Top 5 Best Espresso Grinders Under $500

Top 5 Best Espresso Grinders Under $500, for the budding home barista on a budget.
00:00 Intro
00:50 Bezzera BB005 TM
03:51 Baratza Sette 270
06:42 Eureka Mignon Silenzio
09:28 Baratza Vario
11:54 Profitec Pro M54
Bezzera BB005 TM: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Baratza Sette 270: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Eureka Mignon Silenzio: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Baratza Vario: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
Profitec Pro M54: www.wholelattelove.com/produc...
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[@chrisschumacher2939]

I appreciate your clear no nonsense descriptions.

[@Alice_Walker]

I really appreciate the time stamps in the description 👌🏻

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Alice, glad you like it. Definitely a nice new feature that we will continue to use. AJ

[@akhsasp2945]

I work in a bakery shop where we also provide espresso for our costumers, i have used and i am still using the grinder Baratza Vario for decaf espresso mostly (which is 5-7 decaf espresso daily) and i can say for it's money it's really really good. If you clean it regularly you will have fantastic reasults for your espresso! i suggest it 100%

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi AA, Thanks for sharing your experience with the Vario!

[@eralasch]

Good to know, that my silenzio is one of the best. Thank you.-)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You're welcome! The sound the Silenzio grinding is music to my ears. AJ

[@themarineman]

@@Wholelattelovepage I’m very disappointed with this grinder . It is very quiet and when I got it it was my top priority but man does it retain coffee like crazy . Sometimes there is 2-grams difference…. I’m go 18 out comes 15. Needles tomato salt that I keep it very clean !

[@cnelson1106]

My Vote: Eureka Mignon Silenzio - Its sooo quiet and so simple to use. Its a freakin beast on the counter and literally doesnt move. The grind size changes are so precise. I am not sure why your under $500 would go anywhere else. The white color matches up to my Gaggia Pro too.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi John, Thanks for the vote!

[@Cezve_340ml]

Hi and thank you for the detailed comparison! From your prospective, would any of theses grinders be capable of grinding for Turkish coffee?

[@danjv]

Hi AJ, thanks for this comparison. I'm looking to upgrade my grinder to go along with my Gaggia Classic Pro. Was thinking about the Sette but research showed they've got some reliably issues. Mostly made of plastic so kept looking. The Eureka Mignon line look great and are very solidly built. Budget is an issue here and the Facile is a step down from the Silenzio. It only lacks the timer and some external touches. Priced about the same as the Sette 270. Hope to purchase a new one soon.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Dan, I've personally been using the Sette 270 Wi every day for about a year and no issues so far. That said, there are some wear parts on the Settes that will likely need to be replaced or adjusted over time, one being a $1 friction felt pad that's sold on the Baratza web site: www.baratza.com/shop/micro-adjustment-friction-felt The grinder will also come with shims that you'll likely want to install after an initial break-in period to reduce the distance between the cone burr and the ring burr. Instructions on that here: baratza.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Cone-Burr-Shim-Installation-v1.0.pdf Should anything more serious happen, Baratza has an incredible grinder repair program. On the Sette 270 series, for $85 they will repair whatever the problem is, short of replacing the burrs. Info on that program here: baratza.com/grinder-repair-program/ In regards to the Eureka, as you mentioned build quality is a step up from the Sette - more metal than plastic. Also likely less wear parts and user upkeep on the Eureka. The trade-off is that the Sette will be faster, give you timing options, better for single dosing, and I find the grounds dispersal in the portafilter better. It all comes down to which of these things are more important to you, but it's hard to go wrong with either if you're on a budget! AJ

[@danjv]

Thanks AJ, I like Baratza's customer service dedicatiin. We love the Encore for filter coffee and I'll keep it as long as I can. People tend to speak up more about problems with products than satisfaction. They are lots of negative comments about the Sette 270. I really like how it performs but I've decided to go for the Eureka Mignon Facile. Same cost but I feel more comfortable spending on a machine rather than an appliance. We very much appreciate all you guys do to keep us informed about products and techniques.

[@lukepo9535]

I own a Rancilio Silvia & the Rocky grinder from Rancilio for nearly 14 years. The Silvia required very minimal service that I performed myself over theses years. The Rocky never required any parts to be replaced even if used every day for 4 coffees (double shots). The Rocky weighis 16 lbs, (7.5 kg) showing its built quality. Higher quality are cheaper purchased over the years of owning them. To avoid having to descale the Silvia, we decided at purchase time to use only "distilled water", that we buy in 18 liters bottles. There is so few parts made out of plastic,assuring a degree of reliability that we don't see in much more expensive expresso machine built with many platic parts. Our combo we expect that they will probably last for another 15-20 years.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Luke, thanks for sharing your experience. Awesome to hear your Silvia and Rocky have done so well for so long! We generally recommend against using distilled water for the reasons outlined in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5TIeJqidryqmbs Here's another video with a basic way to remineralize distilled water to improve taste and prevent corrosion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3msaJ15ZdiEkNE AJ

[@Kanti12311]

Vario seem like a great choice for versatility!

[@christiesteckelberg8366]

Would’ve liked to hear prices of each instead of having to look up each one

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi bS, Hear you. Problem is prices change.

[@Showmetheevidence-]

@@WholelattelovepageI think people will get that. Just put “$100 at the time of filming”?

[@dashrando7892]

@@Showmetheevidence- yes this. like "MSRP as of month/year: _____" seems like a pretty normal thing to do

[@Emma-dh7by]

That varies widely country to country

[@big5astra]

Thanks for an interesting and useful video. Question: What is the retention like in the Profitec Pro M54?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I just cleaned out our M54, ran 18g through it, and got 15.5g out. This number would be less if you're running beans through grinder that hasn't just been cleaned, as a lot of those gaps and crevices are already full. That said, I probably wouldn't use the M54 as a single dose grinder, and I would just do a quick purge to clear any old grinds in the chamber before grinding. AJ

[@bigmark17]

Hey Mark, great videos the best! I have a Gaggia baby and using a Breville dose pro grinder. It does ok but I'm looking to get better and get a better grinder. Looking at the Facile. Would that be a nice upgrade to make a good difference?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey YS, yes it would! Conical to flat 50mm burrs. Faster and far less clumpy. And far higher precision in grind size! Marc

[@joeees7790]

If the 270 operates the same way as the 270Wi long pressing the play button allows a 4th grind time option: Free grinding. You can keep holding/pressing play and the grinder will just keep grinding until you release the button. The nice part is this doesn't change your presets.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Joe, yes, the Sette 270 works the same way. Thanks for pointing that out! AJ

[@nalatherescue]

I have the 270 wi, and I never knew this.

[@danieldougan269]

I just bought the Oxo Conical Burr Grinder, available for under $100 new and even less used like I got it. Based on reviews I've seen, this is a good grinder and probably the minimum you should spend if you're really on a tight budget. I'm looking forward to trying it out once it arrives!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi DD, Thanks for sharing!

[@blkcat6184]

I'd like to know about the uniformity of the grinds for each machine (at both espresso grinds and filter grinds).

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi David, Thanks for the request. Here's a link to a grind size particle distribution graph for the Baratza Vario measured at 4 settings ranging from espresso fine through filter and press: www.baratza.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/VARIO-Graph.pdf No similar graphs available for the other grinders. From what I understand it's fairly typical for burr coffee grinders with an increase in fines as a proportion of the grind as you grind finer and decrease in the fine hump as you grind coarser.

[@ionlybluffAA]

I have the profitec and its amazing

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey sky, thanks for sharing!

[@firebucket53bess84]

thanks for all the info you give on espresso for Beginners. I found a coffee Grinder I think is fairly new. I would live to get your thoughts on the ENZOO EZ-20A coffee grinder. The price is right if the grind is good. Thanks, Bill

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Bill, I haven't seem that one before but just looked it up. Only 10 grind settings means it would be very hard to use for espresso. You need more precise control than that unless maybe you're brewing with a pressurized filter basket. Could be fine for other preparation methods like pour over. AJ

[@kheops101]

I love my Baratza Sette 270!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Glad to hear it! For the price, it truly is one of the best grinders you can get. AJ

[@GeroLubovnik]

One thing about the Sette is that most of the key components likely to break down are user replaceable and easy to access. Baratza support is wonderful.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi GL, Excellent point - thanks for adding!

