Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 2:12pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Interesting Rob, I have a 14g double (normale) pulling at 9-bar (puck) and have my Vario set for 11-seconds. This coffee is a light roast. My Vario is set with Macro at #2 from top and Micro about #5 from top. But these will vary based on how the burrs are calibrated (I would think).
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 2:15pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Craig, "real world" experience frequently differs from press releases and manufacturer verbiage. I know what the website says. But I think Rob has it correct: I probably am grinding finer than he is. But certainly the timer's default setting (10 seconds on the espresso setting) would result in 15 grams (1.5 grams/second X 10 sec. = 15 grams) at the manufacturer's speed rating.
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 2:40pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
You're BOTH right, as all things are relative...for instance the 2mm adjustment for each of your grinders may be slightly different.
FWIW, light roasts seem to go slower (as was mentioned in an earlier post) than a darker roast. I seem to remember the same thing with my former Rio/SJ.
EDIT:whoops, I meant the opposite...I think. lol Oh, never mind
KyleAnderson Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Bellevue Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Dalla Corte Mini Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 3:11pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Two points i'd like to comment on:
In general, the lighter the roast (for a given bean) the slower it will grind. The lighter roasted beans are a bit harder than their darker roasted brethren, hence requiring the grinder to work harder and producing grinds at a slower rate. Also, the finer you grind, the slower the production rate. In general, given the range of roast, bean types, and degree of fineness of grind, a realistic production rate for espresso is from 1.2 to 1.6 grams per second.
We have revised the owner's manual for the Vario due to hit the market in Feb 2010. The new owner's manual will be available for free download from our website (www.baratza.com) in mid Jan 2010. Among other updates, it will have the instructions for performing the secondary calibration setting. In the mean time, we will get these instructions posted on our FAQ page for the Vario at the Baratza website. I hope this sheds some light on these two issues. Happy New Year! Kyle
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 4:04pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
espressoaddict Said:
Updated: 12/30/09 @ 12:58 PST
The only minor non-complaint concern is the macro level -- when left at the FP setting had some difficult raising back to ESP. The manual states to operate the grinder for easier adjustments. Anyone, is this an behavior expected? When macro is positioned in the coarsest setting and there is some resistance, DON"T ADJUST until after grinding some beans. Hit the Start button for at least a sec, then make your adjustment.
Run the grinder while raising the Macro lever...making sure to start the machine BEFORE you start raising the lever!. 2 seconds tops, should get you there. It also accomplishes purging the gram or so of the previous coarse grind out. A final 1 second purge will get you back to square one. Considering the lack of waste from the Vario due to the precise dosing/timing functions, and it's multi-purpose use, a gram or 3 when switching back and forth ain't nothin'! Some grinders waste 3-4 grams per shot.
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 4:07pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
KyleAnderson Said:
We have revised the owner's manual for the Vario due to hit the market in Feb 2010. The new owner's manual will be available for free download from our website (www.baratza.com) in mid Jan 2010. Among other updates, it will have the instructions for performing the secondary calibration setting. In the mean time, we will get these instructions posted on our FAQ page for the Vario at the Baratza website. I hope this sheds some light on these two issues. Happy New Year!
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 4:08pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Wonderful Kyle and thanks so much for chiming in.
The Vario is really spectacular. Enjoyed many excellent shots today. My latest batch is a darker roast and I had to drop down one entire Macro setting, which is fine with me (timer still at 11-seconds). This grinder is very repeatable shot to shot. A remarkable performer.
espressoaddict Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 346 Location: Seattle Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia V3 (Primary)... Grinder: Baratza Vario 2009 and... Vac Pot: None Drip: Melitta Single Cup, Bodum...
Posted Sat Jan 2, 2010, 2:06pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Can new owners using the units shipped post November 2009, comment if you are content with the maximum particle size for French Press?
I realize the particle size may vary on the individuals preference, as some prefer a larger or smaller particle. For me in particular, I set the micro and macro slider, all the way down to the maximum coarseness settings and dose about 2 tablespoons for every 6 oz of water.
I am using a Bodum Brazil French Press (12 oz). To brew an ~ 8 oz cup, I'm using about 3 rounded tablespoons of coffee mixed into ~9 oz of water. My total brew time is 4 minutes. So far, I'm liking the results. I'm learning to enjoy French Press once again, as I'm finding the taste is VERY rich and allows my palate to get as close to the flavor of the bean as much as possible.
Note: For the newer batch post Nov of 09, there is a non-published way to adjust the zero point to get finer or coarser and is completely different from what is documented currently, but will become available as already noted in this thread. Since Kyle has noted this will be officially published sometime this year, just wait for the official release. For now, I haven't had a need to make this adjustment even though I have the steps.
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