First of all I'm sorry by my poor English.
I'm from Argentina and I recently ended my Barista training. I don't work at a coffee shop or anything similar, I'm just a coffee fan

This is my problem, I have an espresso machine called Monaco here in Argentina, is a very nice and friendly machine used in bars and restaurants. The thing is, that I cannot find a nice grinder and I'm in doubts which kind of grinder is the best or the recommended for me.

I read a lot about how important the grinder is, but I still with doubts in which one is suitable for me.

Here in Argentina a second hand old fashion grinder is about 300u$s.

I will be traveling to usa, next week and I looking for some advice and recommendations unfortunately my instructor never worked with grinders like Baratza or similar, depending on your help I will be buying one in us. or Argentina.

Thanks in advance!

Your best option is probably a used commercial grinder like a Mazzer Super Jolly. The small Vario has excellent service in the US by Baratza, and in Europe by Mahlkoenig; but I do not know what the situation is in Argentina.

If you buy a grinder in the US, keep in mind that it will be 110V, not 220V as in Argentina, so a step-down transformer is required. There are many threads discussing budget grinders; as you noted, the Baratza grinders are frequently recommended for their good mix of performance and consumer-friendly ergonomics (e.g., the Preciso Virtuoso and Vario).

Or consider the Pharos grinder from Orphan Espresso. It's a manual grinder, has huge conical burrs, and based on the video, grinds quickly. If you don't mind the extra minute or two for a manual grinder, it looks very promising (sorry, I have not seen it so I cannot speak from personal experience).

Thanks all for your answers and links.

I decided on the Baratza Virtuoso Preciso, the reviews are amazing and the 300$ fits perfectly with the customs limits in the argentina airport

HB thanks for the 110v I totally forgot that, I will start at first hour tomorrow in the hunt of the properly 110/220 transformer.

I love coffee

I live in 220v land and brought a used 110v grinder from the US ( hand carried back). The first transformer I bought did not work cuz it was a two prong one and my grinder had a ground (two flat and one round pin) and just getting a adapter did't work with the current transformer. So I had to buy a new transformer with three prongs which also accepted 3 prong plug. Good luck.

Wooooooooooow!!! I have it now at home a Bartaza Preciso Virtuoso.
This Grinder really do the job! In Argentina with a 110/220 300Watts its more than fine for this little fella!!


Baratza FTW