Posted Sat Apr 14, 2012, 7:17pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Ok, I re-adjusted the burr distance to something pretty close to the initial factory settings (a tiny bit tighter) - so the first noticeable change in motor pitch is now coming in at 1P. As per some great suggestions in this thread, on my first trial run set the grind 4 notches wide of the zero point (1T). Updosed from my standard 15.5g to 16.5g and used fresh beans. The machine didn't protest much during the grind itself. I was skeptical when I saw the grind come out (still to my eyes somewhere between moka pot and espresso, but with some adhesion when pinched), but decided to go all the way through with a shot.
Holey moley!!!! Right on - 1.75oz shot with blonding at 25sec! Great crema and tasty too! First try with the new recipe. I am really really shocked. Thanks so much for the spot-on advice, I think this may be the start of something beautiful.
A request for some more advice: I see that many Vario users try to set their Espresso grind somewhere around 2D/E (where it would translate to on the new panel, not sure about the old), ie one notch down on the macro, somewhere around 4 on the micro. Should I again try to readjust to hit this bogey? Or stay where I am (at least until I get the hang of it)? Espresso towards the end of a range should, I guess, give one more scope for coarse grinds on the other end?? Cheers,
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,462 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Sat Apr 14, 2012, 7:43pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Aaron, coffee grinding, especially as regards espresso is NOT a "one size fits all." Every varietal and blend will require a bit of adjustment. And as the coffee ages, a bit of tightening of the grind will be needed...usually.
So what works for me may not work for you, as we would be using different coffee. Even if we both had, say 7 day old Redbird espresso, my humidity could be different than yours, etc, which would affect the pull. The Vario W, when used with the same coffee, same dose weight, and most importantly distributed and tamped consistently from shot to shot would provide very consistent results.
Just do your thing. Same weight, same even distribution, same tamp, same water temperature as possible.
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 15, 2012, 6:23am Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
aaronotb Said:
A request for some more advice: I see that many Vario users try to set their Espresso grind somewhere around 2D/E (where it would translate to on the new panel, not sure about the old), ie one notch down on the macro, somewhere around 4 on the micro. Should I again try to readjust to hit this bogey? Or stay where I am (at least until I get the hang of it)? Espresso towards the end of a range should, I guess, give one more scope for coarse grinds on the other end?? Cheers,
FWIW.....I went through the same thing as you described upon first purchasing and setting up my new Vario (non-). I came off using a Virtuoso and now love my Vario.
To that end, I calibrated my Vario to when the motor first starts to squeal.....first sign of the motor making noise and that setting was at 1M.
I now grind between 1K - 1P depending on the age of the bean and variety.
BTW: this is on a Brewtus IV machine with a bottomless PF and using a VST 20g basket.
Posted Sun Apr 15, 2012, 9:56am Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Thanks again for the confirmation I'm not about to inflict massive damage upon my new Vario. Brewtus, VST - nice! Clearly there is a lot of room for growth for me with this grinder!
lemans23 Senior Member Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Indiana Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Apr 20, 2012, 2:57pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Hey guys, I need some help. I can't tell what's going on. I've had my Vario for 2 years, and then just about 2 weeks ago, the motor would seize up regardless of grind type or bean. The problem is that the chute would get completely blocked, and the channel would get crammed full of fines. I've been back and forth with Baratza who even sent me a replacement machine. First time firing it up, same exact issue. Does this sound like a power issue, as in, home electrical problem? The odds that the same problem occurs on two machines having had the first one for years without incident makes me think of nothing else. I've linked to some pictures of what it looks like once clogged up. Thoughts?
My Technivorm and Silvia both are working fine in the same kitchen, and I even switched rooms and the Vario still gave me this same problem. For reference, the above images were ground on a notch below filter for the macro, and dead even for the micro.
Used Paradise Roasters' Romance by Paradise, Sum. Danau Toba, Espresso Nuevo, PT's Colombia (can't recall the estate), El Salvadorian orange bourbon, then Target brand Guatemala and Honduras, and Dunkin Donuts regular. All have the same issue. If there is any oil on the beans, it's almost instantly caked up like that. So nope, not the beans!
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,194 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Fri Apr 20, 2012, 3:14pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
Also my thought. What does that stuff feel like, moist? What happens if you coarse up the grind? I doubt that it is electrical without you noticing other things around the house. The Vario is not a huge amp draw.
lemans23 Senior Member Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Indiana Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Apr 20, 2012, 3:16pm Subject: Re: The Baratza Vario Grinder Owner's Thread
And the hygrometers in two rooms is reading 44 and 43% humidity.
It's bone dry, not moist at all. The exact same thing happens on the coarsest grind: it outputs a tiny bit of beans, and then cakes up. The chute is completely packed up as though the beans were wet. In the interim period waiting for the new Vario, I was using my old Capresso Infinity. No issues w/ the same beans.
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