MJJ Senior Member Joined: 2 Jan 2013 Posts: 22 Location: Montreal Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia PID Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Hario V60
Posted Tue Feb 19, 2013, 9:54pm Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
I think you will be happy with a Baratza Vario. I find it considerably better than the Preciso, worth paying the extra money for the Vario (check the Baratza website for refurbs). The Vario makes a better tasting espresso in my opinion and is much easier to adjust the grind for espresso fineness (because I had to open up my Preciso and add shims...). My Preciso conked out several times and I had to order new parts from Baratza a couple times. My Vario has given me troubles once but it was just a screw that came loose inside. From what I've read the Vario is good bang for the buck, competes well with more expensive grinders in terms of taste (but not build quality). I have a PID but get the grinder first!
Posted Tue Feb 19, 2013, 10:26pm Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
Claire, welcome to the CG Forums! I believeThere have been questions as to whether a Vario with the ceramic burr set can still be had in Australia. I believe I watched a thread where all that was being sold were the steel burr version, which is basically designed for the coarser grind, such as drip, vac pot, french press. I may be wrong here, and hopefully we can get a response for Kyle or Kyra, owners of Baratza. I have both the Preciso and Vario (the "W" weighing model). The regular timer version grinds equally well and is significantly less, and will do you well.
Madurodave Senior Member Joined: 3 Feb 2012 Posts: 141 Location: NH Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: Mr Coffee, perculator Roaster: HotTop B, West Bend Air...
Posted Wed Feb 20, 2013, 10:40am Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
emradguy Said:
How is telling someone how they should have done it better a recommendation, Dave? I don't get it. It's like pointing out their mistakes. Wouldn't it be better to tell them how they can make improvements? Ok, we'll to be fair you did recommend a Preciso, but that was less than half of the post.
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,722 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Wed Feb 20, 2013, 12:20pm Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
funny thing is, I started to do something kinda similar just today, submitted it, and then thought better and got rid of it...but I've been known to post unhelpful comments in the past and I always appreciate people telling me to knock it off (in so many words).
hollyan Junior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2013 Posts: 19 Location: Grand Rapids Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2013, 6:23am Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
FYI, when I bought my Silvia a few years ago, I purchased a Baratza Virtuoso, thinking it would be sufficient for my purposes. Sadly, I found that I couldn't adjust the grind setting fine enough to get a decent shot out of the machine without substantial modifications to the burrs. I agree with another poster- look in the $400+ range, because then you get the necessary "fineness". I don't have any experience with the Rocky, but I know that you'll be disappointed with a less expensive grinder.
AnchoredPreserves Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Sydney Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2013, 5:58pm Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
Dear all,
A BIG thank you to everyone who responded.. I am based in Australia therfore having a little trouble finding the Vario Grinder here but will keep looking.
All your comments have been very helpful and think that I will need to buy a good one to make my coffee maching a happy little Chappie!!
I was looking at the Baratza Vario and that one looks good... if only money grew on trees hey! HA.
I just received my machine and am very excited to get it going! My lovely coffee friend will grind some coffee for me until i get a grinder.
I think i wll probably post again and again as i may need to choose between 2 grinders!! haha
Posted Fri Feb 22, 2013, 5:24am Subject: Re: HELP - Best Grinder for Rancilio Silvia V3?
I recently bought a Breville BCG800XL "The Smart Grinder" (Aussie made). So far I am very happy with it. I posted a user's review on WLL's website. I am using it only for Espresso (at least so far).
I started out with a Smart Grinder, and I too was "happy" with it. I upgraded to the Baratza Vario-W. If I was "happy" with the Smart Grinder, I'm "happier than a cow in a Chik-Fil-A" with the Vario-W.
For espresso, the Smart Grinder is a starter grinder. If you are at all serious about your coffee, you will upgrade.
Haha. What you said is completely true. My first grinder was so bad for espresso (bodum bistro) that when I got a gaggia MDF i was over the moon with being able to drink a shot without making a disgusted face. Now that I have a vario, it's actually a pleasure to drink espresso straight.
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