Baratza Vario
Solid grinder and great performance for an entry level grinder. I find that there are enough grind settings to make very precise adjustments and they are consistent. Very happy with the purchase
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The Baratza Vario is a commercial grinder that is also perfect for the home. The 54mm ceramic flat burrs keep the coffee cool by limiting the amount of heat transferred from the burrs to the grinds. The Grind-on-Demand feature with Electronic Dosing means you grind only the coffee you require for each shot directly into your espresso portafilter, thus eliminate the risk of stale ground coffee being left behind in the dosing unit.
Housed in a sleek contemporary design, the Baratza Vario also features dual-cam grind adjustment with 230 settings, programmable digital control with LCD display, adjustable grind duration and style of coffee (espresso, filter, or coffee press), and super quiet operation. Enjoy hands-free operation with the Vario portafilter, which offers universally adjustable brackets for any portafilter.

The Baratza Vario features dual-cam grind adjustment with 230 settings. The right hand lever lets you select the type of grind you’d like; the left hand lever lets you fine-tune even further for a perfect grind.
The Vario features Mahlkönig 54mm ceramic flat burrs, which keep the coffee cool(thereby retaining the coffee's natural flavor) by limiting the amount of heat transferred from the burrs to the grinds. And the Mahlkönig 54mm ceramic flat burrs are harder than carbon steel burrs and stay sharper longer.
Grind only the amount of coffee you want with Vario's Grind-on-Demand feature with Electronic Dosing. This eliminates stale coffee grinds common in mechanical dosing units.
The programmable digital controls allow you to select the style of coffee(espresso, filter, or coffee press) and the duration of grind time, putting you in control of creating your perfect shot of espresso.
The portaHolder's universally adjustable brackets allow for hands-free operation and can be used with any portafilter.
The Vario also sports a quiet belt-drive operation, an 8oz bean hopper and plugs into a regular 120V outlet. Measuring 4-1/2”W x 14-1/2”H x 7-1/4”D, the Vario weighs 10 lbs.
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In this video I'll go over the difference between a french press grind and an espresso grind and show you what each looks like. I also discuss the difference between a blade grinder and a burr grinder. Hope you enjoy the video. Happy brewing!
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I love the Baratza Vario because it is a great little grinder with all of the bells and whistles of the expensive commercial coffee grinders at a fraction of the price. Given its programmable features and ability to alternate easily among different grind settings, the Vario is the perfect grinder for anyone who brews different coffee styles like I do.
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A few weeks ago, in anticipation of the arrival of Kona beans and my desire to brew it as espresso, drip and French press, I decided that it would be a great time to put a Baratza Vario to the test. Given its programmable features and ability to alternate among different grind settings, I figured that it would be the perfect grinder for the job.
The Vario is amazingly well designed with a small footprint. It is the patriarch of the Baratza line which includes the Virtuoso, Maestro Plus and Maestro. It measures 14.5" high by 4.5" wide by 7.25" deep and weighs in at 10 pounds. One of the nicest features is that all of the controls and functions are on the front of the grinder.
The Vario delivers an incredibly wide range of grinds with 230 possible settings to choose from ranging from 250 micrometers to 1200 micrometers. It uses macro and micro adjustments, where one macro setting is equal to a full range of the micro settings. This makes it easy to fine tune and dial in the right grind, and, makes it simple to duplicate previous settings.
Ceramic 54mm burrs, developed in collaboration with Mahlkonig, help to reduce friction during the grind process, keeping the beans cooler helping to retain the intended flavor characteristics from roasting. One of the advantages to having ceramic burrs is that they are resistant to having coffee oils stick to them, keeping them cleaner. Another key benefit to ceramic burrs is that they have twice the lifespan of stainless steel burrs.
The Vario has simple and easy programmability. There are separate programmable buttons for espresso, drip and press, so you simply press your preset button and push the start button. The timers can adjust down to 1/10th of a second for precise grind amounts. This latest version of the Vario features a battery back-up in case power fails so that you will not lose any of your programmed settings.
There are two dosing options on this feature filled grinder. For drip, press or cold brew it uses a simple, removable bin to catch your grounds. Baratza has included their PortaHolder accessory for grinding directly into your portafilter if that is what you prefer. It can be adjusted to accommodate different sized portafilters. This is a very convenient feature, but, as with most doserless grinders, it does require more clean up afterwards.
The Baratza Vario made it very simple to enjoy my Kona beans in all three styles of brewing, with very little time between adjustments. The programmed buttons made the dosing easy with very little waste of quality beans. Overall, the Vario is a great little grinder, with all of the bells and whistles of the expensive commercial coffee grinders at a fraction of the price.
How many different brewing styles do you use to make coffee?
