Tysen Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Germany Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Thu Apr 26, 2012, 3:12pm Subject: Vario or Mazzer Mini E with Super Jolly Burrs?
Hi guys,
I'm new here so "Hi!" :)
I've got the choice between a Mazzer Mini E with Super Jolly burrs or a Bazerra Vario 2...not sure which one to take. Let's leave price out of this discussion for now..let's just say I can get both for the same price.
I'll do strictly espresso, usually single-shots (about 9g) and I like to switch beans quite often, sometimes twice during the day. So wasted coffee might be an issue with the Mazzer and for me is for sure a plus for the vario. I don't like to waste things...especially not expensive beans.
But the vario seems to have some issues too and looks like a toy compared to the Mazzer...there's been some discussion that a Vario does beat the Mazzer in blind taste tests...but usually ties against the Super Jolly. So my guess would be that the Mazzer with super jolly burrs on average might do a better job than the vario? With on average I mean over let's say 100 shots spread over 20 days.
thanks for your reply. Would you maybe have a minute or two to let me know why...I see in your profile that you have a vario so maybe you have some thoughts on this that might help me ;)
greekespresso Senior Member Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Posts: 170 Location: Ptolemaida, Greece Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia V3, Gaggia... Grinder: Mahlkönig Vario Home, Anfim...
Posted Thu Apr 26, 2012, 5:06pm Subject: Re: Vario or Mazzer Mini E with Super Jolly Burrs?
*Build quality of the Mazzer. *I have not seen any improvement in taste compared to my Anfim Best with 54mm metallic burrs (under similar conditions when that is possible). *The adjustment mechanism of the Vario does not inspire you confidence and your log data will be without any use if fine re-calibration of the grinder will be required. *Mahlkonig in contrast to Baratza states that the warranty is void if the user performs fine calibration of the grinder. http://www.mahlkoenig.de/file/download/default/id/4342 *There is overlapping between the macro grinding regions. *The exceptionally happy owners of the Mini E in the Greek forum. *In my grinder the markings of the micro scale do not correspond to actual steps and are quite hard to read (In the newest version of the Vario these problems have been fixed).
The main advantage of the Vario is its compact size and the exceptionally low grind retention, thus making it maybe one of the best grinders for grinding per dose.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,645 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 Apr 27, 2012, 5:36am Subject: Re: Vario or Mazzer Mini E with Super Jolly Burrs?
To echo what he said, the build quality of a Mazzer is nothing short of top shelf. The mini may not be on my list as there are so many SJs out there and me, for myself, I am not a fan of installing parts from one machine onto a different machine, my personal view is that the maker knew what they were doing in the first place and they are much better funded to know the design limits of their products, but even modded, I would take the Mini first.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Tysen Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 4 Location: Germany Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sat Apr 28, 2012, 4:07pm Subject: Re: Vario or Mazzer Mini E with Super Jolly Burrs?
A few things I should add maybe. I do 95% single shots in the 8-10g range. So I don't care too much about doubledose performance. And I like to switch coffees often...but only espresso mostly single blends.
JZY Senior Member Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Posts: 92 Location: CT Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Office Control, Sama... Grinder: Mazzer mini-e Type B
Posted Sun Apr 29, 2012, 6:58am Subject: Re: Vario or Mazzer Mini E with Super Jolly Burrs?
Tysen Said:
A few things I should add maybe. I do 95% single shots in the 8-10g range. So I don't care too much about doubledose performance. And I like to switch coffees often...but only espresso mostly single blends.
I recently upgraded from an Anfim Best to the Mazzer Mini E. The Anfim was a good grinder, but the doser was a major pita for me and it was stepped which added another degree of limitation in dialing in grind + tamp. The Mazzer build quality is far above the Anfim and the Vario. It works great for single dosing and the stepless throat collar is easy to adjust the grind setting for different beans. The stock 64mm burrs work very well and I believe make a better grind than the 54mm burrs in the Anfim (The Vario uses 54mm). Go for the mini-e without reservation.
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