Graef Coffee Grinders: Complete CM and EliteGrindX Guide

Graef has one of the broadest home-grinder catalogs that many North American coffee buyers have never seen. Its German lineup stretches from compact coffee-and-spice choppers to conical-burr brew grinders, single-dose EliteGrindX models and 50 mm on-demand espresso grinders. Because most names begin with “CM,” the complete model number is essential.

This guide organizes the September 2026 Graef catalog by actual grinding platform, separates color/reference variants from mechanical models and compares the serious coffee grinders with alternatives sold by Espresso Outlet. Graef distribution is concentrated in Europe; voltage and support deserve as much attention as specifications.

Graef company history

Gebr. Graef GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1920 and remains associated with Arnsberg, Germany. The family company established its reputation through slicing machines and expanded into a broader kitchen-appliance system that Graef calls its CoffeeKitchen, including grinders, kettles, brewers, milk equipment and espresso machines.

That background explains the unusually wide grinder range: Graef sells entry kitchen tools and specialist espresso-oriented equipment under one brand. A CM prefix alone does not identify burr type or intended brew method.

Complete current and recent Graef grinder directory

Some numbers designate finish or sales-market versions of the same chassis. Graef’s live country catalog and rating plate should decide whether two references are mechanically distinct.

CM702: the widely distributed entry model

CM702 uses a stainless-steel conical burr set and stepped collar in a roughly 150 mm-wide body. Common documentation lists 128 watts and dimensions near 260 × 150 × 375 mm. It includes holders intended to support portafilter dosing, making it a popular entry companion to home espresso machines.

The limitation is step size. It can grind fine, but unpressurized espresso may require a setting between clicks. For pressurized baskets, moka pot and brewed coffee, that simplicity can be adequate. A shim or calibration adjustment mentioned in some manuals changes the available range, not the distance between every external click.

CM800 and CM802 family

The CM800 platform is the long-running Graef conical-burr grinder associated with a metal finish, stepped collar and portafilter supports. References such as CM800, CM802 and color-specific numbers can describe close variants rather than entirely new grinding mechanisms.

It is suitable for someone who wants a durable general home grinder and accepts a hopper workflow. Buyers should compare included holders, adjustment count, finish and voltage on the exact SKU. Used listings often omit the last digits, which can matter for parts.

EliteGrindX CM8002, CM8007 and CM8011

EliteGrindX modernizes Graef’s home lineup around single dosing and a low-residue path. The supplied dose is placed in the small container instead of being held in a large hopper. Graef markets the series for espresso through filter, with CM8002, CM8007 and CM8011 largely representing range/finish references.

The single-dose architecture is more appropriate for changing beans, weighing recipes and avoiding stale hopper coffee. “Residue-free” should be read as a design goal rather than literal zero retention. Burr seasoning, static and roast still affect exchange.

The closest Espresso Outlet alternatives are the Turin SK40 for stepless conical single dosing and the Turin DF54 for a compact flat-burr alternative.

CM1012 and CM1116 espresso grinders

CM1012 and CM1116 move into on-demand espresso with 50 mm hardened-steel flat burrs. Published specifications for this platform indicate roughly 1–1.5 g/s output. CM1116 adds stepless adjustment and touch-oriented dose control, while CM1012 uses its own programmed/manual interface.

These grinders are fundamentally different from the CM702/CM800 conical family. Flat burrs, timed dosing and a portafilter-first path make them closer to a compact Eureka Mignon. The Eureka Mignon Specialita is the strongest Espresso Outlet comparison, with larger 55 mm burrs and an established timed espresso workflow.

CM1103, CM1104, CM1111 and CM1118

These closely numbered references appear in Graef’s newer catalog and market listings with modern controls and different finishes/configurations. Because catalog pages vary by country, they should be treated as a family until the exact burr, control and accessory sheet is confirmed. Never infer that CM1118 is automatically higher-output than CM1116 solely because the number is larger.

A complete comparison should record the burr mechanism, adjustment type, dose control, hopper or single-dose container, portafilter support and voltage. Retail copy often emphasizes color while omitting the mechanical differences that matter.

CM252, MCM12 and CM102

CM252 is an entry burr product for brewed coffee. MCM12 is a compact contemporary preparation model. CM102 belongs to the blade/chopping category and can serve coffee or spices. These should not be grouped with the 50 mm on-demand espresso platforms merely because Graef sells them under CoffeeKitchen.

A blade model has no controlled burr gap. A basic burr grinder improves repeatability for drip and immersion, while an espresso-focused grinder adds finer adjustment and carrier stability.

