La Marzocco Pico | How Did This Grinder Take 10 Years To Develop?

[@LadyTigerLily]

Happy birthday, Spro! Nothing like a piping hot cup of tea for the coffee community. We love a good rant.

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks friend! I’m glad you enjoy a good rant as much as I did having one!

[@therobmcgee]

I think you nailed it. What gets me most is the design is almost dated instantly. It’s the kind of thing one sees in a vintage shop and says “Oh that’s cool!” but never buys.

[@michaelb6973]

I own the Pico and the Mazzer Mini. It’s a shame the author hasn’t done a hands on this rather than a reaction video. The performance of this grinder in terms of grind consistency, lack of clumping, flavour, ease to dial in and low retention make this a killer grinder. Ironically the conical burs make a lot of this possible. So don’t be swayed by its lack of flat burs.

[@louiseconnelly5305]

As someone who has tried the Pico, the way it grinds, speed and retention is superior to grinders such as the Eureka Libra, which is a very clumpy grind. I would recommend trying out the grinder prior to posting a rant on it 👍

[@Sprometheus]

Oh cool, so I’ll just take word of someone in my comment section with zero credibility, no videos, only one comment on my channel, and is talking about the PERFORMANCE of the grinder which I deliberately didn’t discuss. So why don’t you, go ahead, rewatch the video and try to grasp the concept, and while your at it consider looking up the concept of a preview, or an editorial. I’ll wait. 👍🏼

[@jurgenzielmann1108]

I’ll take a word of someone who has tried it over someone who hasn’t any day. Also not sure why you’re so rude to someone who disagrees with you and has more experience than you with the grinder, are you feeling threatened to be proven wrong? Scared of being seen as being proven wrong? It seems rather valid that your sub count hasn’t moved much in the few past months, you being a d*ck surely helps. Stop encouraging discussion in your comments at the end of your videos if you intend on being an a*shole to people.

[@Jeff-rz6kr]

They are definitely counting on fanboys like yourself to make a profit with this $1000 abomination. 🙄

[@tobiasbouma4071]

I think Benjamin Hohlmann from Kaffeemacher put it well: "I don't care about the specs of something if it makes nice coffee." They also lauded the texture in their review. I think the grinder deserves some consideration before being dismissed.

[@Sprometheus]

Again. Point missed. My issue is with the price based on the specs. I said I’m sure it functions well, and texture from a conical burr is nothing to be lauded, it’s expected.

[@handshake883]

@@Sprometheus Would you rather if they outsourced it to China and make it 500€ like Mahlkönig with X54? The price is higher because it's produced in Europe.

[@constantinedinocopses6806]

Happy Birthday! As a la marzocco owner (GS3 MP) and big supporter of their products, customer service and reliability, I had the same reaction when I got the email notifying me about the Pico. I kept scrolling around the details to try to find something that stood out. Not really much except the motor, like you said. In the end, it just reminded me of a jazzed up version of the Sette and so, Iike you, I was a little disappointed. All this to say, I agree with you and appreciate you coming out and just talking about something like this, which I think, will be on several home baristas minds....

[@lilteyang]

Happy Birthday, and I totally agree: it feels like a cash grab relying on the prestige of La Marzocco's brand name.

[@Sprometheus]

Yeah I mean, it’s frustrating. It’s a $400 retail grinder marked up for premium branding, and to cover the profit margin on their 15% off bundle deal. I mean it’s business and I get that, but I’d like to see more for the money.

[@charlesgatehouse4979]

I bought mine as a bundle with the Micra, I’m loving is so far and adjustment seems to be rather simple I’ve switched over from a Mazzer Mini and the difference is noticeable. I like the in app features with all history etc Mind you they did knock off $500 from the asking price when purchasing the two together so I’m happy

[@danielding888]

What was the main difference you’ve encountered? I’m contemplating between a mazzer mini b or a pico!

[@charlesgatehouse4979]

@@danielding888 to be fair for home use the pico is a lot better IMO, the adjustment, sound and general design is alot nicer My friend got a deal with a Mazzer but is gonna sell and get the pico

[@danielding888]

@@charlesgatehouse4979 Thanks for your feedback Charles!!

