pilot25 Senior Member Joined: 7 Jan 2012 Posts: 93 Location: MD
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Preciso
Posted Mon Feb 4, 2013, 3:29pm Subject: Re: preciso woes
pilot25 Said:
Years?? How about 3 months then switch it out for the ever better updated grinder then another 3 months.... $100 / month of use is a pretty expensive grinder. Thankfully Baratza knows how crappy it is and attempts to make things right. I feel for them. This is a company of very few individuals trying to make it big but you can't make crap and expect people to not demand satisfaction. How many of these things have they swapped out? If it more than 10% than it's a disaster. Unfortunately its not quality control. Its just design.
All I hear are posts of people getting and loving it after one pour. Well, me too. Then the many rings of plastic go to hell in just a few months.
As the one poster stated, "keep lots of extra parts on hand." You are going to need them.
Clearly you need to spend more than $300 if you want a consistant espresso pour. The constant woes expressed on all the coffee forums regarding this grinder indicates as much. There isn't another grinder that people complain about more.
dspear99ca Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2013 Posts: 88 Location: BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Coffee Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Tue Feb 5, 2013, 1:48pm Subject: Re: preciso woes
I think maybe Baratza is trying to do the nearly impossible with the Preciso: a grind quality comparable to the Vario, speed of grinding which BEATS the Vario, for $300 vs. the $450 Vario. Something's gotta' give, the only way to turn a $450 grinder into a $300 grinder is to use cheaper parts. They are using the market to determine how cheap they can go rather than a testing lab, but rather than leaving customers high and dry they have OUTSTANDING customer service. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, folks... never has been, never will be.
For many years I worked in IT, and maintained hardware and software in various corporate data centers. Do you know how many businesses put business-critical applications on brand-new models of hardware? Or how many install the latest cutting-edge software onto production equipment? No smart ones. They all wait to make sure all the bugs get ironed out, second and later generation stuff. If you buy ANYTHING that's first-generation you should go into it with your eyes open knowing that there will almost certainly be shortcomings. My hat is off to Baratza for supporting their customers as well as they do... their model is a cost-effective way to get innovative new (and yes, cost-effective) products into the marketplace. Personally I am happy to suffer for a couple of days if my grinder dies while I wait for a brand new, upgraded technology one from Baratza.
jalanc Senior Member Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Manila Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2013, 3:50am Subject: Re: preciso woes
Hi guys, I'm currently trying to decide on a new grinder, and the Preciso is on the short list(along with the Vario and the Macap M4). To be used for espresso 95% of the time. SO after reading the last 2 pages, now seriously re thinking my planned purchase of Preciso. Should I switch to the Vario instead?
dspear99ca Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2013 Posts: 88 Location: BC, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Coffee Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2013, 7:14am Subject: Re: preciso woes
jalanc Said:
Hi guys, I'm currently trying to decide on a new grinder, and the Preciso is on the short list(along with the Vario and the Macap M4). To be used for espresso 95% of the time. SO after reading the last 2 pages, now seriously re thinking my planned purchase of Preciso. Should I switch to the Vario instead?
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,727 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2013, 7:49am Subject: Re: preciso woes
I love my M4s. They're extremely well built and produce an excellent grind. Hard to compare to the Vario though, since I've never used one. However, I've read some interesting posts from people whom I have a great deal of respect for, saying they prefer their Vario over a Mazzer Mini (which is on par with the Macap M4).
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,198 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Thu Feb 7, 2013, 10:34am Subject: Re: preciso woes
Another consideration. I use the Preciso and leave it basically set for espresso, with very minor tweaks for age of beans, and occasionally change of beans. I am happy with it. I also live in continental US, so very easy to deal with Baratza directly. I see that you are in Manila. Shipping turnaround is a bit longer. I would get the Vario if budget allows.
Iluvdabean Senior Member Joined: 7 Mar 2005 Posts: 1,058 Location: California Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Nuova Era Cuadra/Gaggia... Grinder: Baratza Preciso/K-A Pro... Drip: Capresso MT 500/Pour Over Roaster: Nesco 1010/Behmor 1600
Posted Sun Feb 10, 2013, 10:30am Subject: Re: preciso woes
I bought the Preciso after reading Mark Princes review and Ive been happy. If it breaks I will buy the Vario. I dont think its a bad grinder nor do I believe it has inherit weaknesses that make it prone to breaking. Give it time to prove itself before rushing to judgment,time will tell.
Most of us have not not had the apparent issues as those posting here. I believe the fact that you are moving to Vario speaks to your fairness regarding your issues. As a 10 year + CG member, I've always had a bit of an issue with "complaint" postings, rather than posting on an established thread like the "owner's thread." That thread has both positive and negative comments, with helpful tips.
That said,\bringing in a grinder at $299 with the feature set and home friendliness of the Preciso will, out of necessity mean that some parts won't be as "battleship-like" as a $800 Mazzer. I decided I wanted grinders that wasted little if any coffee, were counter friendly, produced coffee grinds comparable to my former SJ, and was backed by excellent CS. So far, other than replacing an adjustment ring, it's all been good. Not being a manufacturer, but I'd have to guess that building the grinder to battleship specs would raise the price significantly, perhaps at least $200. Far more professional "tasters" than I have posted most favorably about the grind quality being comparable to grinder costing much more. I can attest to the Vario's profile being eerily similar to the SJ. As regards the Preciso, it is far from being a Vario as regards features, adjustability and as it is a conical burr grinder, a different flavor profile. I really like what it does with espresso, and it may even exceed the Vario when it comes to the coarser grinds.
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,464 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Sun Feb 10, 2013, 1:57pm Subject: Re: preciso woes
Thankfully Baratza knows how crappy it is and attempts to make things right
I don't think that is a true statement. "Knows?" Rediculous.
All I hear are posts of people getting and loving it after one pour. Well, me too. Then the many rings of plastic go to hell in just a few months.
Again, that may be YOUR experience, or even several others, but the MAJORITY of owners have no such opinion, including myself.
Clearly you need to spend more than $300 if you want a consistant espresso pour. The constant woes expressed on all the coffee forums indicates as much. There isn't another grinder that people complain about more.
Consistent? Nothing you've posted refers to the quality of the pours, only your complaints about BUILD. My pours from BOTH the Preciso and Vario provide more CONSISTENCY than did my Mazzer SJ. Not better, per se, but more consistent. Again, you throw out statements that have NO validity. As usual, folks with negative comments tend to post more often, and often with overly emotional statements unproven by fact. A thread called "Woes" is NATURALLY going to attract those with issues.
No gear is perfect, especially at the price-point Baratza is attempting to maintain.
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