Varia VS3 review after 3 months of daily use

[@tomsgrinderlab]

Short video on grind time and static spray here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppyTZ2N4Zs2YjLssi=h26ewsFVPiWYkWSW

[@kdkd476]

Thank you for making great review. Is your hypernova burr coated? like blue or yellow?

[@tomsgrinderlab]

Yes it's blue. Great burr.

[@ammarkhairi2686]

Great review from a true pro, it is very helpful! I wonder if you have reviewed the Timemore 078s as well, and if yes, price differences aside, how does it compare to the VS3 if it's only for the purpose of espresso grind?

[@tomsgrinderlab]

Not yet. Based on specs is say the Timemore would be the better of the two with a more powerful motor and faster grind time. Possibly more robust motor too. The different burr sets in the VS3 are an appealing feature but to be honest the more I use them the more the taste similar in my blind test comparisons

[@ammarkhairi2686]

⁠@@tomsgrinderlabThank you. You’re right on the specs between the two. After reading your earlier review at coffeesnobs, I’m still leaning more towards the VS3 Gen 2 due to its design and build (gorgeously sleek!) and seasoning period. Also and more importantly, few forums mentioned that the 078s requires at least 5kg of beans till the taste is right (acceptable).

[@SavageFitnessAccessories]

Hi Tom! Great video, thank you. I’m looking for a new grinder and love the look of the varia, but have heard mixed reviews. Any further feedback back since posting the video and thoughts on the new gen 3 coming?

[@tomsgrinderlab]

Sorry, just saw your post. No rumours of a Gen 3. There were weaknesses in the Gen 1 and Gen 2 (although Gen 2 had less issues) but Varia are continuing to upgrade parts on the Gen 2 as opposed to redesigning them. Fortunately, in addition to the history of warranty claims, Varia have consistently demonstrated a willingness to fix issues as they arrive.

[@m-m8835]

Very interesting review. I have been tossing up between this and a DF64 gen 2. 99% milk based drinks at the moment out of the BDB, medium and medium dark (certainly nothing gown the French roast end of the spectrum), although filter might get a run some day and maybe some lighter beans. Lots to think about.

[@tomsgrinderlab]

I have the DF64 Gen 2 as well. For milk both grinders are good. If you add the Supernova burrs to a VS3 you'll get a lot more choc-flavor punching through the milk. Yum. Alternatively you can add the DF DLC Espresso burrs to a DF64 Gen 2 which is my personal favorite for milk based drinks. With either grinder, burr swapping is quite easy.

[@nittygritty7434]

Good Day. I read your review in an AU forum regarding the Varia VS3. I wanted to clarify regarding the Supernova and Hypernova burrs. Taste is subjective, of course, but the general idea is the Supernova produce more toward body and chocolate w/bit more clarity than the stock burr, and then the Hypernova produce more toward clarity than the Supernova but with great balance of lingering flavors overall? It seems everything says Hypernova are the most clarity but in some writings it seems like people share that the Hypernova produce more body-texture-chocolate and the Supernova are more clarity and 'bright'-acidic, but I'm wondering if when writing-sharing people flipped what they meant..(?). Also you shared how you enjoyed the Varia VS3 so much you'd be happy having it long term as a primary grinder. It's because of the depth of flavor it tends to produce, just great overall balance of clarity-texture-depth of flavors vs 64mm flat burrs that might produce more clarity but aren't as balanced? You tested a bunch of hand grinders and noted few like the K-Ultra were in similar in taste to the Varia VS3, but the Hypernova in VS3 still are generally better (that depth of flavor and balance that a lot of other hand grinders or larger flat burrs don't often provide..?). Thank you for your time. Regards,

[@tomsgrinderlab]

I appreciate you writing and your comments are very astute. I think you're adding a different perspective which balances my comments and most likely are better articulated. So thanks for your contribution.