[@danielding888]

Also, does the packaging state where the Pico is made?

[@BenSterz]

Tbh the mazzer mini fits/fittes the la marzocco aesthetic better that the pico and i was hoping for a similar charme

[@jordanmiller42]

Happy birthday! I also just wanted to point out that at 6:39 the auto captioning reads "conical bird grinder". Apparently only La Marzocco reduces an entire conical bird to a soup-like homogenate in 30 seconds.

[@Sprometheus]

Haha classic. I usually go through the auto captions and correct all the brand names and mistakes but must’ve missed that one. Thanks for watching though, and maybe bird soup is the fourth wave?

[@johnnyyacoub8772]

My jaw dropped when seeing the specs in comparison to the price. Absolutely comical. I'm a La Marzocco stan too, love my linea mini despite knowing all it's cons.

[@joejoe4030]

I think you mean "Absolutely conical" 😁

[@johnnyyacoub8772]

Damn, I hate how hilarious this is haha. Kudos. @@joejoe4030

[@DaddyGotCoffee]

Great editorial video. Really liked this one dude and Happy Birthday!

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks dude, I appreciate that. It was a wild one to put together in a few days but the inspiration struck and I had thoughts to share haha.

[@malcoskiSRS]

So what we're your thoughts after using it? this product had so much negative preconception but so far everyone i have spoken to that actually uses it seems to love it

[@sinosoul]

right? Like, where's the grind? And the motor noise? This is NOT a Hoffman-esque video.

[@toddpower4674]

I seen this advertised and figured it was 64 mm flat burrs and grind by weight but not so. Thanks for the info

[@Sprometheus]

Yeah it’s been really blessing my timeline quite a bit since it dropped a few days ago. I had high hopes when they were teasing it, but here we are.

[@dumelisdumelis]

Happy Birthday! Great video, as always. I think the "10 years in development" -> underdeveloped product might be a very common case of where prolonged development resulted in design / engineering department going back to square one a couple of times because someone in the team working on the product decided that what they were doing wasn't gonna work, so they had to redo everything. A couple of times. This would explain the odd spec, because a lot of times re-doing something from ground up, some leftover details (in this case spec details) might be reused, making the end product a weird frankenstein of scrapped versions of it's own self during development.

[@SynapticSipScientist]

LM’s relationship with Etzinger was soured by the Swift Mini. The Swift Mini aesthetic came from the LM design team so it doesn’t surprise me that there are some similar design cues in the Pico, however it was definitely an independent development 100% in-house by LM R&D and there are no Etzinger parts in the Pico.

[@etzingergrinders816]

Define “development”..

[@hamedka007]

@@etzingergrinders816 years of work? ;)

[@mihonkenji5423]

Loving your opinions here! Keep it up! Happy 28th Birthday Real SPro!

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you I appreciate that! And yeah, it feels weird to be almost 30! All this gray hair in my beard is purely from reading KZbin comments over the last few years, haha.

[@MathewBT81]

I think the looks of it go really well with the mini and micra so it's more like a nice companion piece to match up the desktop space. I'm probably going to get it..I know it probably doesn't have the performance of the other grinders for the price, but the brand is probably going to take me over the line 😅😅

[@db7069]

Well thought out and articulate review. As always, appreciated. Happy Birthday!

[@paulrholman]

Thank you for your honesty….it is tough being neutral when you have committed to a brand…myself using ECM max but continue to use Eureka Mignon XL grinders for their functionality / cost. There is always better, more expensive and better designs….trying to avoid the branding is sometimes hard.

[@Ryan_DeWitt]

Be honest. How many regular people, even coffee "experts" would be able to tell the difference between this grinder and a more mid-ranged one in a blind taste test consistently? I doubt you would see a difference.

[@Sprometheus]

Yeah, that’s likely true. If I were to get one after this (which is unlikely) a comparison would be something worth doing. Especially with a Baratza Sette which I think is the closest competitor in terms of functions and burrs.

