Crew Review: Baratza Vario Grinder

The recently released Baratza Vario grinder provides a hybrid between stepped and stepless functionality, allowing you to more finely tune your grind. Watch Gail as she talk about its features and shows us how it works.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• baratza
• vario
• grinders
• reviews
• how-to
• comparisons

[3zib]

This coffeee stuff is serious business.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@3zib Too serious sometimes, I think ;) - Kat

[lindajardee]

In the manual it said you have to have the grinder running before you change the Macro. It appeared she changed the micro & macro without the machine grinding. HELP. Also, what marking on the micro would you have this on for use with a Gaggia Classic espresso machine?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@lindajardee Yes, if you're making the grind finer, definitely do so while it's running (if you have beans in the hopper). There is no real number we can give you as every grinder is different, coffee is different and your machine will be a little different. I'd say start in the middle and then calibrate from there. - Kat

[fritchydog]

Is this grinder good for a Turkish grind? If not, which grinder would be the best for a Turkish grind...commercial grade? Thanks.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@fritchydog Rade is testing our grinders to see if any of them will go that fine; I don't know if we have any that will do, so stay tuned. - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ValiantVale I think the Grindz work really well, keeping the grinder maintained without taking it apart all the time. I would still probably take it apart and clean it if you're using a dark roast/oily bean, otherwise Grindz will do a great job of keeping your burrs in good shape. - Kat

[ValiantVale]

p.s My Vario came with a free packet of Grinz grinder cleaner. Do you get this product in the USA, have you used it and is it any good or is there nothing like getting down and dirty with your tools ladies? Thanks advance.

[ValiantVale]

Hi Kat + Gail, My Vario arrived a few days ago and I am very pleased with it. This review is spot on. The only thing I would change as Gail say's is less plastic more stainless, but then that would put the price up! IMO it kicks the Rocky to the kerb,.fairer to compare it with a Mazzer Mini I feel. If you are thinking about getting a Vario my advice is "buy it". It now comes with an adjustable sleep mode and settings retention (see other Seattle Coffee Gear Videos for more on that).

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ValiantVale .....so what do you like about it? ;) - Kat