What do you think of having all of these features in one grinder?
| Misc Data | |
| Manufacturer | Baratza |
| Model | 885 |
| Specifications | |
| Dimension - Width (Inches) | 5.1 |
| Dimension - Height (Inches) | 14.1 |
| Dimension - Depth (Inches) | 7.1 |
| Weight (lbs) | 9 |
| Watts | 240 |
| Volts | 120 |
| Usage | |
| Grind Selection | All grinds |
| Recommended Applications | Home / Commercial |
| Components | |
| Grinding Method | Burr |
| Drive System | Gear Reduction |
| Burr Type | Flat |
| Burr Material | Ceramic |
| Burr Size (Millimeter) | 54 |
| Housing | |
| Clearance Height for Portafilter (Inches) | Adjustable |
| Built-In Tamper | No |
| Housing Materials | Plastic |
| Bean Hopper Material | Plastic |
| Removable Hopper | Yes |
| Ground Coffee Container Material | Plastic |
| Frame | Steel |
| Capacity | |
| Bean Hopper Capacity (Oz) | 8 |
| Ground Coffee Container (Oz) | 5 Stars |
| Dispensing | |
| Dosing Options | Container or Doserless |
| Portafilter Compatibility | All |
| Controls | |
| Number Of Grind Settings | 230 |
| Programmable Grinding | Yes |
| Programmability type | Time |
| Controls | Push Button |
| Grind Setting Controls | Stepped |
| Performance | |
| RPM (Burrs) | 450 |
| Maintenance | |
| Easy Access To Burrs | Yes |
| Cleaning Products For Burrs | Urnex Grindz |
| Details | |
| Warranty (Years) | 1 |
| Country Of Manufacture | Taiwan |
| NSF Certified | No |
| Recommended Applications | Home / Commercial |
| Service provided | |
| Repairs By | Baratza |
| Contact Number | 877-701-2021 |
4.8 out of 5
(10 Customer Reviews)
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Initially I purchased this grinder to be dedicated for espresso grinds only, relying on a cheaper burr grinder to take care of french press and drip grinding needs. But soon after purchasing, the latter conked out so now we use the Vario for everything and it hasn't disappointed. The range of grinds is great; espresso fine/fine is more than powdery enough for my Gaggia Classic and press coarse/coarse is coarse enough for my french press. It's really quite true that a good quality burr grinder like the Vario makes a huge difference in the espresso end-product. Grind speed is more than adequate for home use, no complaints there. Static is non existent for brewgroup use as far as I can tell - on the other hand, static is noticeable but minor for most grinds that go into the bulk bin. Looks cool and compact size for all that it does and the quality of grind you get. My only wish is that I could trade it in for the new weight-based metering Vario model!
More than 1 year
Consistent grind, variety of grind, easy to use, easy to clean
Coffee Lover
Bunch of different kinds, variety of roasts, range in shapes/sizes from peaberry to maragogype
Brewgroup holder could be constructed more solidly; metal clip wobbles in its plastic housing.
dongio2 I think for the price, you can't beat the features and versatility that this grinder offers too. I put it through paces using it for my regular espresso, a moka pot and drip grinding. It always performs
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
I've had this grinder for about one month and combined its purchase with the Expobar Brewtus IV. It has the ability to fine tune a grind and then hold it which has been a wonderful experience for me as I master this part of making a great espresso. I find that I prefer the bulk non-static bean container vs. the hands free doserless measuring devise since I can pre measure the grams of beans placed into the hopper and then use the Weiss distribution technique into the portafilter.
1 - 6 months
Variety of grind
Check out the U tube videos and read the product manual.
Coffee Lover
Home roaster. Use a variety of Sweet Maria's beans.
None
Rancilio Rocky
I have used only Baratza grinders since I purchased my first espresso machine and I purchased this machine rather then rebuilt my Virtuoso which was showing ware. First, the Vario does a good job grinding coffee and I would buy it again as i need a grinder that can easily grind for espresso and for French press for coffee I make at work, but there are a number of things that I consider flaws that I think prospective owners should consider. On my Virtuoso and now on the Vario, the beans do not always fall easily into the grinding burrs. This requires tapping the plastic bean funnel or poking the beans with a small stick. The beans then flow for a while, but will get hung up again. This a small annoyance that I think should not be a problem in a pretty expensive machine. Here are the other things about the Vario that i find problematic (in the context of a grinder in this price range). 1. I did not come with a manual. I found oone online but it did not come with one. I looked carefully on every piece of cardboard and no manual. 2. The funnel did not fit out of the box. I was told that the funnel was close fit and took firm twisting to seat it. I'm fit, but i could not get the funnel on the machine without having to use excessive force. I examined the notch in the funnel that is supposed to fit over the lip in the grinder and it was pretty clear that it was not quite wide enough to fit. I used a sharp woodworking chisel to pare maybe 1/64 inch of plastic off the groove in the funnel and it fit over the lip easily but snugly and firmly. This should not be necessary. 3. The portafilter support plastic has far too much plastic cut away. I found that when grinding enough coffee to nicely fill the portafilter, a fine scattering of grounds fell to the side of the grinder and in front of it. Not a lot, but a fine dusting. I fabricated a modification out of .032 aluminum that mimics the shape of the non portafilter grounds container but with a rectangular cutout in front to accommodate the general width and height of the portafilter. Now there is only a small amount of grounds scatter. Almost anything that does not make it into the portafilter stays within the modified holder. We are not talking about a lot of grounds, but the modification helps minimize the cleanup required. 3. I found that the Vario container for bulk grinding is not antistatic coated like my Virtuoso grinder container is. I was surprised at the difference in having anti static coated vs a non antistatic treated container makes. Not having an antistatic container just adds one more cleanup hassle. If having an antistatic grounds container is not possible I think the solution should be to provide or offer a metal grounds container. So I give the Vario high marks for the quality and adjustability of the grind but lower marks for quality control the kind of smal design features which make the difference between an acceptable machine and one that is good but not as good as it could be.
