Looking for a coffee grinder that will break your beans with just the right precision and consistency? Look no further than the Baratza Vario Coffee Grinder.
Baratza was founded in 1999. Since then, they’ve been manufacturing some of the best electric coffee grinders for home and commercial use. The grinder we want to talk about today is the Baratza Vario. We are impressed with this commercial-grade grinder for a few reasons, like its ability to deliver a highly consistent grind.
In this review, we’ll cover everything you should know before investing in the Baratza Vario Grinder. Does it fit the bill? Read on to find out.
You will often find the Baratza Vario in the kitchens of professional baristas. Why? Well, because it delivers highly consistent grinds for a wide range of brews. Also, 230 settings are a lot and may be overwhelming to some users.
We’ll admit that even for us, it took some getting used to. Some users say it’s a hassle to use if you plan to change grind settings frequently. However, it’s important to note that the Vario offers 3 programmable buttons that balance out the complexity of all its settings.
If you’re a beginner, we think this Baratza grinder will be a bit too advanced for you. Instead, consider the Baratza Virtuoso, which also has a stellar reputation and gives you great value for your money.
This grinder excels in all areas – design, ease of use, durability, grinding capability, etc. It has a 54mm ceramic burr which causes less damage to coffee beans when compared to steel burrs.
With 230 settings and 1350 RPM, we wondered what makes this device run cool AND quiet. After further review, we realized that the Vario is made with a high-torque DC motor and belt drive transmission. This makes sure burrs spin steadily at 1350rpm. We expected the machine to be extremely loud at this rpm, but this wasn’t the case at all.
Moreover, it has a thermal reset switch that prevents the motor from burning out. And, the grinder won’t ever run until the hopper is locked in. Once it is, the Vario grinds uniformed, consistent coffee straight into the portafilter. It can also fit an 8 oz ground coffee bin.
The Baratza Vario is a commercial grade coffee grinder that is often found in the homes of professional baristas. With its 230 settings and high RPMs, you can easily whip up any drink you desire. Remember that the way the coffee is grounded will reflect the overall taste, texture, and aroma of your brew.
Also, despite the power of the Vario, it has a small footprint. After using it, we stored it away in our cabinet. It weighs 9 pounds, so if you plan to use it every day, you may want to leave it on your countertop right next to your espresso machine.
Now, you’re probably wondering about the cleaning process. How easy is it to clean? Unlike other Baratza grinders, you need a special tool to remove the top burr of this grinder. This tool is included in the box, so don’t think you have to purchase it separately.
The Baratza Virtuoso+ exceeded our expectations for being a mid-level grinder. It offers consistent grinding and a total of 40 settings. We did notice that our beans burned when using it at the highest rpm. This led to bitter, subpar brews. A solution to this is using a lower setting or not running it for too long when using the highest rpm.
Other than this, we were pleased with the Baratza Virtuoso and recommend it to you if you’re looking for a durable Baratza grinder. It’s an excellent option for drip coffee or French Press.
Head on over and place your order today!