[@nalatherescue]

I love my settle 270 wi! I have had to replace the fuse once, but that was pretty minimal. I think that it will stick with me for some years to come.

[@mrgoldenginger]

I love your videos. I know the Baratza Sette 270wi has dots on the macro adjustment setting. But I have been seeing some of the Baratza Sette 270 with dots and some without dots on the macro setting. Is the one without the dots an earlier model?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey mrg, Thanks for the kind comment and question. It's a great one and I'm near 100% certain you are correct. Here's a video I did 5 years ago when the Sette debuted and no dots! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH6Yp2erlr-Ae9E Marc

[@alexzoin]

Would have liked to see some comparison on consistency in grind at different settings as well as the coarsest and finest each grinder could do.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi a, Sorry that was not included in this video. They are all espresso focused grinders so have excellent control in that grind size range.

[@philindeblanc]

I too wish you covered which grinder grinds the finest.

[@bobbyb3543]

Nice video guys. Had never seen the bezzera before. Question: any specific reason the Ascaso isteel or imini rarely make it on to these top lists? I've been considering them for awhile

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Bobby, Thanks for the comment and question. Main reason it's not included is I have not used the Ascaso - it's a brand we do not carry.

[@bobbyb3543]

@@Wholelattelovepage fair enough! Thanks

[@50s60sClassicHits]

Hi Great video, I have a Sette 270Wi and thought I would share a potential issue where the unit may not grind on the programmbale buttons but will grind ok if you hold down the arrow grind button manually The "solution" turned out a fluke as I moved it to another location on the basis the original location was not level but it turned out to be power related. In the original location the Sette was plugged into a 6 x power board. When connecting the Sette alone to mains power (no power board) the problem disappered and the unit performed reliably ever since Cheers John

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi John, Thanks for sharing! Marc

[@50s60sClassicHits]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks Marc I have MAJOR UPDATE to this issue It turns out the power board was not the issue at all as the Sette still failed to grind on the programmable settings connected to mains in the original location. Testing it on the power points on the other side of the room was successful. Now this made no sense, however I was aware that the power in this room was on two different circuits so I explored further After some lengthy investigation and trial and error it transpires that an Internet Power Line Adapter connected on the original circuit was interfering with the electronics on the Sette 270WI I proved this by disconnecting the adaptor, and the Sette would then instantly grind on the program buttons however when reconnecting the adaptor the Sette would fail to grind , I did this over and over reproducing the fault and then eliminating it, so I was very confident I had nailed it !! So beware!! As more appliances these days are incorporating electronic circuit boards, electrical interference is an unfortunate side effect. I’m happy that I persevered with this as taking the Sette back to the retailer would have not reproduced the issue I hope this helps other Sette owners before they instinctively go to return the unit as faulty Regards John

[@btomasello4145]

Thank you for your excellent video(s). I would like to confirm: Would you say the Vario is your best recommendation for a grinder that accommodates crema-inducing espresso grinds AND French press larger grinds? My capresso grinder is failing on the espresso grinds (not fine enough) but I only have room on my counter for one grinder that can accommodate that spectrum. if you have other recommendations, please share.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey BT, Yes, the Vario is a good choice for a multi-purpose grinder and bonus, it's setup for grinding directly into a PF but can grind into included bin for toher brew methods. Marc

[@wedntneedtowhisper]

thanks for the video! any thoughts on the Rancilio Rocky compared against the 5 options shown here?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Austin, The Rocky has been around for awhile. Compared to these grinders it tends to be a bit clumpy when grinding at espresso sizes. Also, it's a stepped grinder meaning grind size is not continuously variable. That said, it's has a solid build, is used for espresso and gets the job done. It comes in doser and doserless versions. Not many people using dosing grinders outside of coffee shops anymore. Hope that helps!

[@Acceleronics]

I have a Rocky and can confirm that clumps are a problem. But the Rocky's grind chamber and burr size are *very* similar to the Pro M54. Unless the Pro M54 has a different discharge design, I would expect the Pro M54 performance to be very similar to the Rocky. Also, they both use the threads on the upper burr holder for grind size adjustments, so I'd expect the step sizes to be very similar.

[@nicolelapointe5136]

Thank you for this review, so helpful! Can the Profitec Pro M54 be used for French Press?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi NL, You are welcome. The M54 is more of an espresso oriented grinder but could be used for press. If you're only making press I think it's overkill.

[@nicolelapointe5136]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you!

[@Sn0wman5]

I love my Eureka but man is the Sette 270 fast!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

It is super fast! AJ

[@ghas4151]

The Mignon XL should fix that. 😁

[@bagasster8104]

Better watch marc's vis bro, about retention on that grinder.

[@LowsJuan]

Unfortunately you will be ordering parts to fix your sette faster most grinders here.

[@Catbat]

My Sette exploded with a loud pop yesterday night (thunderstorm raging outside) all other appliances on the same circuit survived. Rip Sette.. 😔

[@diegogarber1]

Hopefully they are on sale in black Friday, I've been looking for a grinder but can't spend that much

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Diego, our Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales are going on now and products are the lowest price they'll be. Combine that with free shipping on orders over $50, 2% back in Latte Rewards, and superior warranties, and you can shop with confidence knowing we've got you covered. AJ

[@lakorai2]

These manufacturers all engage in price fixing with MAP pricing. WLL can get in trouble for advertising them for less than MSRP

[@therealjimvick]

@@lakorai2 did you hear that pin drop?

[@maze400]

I have a Kitchen aid Pro 1 for general use and a Mazzer Super jolly for espresso.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Michael, nice! Thanks for the comment! AJ

[@emceeunderdogrising]

Is grabbing a Super Jolly used on eBay worth it? I see some for less than $500. Is that better than buying something like a 270 brand new?

[@maze400]

@@emceeunderdogrising I paid about $450.00 for mine over 15 years ago and have had not one issue with it. Hope that helps answer your question.

[@henloitsdiego]

I recently purchased a Gaggia from you guys, and have been loving it ! i'm experimenting with lighter roasted espresso and my Baratza Virtuoso simply cannot grind fine enough even at the finest setting as the beans im using are super dense. Is there anything capable of doing that in this price point or do i need to opt for something more expensive?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Diego, Thanks for the question and your patronage! Lighter roasted beans can be challenging for under powered grinders. As you mention, they are denser and harder than darker beans. I generally do not recommend the Virtuoso for espresso grinding unless using a pressurized filter basket and to give your beans the love they deserve you should be using non-pressurized. Beyond being under powered, the Virtuoso is not setup to grind into a portafilter and the stepped grind size adjustment lacks the precision needed for better espresso. Of the grinders in this video I recommend the Eureka Mignon Silenzio. It has the right combo of power 260 watts, build quality and burr size at 50mm. If you wanted to step up to even better grind and higher build quality the Ceado E5Pro has more power at 300 watts and larger 64mm burrs. Technically it's not a commercial grinder but as close as you get without going to a much higher price point. In most cases I'd consider the Ceado a bit of overkill for use with a Gaggia Classic machine but if you'll be doing harder beans, use your grinder a lot and might upgrade your machine at some point its worth the investment. Check it out here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ceado-e5-pro-espresso-grinder

[@henloitsdiego]

@@Wholelattelovepage incredibly detailed response, thank you very much, i have been able to get "ok" shots with my setup using well developed beans but i will definitely look into upgrading the grinder, and down the line the machine as well

[@pasqualedidonato6873]

Hi, I'm Lino and I'm writing to you from Italy. I looked at this review with great interest because I am looking for a coffee grinder with flat blades with a maximum budget of $400 or a little more. I have a Sage Barista Pro at home, which I am very satisfied with and I would like to combine this Espresso machine with a good coffee grinder with flat blades, but without spending a fortune... Can you recommend some products? Thanks in advance, dear friend...

