bobertstowers Senior Member Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 19 Location: St. Louis Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Brewtus II Grinder: Starbucks Barista Burr
Posted Thu Feb 9, 2012, 6:25pm Subject: Re: A grinder for a up and comer
"Oh, and I should add that i would not recommend a Mazzer Mini. If you're set on buying one, I'd recommend either the Vario or the Super Jolly"
"As for the mini, if you get a steal of a deal on a used one, they are good grinders, not as good as a SJ though, which sell at a very reasonable price when used. At the new price of the mini, I would not put it on my long list, not to mention the short one."
This surprises because I've only heard great things about the mini. Are these statements about price or performance?
As an owner of a Mini, I'd have to say that if I were starting over again, I'd probably go a different direction (vario or just spend the bucks and go titan class - minimum of used SJ). It *is* a very nice grinder with a number of features I enjoy, but I get the feeling that it's the weak point in my espresso making chain right now. I like the fact that I can switch grinds to press, drip and espresso without wasting too much coffee (no more than a shot or so when going to espresso). It's not the cleanest grinder for me (possibly I'm just not a good match for it cleanliness wise). I can pull espresso as good as any place in town (me on a good day, them on an average to poor day, but I'm not sure I can beat them consistently). I think the Vario, despite a lack of proven durability, is eating up the Minis spot for the home barista (the niche long ago vacated by the Rocky). The big advantage the mini has is that it will probably still be pulling decent shots when the vario has long turned to dust. It would survive a grenade blast 5 feet away (well, the hopper and the doser acrylic wouldn't, but you get the idea).
MARIOBARBA Senior Member Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Posts: 126 Location: MONTREAL CANADA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Ascaso DUO Prof TRONIC Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Fri Feb 10, 2012, 6:09am Subject: Re: A grinder for a up and comer
I have a Vario and have been happy with it when it works. Before considering many of the grinders being suggested, try to go into a brick and mortar espresso shop and have a look at these grinders. I know for me, a lot of these would never grace my counter just because of their sheer size. i have seen pic of people's setups here and on HB and they never looked that crazy, but recently I was in an espresso service shop that had a couple of Compak K8's next to some Ascaso Steel grinders and they were easily 6-7 times larger. I've been in my fair share of cafes and have seen my fair share of Mazzers, but seeing them next to a home grinder or on a counter with cabinets over it in real life, killed any desire to upgrade from my Vario that I had. Again different strokes for different folks. If you have the space for a commercial setup and don't mind having what looks like a relic from WWII on your counter, then go commercial, if not, a Vario is a very nice choice (unless you get a lemon like I did).
They're about performance relative to the (new)price. Used might be a different story depending on how good of a deal it is.
<300, probably a decent deal. Any more than that and you can get a Vario Refurb ($380) a new Vario ($469) or a used Super Jolly in the range of $250-400.
Btw, the Vario may have a plastic casing, but the internals are fully serviceable, so it's longevity is only weaker in theory.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,681 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Fri Feb 10, 2012, 8:52am Subject: Re: A grinder for a up and comer
MARIOBARBA Said:
..... If you have the space for a commercial setup and don't mind having what looks like a relic from WWII on your counter, then go commercial, if not, a Vario is a very nice choice.....
What is wrong with WWII? LOL! This is why they sell more than one grinder! I have handled a Vario and that plastic boxed thing would never grace my counter (a riff on your words) I like the look, feel and quality of industrial, Vario isn't it.
That does not stop me from recommending them though as several members here who I respect the opinions of have and like them so the quality must be there.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Fri Feb 10, 2012, 9:01am Subject: Re: A grinder for a up and comer
calblacksmith Said:
What is wrong with WWII? LOL! This is why they sell more than one grinder! I have handled a Vario and that plastic boxed thing would never grace my counter (a riff on your words) I like the look, feel and quality of industrial, Vario isn't it.
That does not stop me from recommending them though as several members here who I respect the opinions of have and like them so the quality must be there.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,681 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Fri Feb 10, 2012, 9:39am Subject: Re: A grinder for a up and comer
LOL Buy one or not, keep the vario or not, your coffee, your counter and your home!
All kidding aside, I have enough commercial cooking equipment to open my own eatery, really! 20 qt Hobart industrial mixer. Hobart Buffalo chopper Berkel Buffalo chopper Hobart grinder attachment for mixer/chopper Hobart vegg slicer/shreader attachment for mixer/chopper Garland full size gas convection oven 3' commercial griddle with clam shell attachment. Wolf burner cooktop Hot food holding oven 4 induction warming plates for maintaining food temp in steam pans 1 stand alone steam pan warmer for full size pans/ mix of pans to equal full size pan. 3 commercial equipment stands 24x30, 30x36 and a referigerated 30" x 6ft. 3 30" x 5' stainless steel prep tables 3 30" x 30" stainless steel prep tables 2 Traueson commercial refers Commercial freezer 2 bowl SS sink for food prep 3 bowl SS sink for dish/cleanup assorted floor mats for commercial kitchens Bunn RT (plumb in) 5 burner commercial drip coffee brewer Bunn VPR-APS air pot brewer Bunn G9 2 commercial drip coffee grinder Curtis, plumb in airpot brewer NS MCD65 GP coffee grinder 3 Super Jollies Gaggia espresso grinder Brazillia 2 gp HX machine 2 single group commercial HX espresso machines 4 jar commercial syrup rail and pumps
Assorted cutting boards, knives, ladels and small wares
and probably more cooking equipment that I have forgotten about, not to mention a lot of duplications of the above in home quality equipment.
I think you can see why the Vario just seems a bit plasicky and light duty to me!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
MARIOBARBA Senior Member Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Posts: 126 Location: MONTREAL CANADA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Ascaso DUO Prof TRONIC Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Fri Feb 10, 2012, 10:06am Subject: Re: A grinder for a up and comer
calblacksmith Said:
LOL Buy one or not, keep the vario or not, your coffee, your counter and your home!
All kidding aside, I have enough commercial cooking equipment to open my own eatery, really! 20 qt Hobart industrial mixer. Hobart Buffalo chopper Berkel Buffalo chopper Hobart grinder attachment for mixer/chopper Hobart vegg slicer/shreader attachment for mixer/chopper Garland full size gas convection oven 3' commercial griddle with clam shell attachment. Wolf burner cooktop Hot food holding oven 4 induction warming plates for maintaining food temp in steam pans 1 stand alone steam pan warmer for full size pans/ mix of pans to equal full size pan. 3 commercial equipment stands 24x30, 30x36 and a referigerated 30" x 6ft. 3 30" x 5' stainless steel prep tables 3 30" x 30" stainless steel prep tables 2 Traueson commercial refers Commercial freezer 2 bowl SS sink for food prep 3 bowl SS sink for dish/cleanup assorted floor mats for commercial kitchens Bunn RT (plumb in) 5 burner commercial drip coffee brewer Bunn VPR-APS air pot brewer Bunn G9 2 commercial drip coffee grinder Curtis, plumb in airpot brewer NS MCD65 GP coffee grinder 3 Super Jollies Gaggia espresso grinder Brazillia 2 gp HX machine 2 single group commercial HX espresso machines 4 jar commercial syrup rail and pumps
Assorted cutting boards, knives, ladels and small wares
and probably more cooking equipment that I have forgotten about, not to mention a lot of duplications of the above in home quality equipment.
I think you can see why the Vario just seems a bit plasicky and light duty to me!
WTF! When I brought home the Ascaso DUO (considerably larger than my last espresso machine) my wife almost lost it, I can picture her reaction if I had any of the things mentioned above!!!
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