Nuova Simonelli Mythos 1: The Cafe Grinder That Changed Commercial Espresso

The Nuova Simonelli Mythos 1 (also called the Mythos One) was one of the first commercial grinders to introduce heated burr technology. It launched around 2014 and quickly became a fixture in specialty coffee shops worldwide. While it's been superseded by the Mythos MY75 and Mythos 2, the original Mythos 1 remains a solid commercial grinder that you can find used at attractive prices.

I've worked with the Mythos 1 in two different cafe environments and owned one briefly for home use (a questionable decision, but we'll get to that). Here's a complete breakdown of what makes this grinder special, where it falls short, and whether a used Mythos 1 still makes sense in 2026.

What Made the Mythos 1 Special

Before the Mythos 1, most commercial grinders just had a motor, burrs, and a hopper. Nobody was actively managing burr temperature. The Mythos 1 introduced "Clima Pro," a heating system around the burr chamber that pre-heats the burrs to a set temperature and then maintains that temperature during use.

Why does this matter? Coffee grinding produces friction, and friction produces heat. On a busy morning, your burrs warm up progressively as you grind dose after dose. Warmer burrs change the effective grind size slightly, which means your 18-gram dose that pulled a perfect 28-second shot at 7 AM might start running at 23 seconds by 9 AM. You adjust. Then the rush slows down, the burrs cool, and you adjust again.

The Clima Pro system reduced this constant fiddling. By keeping burrs at a stable temperature from startup, the grind stays more consistent throughout the day. It was a real problem-solver for cafe baristas who were tired of chasing grind drift.

The 75mm Titanium Burrs

The Mythos 1 uses 75mm flat titanium-coated burrs that spin at a relatively low RPM. The low speed reduces heat generation and noise while producing a fine, uniform grind. The particle distribution is well-suited for espresso, with enough consistency to pull sweet, balanced shots.

These burrs are rated for approximately 1,200 kg of coffee before replacement, which translates to roughly 2-3 years of commercial use. Replacement burr sets cost about $150-200 from Simonelli dealers.

Performance in a Cafe Setting

The Mythos 1 performs well in cafes doing moderate to high volume. It grinds on demand, with each dose taking about 3-5 seconds for an 18-gram double. That's fast enough to keep up with a steady stream of drink orders without becoming a bottleneck.

Dose consistency is time-based, not gravimetric. You set a grind time, and the grinder runs for that duration. With properly calibrated settings, dose consistency falls within about 0.3-0.5 grams, which is acceptable for commercial work but not as precise as newer gravimetric models.

The Portafilter Fork

The portafilter fork is adjustable and holds standard 58mm portafilters securely during grinding. It's sturdy and well-designed. One gripe: the fork can be fiddly to adjust when switching between different portafilter brands, since ear shapes vary slightly.

Noise Level

The Mythos 1 is noisy. Not the worst grinder I've heard in a cafe, but the motor produces a high-pitched whine during grinding that gets tiresome over a full shift. The newer MY75 and Mythos 2 are noticeably quieter.

Known Issues and Weaknesses

The Mythos 1 isn't perfect, and years of real-world use have revealed some consistent problems.

Clumping

Grounds can clump together as they exit the chute, especially in humid conditions. This creates distribution problems in the portafilter and can lead to channeling during extraction. Most baristas address this with WDT (a distribution needle tool) or by tapping the portafilter.

Retention

The grind path retains about 2-4 grams of coffee between doses. For a commercial setting where you're constantly grinding the same coffee, this matters less. But if you switch beans during the day (say, between a house blend and a guest espresso), you'll need to purge a few grams to clear the old coffee from the chute.

Temperatura Drift at Low Volume

Ironically, the Clima Pro system works best during busy periods. During slow stretches when the grinder sits idle for 30+ minutes, the pre-heated burrs can actually over-heat the small amount of retained coffee in the chute, producing stale, bitter grounds in the next dose. Smart baristas purge a dose after any long idle period.

Hopper Seal

Some Mythos 1 units develop a poor seal between the hopper and the burr chamber over time. This lets air in, which can affect bean freshness in the hopper. It's fixable with a replacement gasket, but it's a common maintenance item to watch for.

