing high-volume espresso service where temperature consistency and grind quality both matter. If you're opening a new cafe or upgrading from an aging grinder, the Kold S is a strong contender in the $2,000-3,000 commercial grinder category.

It's overkill for home use. The size (24+ inches tall), noise, and price don't make sense for someone grinding 2-4 doses per day. For home setups, check out the Top Coffee Grinder roundup for options sized and priced for residential use.

FAQ

How much does the Mazzer Kold S cost?

New pricing runs $2,200-2,800 depending on retailer and region. Used Kold S units are still relatively rare on the secondary market since it's a newer model. The original Kold is much easier to find used.

Can the Kold S grind for filter coffee?

It can reach medium grind settings suitable for drip and pour-over, but it's designed and optimized for espresso. The burr geometry and motor speed are tuned for fine grinding. For a dual-purpose commercial grinder, the Mahlkoenig EK43 is a better choice.

Does the Kold S support grind-by-weight?

No, the Kold S uses timed dosing only. There's no built-in scale. If you want automated grind-by-weight, look at the Mahlkoenig E65s GbW or the Ceado E37SD.

How does the cooling system affect electricity usage?

The cooling fan adds minimal power draw, roughly 10-15 watts on top of the motor's 350W consumption. In practice, your electricity cost increase is negligible, a few cents per day even with the fan running continuously during business hours.

The Bottom Line

The Mazzer Kold S is a well-executed update to a proven commercial platform. The 83mm flat burrs deliver excellent espresso, the cooling system solves a real problem for high-volume shops, and the digital interface modernizes day-to-day operation. Buy it if you need a workhorse grinder for a busy cafe. Pass on it if you're a home user or running a low-volume operation where the original Kold (at a fraction of the price) would serve you just as well.