[@alunlambert7456]

Great video. What would you say is the best of these for espresso and pour over as the main use, cheers

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Alan, Thanks for the comment and question. Always a bit of a compromise using a single grinder for multiple brew methods. Best of the group here for that is the Baratza Vario: www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-vario-grinder-w-metal-portaholder

[@alunlambert7456]

@@Wholelattelovepage That’s great, thank you, all I have to do now is work out what espresso machine to go for, im torn between the Gaggia classic, Sage BES810BSS the Duo Temp Pro and the Bezzera hobby. Have ever seen much about the Solis Barista Gran Gusto 1014

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

Thanks for the reviews, very helpful. I'm down to choose between the Bezzera 005 and the Faustino. Any advise is much welcome. Happy holidays!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi SEGE, Given that choice I'd go with the Faustino. The BB005 is an entry level conical burr machine grade grinder. The Faustino is more $$ but a real step up w/50mm flat burrs, much nicer materials and design aesthetic.

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you very much! Happy new year, keep up the great videos you make

[@sciencescience9102]

Hi AJ, thank you for the great video! I’m new to all this. I’m thinking of getting an expression machine about $500 and a grinder about $500 as well. All I want to do is expresso. Which is the lowest maintenance/dialing grinder? I also would like a quiet grinder.

[@sciencescience9102]

I’m debating between Silenzio and Profitec m54

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I'd personally go with the Silenzio. It's nice and quiet, built well, and produces a great grind. Hard to beat that grinder for the price. AJ

[@HoshPak]

I wonder whether it's worth getting into professional grinders for home use after getting a prosumer device. For example, I bought my first HX machine along with a Eureka Mignon Specialita. In a few years I could upgrade the Grinder to the Eureka Atom 75 as apparently burr size is king in order to get the maximum out of your beans. How much of an impact does the difference in burr size from 55mm to 75mm have? If the difference is rather subtle would you make the investment? Is there a clear line where diminishing returns start to set in? Many thanks for the answer!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Good question, certainly there is a point of diminishing returns, but that line will vary from person to person. Some people are more tuned into subtle taste differences, other people simply care more, and others face financial limitations. While everyone's line is a bit different, you're right that burr size is often king. Also, jumping into the deep end with a high-quality grinder will be more cost effective long term than buying multiple step-stone grinder along the way as you upgrade. AJ

[@jmf001jf]

Hi Mark. After reviewing, Comparing and watching the video, I am still not sure which grinder would be the best. I have a Bezzera Unica and the Bezzera BB005 would look nice sitting next to it, but, maybe an extra $100.00 would get a higher watt better performing grinder like the Mignon or the Barratza Vario. What do you think? I don't care for the extra Bells and Whistles but I would like a grinder that would last more that a couple of years.Please advise , Happy New Year

[@jmf001jf]

Or maybe the Profitec Pro M54?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Joan, Sorry for the delayed response. Been off line for the holiday. The BB005 is a no frills machine grade grinder and the lowest price. Between the Vario and the Mignon I'd go with the Eureka. It's a better build quality than the Baratza. The Profitec Manuale 54 is a good grinder but for most I think the Eureka is a better choice. Hope that helps! Marc

[@jmf001jf]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you

[@ArthriticAngler]

Any comments on noise of Silenzio vs Vario? I have a sette which has been great but the noise is getting to me. I have an early model Vario which struggles with finer grinds. Maybe it just needs adjusted . Espresso only, full city roast. Thanks for the great content!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Thanks for the comment! The Silenzio is the quietest of the grinders in this video. It's much, much quieter than the Sette. The Vario falls in the middle between the two. Being an all-purpose grinder, the Vario will make sacrifices in the fine control at either end of the grind spectrum. If you mostly do espresso, I think the Silenzio might be the best option. AJ

[@orrincharm7666]

Hi! I have a 1980's Olympia Mocca Express grinder and a Caffarex VT machine. I've been thinking about replacing the grinder with one that is quieter, will grind into a dosing cup or portafilter (mine is 49mm), and has less tendency to clog up, which changes the grind, and requires a tedious process to disassemble the burrs and reassemble, then recalibrate. It's hard to tell from these reviews if these grinders would generally be an upgrade, or just a different set of issues . . . What would be a reasonable upgrade from the Moca? At some time, I'll probably have to replace the Caffarex, but it seems to still work fine- although the variability in the grind seems to be the main barrier to getting consistent shots.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi OC, Well, I'm not familiar with an '80s vintage Mocca Express grinder and can't find specs like burr size etc. I believe one of the Eureka Mignon grinders would be a reasonable upgrade. They are relatively easy to open. I've used then a lot and never had a clog. Most have a fork that can support a smaller portafilter or you can remove the fork and grind directly into a dosing cup. Entry level no frills Mignon grinder is the Facile w/50mm burrs: www.wholelattelove.com/products/eureka-mignon-facile-espresso-grinder A step is the Silenzio with basic timing functions and 50mm burrs: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/espresso-grinders/products/eureka-mignon-silenzio-espresso-grinder The Specialita steps up to 55mm burrs, touch screen with timed grinding to .1 second: www.wholelattelove.com/collections/espresso-grinders/products/eureka-mignon-specialita-16cr-in-matte-black You can see those and the full line of Eureka Mignon grinders in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZfLkndvhLWkmpo Hope that helps! Marc

[@TonyDL]

Nice array of grinders here, thank you! I really like the Silenzio, but am concerned about whether it would work for both pour over and espresso? How many turns of the dial would it take to go between these 2 grind settings? Is this type of use impractical for this grinder?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Tony, For mutli-purpose grinding the Silenzio will require many complete revolutions of the dial. Also grinder must either be running or free of beans when adjusting from coarser to finer size. It will be difficult to get back to precisely the grind size used for espresso with all the turning. My suggestion for multi-purpose is the Eureka Mignon Perfetto - specifically designed for that purpose: www.wholelattelove.com/products/eureka-mignon-perfetto-16cr-grinder-in-white It goes from espresso fine out to press coarse with one 360 degree turn of the dial. Marc

[@TonyDL]

@@Wholelattelovepage I appreciate the advice here Marc! With the Perfetto, do we sacrifice anything on the espresso side? i.e. will I still be able to finely dial in the grind? Loving the content lately, many thanks!

[@GG-ud5jl]

@@TonyDL you do sacrifice micro adjustement other mignon have.

[@TonyDL]

@@GG-ud5jl I probably do pour over only once every 2-3 weeks and espresso daily. So maybe better to get the micro adjustment of the Silenzio for espresso than the wide range of the Perfetto for pour over. Does anyone know how many turns to go between these 2 on Silenzio? If it's 5, then ok with me. But if it's 20+, maybe not. So many variables to consider!! Silenzio - how many turns? Perfetto - Will it dial in espresso? Ugh!

[@DanielDyla]

@@TonyDL did you ever get an answer to this? I'm in the exact same boat 🤣

[@bobok760]

Mahlkonig X54 is also a good grinder - silent and stepless

[@jamesmclaughlin3460]

I like the Sylvia rocky its a beast. Im 63 i like well built equipment not plastic and noisy.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi James, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Rancilio Rocky!

[@jamesmclaughlin3460]

@@Wholelattelovepage rancilio my mistake. Simple sturdy I think goes well with the gaggia. Gaggia also simple I don't need or want bells and whistles. J7st great espresso

[@vivianxiao6152]

Can you guys review breville bambino plus/pro and compare that to gaggia classic

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Vivian, I would love to do that comparison video, but in the meantime, here's a blog article to check out: www.wholelattelove.com/blogs/comparisons/battle-of-the-entry-level-machines-breville-bambino-plus-vs-gaggia-classic-pro The Bambino is an appliance-grade product, while the Classic Pro is a true machine. With its stainless steel housing, standard 58mm portailfter, and commercial steam wand, the Gaggia is the clear winner. AJ

[@GoTellJesusSaves]

After seeing these grinders, their price points and capabilities, I can't help that I'm really shocked by the low prices of the pro grade Ceado grinders. It's really got me considering spending extra for the longevity and quality increase that comes with those pro grade grinders. But I'm also planing to open a coffee bar in the near future. So it's probably a must that I shoot a little higher. 🤔

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Ceado makes an incredible grinder. Whether it's worth the extra money comes down to your budget and use. If you'll be using the grinder in a coffee bar, I would absolutely upgrade to something intended for commercial use. AJ

[@GoTellJesusSaves]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks a bunch! Yes indeed. Will need pro grade for sure.

