lucisferre Senior Member Joined: 26 Jun 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Nuova Simonelli Mac Digit... Grinder: Innova Connical Burr
Posted Sun Jul 22, 2012, 9:11am Subject: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
So I've been reading about how great the Vario is and I'm looking to replace my old Innova flat-burr grinder with something a bit more consistent (and hopefully faster). There are also a couple of used Virtuoso's, one with the Percisio burrs, but neither are the Percisio. So I'm curious if without the fine adjustment if the Virtuoso is worth it (considering it is under half the price).
CMIN Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2012 Posts: 515 Location: South FL Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Posted Sun Jul 22, 2012, 10:06am Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
Not even close, Vario is in a completely different league with it's adjustment and flat burrs. The Preciso is to, the microadjustment of the Preciso makes the grinder way better. Virtuoso is fine, but no way would I take even a cheap used one over the Preciso or Vario for espresso, the Preciso is the best all around imo as it grinds comparable to the Vario but has the edge for coarser consistent grinds.
Intrepid510 Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2010 Posts: 308 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Jul 22, 2012, 10:07am Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
I don't know anything about your old grinder, so I can't say anything about the adjustment. The fine adjustment on the preciso allows one to get the desired time on the shot down to the second. If you don't mind your shots being off then a virtuoso with preciso burrs should be okay. If you only drink milk drinks I doubt you see a difference in a few seconds either way, however if you drink shots or americano's you probably want the preciso.
I should also note that you are going to get a little more of a brighter shot the virtuoso than with the vario since its a conical grinder as oppose to flat burrs, so that is something to consider as well when thinking about it.
Reesq Senior Member Joined: 3 May 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Aug 1, 2012, 10:25pm Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
I'm new at this, but I just got the precisio and I couldn't be happier. I drink strictly shots and I can't believe the difference just one or two notches on the micro adjustment makes when pulling a shot. After a week or so I decided to get the essato to go with it and I am even happier if that's possible. What a combination. The consistency that I am getting is great. Again, since I only drink shots, I have no idea on how it works on courser grinds.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Wed Aug 1, 2012, 10:51pm Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
The Virtuoso, though being a decent quality grinder that will do fine for drip or French press, will not work properly for espresso. Even Baratza advertises that. So, it's a clear vote for the Vario.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
FrankyD Senior Member Joined: 27 Jul 2012 Posts: 58 Location: Davis, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Starbucks Barista Grinder: Baratza Preciso/Kyocera... Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: WB Poppery I
Posted Thu Aug 2, 2012, 12:05am Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
If you consider the Virtuoso with Preciso burrs, it should be fairly capable of espresso, since it's the same burrset coming out of the better Preciso. However, the key is it just won't perform as well as the Preciso without the added Macro and Micro adjustments. It's a difference of 200 bucks, since the only thing being sold now is the Virtuoso with Preciso Burrs (#586) vs the Vario/Vario-W.
If money is really of no object, get the Vario, no contest.
Posted Thu Aug 2, 2012, 11:56am Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
I have used both the Vario and the Preciso. Both are fine grinders. If price isn't too big of an issue, I'd go with the Vario. I prefer the on/off switch to the timer or holding down the grind button. Then again, I make more drip coffee. Holding the button for a few seconds to fill a portafilter may not be that burdensome.
Obrother Senior Member Joined: 2 Aug 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Thu Aug 2, 2012, 11:06pm Subject: Re: New Baratza Vario or used Baratza Virtuoso
As you might have read in my other posts... I do not recommend the Baratza Vario at all... to anyone. Nothing but trouble and wasted beans and shots. Get yourself a regular stepless grinder with no fancy adjustment system like Baratza uses. Fancy might be another way of saying flawed. What I can't believe is that retailers still sell them.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 