New Baratza grinder: the Sette Series - Page 96

October 23rd, 2016, 10:56 pm

So what I see in this thread is a few people who have been blessed (by Baratza) with a Sette, attempting to sell a Sette (or a Vario) to people not so blessed. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

#952: Post by **Yoram** » October 23rd, 2016, 11:51 pm

i would buy it! tell me where to pay

#953: Post by **day** » October 24th, 2016, 12:05 am

Coffee Addict wrote:So what I see in this thread is a few people who have been blessed (by Baratza) with a Sette, attempting to sell a Sette (or a Vario) to people not so blessed. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Not so, there are three groups at the moment. Small business owners that got preproduction models and have given their impressions. Obviously they would generally be respectful to their supplier but all have stellar reputations on here, some of which I have met personally and believe are straight shooters. Second are high profile figures like Jim that give well reknown reviews and critiques, but I can't personally imagine posting negative reviews without directly working with Baratza to explain to them or improve it, and would certainly be respectful in their comments. Then a third category that are individuals that are just awesome well connected folks. Again, those would be respectful as well, but their own reputations precede them such that they would be unlikely to heap praise on a device simply not worthy, but would most likely just be silent.

In this case most members of all three categories speak very highly, with Jim giving somewhat confusing feedback imo, but with all three saying it lines up squarely somewhere in the superjolly---vario---Pharos---k10 spectrum, it is a trustworthy indicator of a good grinder with a lot of pros.

As to selling the Vario, it has long been established as the best price/convenience/quality espresso/brew grinder out there. A quick walk around SCAA booths solidifies that beyond question. (Thanks again to Mill City roasters for that)

#954: Post by **Almico** » October 24th, 2016, 8:51 am

Coffee Addict wrote:So what I see in this thread is a few people who have been blessed (by Baratza) with a Sette, attempting to sell a Sette (or a Vario) to people not so blessed. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I've read this entire thread and I didn't see anyone attempt to sell anything. You must have x-ray vision...that's cool.

#955: Post by **sweaner** » October 24th, 2016, 11:35 am

Coffee Addict wrote:So what I see in this thread is a few people who have been blessed (by Baratza) with a Sette, attempting to sell a Sette (or a Vario) to people not so blessed. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Where do these people come from?

Me thinks that Jim Golightly needs a bit more GOLYTELY.

October 24th, 2016, 12:28 pm

Scotty, I saw zillions of them whilst moderating CG way back. Occasionally, 1 will be sincere and just curious. Rare though.
The fact he shows a Sette in his equipment listing is ????

October 24th, 2016, 5:00 pm

IMAWriter wrote:That said, the Sette is a superb single dosing grinder, why not just use it that way. With the timer version, just weigh you beans and go. after grinder, runs the grinder to relocate your previous setting. It retains so little so waste might be at most a gram getting back.

^^^This^^^
Is where my interest in the Sette lies. And after the faultless durability and reliability of my early Vario, my trust in Baratza quality and support is high... even though I've never needed the support. The gravy is that I tend to like the conical flavor profile, though I haven't the least complaint about the Vario's taste in the cup, either. I do NOT go back and forth between espresso and press, or switch back and forth between beans, so the grind to grind consistency for me is top notch, requiring only the small adjustments one normally makes as that small batch of beans I roasted, ages and disappears.

-Peter

#958: Post by **jfrescki** » October 25th, 2016, 9:59 am

IMAWriter wrote:As Jim explained going back and forth is less about grind coarse to fine, and more about fines and stuff. Way above my pay grade. That said, the Sette is a superb single dosing grinder, why not just use it that way. With the timer version, just weigh you beans and go. After grinding, then run the grinder (if beans are in the hopper) to relocate your previous setting. It retains so little so waste might be at most a gram getting back.

If you MUST fill or partially fill the hopper, the grinder is so fast that you'll waste 10-12 grams, in 2.5 seconds...if you're lucky. Obviously going fine to coarser, you don't have to run the grinder. If it was me, knowing what I know (uh...ignore that one) I use the Sette as a single use grinder. What you have is an espresso grinder that single doses, with grind quality equal to grinders 3x's it's price, that wastes little, that retains .2-.3 grams at most, adjusts brilliantly, seems solidly built, has great customer service, and is a bit noisy...for 4-5 seconds. Well, 6 out of 7 positives.

Don't forget, I believe we've heard that these Baratza rascals may have a slightly different burr set designed for the coarser grind spectrum. Even so, I got more than credible grounds for vac pot and Kalita.

I've been asked privately, so I'll say publicly that if you're coming from, say a Mazzer Super Jolly, and like the deeper elements, the caramels, and darker roasts, I'd go with the Vario. If you change beens a lot, or grind fineness a LOT, I'd go with the Vario. That said, both the Sette and Vario/Forte have the "hopper stopper" so changing beans would maybe cost you 7-8 grams in the throat, unless you tip your grinder over, which I never do just to save 15 coffee beans.

Edited for egregious typos

Thanks for the detailed response, but what I was trying to get at is, as the bean load decreases in the hopper, most grinders produce a coarser grind. That's why many single dosers put weight on top of the beans like a tamper. So, do we know if the unique, maybe call it "positive/active bean feed" in the Sette avoids this probem? Just an academic question.

Thanks,
John

October 25th, 2016, 11:29 am

Yes, John WE (meaning I) know.

I get consistent pours from my machine, regardless (I tested this) whether I had a 1/2 filled hopper, or single dosed. This was not the fact with my SJ, and close but not quite a cigar with my Forte.
Being the non scientific sort, I can't make a cogent..or intelligent comment whether the unique grinding and distribution of the sette's grounds allows for it's single dosing ability. I just know there is, with the right beans excellent consistency.

October 25th, 2016, 12:31 pm

Almico wrote:So it's an OCD thing. I get it.

For yucks and giggles, here's another vid:

That was an informative video, Al. Nice, scale too. Thanks for sharing. Seriously, I'm not kidding.

I will still get the non-W, single dose, use a funnel, and hold the pf/funnel arrangement while grinding if it turns out to be awkward to get it on the hook. Just my way. I am heavily influenced by how my heroes, the legends of HB, like Andy Schechter, do their puck prep.

-Peter