[@joschka2075]

Vario goes up to French Press grind? My father has one and even both tuners on max corse I find the grind a little finer than drip -.- The profitec is not suitable to change grind size frequently? Silenzio either? Also can the Vario do Turkish Coffee grind? Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi J, Thanks for the question, The Vario's grind range is 230-1150 microns. The Baratza Virtuoso has a range of 200-1400 microns which is the coarsest of all Baratza grinders: www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-virtuoso-coffee-grinder Espresso focused grinders like the Profitec are not suitable for frequent grind size changes outside of the espresso range.

[@yvettefleisch1361]

After owning a 30 year old Krups machine and Krups blade grinder I'm about to jump into real espresso and purchase a Gaggia Classic Pro from you guys. However, I've just read and watched too many reviews on grinders and my head is spinning. Was about to purchase the Sette 270 but I can't deal with the countless repairs I keep reading about so I guess I should lean toward "machine grade" quality. But I'm a newbie so there's that to consider. We attempt to make mostly Americanos and cappuccinos. And once in a while need to plug in the $25 Black and Decker Drip. Willing to spend but it needs to last a good number of years. What would you recommend?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Yvette, welcome to the rabbit hole of espresso and, a seemingly deeper one - grinders. My recommendation would be the Eureka Mignon Silenzio featured in the video, or if the timed grinding doesn't matter to you, you can save about $100 by going with the Eureka Mignon Facile: www.wholelattelove.com/products/eureka-mignon-facile-espresso-grinder Both grinders are the same, short of the timing function on the Silenzio. They'll be great for espresso but can also grind course enough for drip coffee. If you do go with the Facile, I'd suggest having a scale to weigh your input dose to help with consistency from shot to shot. The entire Mignon lineup is well-built, "machine grade", and comes with a 1 year parts & labor warranty. Hope this helps! AJ

[@yvettefleisch1361]

@@Wholelattelovepage This rabbit hole has morphed into a daggone groundhog tunnel with endless exits! Appreciate your reply and suggestion. Will be placing an order with you guys soon! Thanks again!!

[@brucesummers7448]

Good idea to check reviews by owners as to the reliability of these expensive grinders. The Baratza Vario for example is not well built and has a short life.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Bruce, Thanks for the comment. Always a good idea to check user reviews! IMO the Vario is a very good grinder - Been around for ~ a decade. It's in a space between super plastic entry-level appliance grinders and machine grade grinders. If having trouble with a well used Vario they can be repaired with lot's of DIY info available or Baratza has a fixed price repair program that takes care of anything short of burr replacement. More info on that here: baratza.com/grinder-repair-program/

[@r1chardbwrn]

I had an early Vario and it suffered from a failed gearbox. My dealer sorted it all out quickly and easily, so while the failure was upsetting, I did get good service. They say a lot of the issues are now over so we will see. I am into my third year now with my Vario so we will see how it goes. Its hard to finder a better grinder without spending over a thousand uk pounds.

[@EsIsJaNichtsMehrFrei]

I had a vario for 10 years and i had to change the motor, but other than that it runs smoothly without any real problems

[@big5astra]

Hi, any reason you did not look at the rancilio rocky grinder? Thanks again for a great review though.

[@lb7325]

I agree esp. the doserless. Other reviews describe it as espresso and drip grind (and even French press) capable. $425 on WLL. It's at the top of my list

[@LowsJuan]

The bezzera look like a shop class's first attempt at grinder design. I guess I am not a fan of minimalism. The more I research the eureka the more I have come to think it is one of the better choices here. The Baratza seem initially to be a better choice but after some research, I understand they have a very busy parts dept.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I'll admit the look of the BB005 isn't for everyone, but the shape/style does pair nicely next to most machines. I agree that the Eureka is one of the best options for the money! AJ

[@vpsaxman]

Personally I really like the bare, utilitarian look of the Bezzera. My only concern after watching the video is durability since the entire assembly around the burrs seems to be made out of plastic. Any comment on that @Whole Latte Love?

[@pierrepomerleau5203]

I had problems with lower quality grinder. There is one I really want to make sure I won't have with any of these: when the coffee is ground (or grinded not sure) is it going away down in the channel to the coffee support or is there a possibility that, because of the size of the grounded coffee, that it stock in the way out?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Pierre, I believe that you're talking about retention, or how much of the ground coffee remains inside the grinder (rather than in your portafilter). Of these grinders, I'd say the best for low-retention is the Sette 270 thanks to it's vertical design. AJ

[@DanielStidham]

thoughts on the breville smart grinder? surprised that its not any any lists but maybe its 200 pricepoint makes is lack certain features?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi DS, Thanks for the question. The SGP is rather plasticky. It can work if expectations are not too high. Compared to others it grinds rather slow, tends to be clumpy at espresso grind size and lacks precision of stepless grind size adjustment.

[@cyrusf.4039]

Notice at 4:25 when the Sette is grinding you can see the micro adjust wheel "dancing" back from D to C and getting coarser as the grind progresses. After a few shots this can noticeably change your grind profile. It is a problem that I noticed on my machine. Baratza managed to fix the problem (for now at least) by sending a new micro adjustment wheel with a felt shim to add some resistance and maybe dampening to eliminate this movement. Something to be aware of.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi CV, Thanks for the comment. Yes, that felt ring ($1 part) is a wear item that requires replacement with use of Sette 270 grinders.

[@ggivensjr]

Thanks for heads up I was considering this grinder as I need AP grinder that leans toward the espresso side but I don't want to keep having to repair it.

[@Snip59]

The Sette 270 is there a new version out for 2023 at all, as im in Australia,Home user would this be the best one for me compared to many on the market. accessories spare parts easy to attain what do you recommend cheers.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi phil, No updates to the 270 I'm aware of for 2023. I think the key thing to keep in mind is the Sette is an appliance grade product - mostly plastic, its louder than most grinders, is prone to some static in dry environments and uses a conical burr. Most doing espresso prefer flat burrs. That said the Sette produces a wonderful fluffy grind and has the micro settings needed to precisely dial in grind size. If you go with the Sette treat it well as it's not as rugged as machine grade grinders like the Eureka here. Also know it has some wear parts. After a few Kg's of grinding you'll need to install the provided burr shims to restore fine grinding performance. Also, there's a felt friction ring between the micro and macro adjustments that will need replacement down the road. Very easy to do and last I checked the felt ring was

[@mikestanley4457]

I am looking at a gaggia classic pro and was wondering if I should go with the Breville Smart Pro or a Baratza Sette 30? We currently use a french press and just have a bodum blade grinder. We will still be pressing as well as pulling shots. What are your thoughts? Will I be happier upping my press grind and getting into espresso with the Breville, or should I go all in on my espresso, with the baratza, and stick with what I have for press?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Mike, Thanks for the question. I'd go with the Sette 30 over the Breville SGP. Be aware the Sette is louder than the SGP. But it's so much faster and the grind quality is so much better. The Breville is clumpy and has poor distribution into a portafilter. The Sette produce a beautiful, fluffy and well distributed grind! And, be prepared to enjoy much better press coffee with either grinder compared to grinding with blades. Your particle size consistency will be night and day from the blade. I never use blade grinders for any brew method and can't imagine the muck of fines you likely get in your press coffee.

[@mikestanley4457]

@@Wholelattelovepage yes the fines annoy me but it’s still better than buying preground. What do you think about the Sette 30 vs the virtuoso plus?