[@LaMereACaniche]

An overpriced La Marzocco product? Color me surprised.

[@Sprometheus]

I just wish they would’ve made something that seemed at least contemporary, this grinder seems like it was 10 years too late to the party.

[@LaMereACaniche]

@@Sprometheus Right? Even after looking into its features when I was done watching your video, I didn't have the usual "Oh maybe I could use that one" thought that I usually have. I don't see this selling very well when the grinder market has become so competitive, specially in the recent years.

[@Asaf_Hinden]

Happy birthday man! I Wish you a happy and joyful year, may you keep follow your heart and deliver us from your wisdom and professionalism. May you feel excited from every new video and learn a lot of new stuff. May the algorithm force be with you 😊🎉🎉🎉

[@alanroderick7153]

Happy Birthday and Enjoy the Day !!!

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks Alan! Cheers!

[@thealimustafa9119]

Happy Birthday Spro Bro! Hope you have the best year of your life ahead!

[@philbaker2036]

Very interesting assessment. But I hope you’ll test it so we can see how well it functions. I have the Mignon Specialte? and the performance is impressive but it too easily gets jammed, and I’m looking for a replacement, hence looking at LM products to go with my Linea Mini.I say this after fully disassembling it to clean this weekend.

[@ChainBrothersMTB]

I have the same grinder and the same thoughts! My Specialita has jammed as well (although it doesn’t happen often). I tried this new one briefly and thought it was really good- but I’m not an expert…

[@kyletallon]

Great video and very fair points brought up. I have a demo Pico at my office in Toronto. I work for Stealth Coffee who is the Canadian distributor for LM. I have a Lagom P64 at home with my DE1 (Joined Stealth after already owning it). The Pico better than I expected it to be - both in terms of workflow and cup results. I don't think the target market is the coffee nerds who are already watching grinder showdown reviews online. It's for people who are going to buy a Micra but didn't even think about their grinder. And there are a lot of people like that out there...

[@projekt84]

This is it. People confused by the Pico don't understand La Marzocco... they serve a very specific segment that they totally own. Look at the promo vid LM put out... some lady plops in her portafilter, pushes the button, shoves it in the machine and presses GO. No RDT, no WDT, no portafilter funnel, no weighing the portafilter before and after adding/removing grounds, no special auto leveling tamper, no puck screen, etcetcetc... just wake up, grind beans, tap, tamp, espresso is done.

[@fLiP7o7]

Happy birthday Spro

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend! Cheers!

[@rcw2376]

Happy birthday🎉. Mine is tomorrow!

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you! And happy early birthday! 🎉

[@jankoch267]

Happy Birthday Ponyboy!

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend, stay caffeinated!

[@macehead]

Yeah this is a La Mar-no-go

[@Sprometheus]

I see what you did there

[@user-jp9js9th8o]

thx for your reflections - Marzocco is far away from my budget, but I am interested what others do in the Espresso market. And here I think: not bad, at all - for a real Marzocco fan(boy/girl) the matching design for the coffee machine .. that's ok..

[@markmasson123]

I love everything about La Marzocco and am a happy owner of a Micra but there is no value with this new grinder and I don't see it selling well. It's mildly interesting for someone who is in the market for a Mini or a Micra with the grinder and they can take advantage of the current offer of 15% for both. Happy B-Day!

[@LifestyleLab_]

Saying what we’re all thinking sir Happy Birthday!

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend!

[@3rd-Wave_Rebel]

From pricing the Pico grinder to LM acaia lunar scale. 2 words: Cash Grab!

[@ChainBrothersMTB]

Would love to see a full review of the grinder. I get the reaction to the spec for money- but having demoed a unit I liked it (but I’m not an expert). It was quiet, provided low retention, fluffy grounds and a similar timed dose as my Eureka Specialita. There is also a spot for a scale, a light, and magnets to swap out parts from porta filter holder to dosing cup. But again I’m not an expert- is the burr set amazing? I have no idea. Would love to see you review it with your thoughts!