Graef model selection

North American buying cautions

Most Graef listings use 220–240 volt European electrical specifications. A plug adapter does not convert voltage. Before importing, verify 120-volt availability, warranty jurisdiction, shipping damage coverage and access to replacement burrs. A locally supported grinder can be a better long-term purchase even when specifications appear similar.

Maintenance and used checks

1. Record the complete CM number and rating-plate voltage.
2. Empty the hopper before removing the upper burr.
3. Brush burrs, threads and chute; keep the motor dry.
4. Adjust finer while running when beans are present.
5. Confirm portafilter holders and dose containers are included.
6. On used units, inspect collar movement, burr damage and motor sound.

Graef grinder FAQs

Is Graef a German company?

Yes. The family company was founded in 1920 and is based in Arnsberg, Germany.

Are all CM800 numbers different grinders?

No. Several identify finish or reference variations within related platforms. Compare the exact specification sheet.

Which Graef is best for espresso?

CM1012 and CM1116 are the clearest timed flat-burr espresso models. EliteGrindX suits single-dose users spanning espresso and filter.

What is EliteGrindX?

It is Graef’s premium single-dose grinder family designed to minimize retained coffee and cover multiple brew methods.

Is CM702 stepless?

No. It uses a stepped collar, which can limit unpressurized espresso dial-in.

What burrs are in CM1116?

Graef publishes 50 mm hardened-steel flat burrs.

Can Graef grinders run in the United States?

Only a compatible 120-volt version should be used. Do not rely on a plug adapter for a 230-volt grinder.

Is CM102 a burr grinder?

It belongs to the blade/chopping category rather than the precision burr platforms.

What is the closest EliteGrindX alternative?

SK40 for conical single dosing or DF54 for a compact flat-burr path.

What is the closest CM1116 alternative?

Eureka Mignon Specialita is the strongest timed, compact flat-burr comparison.

Can I single-dose a CM800?

You can feed one dose, but the hopper and chute were not optimized like EliteGrindX for low exchange.

Does Espresso Outlet sell Graef grinders?

Not as a regular new line. The linked products are supported alternatives.

How to decode a Graef listing

Start with the complete CM or MCM number, then record voltage, burr type, adjustment style, hopper or dose container and included portafilter holders. A listing that says only “CM800” may use the family name loosely. Photos of color are not enough to identify internal components.

Graef’s European retailers sometimes translate “Scheibenmahlwerk” as disk grinder or flat burr. Confirm the diameter and material on the official product sheet. Similarly, “automatic” may describe timed operation, not grind-by-weight dosing.

EliteGrindX single-dose workflow

Weigh the input, select the grind, allow the chamber to clear and weigh output during initial use. Low-residue design reduces coffee exchange but cannot make static, burr seasoning and roast irrelevant. Use the same lid, bellows or tapping routine each time so retention measurements are comparable.

For espresso-to-filter switching, record dial positions and move finer with the mechanism running if the manual directs it. Purge after a large shift when the next recipe requires high precision.

CM1012 and CM1116 timed dose calibration

Dial in grind size before programming time. Weigh several doses at normal hopper level, average them and update the timer. A fine espresso setting moves coffee more slowly than a coarse setting, so one duration cannot represent the same mass across the range.

CM1116’s touch controls add interface convenience. They do not weigh the output or adjust particle size automatically. A scale is still necessary for recipe verification.

Where Graef fits against Turin and Eureka

CM702/CM800 are traditional stepped hopper grinders; SK40 is stepless and single dose. EliteGrindX shares the measured-bean idea with Turin but uses its own conical platform and regional support system. CM1012/CM1116 share more workflow DNA with Eureka Specialita because both retain a hopper and program espresso by time.

For a US customer, warranty and electrical compatibility can outweigh a small specification advantage. Espresso Outlet alternatives have domestic support and parts paths, while a privately imported Graef may require overseas service.

Using one grinder for multiple brew methods

A broad advertised range does not guarantee painless switching. Stepped CM models may return to a numbered click easily but lack an ideal espresso position. Stepless models allow finer control but require the owner to mark settings. Grounds remaining in the chute blur the first dose after a change. Buyers who alternate frequently should prioritize repeatability and low exchange rather than range language alone.

Sources

• Graef official grinder catalog
• Graef CM1116
• Graef CM1012
• Graef EliteGrindX CM8002

Last reviewed September 2026. Confirm exact model reference and voltage in your country.