[@bert1e]

Fairly new owner of a gaggia classic pro and absolutely love it! Am yet to venture into grinding and am struggling to justify the cost of the Niche Zero

[@mikestanley4457]

@@bert1e ya and I want something that is built to last, but I can’t spend an arm and a leg. Hearing good things about the eureka Mignon filtro. I know those grinders are built like tanks. The Filtro is made more for press, drip and pour over but I have heard it can do espresso as well. I like to press as well so if it’s a do it all grinder that’s well built at $200 then I would be happy. You can apparently add a portafilter holder to this grinder and also change out the push to hold grind button with a switch so you don’t have to hold it to grind. Been researching it and probably going to pull the trigger on it.

[@bert1e]

@@mikestanley4457 that’s interesting. will have a look at that model. not sure we’ll have the same choices, I’m in the UK. took me ages to decide on the gaggia and now this! aaaaaagh.

[@ukonthego]

@wholelattelove is the profitec m54 the best out of these 5? If you could only pick one - would It be the m54?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey ukonthego, the m54 is probably the sleekest design and most ruggedly built. I personally prefer the stepless micrometric grind adjustment and quiet operation of the Silenzio, so if I was buying one for myself I'd probably go with that one. AJ

[@joem3793]

Is there an available “upgrade” to the bazzera’s worm gear? Like aluminum or SS

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Joe, Thanks for the question. No upgrade that I'm aware of.

[@jaysonmarinay1552]

Baratza 270 sette🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 the best grinder with reasonable price.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi J, Thanks for the comment. Yes, good balance of price v. performance!

[@jaysonmarinay1552]

@@Wholelattelovepage love all of your videos.. Wish you have more subscribers.. cheers!!

[@embraceyourself1249]

And with short life also

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

Funny question. On the bezzera BB005, inside the coffee hopper, there is a plastic removable cone with a magnet attached on its inside. Any ideas as to why is a magnet there? I don't think is for static reduction, as there is coffee all over unless you use the water spray method

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi SGE, Thanks for the question. Honestly not 100% certain why the magnet is there. Some grinders use a safety switch so grinder will not operate with hopper removed but that's not the case w/BB005. My guess is the magnet may be there to pick up stray metal particles in the beans so they don't end up between the burrs. I've ground a lot of coffee and have yet to come across any metal mixed with beans. Marc

[@seugeniogonzaleze9296]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you Marc. That makes sense

[@scottscottsdale7868]

I need a grinder that can handle little roaster high density beans like the Bourbon Pointu here in Madagascar. Do these grinders have strong enough motors?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi ssd, The Eureka Mignon Selenzio has the highest power rating of the grouyp here at 2.2 amps so likely your best best of the bunch. That said, if you've had problems with extra dense beans in other grinders you may want to look to something with more power and commercial rating. The Ceado E37s is commercial rated and has 4.2 amps: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ceado-e37-s-electronic-coffee-grinder-in-black#product-specs

[@davidtutrone7789]

How do the Silenzio and BB005 compare in terms of grind speed and ease of cleaning/setting retention when reassembling? The functionality seems similar based on the reviews I have seen, just trying to figure out if the extra cost is worth it.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi David, Thanks for the questions. The Silenzio grinds faster and is a step up in build quality from the BB005. Much easier to get inside the Silenzio. 1 screw behind the logo on the rear then 3 screws holding on the top burr plate and you are in with no loss of grind setting. It's a bit more involved on the BB005 and you can see the whole process in this in-depth review of the grinder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWiXanqPgKZoZrs Some things to be aware of... Silenzio uses a 50mm flat burr, 48mm conical in the BB005. No on demand manual grinding on the BB005. Set the time dial and the grinder will not stop until the time is up unless you hit the power switch. Makes it tough to bump a dose. BB005 is much louder than the Silenzio. Silenzio has a narrower grind chute than BB005 so distribution into portafilter is better with less mess. More powerful 2.2 amp motor in the Silenzio. It's about 1 amp in the BB005. Hope that helps, Marc

[@davidtutrone7789]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks Marc, great information

[@MonicaRobinson]

I bought the Baratza Sette 270 a few weeks ago and hate it, it makes a big mess every time and now I just use the cup and fill the portafilter. I also have to hold the top of the bean hopper to even get it to work. I wish I would have never bought this grinder. I'm checking in to see if I can return it.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Monica, I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the Sette 270. Have you tried gently wetting your beans before grinding - either with a light mist or a wet finger? That generally helps control static and minimize mess. You shouldn't have to hold the bean hopper to get it to work, something sounds wrong. Have you tried contacting either Baratza or the company you purchased from (not sure if it's us or not). Whether it's a different grinder or method to make this one work better, we'd love to help out. AJ

[@fredrichardson9761]

I've been trying to wrap my brain around the idea of spending around $1800 to get a really good cappuccino in the morning. I'm finding it a lot harder to wrap my brain around the idea of spending >$400 on a grinder to get that perfect automatic grind. I'm beginning to think a 1Zpresso JX-PRO hand grinder and WACACO Picopresso totaling under $300 might be a better move...

[@khaledzurikat7190]

Hi AJ, I have had the Vario for 4 years with a Bezzera BZ13 HX machine. I am wondering if the continuous adjustable grinders actually produce a meaningful difference in terms of grind adjustment. Or is the Vario pretty much continuous since the steps are too small to make them smaller? Also, I always wonder if the Vario grind setting is stable and doesn’t shift. I also wonder if the grind setting adjustment is instant or needs some run time , i d in t how the setting adjustment actually work as it doesn’t seem to be a mechanical adjustment instead a mechanical one?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Khaled, all good questions. Stepless grinders will generally give you more control over stepped, but as you mentioned the Vario has very precise micro adjustments. Have you found yourself getting "stuck" between two grind settings - one is too course then the next is too fine? Have you run into cases where you want to grind finer but can't? Because the Vario is an all-purpose grinder, some people who only brew espresso want a little more control on the finer range that an espresso-focused grinder provides. I haven't found the Vario to shift much from my personal use. After you make a grind adjustment, you should run the grinder for a few seconds to purge the old grounds from the previous setting in the grind chamber (also a good habit if your grinder has been sitting overnight). I believe it is a mechanical adjustment when changing grind size. AJ

[@khaledzurikat7190]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thank you, AJ. Update: Today I experience a huge difference when going simply from L to M, a difference from merely dripping to gushing out. I did it twice to ensure I was not making a mistake ! So I think the Vario does not work all the time and I am considering a Eureka Mignon XL, the new one which 64mm burrs! It is still a rare thing but really frustrating when it happens! I tend to work with Italian blends that are medium to medium-dark 100% Arabica and mostly milk drinks. I buy 1/2Kg bags where I keep half in the fridge and the other half in a tight container. Sometimes I see the grind needing major adjustments over a few days from opening the bag and I keep wondering is it the degassing/aging of the beans or is it the grinder setting not being stable!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

It could be a combination of things. A higher end espresso-focused grinder will certainly have an impact on consistency, but also the age of the beans will affect it. In this video I experienced rapid fluctuations with fresh-from-roast beans that stabilized over time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIWwnHebZr2nf68 AJ

[@motolordLXXI]

What size portafilter basket are you using? We just received our new machines a few days ago. When grinding directly into the portafilter it makes a tremendous mess but it seems to be happening mostly near the end of the grind when the portafilter is nearly filled. I suspect we are using a double basket while you might be using a triple. Or it could be the machine comes programed for 18g and you’re doing 17g in the videos. The wife isn’t pleased. We had a Baratza Virtuoso we liked back when we got our Expobar Office Lever. It died a while ago and we replaced it with a Breville smart grinder which I didn’t care for. When we upgraded to our Profitec Pro 700 we decided to get the 270Wi although the wife didn’t feel the integrated scale justified the increase in price, and now that it’s making a mess she’s leaning towards returning it.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi William, Believe we were using a double shot basket. Not surprised you didn't care for the BSG. Rather slow and clumpy at espresso grind size and not very precise with grind size adjustment. The Sette grinders are prone to some static especially when new and when working in low humidity environments which are typical during heating and cooling seasons. Static should ease some as the burrs are seasoned with a coat of oils from the beans. If/when static is an issue misting the beans with a fine spray of water or simply stirring with a damp finger usually reduces or eliminates static and stops the mess.

