Baratza Vario vs the big boys?

#1: Post by **nixter** » July 2nd, 2009, 12:23 pm

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

#2: Post by **JonR10** » July 2nd, 2009, 12:28 pm

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

#3: Post by HB » July 2nd, 2009, 1:42 pm

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.

#4: Post by **Endo** » July 2nd, 2009, 3:08 pm

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.

#5: Post by **another_jim** » July 2nd, 2009, 4:43 pm

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

July 2nd, 2009, 4:48 pm

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.

#7: Post by **ddr** » July 2nd, 2009, 8:33 pm

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.

#8: Post by HB » July 2nd, 2009, 9:29 pm

Here you go: Recalibrating the Baratza Vario [photos].