bontrager Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Maryland Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 4:21pm Subject: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
Hey all, new to the forum, long time coffee "snob" according to my friends/family, but pretty green to home brewing methods. I've used a french press in the past, but always hated the hassle, and gunk at the bottom of each cup. So I switched back to drip brewing and have always been dissatisfied with the consistency and overall flavor. After doing some research recently, I'm going to give the Aeropress a try, and am looking for a top quality grinder. I've been researching several models, and the Vario seems to come up as one of the best, most versatile home grinders. Currently I prefer Americano style coffee, but like that the Vario does espresso well if I decide to start brewing espresso in the future.
However, after reading some recent posts, am I correct that ceramic burrs are ideal for espresso, but not necessarily ideal for pour over/press type brewing?
That said, if I'm going to be using an Aeropress for the majority of my daily Americano style coffee drinking, is a Vario grinder overkill? And in order to get the best grind for Americano/press style brewing would I need to shell out an extra $60 for metal burrs?
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 5:46pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
if it's mainly going to be used for aeropress or drip coffee, i'd go with something like the Virutoso w/Preciso burrs or the Preciso(if you wanted to be able to use the same grinder for espresso later) over the Vario.
jammin Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 658 Location: Boise Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Speedster, Cremina Grinder: K10, Vario-W with Ditting... Vac Pot: Hario Drip: manual Roaster: quest m3, hottop b
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 5:52pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
The stock vario burrs will get outperformed by a Virtuoso or Preciso.
If you have the coin, the new Ditting burrs for the vario are killer. That with a Vario-W is what I'm running and I LOVE the combo. Perfectly consistent dosing made easy.
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 6:15pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
jammin Said:
The stock vario burrs will get outperformed by a Virtuoso or Preciso.
If you have the coin, the new Ditting burrs for the vario are killer. That with a Vario-W is what I'm running and I LOVE the combo. Perfectly consistent dosing made easy.
hey jammin, i noticed your posts over on HB about the ditting burrs. sounds like it's giving you great results. wondering though if you've been able to compare it to the virtuoso(new and old burrs) or preciso and if you had a preference.
jammin Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 658 Location: Boise Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Speedster, Cremina Grinder: K10, Vario-W with Ditting... Vac Pot: Hario Drip: manual Roaster: quest m3, hottop b
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 6:55pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
I put A LOT of coffee through a regular Virtuoso, mainly for Aeropress. A lot of manual pour over and vac too. Great grind, would buy again. The refurbs are a bargain and can be ran with an Esato. The reg. Virtuoso burrs yield a signifgantly better grind than the ceramic Vario.
Gimme another week and I'll know if the Ditting burrs are better. I have a feeling they are but I am still in my honeymoon period lol. Rose colored glasses with new toy ya know. But seriously, the Ditting burrs should come as no surprise when they rock.
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 7:19pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
yes yes. cant wait to one day own of those big commercial ditting grinders.
definitely let us(internet world) know what you think later on.
btw, i dont think the consistent dosing of the vario-w would do me much good as i'm always single dosing and many times i like to do spontaneous blends.
Posted Sat Mar 31, 2012, 7:28pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
OP, you might consider the LIDO if you think you could get used to grinding by hand. At coarser settings there are some data showing it's Ditting-esque. Anyway, to answer the question you posed in this thread's title, yes, IMO. +1 to Frank's recommendations if you'd like a grinder that does the work for you.
bontrager Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Maryland Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 2:44pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
Bummer, I ordered the Vario last night before seeing these replies. Kind of a shame that for a $450 machine it wouldn't come with superior burrs, since it's touted as being so versatile, and pretty much their highest end machine (sans the vario-w, but that's merely for the weighted aspect). Hopefully I won't be disappointed...
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 4:31pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
bontrager Said:
Bummer, I ordered the Vario last night before seeing these replies. Kind of a shame that for a $450 machine it wouldn't come with superior burrs, since it's touted as being so versatile, and pretty much their highest end machine (sans the vario-w, but that's merely for the weighted aspect). Hopefully I won't be disappointed...
If you think that The product isn't the right fit for your needs, just return it. Baratza will gladly accept it unused as a return and you can then purchase the grinder you want.
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 4:38pm Subject: Re: Baratza Vario overkill for Aeropress?
bontrager Said:
Bummer, I ordered the Vario last night before seeing these replies. Kind of a shame that for a $450 machine it wouldn't come with superior burrs, since it's touted as being so versatile, and pretty much their highest end machine (sans the vario-w, but that's merely for the weighted aspect). Hopefully I won't be disappointed...
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