[@motolordLXXI]

@@Wholelattelovepage The Breville was all over the place. No consistency. It was very difficult to dial in different beans.

[@neguseassefa5364]

Hello! Thank you for the video, it was incredibly helpful. I would like to know, is one of the machines capable of grinding dried peppers down to fine powder? Thank you!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi NA, You are welcome. Honestly do not know. I've never tried grinding anything other than coffee.

[@Matein13]

None. You'd ruin your grinder, as well as any other coffee you'd put through it. Get a cheap blade grinder for like 10 bucks. I have one that's just dedicated for spices.

[@esbenrasmussen4289]

I think you need a one of those rolling stone mills, they are used a lot i india. Alex French Guy, has a video on making chocolate where he uses one

[@therealjimvick]

@@esbenrasmussen4289 mortar and pestle?

[@esbenrasmussen4289]

@@therealjimvick No I mean a machine with a round granit wheel laying flat then on top of that an identical whell that spins when the bottom one is driven by a motor. This produces a paste and is why it is used for chocolate. You can get hem cheapisly sometimes.

[@joecomputers2740]

so is espresso grinder more important than the espresso machine?

[@cheshire_]

what are the differences between the silenzio and facile? Other than sound The silenzio is 180$ more expensive, well at least in canada

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Cheshire, the Silenzio adds the option for timed grinding and also has chrome accents on the body. The Facile is strictly manual. AJ

[@tallergeese]

DF64 seems to be a strong contender at this price point.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Could be, however it wasn't around when this video was released. AJ

[@Aquilanis]

i'm torn between the df64 and lelit fred... i really like the look/built on lelit fred but wondering whether the df64 is the better option here

[@llemmon]

Noise level would be a big help as well.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

I'd like to do some quantitative testing on this, but in broad terms - the Sette and BB005 are the loudest, followed by the Vario, and lastly the M54 and Silenzio. AJ

[@llemmon]

Thanks!

[@mr_knight4701]

Which coffee grinder grinds the coffee more evenly and avoids heat to the coffee?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey mr k, Of the grinders here it's the Eureka Mignon Selenzio.

[@bobok760]

Sette is a great grinder but it is very loud. I decided to buy Eureka because I cannot tolerate with Sette's noise

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Sette is louder!

[@RahulSharma-go6dn]

Hi WLL Have you upgraded Baratza Sette 30 with Baratza Sette 270's Adjustment Assembly? If you did then did it produce same result like Baratza Sette 270? Do you sell Baratza Sette 270's Adjustment Assembly? Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey RS, Thanks for the question. Results in Sette 30 with a 270 grind adjustment are identical. Only differences are lack of more timed presets, different style to the PF fork assembly and shut-off on the hopper. Marc

[@KillStrangeMeser]

Do you recommend paring the 270 or silencio with the Gaggia Classic pro? I will be doing mostly espresso.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi KSM, Either of those will work with the GCP. So what's the difference? The Sette is an appliance grade product. Lot's of plastic used in construction. The Silencio is a machine grade build - mostly all metal. So which will last longer? That's easy, the machine! That said, The Sette 270 has the precision needed for espresso, it's fast, low retention and also rather loud! Sette uses a conical burr while the Silencio is a flat burr. Those at the higher end of espresso tend to prefer flat burrs. They believe they can taste a difference in espresso based on burr type. But, the majority of average espresso drinkers probably can't. I've used both grinders a lot. I love the speed, fluffy grind and distribution of the Sette. Also like how consistent it is with the weight of coffee ground based on time. The noise, not so much. It's also prone to static during break in and in low humidity environments - a real consideration in dry climates.

[@KillStrangeMeser]

@@Wholelattelovepage you guys are awesome with the feed back! I ordered my first GCP from you guys. Btw, i went with the Silencio. I hope i made the right choice. If you had to choose between the two what would you pick?

[@Jlui83]

For espresso grinding. Baratza sette 270 or Ascaso mini? Both are priced at $399. Thoughts?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi J, Thanks for the question. Have to be honest I have not used the Ascaso Mini. I did take a look at the I-1 and I-2 models and can offer some thoughts. I-1 is a 54mm flat burr grinder with metal grinding chamber. I-2 is a conical burr grinder with plastic chamber. Both have stepless grind adjustment and appear to be manual on demand with no timed grinding functions. I have read reports of some grind clumping at espresso grind sizes. Appears to be no hands free grinding option which is not surprising as it's a non-timed on demand grinder. I have used the Sette extensively and like it a lot. Baratza considers the Sette 270s to be their best espresso grinders. The Sette 270 has 3 timed grinding presets and in my testing it's very accurate with dose weights cycle to cycle when doing timed grinding. The Sette produces a beautiful, fluffy, clump free grind. But, it is prone to static when new. That calms down once the burrs are seasoned a bit with coffee oils but can remain an issue when grinding i low humidity environments. The Sette has a lot of plastic in construction. It's key trick is the top burr which spins and pulls the beans into the grinding chamber. The result is fast and relatively load grinding and those accurate time based doses. Most every other grinder spins the bottom burr so beans are fed by gravity in those. You can grind hands free on the Sette. IMO the I-2 has a better build quality than the Sette and the I-2 is about the same internally and more robust on the outside. Hope that helps! If interested here's a more detailed video on the Sette grinders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKvLpaqooqdgbJI

[@ArmadilloGodzilla]

Hmm. I have a Sage Pro grinder but only use it for my Moccamaster brewer, no espressos. What would a better grinder be for my use case?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi MB, Thanks for the question. There are better grinders. For high-end brew grinding it's hard to beat the Eureka Mignon Brew Pro: www.wholelattelove.com/products/eureka-mignon-brew-pro-coffee-grinder-in-ferrari-red Be aware it's a big step up in price but is a true machine grade grinder. There's a video at the link with more on the Brew Pro and other Eureka brew grinders. A lower cost appliance grade option is the Baratza Virtuoso +. Not the same build quality as the Eurekas but a go to grinder for other than espresso grinding and similar price to the Breville SGP. Unfortunately with so many people taking up higher-end home brewing during COVID they are in short supply: www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-virtuoso-coffee-grinder Hope that helps!

[@coffeebreakhero3743]

@@Wholelattelovepage I doubt that if one properly prepares coffee from the sage pro and eureka they can tell the difference

[@valarie1652]

Is there one of these ( or perhaps another) that's best for espresso AND cold brew?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Valerie, those are at opposite ends of the grind range and most people will get dedicated grinders for each. That said, the Vario is probably the best bet on the list for switching back and forth, you may just need to dial in a little when coming back to espresso. AJ

[@philindeblanc]

When trying to grind as fine as possible with my Eureka, as my shot times are too long, the Eureka starts making louder noise and the motor stops as its too much work the power of the motor cannot handle. Knowing which grinder grinds finest, and motor power of the grinders would be a very key point, which is entirely missed here.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

I know right. I am in Madagascar and Inhave access to some of the truly greatest coffee in the world. Bourbon Pointu and Geisha fantastic. I would like to roast it a bit lighter and still use with my Gaggia Classic Pro. My current grinder is a Gaggia MD15 but it cannot handle lighter roasts. It does fine for filter coffee but I prefer espresso/cafe crème. I wonder if you have had any success in your journey.

