I have to stop wasting time searching through the forums and buy a grinder already! My folks gave me their old Cremina and I want to get a nice grinder to go with it, I don't want to spend over $500 though. I started off thinking I would spend around $200, and it has just been a vicious cycle to better and more expensive machines since I started getting educated in this stuff. I don't have a ton of kitchen space so the vario seems best in that regards, but it plasticity and finickiness has turned me off a little. The K3 touch is on my list with seemingly more robust build and seems to be a better option then a mazzer mini and it would be just small enough with the hopper. A used super jolly is also tempting, but every time I see one at a coffee shop I think that it is too big, even without a hopper.

I also just discovered la cimbali, the max hybrid is a bit out of my reach but a used cimbali junior is within budget.

So out of these which would you pick?
Thanks!

The Hario Skerton (under $50 and eligible for Amazon Prime) is a good interim solution until you make up your mind (it's a bit notchy, which is annoying, but that'll serve as an incentive to be decisive). It's also a good backup grinder at a good price, and a good pairing with an Aeropress if you travel or go camping.

I bought a used Mazzer Mini (doser/timer version) and have been happy with it. Been thinking of picking up an SJ too. You pay a premium for the Mini due to reduced size - it's like buying a cocktail table Pac-Man machine rather than the stand-up version (more spouse-friendly).

For either Mazzer, you should budget for a new set of burrs and just go ahead and acquire them. They have a shelf life of approximately one forever if kept in a sealed bag. You may need them relatively soon, you may not. Depends on what you're getting in the way of fines.

I'm going to recommend that you go with a used Mini or Super Jolly for two reasons. First, parts availability is splendid compared to some of the more obscure grinders. Second, if you are patient enough to get a good deal on a used one (see the Skerton advice above and don't forget to prowl Craigslist and eBay) and decide you don't like it and want another grinder, getting your money back out of it to redeploy to another grinder will be easy. These were the consideration

Lastly, make sure you pick up what we affectionately refer to as a "drug dealer scale" around here (1/10 gram resolution pocket electronic scale for weighing the dose, also handy for first class mail). If you are like me, you'll eventually converge on a "leave the hopper off, drop the pre-weighed dose right into the grinder throat, throw a spare single shot basket on top to keep the beans from hopping out, grind through, and clear the doser into the PF" routine. Don't bother trying to make the doser do its thing - you're totally off the reservation in the way you are using the Mazzers if the doser is not sitting with a bunch of coffee in it.

My $0.02 anyway FWIW, YMMV, insert standard disclaimer here.

-r

Conical grinder goes best with Cremina so Compak K-10 and you will never replace it.

IMO the OE Pharos should be on your list. It comes with the same size conical burrs as K-10 and in the same price range with Baratza Vario. Provided that you won't mind to manually cranking it.

tekomino wrote:Conical grinder goes best with Cremina so Compak K-10 and you will never replace it.

Dennis,
I don't mean to doubt your recommendation but doesn't that depends on individual preferences? That combo, in my opinion, is going to add some 'artificial' bright profile to the shots. At least, that is what I experienced with my cremina and Pharos as compared to Mazzer Major. If one does prefer brighter or more acidic shots, then I am totally with you that cremina+k10 is the best one. But I believe there are some folks like me that does not necessarily like the extra brighter shots by conical burr. The tastes from the Pharos titan conical burr reminded me of the shots from third wave coffee shop, which is a good sign I supposed.(Same bean, Metrop. Redline) They were using Mazzer Robur that is among one of the best quality grinder. But that extra brightness is not something I prefer if I were given a choice. I prefer the much smoother chocolatey shots from Major. If I remembered correctly also, some people reported that they prefer Vario's taste over Preciso's conical taste. Even though both the grinder are not too far from each other.

So, my point is, titan conical burr is not necessarily the best grinder, and we have to take individual preference into consideration when making the ultimate grinder purchase.

Based on your concerns over size and price, I'd vote for a refurbed Baratza Vario. It's a standout in the price range (~$350), fits neatly in any kitchen and will be more than enough grinder for your Cremina.

I'm not sure that I'd agree with the quality increment from a Vario to a K10. They produce different shots, to be sure, but your own taste preferences should dictate the decision. If you love big soft chocolate bombs, then buy the chocolate-heavy blends and use the Vario. If distinctly layered acid/fruit/floral notes are more your preference, then either save the $$$ for a big conical or put the blood, sweat and tears into a Pharos. It's a no-compromise hand grinder that will make you smile at the results, but perhaps question the effort required to produce them .

IMHO the K3 and Cimbali aren't worth it compared to the Vario. HB has several examples of Baratza's fantastic customer service record. If you have a problem with your grinder, they'll most likely go out of their way to make sure it gets resolved. Now, the other shoe drops; why would their customer service have so many examples to prove their mettle?

FWIW, I owned a Baratza/Solis Maestro Plus for 5 years, and it performed flawlessly, so there's a final data point for your consideration.

Thanks for all the advice

It keeps looking more and more like I can't get away from the plastic vario, it just keeps getting pointed at as the best small grinder! Is there any grinder in the same price point that competes with the vario but is smaller then a super jolly? how about a mini with super jolly burrs, not mini e burrs?

I might just see if I can live with a big ol super jolly in my kitchen, if not I could probably sell it with no loss and buy a vario. there is a guy locally that wants $400 for a 10 year old SJ that is in great shape, that seems a little high, or is that reasonable?
how about a quamar m80? they seem well priced and look just like a SJ.

Will, your best bet is to find a local HBer or shop who has similar grinder(s). No amount of online advice will hold a candle to firsthand experience.

Is there any grinder in the same price point that competes with the vario but is smaller then a super jolly?

No.

is that reasonable?

If in great cosmetic (no chips, dings or scratches) and mechanical (no burr wobble, near-new burrs) condition, then it barely would have been before the Vario came out. I'd say that by now, the Vario has become a very popular choice due to the exact criteria that you put forth.

how about a quamar m80?

see the HB comparison between SJ, M80 and Ceado E7.

Sherman wrote:Based on your concerns over size and price, I'd vote for a refurbed Baratza Vario. It's a standout in the price range (~$350), fits neatly in any kitchen and will be more than enough grinder for your Cremina.

+1

A little over a year ago I was looking for a grinder to replace my Seaco MC???. I really wanted a Mazze mini.
It looked like what I thought a grinder should look like. But the $$$$. The Vairo was a half the price and took up less space. But it didn't look like what I thought a grinder should look like. But it was half the price,took up less space. And the reviews were really good and everybody raved about their costumer service. That is a big thing in today's throw it out world. I pulled the trigger and ordered one and have never regretted it. It's built much better then you'd think easy to use and clean,grinds pretty fast,and retains almost NO grinds. It's also versatile for pour over and french press. Some say that taste in the cup is as good as a SJ??? I couldn't tell you,I've never owned a SJ. For the money I don't think you can go wrong. Will it last a life time???
Probably not. But by that time maybe you'll have the $$ and space for whatever you want.
The Virtuoso Preciso is a 100.00 less and has gotten vary good reviews,and is a conical.

Just my 2 cents.

Ho yea,so far I've had no problems with my Vairo so I haven't been able to test their costumer service.