Baratza Vario vs the big boys?

Grinders are one of the keys to exceptional espresso. Discuss them here.
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nixter
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#1: Post by nixter »

Just wondering if any of our intrepid experts are planning a proper head to head of the Vario with some of the big boys? If there's already been one then I apologize and please point me to it!

Thanks

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JonR10
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#2: Post by JonR10 »

nixter wrote:If there's already been one then I apologize and please point me to it!
Click this: https://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espre ... ers/418092
Jon Rosenthal
Houston, Texas

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HB
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#3: Post by HB »

In addition to Jon's Texas Shootout, there's a couple direct comparisons later in Nicholas' Baratza Vario Grinder - Second Look. For those who don't want to read the preamble, skip ahead to here and here.
Dan Kehn

Endo
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#4: Post by Endo »

I'll summarize based on everything I've read:
  • Vario is about equivalent to the Mazzer SJ in taste.

    Vario has added convenience of small size, low waste, programmable dosing.

    Mazzer SJ is much bigger and more solidly built, with a proven reliability record.

    A new Vario is about half the price of a new SJ, or about the same as a used SJ.
Feel free to copy and paste this summary as many times as requested. :lol:
"Disclaimer: All troll-like comments are my way of discussing"

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another_jim
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#5: Post by another_jim »

I think that's a fair summary, at least of my experience.
Jim Schulman

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nixter (original poster)
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#6: Post by nixter (original poster) »

Wow! I didn't expect those kind of results from the testing. I have a question about the calibration upgrade/adjustment. If my Vario can easily clog my Oscar then I likely don't need the adjustment correct? I currently have it set to 3 clicks down on the right and 5 clicks down on the left.

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ddr
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#7: Post by ddr »

nixter wrote:If my Vario can easily clog my Oscar then I likely don't need the adjustment correct?
If you can grind for the way(s) that you like to prepare, then you do not need to adjust. In my case I was sliding the right macro adjustment more than half way down to get coarse enough for espresso and I could not get coarse enough for French Press, so I made the adjustment.

If you do want to make the adjustment just search the forum, I posted Kyle's instructions.
Dan
LMWDP #242

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HB
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#8: Post by HB »

Dan Kehn