[@philindeblanc]

@@scottscottsdale7868 So far I am having a great enjoyment with my espresso machine, and this Mignon grinder is doing OK for medium roast. I have yet to try light roasts, but I do have a pound of Geisha coming in, but I think it is also a medium roast. I think my next grinder will be 64mm burrs. Although this one is 54mm(sold as 55mm) The larger burrs will be easier to just place all the beans at once, rather than slowly feeding the beans. What is interesting is that at first, I was JUST drinking espresso, but very soon after, now drink 9 to 1 capuccinos, and very few espresso shots. I dont drink animal milk, so I use oat, and with a good steamer, its just really tasty. I wonder what a pound of Geisha coffee costs the locals? do you get it green and roast yourself, or roasted in any particular manner? I would love to visit Madagascar some day.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

@@philindeblanc you mention slow feeding the beans. I am going to try that this morning to see if these harder to grind beans I have will be better. Here in Madagascar, I get my coffee direct from a farmer in a region called Itasy. He roasts it for me. He gets in some woman helpers and they roast the beans in a hand turned drum over a corn cob fire. It is old fashioned but really works. Many people here pan roast coffee. You have to remember that this is a very poor country so people sometimes have their own tree and process and roast coffee themselves. Madagascar is known for its robusta but I prefer arabica. The arabica is grown in small quantities in Itasy region like I mentioned. But there is not really a strong coffee culture here. There are some cafes of course but not like in some countries. But the country side is beautiful. I think I might just put some simple videos on thus account just so people can get a glimpse what I am talking about.

[@philindeblanc]

@@scottscottsdale7868 Yes, that would be great for you to post videos and your experience

[@philindeblanc]

@@scottscottsdale7868 The slow grind is not something easily isolated. You have tamp pressure that is almost always different unless using a guaged method, then you have to have the water temp within a couple degrees, and the coffee freshness, roast, altitude, and all these things make some to little difference when it comes to enjoying the drink. As long as you have the basics well locked in, you should have a great cup at least 70% of the time, lol. I just made one earlier in the morning, and just cleaned my station, and made another nice 36g pull, and it was just lovely golden syrup tasty bomb. I agree, Arabica beans are way to go. They usually add in Robusto for more crema is what I have heard. One thing for sure, price of good coffee is very high. I would love to buy some of the coffee from your region. Maybe we can make that happen.

[@SiopaoSauc3]

People do always comment about how loud the Sette is, but at least it doesn't have to be on for very long.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi S.S, Thanks for the comment. Yes, it is louder than most due to the grind straight through design. And you are right, it grinds very fast and with low grind retention! Marc

[@timjoris6]

The fact that it´s loud means its not well engineered. This is why they have a high fail rate

[@bradleyjones6269]

I just purchased a breville dose control burr grinder. I have found that the ground coffee come out warm. Is this a bad thing. ?Thanks

[@alexandrepiche5609]

Depends how warm it is. Grinding generates heat so it is inevitable but if it's very hot and noisy perhaps something is wrong.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

What Alexandre said... some heat is inevitable due to friction but good grinders minimize that with sharper, larger, and better designed burrs. Slower speeds can also help in some cases. AJ

[@HollaATSagala]

Is the Eureka Silenzio and Profitec M45 capable of doing filter or drip coffee?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Jeff. Both can grind in the medium range for filter/drip brew methods. Be aware neither is setup for easy grinding into filter basket or a container for transfer to the same. I'm guessing you are looking for a grinder for both espresso and drip? If so I'd go with the Silenzio over the Profitec. If not doing both There are other grinders with better setup for drip only grinding. Check out this video "Review: Eureka Mignon Filtro, Crono & Brew Pro Coffee Grinders" it covers a range of grinders specifically for brew methods outside of espresso: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ammXnKCAdtx7ac0 Marc

[@MrHayden11]

What’s a good setting on the sette 720 for the rocket appartamento? In a 18g basket for espresso???? Please help 🙏🙏

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi JJ, Thanks for the question. As everyone's variables are different I can't really say use a setting of ___. You'll need to dial in your grind size based on your variables. It's very easy to do just remember to be consistent with your variables like coffee dose, tamping pressure/style, etc. Here's my video which takes you through the dialing in process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIC8aHdmZ9Nnedk Marc

[@editvcactus7213]

Hello i can help u for perfect espresso . Do u want ?

[@geogiokas]

Hi, do you know which can grind coffee ibrik- bit finer than espresso?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi GG, Thanks for the question. All can grind too fine for espresso. Trouble is, when grinding finer than espresso clogs in the discharge path are more likely. For that reason, you might consider the Barratza Sette as it grinds "Straight through" so there's no bend in the path out of the grinding chamber to restrict ground coffee flow. But, the Sette is an appliance grade product with a 10% duty cycle. Grinding extra fine increases the work the grinder must do. Also, Sette will gradually grind coarser as it break in during initial use. To correct for that Baratza includes to burr shims to restore the fine grinding range.

[@annlonergan]

Hello, I am looking to purchase the Profitec M54, I will have a Quick Mill Pippa machine ( when I finally bite the bullet) but my family will shoot me if I end up with a grinder that won't do filter coffee and french press as well, and I don't want two grinders. Will this one do the job? Thanks

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Ann, Always a bit of a compromise trying to use a grinder for both espresso and brewing methods using coarser grind sizes like filter and press. The M54 can work for that purpose as it's fairly easy to go back and forth between significantly different grind sizes. Just know you will need to have the grinder running to adjust from coarse setting to finer settings and expel some coffee from the previous grind size anytime you change.

[@annlonergan]

@@Wholelattelovepage hey AJ, thanks for the reply, I"m in love with the look of the M54 but I read a comment about it having issues going back and forth between grind size, and that it is really meant for espresso. On listening to the video again, you stress the all-purpose function of the Vario, should that be considered? I won't be using the coarser grinds often.

[@Elfin4]

So for value for money and ability, I cant see how the Bezerra can be beaten. However, customer service from the Bezerra factory is not great. Don't think I have ever had a reply to any questions raised on their website. I think the Bezerra is also missing a fine-scale marking around the top so you can see what you have the grind coarseness set to.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi E, Thanks for the comment. Here in the US if you purchased from Whole Latte Love we have coffee pros yopu can talk to via chat, email, etc for support.

[@matt27design]

Own a Vario, and it really struggles to grind lighter roast coffee fine enough for espresso. To get shots that don’t extract super quick, I need to grind so fine that the burrs are touching. This then pushes the motor to the limit and often cuts out. Anyone had similar issues?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Matthew, Those lighter roasts tend to be a lot more dense/harder than coffee roasted darker. We supply high-end commercial/prosumer level grinders to cafes and even those can have trouble with dense high altitude lighter roasts from time to time. If doing a lot of lighter roasted coffee it might be time to upgrade to a more powerful prosumer level grinder.

[@monicaolivares3902]

@@Wholelattelovepage what would be a powerful prosumer-level grinder?

[@rcpmac]

@@monicaolivares3902 this is a year later but I want to mention that the Vario can be calibrated. Also when cleaning it I discovered that by turning it upside down and strongly tapping it onto a thick towel, the bottom burr and shaft assembly drops out! The underside of that plate was caked with dense compressed coffee which was throwing off my grind. You can call baratza in Washington state and they have great service although I haven’t dealt with them since they were purchased by Breville.

[@louisburley1597]

At the current price of the Sette270 I don't know if I'd spend the extra for the Eureka. Unless it's that much better

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Louis, Key differences are: Build quality, burr type and noise level. Eureka is machine grade, flat burr and relatively quiet. Breville is more plasticky, conical burr and louder.

[@louisburley1597]

@@Wholelattelovepage Yeah those worry me. But at $279 it's such a deal. Which Eureka would you recommend? I just worry dialing in the Eureka will be harder for a first timer.

[@wildavies1860]

I’ve owned my Vario for a long time. Baratza says that the motor must be running when changing grind settings (which tends to waste coffee). Is that true of the other grinders in this lineup?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Wil, Thanks for the question. Standard procedure is to have the grind running or all beans ground out when adjusting to a finer setting to avoid crushing partially ground beans between the burrs and causing the grinder to lockup. It's fine to not have the grinders running when adjusting to a coarser setting. On most grinders you can get away with very small adjustments to a finer setting without the grinder running.

