Product Description
The HeyCafé Buddy ODG is a professional on-demand espresso grinder designed for cafés, restaurants and home baristas who want straightforward, repeatable dosing without sacrificing manual control. It combines 64mm hardened steel flat burrs made in Germany by Mahlkönig with a 3.5-inch touchscreen interface, programmable recipes and stepless grind adjustment.
The Buddy ODG is designed to grind directly into the portafilter, with the portafilter activating the grinder when it is inserted into the adjustable support. Two programmable timed recipes are available for single and double shots, while a manual grinding mode allows the operator to control the grinding time directly. This makes it easy to establish repeatable doses while retaining the flexibility to adjust a shot when required.
Inside, the Buddy uses 64mm hardened steel flat burrs and a 350W motor, producing a laboratory-rated grind speed of 2.5 to 3.0g per second depending on the coffee and grind setting. A cast aluminium body provides a durable structure and helps with heat transfer, while the low-retention grinding path is designed to provide a steady flow of ground coffee with less waste.
Grinding System
The Buddy ODG uses 64mm flat hardened steel burrs made in Germany by Mahlkönig. The burrs are designed for espresso grinding and provide the cutting surface required for consistent grinding across repeated doses.
Grind size is controlled through a stepless central adjustment system. This provides continuous adjustment rather than fixed click positions, allowing the grind to be fine-tuned to suit different coffees, doses and extraction times.
Dosing and Touchscreen Control
The 3.5-inch touchscreen provides access to the grinder's recipes, settings, notifications and basic statistics. The Buddy ODG provides three grinding options: single shot, double shot and manual grinding.
The factory-set single-shot recipe runs for 3.5 seconds and produces approximately 7 to 8g under the manufacturer's test conditions. The factory double-shot recipe runs for 6.5 seconds and produces approximately 14 to 16g. Both grinding times can be adjusted to suit the coffee and preferred dose.
When a portafilter is inserted into the grinder, it activates the trigger switch and starts the selected grinding process. Recipe-based grinding stops automatically after the programmed time, while manual grinding can be stopped by removing the portafilter or using the touchscreen controls.
Grind Flow and Retention
HeyCafé has designed the Buddy ODG with a steady ground coffee flow and low retention. This helps reduce the amount of coffee left inside the grinder between doses and is intended to provide more repeatable results over time.
The grinder also features a removable spout and flapper, allowing the dispensing area to be accessed more easily during cleaning and helping to minimise coffee residue build-up.
Portafilter Support
The Buddy ODG features a universal adjustable portafilter support that allows handsfree grinding. The support can be adjusted to suit the portafilter being used, allowing the grinder to activate automatically when the portafilter is inserted.
The handsfree design is particularly useful in a café environment because the operator can prepare the portafilter while the grinder completes the programmed dose.
Build Quality and Design
The Buddy ODG uses a cast aluminium body designed for durability and optimised heat transfer. Its smooth, edgeless exterior and sealed surfaces reduce areas where coffee residue can collect and make the grinder easier to wipe down.
At 350mm deep and 210mm wide, the Buddy has a relatively compact footprint for a commercial-style espresso grinder. The 11.5kg net weight also provides a stable base during operation.
Noise and Everyday Operation
HeyCafé has designed the Buddy ODG for a relatively quiet working environment, making it suitable for cafés and other spaces where grinder noise is a consideration.
The grinder includes two running modes, Flush Mode and Barista Mode, as well as a break function that can temporarily interrupt grinding if the portafilter is removed during a programmed dose.
Who Should Consider This Grinder
The HeyCafé Buddy ODG is well suited to cafés, restaurants, offices and serious home baristas looking for a commercial-style on-demand espresso grinder with programmable timed dosing and a touchscreen interface.
It is particularly useful for users who want repeatable single and double-shot dosing but still want the option of manual grinding. The 64mm hardened steel burrs, adjustable portafilter support and low-retention design make it a practical choice for regular espresso service.
The Buddy ODG is less suited to users looking specifically for a single-dose grinder, grind-by-weight dosing or a grinder designed primarily for filter coffee. Its design is centred around hopper-fed, on-demand espresso grinding.
Key Features
- 64mm hardened steel flat burrs made in Germany by Mahlkönig
- 3.5-inch touchscreen for recipes, settings, notifications and basic statistics
- Three grinding modes: single shot, double shot and manual grinding
- Two programmable timed recipes for repeatable dosing
- On-demand grinding directly into the portafilter
- Stepless grind adjustment for precise espresso dialling-in
- Automatic portafilter-triggered grinding
- Adjustable handsfree portafilter support
- Low-retention grinding path for reduced waste
- Steady ground coffee flow for repeatable dosing
- Cast aluminium body for durability and heat transfer
- Removable spout and flapper for easier cleaning
- Smooth sealed surfaces to reduce residue build-up
- Flush Mode and Barista Mode
- Low-noise operation
- 1.2kg bean hopper
- 350W motor
What's Included
- HeyCafé Buddy ODG espresso grinder
- 1.2kg bean hopper with lid
- Adjustable portafilter support
- Drip tray
- Power cable
Technical Specifications
- Grinder type
- On-demand espresso grinder
- Burr diameter
- 64mm
- Burr type
- Flat
- Burr material
- Hardened steel
- Burr manufacturer
- Mahlkönig, Germany
- Grind speed
- 2.5 to 3.0g/s
- Grinding modes
- Single shot, double shot and manual grinding
- Grind adjustment
- Stepless
- Display
- 3.5-inch touchscreen
- Bean hopper capacity
- 1.2kg
- Motor power
- 350W
- Voltage
- 220 to 240V, 50Hz
- Maximum grinding capacity
- 1kg per hour, 10kg per day
- Maximum operating cycle
- 10 seconds on, 50 seconds off
- Dimensions (W x D x H)
- 350 x 210 x 555mm
- Net weight
- 11.5kg
- Gross weight
- 14kg
- Colour options
- Black and white
