CN1 Senior Member Joined: 5 Aug 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Chicago, IL Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Aug 18, 2012, 12:47pm Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
I recently bought the regular Vario (to use for espresso) and I couldn't be happier. I also went back and forth on getting a Vario-W or a regular Vario, and in the end decided to save the $100 and get the regular one (while buying a $15/$20 scale to use on the side). Grinding directly into the portafilter has been really nice--I previously had to grind into a little container and scoop into the portafilter because my portafilter didn't fit the grinder I was using. I've heard that the Vario-W was designed more for pour-overs or presses than for espresso.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Aug 19, 2012, 12:15pm Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
Love the vario w. I put a command adhesive strip on the scale part and put a small stainless steel sauce holder on that. Put my basket in that and a yogurt funnel on top. This make it really easy to stir and tamp and put in my naked portafilter. I really like I can do that half asleep without glasses. The $100 is totally worth that to me.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2012, 10:13am Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
I used to weigh the beans and grind only what I weighted for the shot and that is more opportunities to spill the beans. I am very happy I don't have to do that any more.
All the baratizas are neat if you grind into the plastic bin they provide. The portafilter holder seem like it has the potential to be messier. The vario W is for espresso, they just couldn't weigh the whole portafilter so you are supposed to grind into the supplied plastic bin instead of a portafilter holder. I mod'ed it so that the grounds pour directly into the small insert basket that goes in the portafilter. This doesn't weigh too much for the scale and makes it quite handy. The only draw back is that I use a naked without the spring holder so dumping the puck out is harder.
But the only grinds on my counter are from me not the vario. So, I would have to say it is wife friendly. I also think it looks good on the counter of my tiny kitchen. Something the commercial grinders would not. Also, my set up is so that the husband could even make espresso if he would try. I have everything set up to be pretty fool proof. I expect it will be better after my class.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Gerry07 Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Dublin Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Brewtus 3 Grinder: Mahlkonig Vario
Posted Sat Aug 25, 2012, 9:45pm Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
Why would you get a Vario for espresso only grinding. If it were me I would go for a dedicated espresso grinder. I have a Vario since the 2nd edition was released but would not buy one again. Each time I change the grind setting from espresso to press or whatever and return to espresso I have to recalibrate the grinder and start from scratch, a nuscience. It does grind well but so do other espresso grinders that cost even less.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Aug 26, 2012, 9:19am Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
Sorry, but I don't understand your post.
Gerry07 Said:
Each time I change the grind setting from espresso to press or whatever and return to espresso I have to recalibrate the grinder and start from scratch, a nuscience.
Hmmm . . . I don't have that problem. When I switch methods of brewing, and thus change the grind, I merely switch it back and it grinds fine -- no recalibration necessary.
Gerry07 Said:
Why would you get a Vario for espresso only grinding. If it were me I would go for a dedicated espresso grinder . . . . It does grind well but so do other espresso grinders that cost even less.
While I agree that an "espresso only" grinder is the best solution, I'm not sure which grinder you are referring to that does a better job for less money. Can you point to some specifics?
My main espresso grinder is a Mahlkönig K30 Vario, a dedicated espresso grinder. I use my Baratza Vario (branded as the "Mahlkönig VARIO Home" outside North America) as my secondary espresso grinder -- for S.O. coffees or occasionally decaf espresso -- and for other coffee preparations. The Baratza Vario is very close in grind quality to the far more expensive K30 Vario, and -- in my experience -- better than any other NEW grinder for the price. (Buying "used" presents different options.)
Posted Sun Aug 26, 2012, 9:47am Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
hyu968 Said:
How do you guys exactly use W ? Suppose I want 12 grams of coffee for my portafilter. So I should use an empty bin and grind in exactly 12 grams and then empty it into a portafilter. I am not sure it is much different from pre-weighing 12 grams, putting them into a hopper and then grind directly into portafilter. The only difference of course this way you can keep the beans in the hopper all the time.
Why single dose with a W? Even the W, which has less pop corning (beans jumping around in the hopper) than most, benefits from at least a 1/2 filled hopper. better shots will ensue. Neither Vario wastes coffee. Not sure this was mentioned, but you CANNOT grind directly into the PF/basket without some modifications to secure the basket to the scale. Not sure how it was done, and don't really care.
BTW, 12 grams seems like a small amount of coffee, like a large single. Did you mention which machine you have?
EDIT...I should have said, why single dose grind with either Vario? they both have grind amount calibration, one by time, the other by weight. Both work for me. The Preciso benefits from the Esatto, but at the expense of no direct grind into basket, unless the mod referenced is done.
Posted Sun Aug 26, 2012, 7:53pm Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
+1 To Rob. Vario is more consitent with beans in hopper and so much more convinient when you use it like that. And because it has low retention it works.
I think W is really nice, but I started using Preciso with Esatto and I am thinking this combo is better than Vario for espresso. I think these 40mm conical burrs give better taste and are more consistent. Usage wise you just set the weight and grind into bin. Then pour from bin into center of basket level off and tamp. Very, very consistent results.
Obrother Senior Member Joined: 2 Aug 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Aug 26, 2012, 9:53pm Subject: Re: Vario or Vario-W?
If I could have my time and money back I would never have bought the vario. Can't adjust the grind with beans in the hopper or still the burrs. I came from a gaggia mdf. If I was you I would buy brand new burrs, do a stepless mod, and buy a timer off of ebay for timed grinds just like the vario ...and use the money elsewhere.
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