Posted Sun Feb 15, 2009, 11:19am Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Grinder
I'm wondering if the Vario would be considered an upgrade from my aging Rocky. My main machines are a Technivorm and a TBA (a Quick Mill or a Brewtus) replacement for my Silvia. I'm looking for a does-everything grinder, and don't like my doser set-up for non-espresso beverages. Thoughts?
Posted Sun Feb 15, 2009, 12:14pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Grinder
Hi John,
Welcome to the Coffeegeek forums! {;-)
How old is your Rocky? Do you know about the teflon tape mod to take the play out of the burr carrier threads? On my Rocky I took out the dosing mechanism a long time ago. I use a pastry brush & sweep the grinds into a small salsa dish for French press brewing. For espresso, I use a 250ml size cream cheese container.
It might sound crazy, but it works for me. If I have a home roasted 3 bean espresso blend, after grinding say a ratio of 3/1/1 7 gram Bodum coffee scoops of beans., I just put the top back on the container & give it a rolling up & down shake to mix/blend the 3 coffees together throughly.
Posted Sun Feb 15, 2009, 7:10pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Grinder
CraigA Said:
Hi John,
Welcome to the Coffeegeek forums! {;-)
How old is your Rocky? Do you know about the teflon tape mod to take the play out of the burr carrier threads? On my Rocky I took out the dosing mechanism a long time ago. I use a pastry brush & sweep the grinds into a small salsa dish for French press brewing. For espresso, I use a 250ml size cream cheese container.
It might sound crazy, but it works for me. If I have a home roasted 3 bean espresso blend, after grinding say a ratio of 3/1/1 7 gram Bodum coffee scoops of beans., I just put the top back on the container & give it a rolling up & down shake to mix/blend the 3 coffees together throughly.
Hi Craig and thanks for the welcome. I think my Rocky is going on 9 years, though it sometimes sits unused for long periods. I've been thinking about replacing it partially because I can't seem to get a fine enough grind anymore. The Rocky sits somewhere around the 5 step and can go no further, while my pour rates have been getting faster and faster. I used to grind around the 8th or so prior. I'm afraid I'm a little intimidated by modding, though I have heard the teflon mod.
Hence my interest in a new grinder, more specifially the Vario....
Posted Mon Feb 16, 2009, 6:23am Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Grinder
JohnBurridge Said:
I've been thinking about replacing it partially because I can't seem to get a fine enough grind anymore. The Rocky sits somewhere around the 5 step and can go no further, while my pour rates have been getting faster and faster.
Nope, never did. I've just moved from Yellowknife to TO, but when my Rocky gets shipped to me I'll look into this option. I checked out the Green Beanery when I was down last September.
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,144 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Mon Mar 9, 2009, 11:34pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Grinder
There's been a lot of talk now about the Vario grinder around the Internets, and it's interesting to see the comments. The grinder has been in the hands of World Barista Champions and seasoned home baristas but unfortunately, most of the talk has been about espresso.
The thing is, this is more than an espresso grinder.
I think this grinder is possibly the most ideal (in terms of value vs. price point) multi-use grinder available now. It's certainly the best bang for the buck cupping grinder (more value to pro roasters etc than home roasters), offering enough speed and consistency to blow away the current standard on a dollar for dollar level - the Mahlkonig Guatemala Lab (priced over $2000).
It is also, in my opinion, the best bang for the buck restaurant grinder, offering nearly as much consistency, a potentially better grind, and nearly 2/3rds the speed of a Ditting KF804 ($1200) grinder. In many areas, it beats the Ditting, offering digital timers, a collection aparatus (the grinds bin), and a better grind (my 100mm 1:1 macro which is nearly a 2:1 macro on a cropped camera body tells the tale).
It also does extremely well as an espresso grinder. I see a lot of comparisons to the Robur (though not many to the Anfim Super Caimano, which I believe is the best commercial grinder for espresso out today), and that comparison is not fair. There needs to be more comparisons against the Rocky from Rancilio, and the Mazzer Mini, which would be more realistic. I'm running tests against the Rocky, the Anfim Best, the Super Caimano, and the Elektra grinders right now, and I'm of the opinion that there's negligible difference between these $1500 grinders and the Vario, and in some cases (eg Rocky), the overall usability and freshness factor, combined with the grind quality... well the Vario wins.
That said, static is a huge issue with this grinder. I'm still on my preproduction unit, and even production, for sale units have static issues. Baratza needs to solve these.
DaveZ Senior Member Joined: 5 Jan 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Phoenix AZ Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Trying to decide Grinder: Baratza Vario Vac Pot: Yama Drip: Bunn, Keurig Roaster: popcorn popper
Posted Tue Mar 10, 2009, 11:49am Subject: Re: Baratza Vario Grinder
Well, I for one am very happy with: the look of it sitting on my kitchen counter. the size of it. how quiet it is. the very consistant grind, though it may be calibrated too fine overall. I could hear the motor load up 2 notches away from the finest macro espresso setting (right side lever) with the micro (left side lever) set on coarse. It's coarsest setting is a bit finer than I usially use in drip or even Vac Pot.
It has more "heft" than I thought it would. It feels substantial.
I will know more when my replacement grinder arrives.
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