mr_pedro Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2012 Posts: 31 Location: Baltimore Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Mar 23, 2012, 4:28am Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Coffeenoobie Said:
I really like the trick of balancing the basket with the yogurt funnel on the scale of the vario w. I wish it would not wiggle but it is pretty sweet way to skip a step. I just need a magnetic basket to mount a glued magnet on the scale or mount a wire frame on the scale that holds the basket.
Yep, to grind for espresso that seems the way to go, zero grinds on the counter and a one step solution, I only use the bin to catch grinds when I want to clean the machine... I first also thought of doing something about the wiggling, but it doesn't impact accuracy, it does not fall down and if anything it improves the initial distribution.
Just received a replacement motor for the Vario as the previous one broke. In the end it was a good thing taking out the bottom burr holder to replace the motor. There was lots of coffee build up underneath the bottom holder, preventing it to move the full range. It also gave me a good way to place the bottom burr centered in the holder. By holding the burr holder in one hand with my fingers around it, I could feel when the burr was centered before screwing it tightly with my other hand.
GDK Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 92 Location: Ontario, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: MiniVivaldi II, preinfusion,... Grinder: Baratza Vario W
Posted Fri Mar 23, 2012, 6:39am Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
IMAWriter Said:
Well, I'm kinda thinking the act of pouring the grind into the funnel/basket/or cupped hand basket (Dana Leighton's trick) is sort of natures way of removing the few tiny clumps, sort of like a doser does. It takes literally 5 seconds for me to slide out the plastic thingy with the ground coffee, and dump the coffee into the basket.
Usually, other than the dead of winter, this elimintates the need to do a "WDT." I'll bet, overall the initial distribution via hand pouring the grind may be a bit better...???
For ME, in the beginning, to was mostly the loss of the "pro barista thing" of grinding into the basket. Sure, we at home look a bit less professional, but it's what's in the cup that counts!
HOWEVER, a contraption, looking a bit like a jungle gym, that would SURROUND the scale, suspending the basket, but allow the basket to put a good amount of its weigh directly on the scale, then tarred could work. The key is DON'T glue anything to the actual scale portion.
(Blushing) Every once in a great while, I get lucky. ;>D
Truth is, when I had my former (excellent) Mazzer SJ, towering over my kitchen like a colossus, I pictured all the past and present WBC Champions lining up to watch me pull the G-shot to end all G-shots!
But, as awesome as that grinder is, i find things just get done so much faster, neater, and with so much less waste with the Vario, that I'm content to be a follower these days.
I'm sorry to hear that a few folks have had issues, but I happy that given some time, their issues are ameliorated. There's NO substitute for excellent CS. Fior those of us with 1st/2nd generation Varios and Precisos, no doubt Baratza will, as always be looking for ways to make them even better. Truth is, though they'll have to pry MY grinders from my cold, dead hands. LOL
Back on topic, I wonder if it's even worth doing a shot comparison between grinding directly in then basket, or pouring in, as most of us do? Personally, I'd think there re too many variables.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,314 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Tue Mar 27, 2012, 4:05pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
I did put the command strip tape (the stuff that puts removable hooks on your wall) on the scale and put a shortened yogurt cup on top. That is what I put my basket with funnel in. The tape comes off easy and just holds everything more or less still.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
tegee Senior Member Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Location: New England Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Brewtus IV-R Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 8:40am Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Quick question........
I please to announce that I upgraded my Baratza Virtuoso grinder and purchased the Vario and I love it. It was a very nice upgrade.
To that end, I am struggling a little bit to find the right grind setting. I know I have only had it a week, but I was wondering what everyone else has theirs set on?
I have mine set on the 2nd macro and "a" on the micro. Still can't pull a good shot with my bottomless PF on an E61 grouphead.
Just curious what everyone else has theirs on......I know bean, roast and age all play a factor but general setting(s) would help.
+1. Tony, what you said regarding different beans, etc is correct. Another thing you can do is do a thorough cleaning, if 5#'s or more have gone through. Often times, the new burrs will cause a wee bit of fine grind to somehow wedge itself under the lower burr. So remove the hopper and upper burr, remove the 3 screws to the lower burr and remove the lower burr. Clean out any schmutz that may have accumulated, and clean the burrs...no water!!! Re-assemble, and do as noobie says, and do the calibration as per the manual.
tegee Senior Member Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Location: New England Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Brewtus IV-R Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 6:45pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
IMAWriter Said:
+1. Tony, what you said regarding different beans, etc is correct. Another thing you can do is do a thorough cleaning, if 5#'s or more have gone through. Often times, the new burrs will cause a wee bit of fine grind to somehow wedge itself under the lower burr. So remove the hopper and upper burr, remove the 3 screws to the lower burr and remove the lower burr. Clean out any schmutz that may have accumulated, and clean the burrs...no water!!! Re-assemble, and do as noobie says, and do the calibration as per the manual.
This grinder is literally brand new (3-days). You need to calibrate it out of the box?
Today I spent some good time with it and now I have the macro at #1 and the micro on "G" with a bottomless PF. It seems to be pulling go shots, but does need to go down a couple of more clicks on the micro and/or adjust my tamp.
It is just surprising that I have to be down that low on the macro adjustment scale. With a traditional (double) PF I was at setting #2 on macro and "D" on the micro and that seemed pretty good with a traditional PF.
Obviously there is going to be a learning curve coming from a Virtuoso, but I was just a bit surprised that I had to be down that low. That's why I reached out here on this GREAT thread.
Many thanks and accept all comments and suggestions.....Tony
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 7:01pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Tony, there should be no difference (other than visual) between the bottomless and tradition PF, as long as you are USING THE SAME BASKET. Yes, out of the box you need to calibrate. It's really a fine calibration. BTW, Id' advise...again...all who purchase ANY GEAR to RTFM!!...read the freakin' manual. LOL
Tony, if I remember, one of the first things they say in the manual is to perform the 2mm screw calibration. DO NOT remove the rubber grommet...that is factory set and does not normally need to be messed with.
tegee Senior Member Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 47 Location: New England Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Brewtus IV-R Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 7:08pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
IMAWriter Said:
Tony, there should be no difference (other than visual) between the bottomless and tradition PF, as long as you are USING THE SAME BASKET. Yes, out of the box you need to calibrate. It's really a fine calibration. BTW, Id' advise...again...all who purchase ANY GEAR to RTFM!!...read the freakin' manual. LOL
Tony, if I remember, one of the first things they say in the manual is to perform the 2mm screw calibration. DO NOT remove the rubber grommet...that is factory set and does not normally need to be messed with.
The funny thing is I am a owner's manual junkie, but I do not recall reading that it had to be calibrated asap. I thought it was more of a maintenance type calibration?
Anyhow, I will re-read the manual and check the calibration.
And it is a nice tip to know that the setting does not change unless you change the basket. I do not know why mine did, but I will double check.
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