Grinder Buying Guide - Part 2 of 3

[joeldamianicigan]

Unfortunately, I'm not in your area. :(

[joeldamianicigan]

It's disappointing you can't get to french press grinds quickly with the Mazzer Mini E Type A or B. I like the look of these grinders much more than the Vario which sorta looks like a technophile's dream machine. I want something that's going to last and not be sold at my next garage sale. ;) If I'm not mistaken, the Rocky is the only commercial looking grinder that can switch between espresso and course grinds efficiently. It would be great to come to your store and check them out.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan These are considered more commercial grade and most commercial applications have different types of grinders for espresso vs. drip vs. pour over, vs. press pot, etc. Probably the Pro M is the best multi-functional model available right now. The Rocky isn't super great with coarse grinds, starts to get pretty inconsistent. - Kat

[joeldamianicigan]

If I'm understanding it correctly a "step" based grinder can grind for french press /drip as well as espresso whereas a "stepless" cannot or is harder??? The Rocky seems easiest to use here and most comparable to the Baratza Vario...

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan Stepped are just easier to adjust between disparate grinds, but the majority of the grinders we talk about here are mostly focused/ideal for espresso and they can get pretty inconsistent at coarser grinders. The Vario is the exception; for a grinder under $1k that will give you good consistency all around, that would be the best choice. - Kat

[streamr89]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Is the consistency of the grind as important for french press type coffee? I thought it was more important with espresso as it requires more precise technique to get the best shot?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@streamr89 I think consistency is important across all preps because if you have variable extraction rates, that will vary the flavor in the cup. Obviously not as much of an impact that with espresso, but still worth consideration - Kat

[MrWakester]

I'm looking to enter the espresso market and was originally scoping out the Ranchilio Silvia. Now I might be convinced to go bigger and get the Rocket Giotto. What would you recommend as a suitable grinder for the Rocket? Would the Baratza Vario compliment this machine or are they in different leagues? Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@MrWakester The Vario is a great choice if you want to be able to use the grinder to switch between disparate grinds (say for espresso and pour over). If you are only going to use it for espresso, a stepless is your best bet as far as getting an excellent shot from the machine. If you can swing a Mazzer Mini, that would be ideal, but the Vario is a great choice, as well. - Kat

[caffe1nated]

What do you recommend? The Preciso or the Rocky

(Doserless)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@caffe1nated The burrs on the Rocky are a bit better grade than the Preciso, but the dial-in on the Preciso is nice. However, you kind of need that on the Preciso but not so much on the Rocky. Footprint is a consideration, too, as the Rocky isn't something you can/want to easily move around. Tough call! I'd say if you're sticking with espresso, the Rocky; if you want to use it for pour overs or drips, too, the Preciso. - Kat

[caffe1nated]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thankyou!

[ninouvita1]

Thanks Kat for your very informative videos. I got a Saeco Aroma and a non-pressurize portafiller from you last year... I am a cappuccino freak, just ask my wife :-) Now, I am looking to get a grinder. Could you please let me know why should I get Rocky doserless instead of a Virtuoso? In other words what I will get for another $150 by getting the Rocky? Please advice. Take care...

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ninouvita1 The Rocky's flat burrs grind a little bit more consistently than the Virtuosos; also, it's built with more commercial components so is likely to last longer. If you're looking for a step in between these two, check out the new Virtuoso Preciso which was just released and has been performing well so far. - Kat

[ninouvita1]

@SeattleCoffeeGear 

Thanks Kat. I could not find the Preciso in your website. Do you have it available? How much is it? Take care...

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ninouvita1 If you search for 'Preciso' in the navigation bar search box, it will come up (I can't post links in comments). It's $299 right now. Let me know if you need more assistance - Kat

[eeshew]

All other factors aside, which grinder would you say produces the highest quality grind? The Rocky or the Vario? Thanks.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@eeshew I think the Vario - Kat

[exc123]

Why is belt drive better

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@exc123 It's not better by most people's standards; some folks worry it's a failure point. We haven't seen that on this model yet, though. - Kat

[bigbooktim1]

On the rocky the beans get stuck in grinder

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@bigbooktim1 Yeah - especially dark/oily roast beans, we see this often. - Kat

[harshgriev]

Can Rocky grind a 250g-bean in a single run? Or is it best to give it some time-breaks in between? Thanks - Levi

