Thread: Coffee Enthusiasts

Just my opinions...
I happen to be a long time owner of both the Vario (ser#103) and a new Sette 1 year old( bought at the company store.
Baratza home web site I would suggest that they have a lot of great info including authorized brick and mortar and on on-web sellers and authorized and unauthorized sellers. It would be worth your time to read all of it ,, even if you don't buy one.
Parts are cheap

For the consistent very accurate dosing very easy fine tweaking of grind and single dosing, The 270. is a very quick, if noisy, grinder.

For quick and easy change of grind the Vario. It can go from Turkish to light French press, or anything in between. It may be used for single dosing. ( I have a few different coffeemaker types )

I have only replaced the ceramic burrs once,very recently." since purchase.

For background, have owned a Rocky, Super Jolly and a few lesser brands over 10+ years. These Baratzas' for my price range are very good.
JMHO,YMMV
A great cuppa to you all!
~Richard

PS Use white rice for cleaning. they will leave slight white residue for a couple of grinds. Those grains are strong enough to clean without damaging the burrs or the machine!
PzPS.I have heard the most weight dosing grinder an be a hassle.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I've always only used manual grinders, so I guess I don't even thing about it anymore. Started with a Hario, then got a Handground. The Handground was able to grind fine enough for espresso but it took FOREVER. Clearly not what it was designed for. The Lido, on the other hand, clearly is.

I'll have to keep an eye on the teeth. Odd that you had damage to the lowers but no the uppers. I wonder what caused it...

Long story short, I still suffer from PTSD brought on by loss of daily use of my Speedster.

As I was responding last night, I began scratching my head wondering how such severe damage could've possibly happened to the Lido E-T burrs 1) without my knowledge and 2) without any tangible evidence or logic to the failure. Figured I better check the grinder in the morning before theorizing how/why.

Well, after easily taking apart my Lido again this morning, I revealed its mildly used Swiss steel burr-set* with none of the damage I claimed in the original post. Too bad I didn't respond earlier this morning so I could edit or delete my OP.

Seems my usual run of Top 3 nightmares blended my actual cleaning session of the Lido one day with a nice cleaning inspired nightmare the next. Made for somewhat of a false memory. Damn. I need better sleep and something stronger than AeroPress.

* -- I should attach a photo of the burr-set of the Lido to show why Orphan Espresso charges $200 for a manual grinder...should last a few lifetimes.

Glad to hear it's whole

Thanks for the advice and suggestions everybody, it was super helpful!

After emerging from the coffee grinder rabbit hole (which is a pretty fun place to be, I admit), we've decided to go with the Sette 30 AP. I think it will serve our needs, as we won't be switching to different grinds often, or possibly at all. If we decide that we need to fine tune more, I read in the forum (thanks Dieseld!) that the parts can be upgraded to that of the 270.

I won't be able to pick one up for a couple weeks, but I'm already looking forward to the change in the morning coffee routine!

On to the next question: the espresso machine. Any suggestions for manual espresso machines? Years ago I had decided on Il Pavoni, but at the moment I'm leaning toward the Rok. Anyone have any experience with this?

Originally Posted by joelkerr

Thanks for the advice and suggestions everybody, it was super helpful!

After emerging from the coffee grinder rabbit hole (which is a pretty fun place to be, I admit), we've decided to go with the Sette 30 AP. I think it will serve our needs, as we won't be switching to different grinds often, or possibly at all. If we decide that we need to fine tune more, I read in the forum (thanks Dieseld!) that the parts can be upgraded to that of the 270.

I won't be able to pick one up for a couple weeks, but I'm already looking forward to the change in the morning coffee routine!

On to the next question: the espresso machine. Any suggestions for manual espresso machines? Years ago I had decided on Il Pavoni, but at the moment I'm leaning toward the Rok. Anyone have any experience with this?

I have a ROK, but it is far inferior to the La Pavoni. Far. It is almost impossible to get the water temperature correct. There is too much heat leaching from such a small chamber for the water. To be sure, it is a novel and interesting iteration of a manual espresso machine, but cannot hold a candle to the La Pavoni. I own the La Pavoni Professional and have been extremely satisfied. I know others here have different lever machines and have been very satisfied with them. The common denominator is that they have boilers.

Thanks Midway! Very good to know. I think I'll stick with my original decision and save up for a La Pavoni.

Originally Posted by Midway

I have a ROK, but it is far inferior to the La Pavoni. Far. It is almost impossible to get the water temperature correct. There is too much heat leaching from such a small chamber for the water. To be sure, it is a novel and interesting iteration of a manual espresso machine, but cannot hold a candle to the La Pavoni. I own the La Pavoni Professional and have been extremely satisfied. I know others here have different lever machines and have been very satisfied with them. The common denominator is that they have boilers.

Originally Posted by joelkerr

Thanks Midway! Very good to know. I think I'll stick with my original decision and save up for a La Pavoni.

I have never used a Pavoni, but can echo Midway's thoughts on the Rok. Don't get me wrong I quite like my Rok. But it is a very different beast from the Pavoni. Tem control is an issue as noted, but that can be overcome to some extent with some pre-heating. But that's a pain.

Bottom line, I like the Rok, but would never even consider it in the same breath as something like a Pavoni.

Get 'em both!

Ha, well, I just might. The Rok is quite inexpensive, so I could buy it to use until I can afford the La Pavoni

Originally Posted by joelkerr

Ha, well, I just might. The Rok is quite inexpensive, so I could buy it to use until I can afford the La Pavoni

I can't speak to the Rok, but when I looked into it and the Flair, I went with the Flair.