There are so many hand sanders on the market today that it will make your head spin. Or like spinning. But there aren’t many flat burr hand grinders in the world. There is Pietro and Normcore and that’s it. (You may also find some rebranded Ali Expresso options, but YMMV.) Enter If Millfresh hand grinder aims to expand options for flat burr enthusiasts on the go, and it is now on Kickstarter.
Created by industrial designer Wilson Reniers, the Molo mill is closer to the Pietro than the Normcore in terms of flat burr hand grinders currently on the market. Like the Pietro, it uses 58mm flat burrs that have been positioned vertically, which helps reduce overall grind retention. Adjusting the size of the cut is accomplished via a knob on the outside of the body that “provides tactile feedback for confidence,” which is “an homage to the bezel of a diving watch,” according to the website.
Like Pietro, it stretches the boundaries of what can reasonably be considered portable (and the lengths to which you can go to carry a flat burr grinder around). Weighing just under 3.5 pounds, the Molo mill measures 9.25 inches lofty and 7.5 inches wide, including the handle. Although gigantic, the body was designed with ergonomics and sustainability in mind. Due to the vertical orientation of the burrs, the crank has been moved to the side rather than up. By securing the grinder to the surface with one hand and twisting the grinder arm with the other, the Molo Mill is able to provide greater stability than hand-held grinders with an upper arm, typically with a conical burr. In keeping with the watch’s design theme, the crank mechanism has multiple gears that shift the axis of rotation to prevent the hand from hitting the tabletop, and the gear ratio makes the grinding process much easier.
The Molo mill will be made of recyclable materials such as aluminum and stainless steel, with compostable wood accents. It will initially be available in three different color options: Molo Metal with a brushed stainless steel finish and obscure wood accents; Molo Blanco, matte white with lightweight wood trim; and Molo Noir, all-black versions.
There are 11 days left in the campaign and Molo Mill is still $10,000 tiny of its $30,000 goal. Assuming the campaign ends, potential backers will be able to secure the Molo Mill for themselves for $350, which is 20% off the MSRP. Rewards are expected to be delivered in January 2027.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this model gets funded because as a die-hard flat burr enthusiast, I want to see more of them in the hand grinder space. Would I like it to be less than 3.5 pounds? Yes, probably. But it wouldn’t be the most absurd lengths I’ve ever traveled to get exactly the coffee I want wherever I am, including in the wild. For more information or to support the campaign, visit the website Pier From the Kickstarter page.
