Hi,

What are the options for a home grinder that is clean without much grounds retention in the sub $500 range besides a vario? I'm pretty much set on a vario, but was wondering what else was out there. I initially considered one of those used commercial Mazers, however, after watching some videos I don't want to go through all the brushing and grounds getting everywhere, way too messy. Commercial grinders are fine, I'll find the space.

Thank you for any input!

OE Pharos.
Baratza Virtuoso preciso.

Just curious - why are you looking for an option to the Vario? For myself, I've tried, owned, and in some cases still own, many grinders, and the Vario is hands-down the best (for me) for many reasons - primarily convenience, neatness, and negligible retained coffee. The timer is nice too from a standpoint of freeing yourself up while coffee is grinding to do something else (flush, pour milk, etc.), but I've recently been grinding manually, and stopping the grinder when the basket has the volume I'm looking for.

Also, the Vario is not static free, and depending on the coffee you're grinding (if it's static prone), you do get a minimal static-overspray mess. Not a big deal though.

Now, I'm hoping to receive my Pharos this week... may have a new favorite after I do.

I'm looking at the new vario coming out soon that has the weight based grind, so overspray of grounds with a little static won't matter as it'll go into a bucket (which is what I do now with the virtuoso). Firstly, I simply like to see what options are available in case something's been missed; next, a barista at a nearby shop suggested that in the $500 range, I look at used commercial grinders, and all I've really found are mazzers which are just too messy for me; and third, this is a way of twiddling thumbs, picking out navel lint, and pulling nose hairs until that new grinder is released in a month or so.

I'm not too sure I like the idea of a manual grinder; the pharos looks like an excellent piece of equipment, but all that fiddling just isn't for me. It's clear the vario is what I will get, but, well, sorry to waste everyone's time with my thumb twiddling :p

No waste of time at all. We all enjoy gear, and sharing our ideas about what we like.

I do agree that used commercial grinders pack a lot of punch, but they are idiosyncratic. My La Cimbali Max Hybrid, while maybe not found in many cafes, is one heck of a grinder - but it's just not practical for my use. The Vario may not be as robust, but it does the basic task it's asked to do in an easy-to-live-with manner. That being said, if I were you, I'd consider holding out for the by-weight version.

Hi jedovaty - Just PM you.