When Eureka launches another "Mignon" espresso grinder, my instinct is to respond: "again?" Because by now, more than a dozen espresso grinders in the Mignon family are similar in design.
But the Eureka Mignon Libra breaks away, at least in part. It's the first Mignon with an integrated scale. The dispensing of ground coffee is no longer time-controlled, but stops when the target amount is reached in the weighed portafilter. That's brilliant when it works.
In this review, you'll learn how well the Eureka Mignon Libra weighs, grinds, and integrates into your workflow alongside your home espresso machine. We also offer tips for a smooth workflow and assess the grinder's strengths and weaknesses.
There's now another version of the Eureka Libra, the Eureka Libra 65 All Purpose . We've also tested this grinder.
In short - the most important things about the Eureka Mignon Libra in 2 minutes
The Eureka Mignon Libra is a good espresso grinder. It builds on the strengths of the Eureka Mignon series , combines them, and is enhanced by the scale.
- The Libra's scale works well. It can be calibrated and adjusted precisely.
- However, the ground coffee is not ejected perfectly into the portafilter, which is why coffee is distributed around the grinder during grinding.
- This is a typical problem with Eureka Mignon grinders, which is prevented in other models by tapping the portafilter during grinding.
- However, this procedure is not possible with the Libra because it cannot complete the weighing and grinding process.
- A dosing ring can help, but it's not included. With a dosing ring, the grinder is a good choice. Without it, it's problematic. Eureka now offers the ring in an additional box. See also Eureka's message to us at the very bottom of the page.
- Unfortunately, the dosing ring isn't included. That's a bit of a letdown. However, you can get one from Kai at Barista Legends* , a nice wooden one from Etsy *, or from Wiedemann at Stoll * .
- To be able to tare and thus grind, our Eureka Libra required a portafilter weight of at least 175 grams. Therefore, some lighter portafilters and dosing cups don't work.
- Continuous grinding without the weighing function isn't easy. There still needs to be at least 175 grams of weight on the fork. This defies logic. This type of grinding is triggered by pressing the two cup indicators on the display. Other grinders, like the Sette 270 Wi, do this better.
- Sometimes bottomless portafilters do not hold well in the fork.
The converted Eureka Specialità with scale
Strictly speaking, the Eureka Mignon Libra is a Eureka Mignon Specialità with a scale.
What's clever is that it also uses the Eureka Mignon XL's grind adjustment, thus improving one of the Specialità's biggest weaknesses. Otherwise, the Libra is a classic Specialità.
55-grit grinding discs are housed in a square aluminum housing. Measuring 12.4 cm wide, 43 cm high, and 19.2 cm deep, it's reminiscent of the Mignon XL.
The Libra also delivers solid Specialità performance in other respects. At 79.8 decibels, it's still relatively quiet. The dead space is 2.4 grams. With a grinding speed of 20.2 grams in 10 seconds, the grinder is in the better mid-range of home espresso grinders. The temperature increases from grind to grind, but remains within an acceptable range at an average of 36.1 degrees Celsius.
There's one bright spot when it comes to grind adjustment, as the Libra is equipped with the larger grind adjustment dial found on the XL. This allows for more precise adjustment of the grind. However, the grinder will never be among the best in its class when it comes to adjustment, as even the larger dial is too imprecise for that.
Most importantly, the espresso tastes like the espresso from a Eureka Mignon Specialità . We drink a round, rather full-bodied espresso. The grinder of the Eureka Mignon Libra excels at medium and darker espresso roasts.
Buy Eureka Libra
The following specialist retailers sell the Eureka Libra, and we recommend purchasing it from them. All offer the option of adjusting the machine's offset.
Germany:
Austria:
We search for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and excellent service, and we maintain close contact with the retailers mentioned. The links are so-called commission links. If you order through one of these links, you won't pay a cent more – however, we receive a small commission, which we invest directly in new test equipment.
We are still looking for competent partners for you in the DACH region.
A good scale with problems
The Libra's scale works well. It can be calibrated and adjusted precisely. We get slight deviations from the target scale, but this is due to the grinder's calibration. However, the grinder grinds the desired amount of ground coffee into the portafilter with precision, from shot to shot.
Unfortunately, there's a problem. Although the portafilter has the correct grammage, a few tenths of a gram are scattered around the grinder. The ground coffee isn't ejected precisely into the portafilter, scattering it around the perimeter.
This is a typical problem with Eureka Mignon grinders, which other models prevent by tapping the portafilter during grinding. However, this approach isn't possible with the Libra, as it wouldn't be able to complete the weighing process.