[@wildavies1860]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks, good to know. With my Vario & new Profitec 500 I often get unexpected surprises overnight. For example, yesterday afternoon I was pretty close to a 30 second 1 ounce pour. This morning that changed to closer to 20 seconds with the same settings. Sometimes I can adjust via tamping pressure, but other times I need to change grind, which means fussing with grind settings and purging any remaining coffee. I’m looking for a better way. Sounds like one improvement would be a zero retention grinder coupled with a single measurement of beans for each pour. Does that make sense?

[@martac7316]

Hi, I’ve currently got a 1Zpresso JX-Pro Coffee Grinder, will these machines be on par with that?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Marta, Well, you don't have to turn a crank on these! The JX-Pro uses a smaller conical burr. Flat burrs are preferred by most users for espresso grinding as they tend to produce a more uniform grind particle size. The Bezzera BB005 and Baratza Sette in this video both use a conical burr. The others use flat burrs. The conicals in these grinders are larger. I expect the grind quality on these grinders is a step above the JX-Pro and certainly much easier to use!

[@martac7316]

@@Wholelattelovepage my arm will finally get a rest! Thank you 😊

[@scottyjackson6665]

any discount on the profitec M54 if we purchase a profitec espresso machine too?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Scotty J, Yes. Offers change from time to time but I just checked and it's currently $100 off the M54 if added to a Profitec Pro 500. Use the bundler on the website to get discounts when purchasing a machine and adding accessories like a grinder and more. Here's a quick lokk at how that works: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX7Ei5xvr8qbg7s

[@Scorpions2390]

Hi can some help me. I want to buy a coffee grinder but still don't know which one to buy even after watching multiple videos. I need mostly for espresso and sometimes V60. I have a delongi dedica machine. Can you suggest me grinder in the range of $500 and $250. I am in middle east and currently what is available in here is baratza sette 30, eureka mignon specialitta and few others. However I can order online. Hoping someone can help me choose the best for value grinder preferably in $250 range. Thanks in advance.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

The Dedica uses pressurized portafilter baskets, which will be a bit more forgiving of grind size. The Specialita is a higher-quality grinder than the Sette 30, but may be outside of your price range. The Vario featured in this video is probably a good middle ground - very capable of espresso and V60 grind sizes and easy to switch between them. AJ

[@MrRichardsnj]

Can I get a good espresso grinder for

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Neil, Thanks for the question. It depends on what your definition of good is. At or near that price you're looking at appliance grade products. So lot's of plastic used in construction, lower power motors, somewhat clumpy grind and limited precision in grind size adjustment. Beyond that, lower usability with things like grinding into a bin instead of portafilter, inaccurate time based dosing, etc. depending on model. Always some compromise vs. machine grade espresso grinders at that price. Also know with the recent surge in home espresso brewing and supply chain issues due to covid budget priced espresso grinders are in short supply. A couple of grinders near your price (if you can find them) are the Baratza Virtuoso +: www.wholelattelove.com/products/baratza-virtuoso-coffee-grinder or the Breville Smart Grinder Pro: www.wholelattelove.com/products/breville-bcg820bss-smart-grinder-pro

[@nlaten]

Can the Timemore Chestnut C2 grind for espresso in your opinion or does it not go fine enough?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi nlaten, it's a stepped grinder without a lot of different settings so I don't think it would be great for espresso. You may be able to go fine enough, but probably wouldn't have enough control to dial in well or make small adjustments. AJ

[@nlaten]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks so much! I've been thinking of stepping in the world of espresso but I think I will stick to my pourover and moka pot setups for now :)

[@coffeechronicler]

​@@nlaten It can grind fine enough for espresso, but it takes forever at that very fine setting. Also, each step is too big for dialing in. Timemore's new E&B are better at a fine setting.

[@ivanlpz3473]

Was looking to get the sette 270 but I’ve seen a few negative reviews on it. Any recommendations that would be better?

[@tamieu]

Niche or Eureka Silenzio

[@Wholelattelovepage]

For the price, the Sette line is hard to beat as far as features, speed, and retention. That said, build quality and craftsmanship on the Mignon Silenzio will give you a machine-grade grinder that will last for a very long time. AJ

[@javiermendez750]

I wish people would stop touting the 270 as a low retention machine. It has terrible static and retention. Upgraded to niche - can’t wait for it to arrive.

[@tamieu]

@@javiermendez750 I totally agree. Sette are sooo bad in time. Where did you get your niche ?

[@ash2joker]

@@javiermendez750 static is in all grinders - even the niche. That's why most use droplet. Also its not single dose, its meant to be used with full hopper. I've got a niche but even then you can't say incorrect things. If you make 5 drinks straight.. there's only one winner. Its all about what ppl require.

[@tugboat8475]

The 270 looks good at the price

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Definitely! AJ

[@timjoris6]

Looks like a great grinder and I'm leaning towards it. Problem is that they fail often BUT the manufacturer will always help help you restore it and sells party cheaply

[@timjoris6]

The facts that the sette 270 is so loud and that you can see the adjustment wheel move while grinding means it has some design problems. Mainly the gearbox has some weak spots. Knowing that they have a good repair policy it can still be a good grinder if you are occasionally willing to tinker with it.

[@tugboat8475]

@@timjoris6 don't say that, they are so hard to find at the moment let alone repair service.

[@timjoris6]

@@tugboat8475 this is info from some fora. I apologize if it´s not up to date, but at least I found on their website that they encourage you to repair. Maybe covid hit them hard? Also, I live in Europe, might be a different story wherever you are.

[@manthoskourtis1920]

One question, why do you ignore Anfim Best on Demand? Costs about 500 bucks and comes with the usual quality of Anfim and it is very consistent grinder!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi MK, thanks for the question. It's not a brand I have access to. Marc

[@fubartotale3389]

A sub $500 bean grinder comparison without the Rocky?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi ft, so the Rocky is still around but a little dated compared to newer design. I'd only ever consider the doserless version.

[@jakobw135]

How much does the Profitech pro M54 sell for in Canada?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi JW, Looks like it's discounted at the moment. Here's a link to current Canadian price: wholelattelove.ca/products/profitec-pro-m54-coffee-grinder

[@brandoncordoba]

Is there going to be a new version of this video for this year?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi BC, Thanks for the question. Yes, we will have a top 5 grinder video in the coming weeks! Marc

[@brandoncordoba]

@@Wholelattelovepage Okay thank you!

[@EstebanHernandez-hs6zl]

You forgot about the iberital challenge grinder

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Esteban, thanks for the comment AJ

[@MrsVickiHolland]

When will you have the Baratza 270 in stock?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Vicki, Soon we hope. With COVID demand has been high as more people are getting into espresso at home. At the same time there have been supply chain slow downs due to the virus so supply is limited. Baratza is unable to give us a firm date at this time.

[@ggivensjr]

Title is best espresso

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi George, Thanks for the comments. IMO the Vario is a far better grinder than the smart grinder pro. Much better 54mm flat burrs in the Vario compared to the conical burr in the BSGP. Huge difference in precision of grind size adjustment between the 2 with the Vario's macro+micro adjustment resulting in essentially stepless grind size adjustment. I personally would not use the BSGP for espresso. It's rather slow, clumpy and underpowered. While both use plastic in construction there's far more in the BSPG. I've used a lot of grinders and given the choice between the 2 for grinding for espresso I''d choose the Vario every time. There are well established DIY repairs for wear items in the Vario plus Baratza has a fixed price repair program which covers any repair short of burr replacement. Should the BSGP fail a repair usually exceeds the value of the grinder so it's best just to buy another. Here's some info on the Vario including DIY repairs:baratza.com/troubleshooting/ and repair program: baratza.com/grinder-repair-program/

[@ggivensjr]

@@Wholelattelovepage I reviewed diy repairs and the repair program. I am very impressed. However, it remains to be seen how much any of it will be changed since Breville has acquired the company? That said, can you tell me what the retention is correct the Vario, is it capable if single dosing and can it grind for French press? I realize I'm asking lots of questions but for me although not a huge purchase, it is a purchase I'd rather not have to return. Which brings up another question, what is the return policy on grinders?