[@tomsgrinderlab]

See if this makes sense. Supernova - Espresso (HRC60) • Medium body, medium clarity, more balanced than stock steel burrs Hypernova - Espresso and Filter (HRC65) • Medium body, increased clarity with slightly more balanced profile when comparing to the Supernova. Hypernova Ultra - Espresso and Filter (HRC67) • Medium body, increased clarity and definition. Balanced profile. Higher acidity

[@nittygritty7434]

@@tomsgrinderlab Thank you for the clarification. Also wanted to add I appreciate all the work you're putting into the "burr-nament" to test various 64/83mm burrs. For instance pretty much every video I've seen on the Niche Duo points out how someone can swap in different 83mm burrs but none of them have actually tried it like you did and found out how thinner burrs need to be shimmed and how it's not necessarily intuitive to shim the Niche burr carrier or how grounds then can get under the burrs because of the difference from stock Mazzer. It's almost vindication for the Italian-German grinders in that these single dose all have compromises rather than being well-thought out (although the Niche Duo seems to be the most thought out, and it got the least amount of hype). Like someone noted why didn't Turin-DF put the magnetic chute in DF64v in the DF83 design to lessen clumping..instead of releasing new models with various tweaks, just combine into one. It's almost like there's collusion of sorts between mfg. to have flaws so they all share the market like BMW are known for handling while Merc are more about power. Sorry that's a side tangent of mine in regard to how certain nations are good at specific things then have flaws to keep them "humble"-status quo. Maybe I need to try and join that flarum-coffeetime forum as I'm curious about the Duo's low rpm and it being designed for the Mazzer espresso burr-151 and if this negatively impacts another 83mm burr like the SSP Cast, vs how these react-act in something like the DF83v2 with set higher rpm since 1) Zerno is at 900 rpm so not as low but sub-1200+ rpm and 2) something like DF64v where some have noted change in flavor by just changing the rpm 600-800 rpm was brighter but disjointed 1000 rpm was smooth and creamy but blended and 1200-1600 was preferred for balance and clarity and how Niche Duo got around this or decided it was a non-factor even for the non-stock Mazzer burr. Anyway sorry for writing up all this here. Thank you again. Regards,

[@mathanatos]

Thank you for the video! What is the grind setting you are using for espresso? I have the hypernova burrs as well.

[@tomsgrinderlab]

Currently on 2.6 (Hypernova burrs) for a medium light roast. I am glad you found a video helpful.

[@mathanatos]

@@tomsgrinderlab

[@davidhatteberg617]

I had this grinder for one month before the motor stopped working. DO NOT get this if you're looking to use it for espresso. The grinder is essentially a higher quality version of a portable grinder. While the materials are high quality, the engine just can't maintain an espresso grind while it can hold up to french press and other drip levels. While I hoped this was a fluke and a mistake I went online to see if anyone else had a similar experience. There is a reason the VS3 has been nicknamed a "Very Shitty" grinder on multiple threads and reviews. Unfortunately I found this out after buying the unit. I'm very disappointed in this product and the service by Varia. Do not buy this product.

[@tomsgrinderlab]

Thanks for your post David. There were a lot of issues with the VS3 Gen 1 which I learned about after this review. In discussion with varia they have acknowledged this issues and say that they have sent replacement parts or grinders. I haven't seen those sort of issues reported on since the gen 2 model came out so fingers. I appreciate you posting because it's important that all experiences are openly shared.

[@nickpugh8879]

As an alternative, I’ve been using mine for espresso for 18 months trouble free. Brilliant little grinder 😊

[@littlestar5737]

Hi, thanks for the review. Is this a great grinder for filter / pour-over drip? Which burrs should I get for filter coffee?

[@tomsgrinderlab]

If you want some clarity in both espresso and filter than I recomend the Hypernova Ultra S burrs. These come standard in the Varia Evo and according to Varia will be available "soon" for purchasing seperately or with a VS3. Hope that helps. (PS if you want more information on the Hypernova Ultra S burrs please see my review of the Varia Evo.)

[@littlestar5737]

@@tomsgrinderlab Thank you. Do you have opinion on VS3 Gen2 issues 1. Grind setting dial moves during grinding. 2. Grinder stops working after few cycles. I use Eureka Mignon Libra and Zero for espresso. I love the reliability. Never had a single issue. Now I'm in market for dedicated filter coffee grinder. Ideally I'd gotten Eureka Brew Pro. But the price is not right at the moment.