Just FYI
Baratza only yesterday announced an entry-level grinder based on the AP burr set...

Sette 30 AP
https://www.baratza.com/upping-the-entr ... ding-game/

Both interesting and confusing market positioning.

This statement confuses me "........designed for our high end Sette 270/270W grinders....".
When did the 270/270W become a "high end" within Baratza let alone other markets.

So is this grinder identical to a 270 except with fewer grinding steps for particle size adjustment?

Baratza has pivoted and is releasing the Sette 30 with the AP espresso burrs instead, but are still working with "Etzinger, to design a coarse burr that will be as exceptional for all styles of filter/manual brew grinding as the AP burr is for espresso."

https://www.baratza.com/upping-the-entr ... ding-game/

In the interim Etzmax came up with a "beefed up sette" the Etzmax by Christian ETZINGER creator of the Sette in principle.
http://etzinger-ag.com/en/go-for-the-etzmax

Comes with 32mm burrs vs 40mm on the Baratza Sette. As to the burr size. http://etzinger-ag.com/en/blog/about-burr-size

There's a thread about the EtzMax here: EtzMAX grinder, rotating outer burr weight/time based grinder

Simon345 wrote:So is this grinder identical to a 270 except with fewer grinding steps for particle size adjustment?

From what I understand, yes it's basically the Sette 270 minus the micro adjustment ring, and IIRC, they made the portafilter-holder stationary on the 30 so it can't be adjusted like on the 270.

Looks like the 30 is
- missing the 3 presets on the 270 series
- the portafilter holder won't actually "hold" it in place, so you have to keep your hand on it (no stabilizer arm/wing)
- the main (only) adjustment ring is plastic rather than metal
- the ground hopper shutoff lever is also plastic

See also Grinder Comparison Chart:
https://www.baratza.com/wp-content/uplo ... art-v3.pdf

I think all the initial reviews of the Sette 30 are probably still valid with regards to construction etc.
I suspect all they did was swap the burr from BG to AP and re-marketed it as a cheap espresso grinder.
e.g.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXFDanmmb0

redbone wrote:In the interim Etzmax came up with a "beefed up sette" the Etzmax by Christian ETZINGER creator of the Sette in principle.
http://etzinger-ag.com/en/go-for-the-etzmax

Comes with 32mm burrs vs 40mm on the Baratza Sette. As to the burr size. http://etzinger-ag.com/en/blog/about-burr-size

The widest point of the cone burr on the Sette is 32 mm as well. The EtzMax does seem to have a new design for their ring burr, based on some of those early photos, and it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine the cone burr is also cut differently.

I was going to keep it short, but that was a fail...
I just got a notice from WLL that the Baratza Sette 30AP has just been released. I have the 270 so I'm familiar with the original model, so I thought I would "throw down" first.

There seem to be many similarities between the Sette 270 and the new Sette 30AP. I haven't compared the specs on the motor or burrs, but there seem to be more similarities than divergences. At first blush the two models look nearly identical. The obvious differences are 1) There seem to be only course step settings on the 30 as opposed to a second fine grind setting on the 270. 2) They've simplified the electronics on the panel. The 270 has three memory settings while the 30 has no memory settings, but I must assume that once you change the grind time on the main setting it will remember what you set. It appears that those are the two major and perhaps only differences between the two models.

Based on my experience for my own use (espresso only) the additional memory settings aren't that important. Once I'm dialed in I don't change them. Besides I don't load the hopper but put the intended amount for each shot into the grinder separately and grind the whole lot so there aren't beans in the hopper getting stale. I can also flush out the residual grinds before adding new beans. Now, whether or not one needs the fine grind settings will be a personal thing. I haven't quite figured out if there is a forumula for how many fine grind settings equal a "click". But if you compare this lack of fine grind to the Rancilio Rocky that has never had fine adjustment capability and has been a huge success for Rancilio the lack of fine adjustments on the 30AP shouldn't be a deal killer for many.

Right now the 30AP is being offered at $249 while the price for the Sette 270 ranges from $349-399 depending on who you buy from. And the Rocky is still at $355 after being price bumped a bunch in previous years. This gives the consumer who wants a decent and cool looking grinder to finally get one without breaking the bank. Price-wise the 30AP will compete head to head with the Baratza Virtuoso, so time will tell if either model will make it in the long run.

Bottom line: I'm not sure how much the 30AP changes the game. While the design and features of both Sette models are really great, there have been some issues with the original Settes holding up. I, as well as many have had to return our original Settes because the motor stopped working after only a few months. Baratza has made some refinements to the design which hopefully will preserve the motor. IMO the 270 grinds as well or better than the Rocky for similar money. It looks cooler than the Rocky which is a workhorse, but still looks pretty industrial and is "trailing edge" technology (not necessarily a bad thing). The Rocky is clumsier to use, adjust and clean while the Sette doesn't have a "chute" per se so very few residual grinds stay in the burrs (I measure less than .5gms). IF the Sette 30 can hold up long term it could be a Rocky killer. There are still some people who would still pay up for the features of the 270. If one is OCD about exacting the grind (like I think I am) I would pay up for the one extra feature of the fine grind adjustment. But if you think can live without the fine grind adjustment (which would be the only feature I would miss) I think this might be an excellent choice in grinders.

Please feel free to correct me if I've gotten any specs of facts wrong. Again, this is a "first blush" non-hands-on review.