freacus wrote: Any recommendations and/or suggestions for a bottomless portafilter with a triple basket?

Espressoparts, and if you're going to get a triple basket, get a double too (I recommend the "Ridgeless Marzocco/Synesso Style Double Portafilter Basket") for only 8.50 more, just so you have the option of being less caffeinated. That's what I did, and I have only used the triple a few times since, the double becoming my daily use basket. Nice to have both though, as you're paying the shipping anyway.

freacus wrote:Thanks everybody for your words of wisdom, advice and the time that you have taken to reply to my original post. Still haven't decided one way or the other but somewhat leaning towards the doserless Rocky only because I'm having a tough time justifying the additional $100 or so. It's not that I don't believe that it is potentially a better product... Just not convinced that I will truly recognize the value. Thinking that $100 may be better spent on additional accessories, etc.

Thanks again for everything. Truly appreciate the assistance. If you seriously think I'm heading down the wrong road, please advise. Or if you have any additional advice and/or thoughts to add to the thread... Value the feedback.

Brad.

The Rocky will be an interim grinder if you continue on with espresso as an avocation. To save upgrading relatively soon I would make the jump now and get the Vario. It has pretty good staying power and is a significant improvement over the Rocky in grind quality.

Get the Vario. It is solid, grinds fantastic and you will learn to appreciate the timer for ease of use and consistency. No other accesory except a naked portafilter and knowing brew pressure will help you more. Down the road when you upgrade espresso machine you will not need to upgrade the grinder.

I own a Silvia and both a Rocky and a Vario. Frankly, it's a tossup between the Rocky and Vario. The Vario has a timed dose, which is very nice. The Rocky is much better built and more "commercial" in quality. I have not been able to discern any difference, at all, in the taste or quality of the coffee made from either.

I will echo what one other poster said about the Rancilio basket. At least the double basket that comes with the Silvia. It's very tricky to get things right and very easy to overfill and knock the puck against the screen, cracking the puck.

For ~$10 or so you can get a ridgeless "Synesso/Marzocco" basket (I got mine from Espressoparts) and it's fantastic in Silvia.

I also modded my Silvia with an Auber PID and I plumbed it directly into the (filtered) water supply so that I don't have to fill the tank manually (which, with my counter, is a major PITA). Now everything is great and I consistently pull fantastic shots.

I have neither the Rocky or Vario, but will point out a few things that may not have been mentioned. The Vario should ultimately save you $$$ down the road due to being more efficient and having much less wasted grounds (based on what I have read). Like others say, you will probably love the timed dosing much better than a manual doser. Speaking of which I have read of some having issues with the Rocky doser over the years. Maybe it's not as well built as the rest of the grinder.

I use a NS MDX on a commercial level and it is a fantastic grinder for the money. BUT I don't like dosers as they can lead to waste unless you do what I do and grind only what is needed per extraction, then brush out the throat of the grinder after you're done with it for the day and use those grounds for the last extraction. The Vario all but eliminates this issue.

ChrisC wrote:Fair enough. I've never used one for anything other than espresso. I guess as long as it's not a worm-drive adjustment, it's not a big deal cranking the adjustment collar around, huh? How do you find the grind quality at coarser settings?

Easy to crank the collar if your hands are large enough or you have the little lever attached to the adjustment ring. The grind quality is good at all settings. (In fact, I first bought it mainly as a grinder for drip.)

OP: I wouldn't buy the Rocky in a doserless form, first because I like dosers in general, second because it is slow enough that I would get bored standing in front of the grinder while it fills the pf, and third because the overwhelming majority of complaints about Rocky grind (clumping etc) seem to have been from owners of the doserless.

You could also look for a Cunill Tranquilo or Brasilia, which are light commercial grinders often available at a price comparable to the Rocky.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone for their advice, words of wisdom, opinions, etc., it is truly appreciated!

I purchased a new grinder yesterday afternoon and I am now the proud owner of a Rancilio (Doserless) Rocky. I tested both products (Vario and Rocky) and they are both great products. The Vario ultimately has more "bells and whistles" but after talking to a number of folks, the store owner (his experiences) and having both products in my hand (touch, feel and test type thing), in my opinion, the Rocky is a better built product. Its proven, not perfect, but will certainly meet my needs in the immediate future and going forward.

There may come a day when the it won't meet my needs, but until that time, I'll work on perfecting the results I get from both Silvia and Rocky.

Thanks again for everything!