If you're shopping for a grinder for your cafe, our best coffee grinder roundup covers current models across commercial and home categories.

Buying a Used Mythos 1 in 2026

With the MY75 and Mythos 2 now available, many cafes are upgrading and selling their Mythos 1 units. This creates a strong used market where you can find these grinders for $800-1,500 depending on condition and burr life.

What to Check Before Buying

Ask how many kilograms have been ground through the burrs. If the seller doesn't know, look at the burrs themselves. Fresh burrs have sharp, defined edges. Worn burrs look rounded and smooth. Dull burrs produce more fines and inconsistent particle sizes.

Run the motor and listen. It should sound smooth and steady, without any grinding, clicking, or rattling noises. A healthy Mythos 1 motor hums.

Check the Clima Pro system by powering up the grinder and monitoring the temperature display. It should heat up to the target temperature within 10-15 minutes and hold steady. If the temperature fluctuates wildly or the heating element doesn't work, that's an expensive repair.

Inspect the portafilter fork for cracks or excessive wear. The grind chute should be clear of hardened coffee residue.

Is It Still Worth Buying?

For a small cafe on a tight budget, a used Mythos 1 in good condition is a solid deal. You're getting a grinder that was originally $2,500-3,000 for a fraction of that price. It won't have the latest features, but it still produces excellent espresso and handles commercial volume well.

For home use, I'd pass. It's oversized, loud, and retains too much coffee for single-dose home brewing. You'd be happier with a Niche Zero, DF64, or similar home-focused grinder.

Check our top coffee grinder guide for recommendations at every budget level.

Mythos 1 vs MY75: Should You Upgrade?

If you currently own a Mythos 1 in your cafe, the MY75 offers meaningful improvements. Better temperature management, reduced noise, improved burr geometry, and a more modern touchscreen interface. The upgrade cost is significant ($2,500-3,000), but the daily workflow improvements are real.

If your Mythos 1 is still running well and your baristas are happy with it, there's no urgent need to replace it. The coffee it produces is still very good, and many successful cafes continue running Mythos 1 grinders without issues.

The trigger for upgrading is usually when the old grinder needs major maintenance (motor rebuild, new burrs, electrical repairs). At that point, investing in a new MY75 often makes more financial sense than sinking money into aging equipment.

Maintenance Schedule

Keeping a Mythos 1 running well requires regular maintenance.

Daily: Brush out the burr chamber and clean the portafilter fork. Wipe down the exterior.

Weekly: Run grinder cleaning tablets (like Urnex Grindz) through the burrs to remove oil buildup. Clean the grounds chute with a stiff brush.

Monthly: Check the hopper gasket for wear. Inspect the burrs for signs of dulling. Clean the exterior thoroughly.

Annually: Have a technician inspect the motor, bearings, and electrical components. Check the Clima Pro heating element and temperature sensor calibration.

FAQ

How much does a new Mythos 1 cost?

The Mythos 1 has been discontinued in favor of the MY75 and Mythos 2. New old-stock units occasionally appear for $2,000-2,500, but most purchases are now used units ranging from $800-1,500.

Can the Mythos 1 grind for pour over or filter?

Not well. The burr geometry and adjustment range are optimized for espresso. You can achieve a medium grind by going very coarse on the adjustment, but particle distribution at those settings is poor. Use a dedicated filter grinder instead.

How loud is the Mythos 1?

Loud enough that it dominates the soundscape of a small cafe during grinding. I'd estimate 75-80 decibels during operation, which is comparable to a vacuum cleaner. Newer Simonelli grinders are noticeably quieter.

What's the difference between the Mythos 1 and the Mythos One Clima Pro?

They're the same grinder. Different retailers used different naming conventions. "Mythos 1," "Mythos One," and "Mythos One Clima Pro" all refer to the same model.

Wrapping Up

The Nuova Simonelli Mythos 1 earned its reputation as a reliable, temperature-stable commercial espresso grinder. While it's been overtaken by newer models, it still produces excellent espresso and holds up to commercial demands. If you find a well-maintained used unit at a fair price, it can serve a small cafe well for years to come. Just know its limitations: it's loud, it retains grounds, and it's built for espresso only. For those specific needs, it remains a capable workhorse.