[@DavidPluimer]

My first reaction when I saw the release was "they made themselves a Sette 270". I'll eat my cup if that thing isn't either made or licensed by Baratza to LM. I had two 270s when I first got started. Loved them. Beautiful grind. FAST. And VERY LOUD. Both croaked and needed new motors after a year, though.

[@LaMarzoccoHome]

@DavidPluimer - what's a good address?

[@DavidPluimer]

@@LaMarzoccoHome I’m happy to send it. Where can I shoot that to you?

[@topjets5616]

Thanks for being straight about there grinder, it does look like a step back in time ?

[@ioannidesalex]

Hmmmm probably it was very expensive the advertisement with the bump of that girl that woke up in the morning to grind coffee so early. 😊

[@Sprometheus]

I literally contemplated blurring out her feet, I mean I can’t believe La Marzocco is blasting them toes on the timeline for free. Again just another point to show they may be out of touch with the current day haha.

[@silasketgaskets8709]

i like this channel because commenters don't get attacked for expressing their opinions specifically non positive opinions about products as they do (i was) for a non positive glowing opinion on a 1600 usd grinder with the ability to use flat or conical burrs. in my case already have 2 prosumer grinders, a flat and a conical.

[@AngelOrtega84]

It's my birthday as well :D happy birthday dude!

[@roberthenrypoet]

@ Sprometheus Happy birthday Spro!!! Hope ya downed a big cup of Joe for you, your family and friends, and all of your fans. :)

[@Testing1x2x3]

Happy birthday! Today is my birthday as well! 🎉

[@Sprometheus]

Yes!!! Happy birthday my friend. Legends are born in September!

[@adgrumbling]

Happy Birthday man!

[@cheekster777]

Thank you my friend.

[@cheekster777]

Have yourself a wonderful weekend.

[@Sprometheus]

You’re welcome, and thank you 🙏

[@whosgonnadotcom]

🎉 happy birthday, spro

[@dilmurodavalbaev1392]

Thank you for staying honest👏💪

[@nofam]

Happy Birthday bro!

[@reggiehansen5277]

Happy Birthday. It's my birthday too!

[@Sprometheus]

Happy birthday to us! A lot of September 22nd babies in the comments today! Haha

[@momoisstrange]

Happy birthday spro! 🎉

[@matthewwilson9749]

Happy birthday Spro.

[@jeffkingston5857]

I agree - a complete damp squib. My issue is not with the VFM, it’s the fact that (being LM) you’d expect this to actually be a premium product - not something comparable to an entry level grinder. I was hoping for GBW at least.

[@Val_Smith]

Pico in terms of controls looks more like a companion piece to Silvia.

[@hoongfu]

Happy Birthday! May your crema be thick and your cup full.

[@snap348]

I agree with your opinions. It’s nice they came out with a grinder but it’s not going to be on my list when I shop for a grinder.

[@santiago71280]

What are your thoughts about the Lux D, do you consider a good grinder to be my 1st espresso grinder? I friend of mind is selling one to my for $400 brand new

[@Sprometheus]

The lux D was my very first espresso grinder as well. It’s a great option, really can’t go wrong since Mazzer is doing the design and build. It’s a little clumpy, so definitely get a WDT tool but otherwise you’ll be very happy with it

[@santiago71280]

@@Sprometheus thank you very much for your reply, I’ll go for it! 😃

[@santiago71280]

@@Sprometheus hi, I have one more question, can you single-dose with the Lux D? Or you must have the hopper with more beans than one dose? Thank you very much for your help, information about this grinder is very very limited in the web!!! 👍

[@jaumevivesb]

Happy birthday! It is my birthday too! 😊

[@noelsibal4593]

Happy Birthday!!!! 🎉

[@odakahome]

Happy birthday Asa! Totally agree. It seems it's lacking some passion and soul (and design), unlike the espresso machines...

[@GraceAppliance]

Happy birthday!

[@briancook1050]

Happy Birthday!

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend!

[@JeronimoJGC]

Happy BDay Spro!! 🎉

[@rtaskyy]

happy bday spro!

