Hello! I wrote some time ago in another section of the forum and the espresso machine I got is the Gaggia Classic. I had the time to try it out and I am very satisfied, it is anyway by far better than the piece of plastic I had before (an old DeLonghi, very small).
At the moment I still use a 60 euros grinder (lol) from "Severin". It has conical metal burrs (is that the word?) with some plastic parts. The design is really right, I find....very comfortable, nothing gets dirty, no static, no powder gets stuck in the grinder, but I am pretty sure I should aim to get a finer powder, the finest size I get is too big and gives me a too fast brewing.
I have read the guide on how to choose a grinder etc etc....I had almost decided to go for the Rancilio Rocky but then I watched a detailed review on youtube to have an idea on how it would actually work....and it made me change idea: lots of static, design that is really wrong (the exit of the powder is horizontal, that is a lot of work to do to avoid coffee get stuck in there, doser doesn't work).....I mean I would spend that 'much' money and get something that would grind better than my actual 60 euros grinder, and would give me headache for the discomfort of using it....
So is there something that can grind with QUALITY and doesn't try to achieve something fancy in the using? I only want a good powder. I always use the beans I need, I never leave them in the grinder so I don't mind if the tank is poor or small. I don't mind if the grinder is loud. I don't mind getting powder everywhere anyway, I am very clean and I always clean everything, if it's one grain or 1000 doesn't matter, I clean anyway. I also don't mind having a doser or not....I can do everything manually.
Story short: good quality of the grinding for espresso, sure not more expensive than the rancilio. Static could be a problem though so better if no static, the steps should offer a variety for espresso, french press, syphon coffee and pour over.
]Check out the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso. A detailed review by Mr. Prince here - Click Here (coffeegeek.com)
I recently purchased one and it's flexibility is awesome. Great for espresso and great for drip/pour over. I could go on and on, but if you read the article you'll understand what makes it a great grinder.
If you remove the space ship hopper on top, it works just perfectly for scooping in exactly the beans you need. It does an excellent job of grinding for a Gaggia.
Hey! On local auctions I found a baratza Vario (one year old) and a Gaggia MDF (age not specified). First for 230 dollars, latter for maybe 120 if I am lucky and nobody bids. Those are some very interesting prices.
How much damage could a Vario get in one year? If I click, I get it for 230. If you tell me that it's worth the money (anyway no new machine can be found for less...even if I get a new Gaggia MDF I end up spending more money than that) I could buy it. Vario retails at 450 on amazon.com and the shipping from USA to my country is really expensive.
Is there any possibility that can be damaged? Anyway after having bought it I could check the burrs and change them (worst case) right? The Vario should also be better than the Gaggia.
I'll check the ones you said but I was very interested in the two above because it is very simple for me to get them....no need to do complicated shipping because they are both in my country (both used). Please answer ASAP because the end of the auctions are very close!
If I were you, I would go with the Vario. You stated that you wanted to use it for a variety of brewing methods and that one will be the best of the two to use for that. But, a new Baratza Preciso is $300 and it is just as capable as the Vario. I have been pulling amazing shots with it.
Ok so beside those 2 used ones, this is another one I can get in my country with less effort (because I just discovered that Baratza in europe is Mahlkönig...and Breville is Gastroback....of course i couldn't find any breville or baratza...)
The preciso can't find it...only on amazon.com and it costs a lot there to ship here. The gaggia I can find it also new but I guess the vario used is still the best option unless I find a Preciso or unless this Breville can be somehow another nice option.
I always heard the Vario was a beast....that's why I though used for 230 dollars would have been a very good deal. I doubt you can consume a grinder in one year even using it every day....the guy who sells it has had it only for one year, that's why.
Get the Vario, or Preciso, or Mahlkönig equivalent. There many favorable comments on Vairo and Preciso on CG. The important feature is the micro steps on Perciso, or the Vario, not the lower models.
I have the Classic and Preciso and am very happy with it.
Bought the vario....too often the Hype kicks the button on my mouse while hovering on 'buy it now'.....I hope I won't regret it.....normally the grinders last for ages, right?
Well it's not like I have so much experience....the "Severin" that I have now is what most resembled a grinder until now....same goes for the gaggia classic....So I will only be able to compare the vario with the actual cheap thing I call grinder for the moment, and I expect it to be a lot better of course! We're talking about something that cost me 66 euros in a shopping center and something that is worldwide known and goes up to 500$.....I hope the difference will be huge...
Anyway I am very picky about coffee and taste in general, I travelled a lot and I find that us italian have this thing, it will sure push me to get the best out of my (soon to be) vario + gaggia classic.
Hey while i am waiting for the vario....could you tell me where do you get your coffee? I go to a shop here in my town where they roast the beans and so on they have many different tastes and I was in another city where there was another coffee shop roasting beans bla bla bla....I also tried to roast green beans myself (with the popcorn popper) and they came out really well.
What about you? I know that coffee can be bought online...just to have the possibility to try as much coffee as possible.....where could I get some? Do you ever buy online? What would you suggest? I don't want to get stuck with the shop in my town, although I find it very nice. But I always want to try something new.
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