This isn't well-developed and is the result of an existing grinder being equipped with a scale, but further adjustments weren't sufficiently considered. To ensure clean filling of different portafilters, an adjustable ejector would be the solution.
Unfortunately, a calibration weight is not included. However, the significantly more expensive Mahlkönig E65s also doesn't come with a calibration weight.
A dosing ring as a solution
A dosing ring can help, but it's not included. The Swiss importer of the grinder already suggested a suitable solution. Yes, that makes sense. The portafilters can be easily clamped even with the dosing ring and are then ground precisely. With the dosing ring, we didn't notice any dispersion around the grinder.
The version with dosing ring is a good workaround for a technical weakness of the Eureka Mignon Libra.
Possible shops that offer dosing rings:
- Kai from Barista Legends *
- Made from wood at Etsy *
- Wiedemann at Stoll *
- Original Eureka dosing ring
Espresso process with the Eureka Libra
A grinder with integrated scales makes preparing espresso much easier. Espresso is a short, strong coffee drink with a coffee-to-water ratio of typically 1:1.5 to 1:3. A popular ratio that many coffee drinkers enjoy is 1:2.5.
For a double espresso, for example, 15 grams of coffee are ground to espresso fine. With a ratio of 1:2.5, the final result in the cup is two and a half times that amount, or 37.5 grams.
Traditional espresso grinders are first set to the correct grind size. The grinding time is then determined by repeatedly grinding until the grinder produces the exact amount of ground coffee. This takes time and consumes a lot of coffee.
It is not possible to adjust the grinding time before setting the grind size, as finer and coarser grind sizes grind for different lengths of time and therefore the dosage varies.
A grinder with a scale eliminates the need for constant manual weighing. After clamping the portafilter, the grinder tares it and grinds the exact amount of coffee into it.
Important: When adjusting the grind size, always grind approximately 3 grams at the new grind size and leave it unused to empty the dead space. This is the only way to ensure the effect of the grind size adjustment will be apparent during the next extraction.
We have written an article about setting up specialty espresso here.
Conclusion on the Eureka Mignon Libra
Without a dosing ring, the Eureka Mignon Libra isn't a fully-developed grinder. In the basic categories, it performs at the same level as the similarly constructed Eureka Mignon Specialità, and thus performs well.
However, the consistency and especially the usability are limited to poor due to the scattering of the ground coffee around the portafilter.
The use of a dosing ring ensures excellent consistency and ease of use. In this combination, the Eureka Mignon is a very good grinder with a scale, making espresso preparation much easier for home baristas.
The ratio of water to coffee is a crucial factor in espresso quality. Instead of having to use an external scale, the home barista can now rely on the grinder.
With a dosing ring, the Eureka Mignon Libra is a very good espresso grinder for preparing espresso and cappuccino at home.
Helpful links:
In Switzerland, the Libra is available at Quimbaya andKaffee-Erlebnis , for example.
The links to Kai's Barista Legens marked with an asterisk are commission links to Amazon. You don't pay more, but you will receive a commission if a purchase is made through the link. This supports our work.
Update January 20, 2023: Eureka sent us the following message.
SPOILER ALERT: MIGNON LIBRA DOSING FUNNEL IS ALREADY AVAILABLE 😍😍😍
Dear coffee community and coffee maker followers, in consultation with the coffee makers, we would like to add this short comment to provide you with complete information on the correct use of the Mignon Libra. In this regard, we would like to emphasize that our research and development department has developed a dosing funnel specifically designed for the Mignon Libra fork to ensure the best possible results and avoid wasting coffee when grinding extra-large quantities. We recommend using this accessory for:
- > 8 grams for single shot
- > 15 grams for double shot
- 20 - 22 grams for the triple shot
You can purchase the dosing funnel either included in the Mignon Libra box (as an option when ordering) or separately (as an accessory). Please inquire with your local retailer.
You can find it in chrome finish, in two possible diameters:
- 58.3 - 57 mm
- 54 - 53 mm (available soon)
If you want to discover all the details, we provide you with a “ How To Use ” video.
By the way, we would like to point out that the Mignon Libra is already calibrated at the factory. Should significant deviations occur, you can recalibrate the Libra yourself in just a few simple steps. For further information, please contact us here or directly at EUREKA - contact . We will be happy to assist you.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the coffee makers for their great review and wish you all a peaceful and merry Christmas.
Eureka Team 😊