[@Dan_Mirai]

Like you I am found of La Marzocco the first machine I worked woth was a 4 group head Linea Classic. I always did like La Marzocco look. I've always wanted one but I am unwilling to pay the La Marzocco tax. They Pico is competing with the $1000- $2000 grinder market which is a bit saturated. And me I'd probably go with a Zerno or a P64. DF series would do well too. I feeling like the Pico is for someone that has a lot of expendable cash that wants a La Marzooco grinder to go with their La Marzooco espresso machine.

[@littvay]

I would love to know more about the hand grinders in the background

[@Kahlnen]

Happy birthday! 🎉

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend!

[@HululusLabs]

Ayy my bday too. Happy bday us 🎉

[@obsessedcloset2638]

When are the going to update the GS3 with a GS4? The Unica pro, FAEMA literally blow it out the water. Come on La Marzocco pull your socks up.

[@saminieminen8367]

Happy birthday buddy

[@joshuanewman6409]

Happy birthday!!

[@stylishgambino]

It disappointing that they would put this out there. The LM name carries a premium expectation but this doesn’t seem to live up to it, certainly not premium specs. But their average customer probably will not notice and will bundle this with an espresso machine purchase. I’m sure they’ve sold a lot of Lux D units even though it’s a Mini with 50% mark up, now they can drop that for the Pico and not have to pay anything to Mazzer. All they were probably looking for is a capable grinder they could make a sizeable profit on.

[@Wichitaguy77]

39mm Conicals! LM just released a Betamax grinder in a VHS world.

[@CarlosVargas-js8qz]

Happy birthday and nice video as usual! I wouldn’t put my money there. It’s just the name tag.

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend! Yeah, unfortunately on this one I feel the same.

[@Mokkatomic]

Is that the Potu / other-brand flat burr hand grinders in the background? The few reviews I can find are positive and they are getting so affordable on Ali they fall below the EU import/handling limit, so I hope you do a video on them! Especially because there's a ghost burr one.

[@johnp.1460]

I have an excellent “La Marzocco” grinder to pair with my Micra. Strangely though, it’s called a LAGOM P64. Seriously, though I’m a LM fan and feel that their price premiums are justified, this grinder is a complete puzzlement. I agree with you, Spro, that the developers seem to have just phoned it in and thrown up their hands. LM has hurt its reputation with this thrift shop grinder.

[@commandodude333]

I've never found LM machines to be that great, especially on a commercial level... but people should get over the idea that the next 'big thing' with grinders needs to be an expected improvement on what's available. People bash the conicals, but the market is flooded with boring ass flats as is and none are any better than smaller conicals. Just in the minds of those that don't know any better tend to think so because of the idiotic FOMO.

[@johnp.1460]

@@commandodude333 It’s hard to know where to start wading through so much B.S. Not worth the time.

[@commandodude333]

@@johnp.1460 Opinions certainly vary... feel free to step in line with the rest of the FOMO morons that can't figure things out in the espresso world...

[@SUPR_NTRL]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎉

[@beefnoodlesoup135]

They're almost like the Rolex of espresso. Big price tag based heavily on brand alone.

[@droidtigger]

22nd? That's my birthday, too!

[@asaadyt]

happy birthday🎉❤

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend!

[@davidrogala7597]

feelings will be hurt when the duck sinks

[@NeverTakeNoShortcuts]

I just bought one. Because i can

[@moorejl57]

Hope you are enjoying your birthday bash (pun intended)!

