Baratza Vario+ Grinder

Baratza Vario+ Grinder Overview

The Baratza Vario+ is a coffee lover’s dream, and an updated version of an already beloved grinder. Its electronic controls allow you to program three separate doses for automatic on-demand grinding at 1.6 grams per second for fine espresso and 2.2 grams per second for coarser grounds needed for a French Press. A big step up from the Virtuoso, the Vario+ keeps the compact body style and satin finish nickel-plated accents, while making smart and useful upgrades in power, versatility, and operation. The Vario+ is home to a high-torque motor that keeps grinding quiet but quick, and ceramic burrs mean your coffee won’t overheat while being ground like with steelburrs. Of course, the Vario+ offers 220 grind settings that are easy to switch between with macro and micro changes to really take advantage of the Vario+’s multipurpose capabilities.

Features and Performance

The Vario+ now has an easy-to-read LCD display that is backlit and programmable. With this new addition, the Vario+ is bright enough to see even in the earliest of mornings. This grinder also comes with time-based dosing that is exact to the tenth of a second and can remember three of your favorite presets, allowing you to grind anywhere between 1.6 grams per second for fine espresso and 2.2 grams per second for a coarser grind needed when using something like a French Press. The Vario+’s micro and macro settings have also gotten an upgrade with metal knobs that are more durable than the previous model’s plastic ones.

The Baratza Vario+ also includes the added benefit of an all-metal portafilter holder for espresso drinkers and upgraded 54mm ceramic flat burrs that are pretty much expected, but still round out this grinder’s great performance. Being ceramic instead of stainless, these burrs protect your coffee’s natural flavors by not heating up too much. Also, ceramic burrs are harder than steel and will stay sharper longer. All this in a compact size!

Not to mention, the Vario+ comes with a removable 300g hopper on top. This makes changing your beans easy, as you don’t have to reach around or fight the machine under a cabinet. Simply pop the hopper off and back on once ready. Cleaning your machine of leftover grounds is also easier than in the original model thanks to an included burr removal tool, which lets you get inside the burr chamber.

Why you should get it

The Baratza Vario+ is easy to use and program. With 220 grind settings that are easy to switch between, the Vario+ is a great tool for anyone who drinks different types of coffee drinks. The grind can be fine tuned within a range of 250 to 1150 microns by adjusting the macro and micro sliders on the Vario+’s face. Micro adjustments are made in between macro settings for the most possible refinement of the grind. All-in-all, the Baratza Vario impresses with it's flexibility and high performance. In essence, Baratza has taken an already beloved and award-winning grinder, and added even more intuitive aspects to it. By this we mean the metal adjustment arms, burr removal tool, and backlighting that makes the grinds easier to see and the display easier to read.