I've just bought a Mahlkonig Vario grinder, delivered yesterday I had a quick read and set the machine up.
All was well but it was late and I didn't need a coffee so I left it until today.

Switched it on and hit start and I got 10 secs worth of grind, not being enough I hit it again, but nothing happened. The timer counts down but it doesn't grind, the manual says the hopper isn't in properly, but it has been locked into place as stated.

I've even found the safety switch and held it in manually but it still won't grind,
HELP ME PLEASE! or I'll be forced to endure another weekend of crappy suburban coffee shops

Usually this means that the hopper isn't turned in properly. Seat it firmly and then turn hard to the right just to make sure. It takes more than usual force.

I've really put it in as tight as possible, I'll crack the hopper if I twist it anymore

AND the saga continues. Pretty soon they will be calling these plastic toy grinders the Crapio, and a fitting name indeed.

Nice, helpful...
What grinder would you suggest for £300 then?

SpyderDude wrote:AND the saga continues. Pretty soon they will be calling these plastic toy grinders the Crapio, and a fitting name indeed.

There is no saga to continue. The Vario is a great grinder with a satisfied user base. Any mechanical item can have an occasional problem. That is not the history of this product - check the user threads.

scotchio wrote:I've really put it in as tight as possible, I'll crack the hopper if I twist it anymore

You may have the fairly occasional machine with a problem, I suppose. I know that I had to twist a lot harder than I thought was appropriate - but I don't want to encourage you to break anything.

Just to be clear, you're referring to the Mahlkönig VARIO Home (aka the Baratza Vario), and not the Mahlkönig K30 Vario . . .

Hal is quite right -- it's an excellent grinder, but I too had a problem starting it for the first time with the hopper not being fully in place. it does require more pressure/torque than you think . . .

Cheers,
Jason

On the back side of the hopper is a small notch. It must line op with the mark in the metal top of the grinder.
Put the lid on the hopper and use more force.
Frank

Thanks for the answers guys but still no joy, Yes this is the Vario

The hopper is lined up with the notch on the grinder
As I turn the hopper I can hear the click of the safety switch being engaged - see pic.
I have held in the safety switch manually (without hopper) and it still won't grind

Is there another switch or something that I can hold - press - engage so I can rule out the hopper not being in correctly or a bypass to diagnose the problem further?

It did work on the first 2 occasions I was trying to set the grind level but then stopped
Thanks again
S