[@nbrikha]

I mean the price is the price because La Marzocco think's we'll pay and for no other reason. They are a LUXURY brand. Whether you think it's over priced or not, if they sell, it's worth that price to those people who bought. Like an Apple product, whether you think it's worth the price they're charging, they're selling a lifestyle as much as a solid product

[@bacca71]

Hey, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! Nice rant, you make a lot of good points. Small conical burrs and stepped adjustment would be big issues for me. Specs and design issues aside, we won't know if those are meaningful until some unbiased hands-on testing is done on this new grinder. It may be that 'under the hood' there are some better things unseen than folks are assuming, and that this grinder performs well or maybe even great. Less than a grand for a great grinder wouldn't by a bad thing, IF it is a great grinder. 38mm seems like a small burr set for a conical at that price point, but maybe there is some unique and new technology discovered in conical burr design that is implemented here. Maybe not, but until it is actually put through its paces, who knows. I'd hope for not a lot of plastic inside that thing - a solid piece of Swiss-German 'omphf' in the engineering and construction expected. You've raised some good issues, but until it's actually been used and evaluated, some performance issues or excellence won't be evident. Can't wait for a good hands-on eval -- I'm very curious too. Maybe you can get your hands on one -- your pragmatic evaluations go the extra step.

[@markmccann520]

Completely agree. I would rather they come out with something in the 2-3k range that is at least beautiful and and keeping with the rest of their brand. This devalues their brand IMHO.

[@bleezal]

Happy birthday 🎉

[@commentator2.0]

I’m in the market for the Linea Micra and a new grinder. Even with the 15% off bundle deal they’re doing, I still don’t want this lol

[@robertjason6885]

A belated happy birthday.

[@timgerber5563]

Happy Birthday, Spro! The swiss based Kaffeemacher just reviewed it and as part of this they also assessed the grind distribution curve. It seems like the pico produces quite a lot of fines and tastewise emphasises the body and darker notes of coffee. Thus it seems a grinder particularly suited for classic italian roast espresso. So already because of this it’s out of scope for me. If I buy an overpriced grinder to go with my micra, I would go for the lagom p64. The more sensible option seems to be the new DF64v though, but for now I am okay with the grinder I have which is a 64mm ceado E5SD.

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks Tim! And yeah I saw they had a hands on with one. I’m no shocked it’s more focused on the old school Italian roast angle, and I think that’s just another issue La Marzocco is running into at least on a global market. As I said im sure it performs well , just too expensive for what it is. And yeah, the P64 and even the DF64V (once they handle the stalling issue) is likely going to make those with more contemporary coffee preferences happier in the long run.

[@ElecBrane]

Just wait for new product from Mahlkönig coming at HOST

[@michaelschaffer6362]

Happy birthday sprometheus. 🎉 I had brief contact with Etzinger and can say that they were just as surprised by the La Marzocco Pico and that they also see similarities to their grinders. So it's definitely not a cooperation like the swift Mini. As you mentioned, I think it's an overpriced grinder that comes many years too late and clearly has too much "fines" content. 😅 Nice rant❤

[@Psychoh90]

And on that terrible disappointment, back to the tent! 🤣

[@ScroolerDenmark]

Looked through all of your videos and I can’t seem to find a GBW grinder for my LM Micra that isn’t a giant next to the Micra and suitable for light roasts 😢 Did I miss something? 😊

[@Sprometheus]

A small grind GBW isn’t something that you’ll likely find. But I personally use a Eureka Libra GBW in my kitchen and love it for the easy and accurate workflow. I have a full review of it as well

[@michaelhazinski4144]

Happy Birthday

[@Good.News777]

Happy Bday Spro! That thing is ugly!

[@MrHarlequin2316]

Happy birthday…………… Pony Boy 🎂

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend, stay caffeinated!

[@glen.moralee]

I disagree with you inferring that big burs and flat burs are better. Better for specific people yes, perhaps you, but not everyone. This grinder may be aimed as a (admittedly premium priced) competitor for the ultra successful Mignon but with conical burs, and as such it might be an amazing on-demand grinder for people who like darker roast beans and milk based espresso drinks. Which is a lot of people.

[@Sprometheus]

I 100% did not say bigger or flat burrs are better. My point is the it’s overpriced for a small conical grinder.

[@moon12349100]

Is la Marzocchi becoming the activision Blizzard of espresso machines?

[@Lectuz]

Not unless they are steaming breastmilk.

[@KebebasanBerespresso]

For me, Pico is like a Baratza Sette in a weird housing.

[@tonylawlor8833]

I do not own or need a $1,000 grinder. Happy Birthday.