Zerno CEO Interview: Vel Genov on Grinders, Burrs, RPM, and Precision

I sat down with Vel from Zerno for a deeper conversation about grinders, precision, burrs, machining, alignment, RPM, particle size distribution, and what it really takes to build a high-end coffee grinder. This interview goes beyond specs. We talk about why Zerno exists, what the Z2 represents, why precision matters, how alignment affects espresso, why burr choice matters, how RPM changes the conversation, and how Zerno thinks about quality, upgrades, future products, and building something that lasts. If you are into espresso, grinders, coffee gear, machining, or the philosophy behind making a product the right way, this conversation is worth watching. Explore. Learn. Brew. Chapters 0:00 What is Zerno? 0:47 Precision, quality, and the new facility 1:14 Introducing the Z2 1:23 What the Z2 represents 2:13 Bringing Z2 ideas back to the Z1 2:43 Retrofits and long-term product support 3:22 The future Zerno museum 4:07 CNC machining and consistency 5:06 The hardest part of high quality production 6:14 Building quality first, then figuring out cost 6:49 Where the name Zerno comes from 7:24 Mechanical variables most people miss 8:07 Bearings and internal grinder design 8:47 What happens when alignment is off? 9:33 Burr alignment and particle size variance 10:15 Precise adjustment and microns 11:34 RPM control on the Z2 12:01 Custom motor driver and low-speed torque 12:56 What is a brushless motor? 13:38 Servo brushless motor explained 14:18 Z1 motor versus Z2 motor 15:12 RPM, torque, and particle size distribution 15:30 Does RPM affect particle size? 16:13 Lower speed and flavor clarity 17:02 Speed versus burr gap adjustment 17:32 Why more research is needed 17:43 Burr geometry and pre-breaking beans 18:02 How much espresso quality comes from the grinder? 19:11 Grinder versus espresso machine 20:16 Advice for people getting into coffee 20:58 Limited budget: grinder or burrs first? 21:11 Why the grinder comes first 22:31 Expensive burrs in a lower-end grinder 23:10 The future of Zerno 24:18 Growing while keeping the small company feel 24:54 What keeps Vel up at night? 25:29 Small upgrades and constant improvement 26:52 Does chasing perfection ever stop mattering? 27:12 Final thoughts from Zerno 28:00 Closing