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@harshgriev We haven't tested this, it's not ideal for any high capacity commercial applications, however, and it can heat up with extended use. - Kat

[Diffrentjamsith]

Ok, so I'm really confused now. If I want an espresso machine grinder what type of grinder should I buy? What about coffee for drip coffee(filter machine drip thing coffee

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Diffrentjamsith I would go with at least the Baratza Virtuoso; for drip or press pot coffee, the Baratza Maestro is an excellent choice, but will not go fine enough for espresso. The Virtuoso would cover both basis. Or, depending on your budget, you could get into the Baratza Vario ($450) or Rancilio Rocky ($350-ish) that would cover both brew methods as well. Let me know if you need more clarification - Kat

[Diffrentjamsith]

@SeattleCoffeeGear I might just go with a Rocky for Espresso, but, should I buy a Francis Francis X7 or Gaggia Baby Doser or Gaggia Baby Twin or Rancilio Silvia??

I live in norway so price is not important in this matter because in dollars i'll probably pay more or less...

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Diffrentjamsith I think the Silvia is probably best in that class, as far as price/performance/longevity. - Kat

[fodera6]

Love your vids! Was considering the Rocky but found a killer combo package where I can get a better one for not much more. With the Rocky's, isn't it advised that you only change settings while the machine is on? One of the complaints I hear about them is the fact that you have to essentially have to have three hands to do it: one to hold down the power, one to hold down the adjuster button and one to rotate the hopper. Some folks have changed the power button so that it stays on. Any thoughts?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

This is true - you have to have it on when you're making the grind finer because you need to make sure you don't get beans caught between the burrs. But this is true for all grinders, it's just a bit more of a PIA with the Rocky doserless because you do need to be an octopus to pull it off. - Kat

[opilus]

Hey Kat, i have a gaggia baby espresso machine and i was wondering if there was a particular grinder you'd reccomend i get to go with it? ive been using pre-ground illy coffee up until now, will a grinder offer much of a difference in terms of the quality of espresso i get? Any help would be great :D thanks

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

I would get at least the Baratza Virtuoso; if you do get a grinder, you will notice a significant improvement in your shot quality over the pre-ground that you're using now. - Kat

[mademoisellechoko]

Ok , thank you for all the great info.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Anytime! - Kat :)

[mademoisellechoko]

Do you ship for free in Canada ? You convinced me to invest in a good quality grinder : )

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hi there! No, we are unable to ship for free to Canada and since these are manufactured outside of the US they can sometimes have pretty hefty duties. If you can find it locally, it would probably be worth it :) - Kat

[hazymat]

Great bit of footage. I'm in the market for a new grinder, and this was so useful. Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

You're welcome! Happy we could help :) - Kat

[cuquis77]

oh no! now I don't like my 80 bucks grinder anymore....I blame it for everything that happens to my espressos.....:(

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Well, the grinder does play a HUGE part in making good espresso. I think that you will notice that when you get the non-pressurized basket; the pressurized basket you're using isn't going to show the variables as much. - Kat

[breturi7]

Thanks so much for posting these videos, you guys. They're incredibly useful for those of us who don't live near a decent coffee / espresso equipment retailer.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

You're welcome! Glad you're finding them useful. If you have questions on anything not covered here, don't hesitate to ask -- feel free to send me a message. - Kat

[FarrahB1]

what is doserless and stepless grinder?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Doserless means the grounds do not grind into a dosing chamber, just straight out of the machine into your portafilter and/or container. The stepless refers to the fact that they have infinite grind adjustments, instead of notches (liked stepped ones) that they settle into. Stepless allows you more control over the grind setting, while stepped grinders are a little more rudimentary but work great if you want to be able to switch between espresso and something else -- french press, etc. - Kat

[FarrahB1]

thx kat and i also wanna know more about the mazzer mini grinder

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

We will be doing a review, look for it within the next few weeks. - Kat

[gotpaper09]

I'm pretty sure i just read on some site that the rocky with doser's portafilter holder can be removed with a philipshead screwdriver, no hack saw necessary

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Ah - well if you try it out let us know how it goes - Kat

[rocknroor]

love your vids savin for silvia and vario be callin soon

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Great! Let us know if you have any questions - Kat

[Magnar0]

Thanks for the video. I am looking at getting a Rancilio doserless and found this quite helpful.