After explaining the grinder would be used in an office, the Vario was sold as a semi-commercial grinder. For small amounts of coffee , the unit works very well. It is solidly built and is supported by a great team (Bartza) of people in Bellevue, WA. However, the unit should be used either by individuals or very small offices with a controlled group of users. We were told the unit would support grinding a day's worth off coffee. Unfortunately, we learned (too late to return) that the Vario has an auto-kill switch to prevent over-heating. The switch activates after a fe wminutes of continuous operation. Although it restores after approx 5 minutes, it also means that one person cannot grind the day's needs and move on. The owner of Baratza explained that semi-commercial really means 'back-up grinder' for a coffee shop; not an office. The unit really is a great performer and we have had no problems since understanding the limitations.
This unit was purchased to go with my Expobar Office Lever and I'm delighted with it. The build quality appears to be good and the grind consistency is great. I've found that having the macro/micro adjustment is very beneficial when customizing for bean type and age; I didn't appreciate how much difference it makes until I put it to use. This is a great combination and I'm very pleased with the level of service from Whole Latte Love.
I've owned this machine for several months now and am very pleased. The ability to switch quickly between grinding espresso, fp, or drip coffee adds to the versatility of the machine and grinding either into the dispensing cup or directly into a portafilter is great. When grinding into the portafilter, some grinds will fly so it is slightly messy, but the loss isn't much and the convenience is well worth it to me. The digital timer is great, but the lcd is slightly difficult to read. Maybe angling the display in the next version might help? Again, not a big deal. The small footprint is another big reason this machine is set apart from its competitors. It grinds as well as the big boys, but takes up less counter space and looks good. It's a winner.
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Professional
When I first read about the Vario I was impressed by their use of Mahlkonig burrs. I had used Mahlkonig grinders in my business and knew that they are simply the best. When the modification was made so that the grinder would not lose its settings if unplugged, I decided to purchase the Vario. I was slightly apprehensive that a grinder at half the cost of anything comparable could satisfy my needs but have found this to be almost perfect. It does not overwhelm my kitchen counter. I have found the support for the portafilter to work perfectly with my Expobar. It does not leave a residue of grinds on the counter. I most especially appreciate the timer so that I can perfectly measure the desired amount of grinds for each espresso. I do not use the grinder for anything but espresso so have programmed it for single, double and triple shots. This is a most welcome addition to my Brewtus and Hottop roaster.
1 - 6 months
Consistency of grind and ease of adjustment
Professional
Home roasted on a Hottop. Blends based on Brasil or Ethiopia
Very pleased with the grinder as it is
Many
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
Great grinder! This grinder combines the advantages of a dosing and a doseless grinder, providing accurate doses without the waste and the stale coffee, leaving out the guesswork. The electronic control provides great accuracy and convenience. The grind settings are accurate and provide fine control. The machine grinds right into the portafilter without any mess, hands free.
Less than 1 month
The electronic control, the great customer service.
Calibrate the grinder. Call Baratza customer service if you need help - Kyle is great help and they have great customer service!
Coffee Lover
Lavaza
The machine requires calibration which was not explained in the user's manual. I understand that this has been updated in the new version of the manual.
Gaggia Tebe
Rated 5 out of 5
Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover
This is my first semi-pro grinder. It was important to have something to make the daily pot of coffee (drip grind, timer shut-off), without requiring another grinder for espresso. So far, it is a vast improvement over past bur grinders with a much more consistent grind. It is also very quiet. The ability to control the grind is quite impressive, with nearly step-less flexibility, while maintaining the repeatability of discrete settings. Also, it does a very good job at controlling (non) static. It does come with a portafilter holder for espresso. Also, you can program in 3 different timer settings by the 1/10 second (of course, you need to change the grind on your own).
Less than 1 month
Quiet, powerful, works for both espresso and drip coffee.
Coffee Lover
Ethiopian Sidamo
Not much.
Krups, Bruan, Capresso
Solid grinder and great performance for an entry level grinder. I find that there are enough grind settings to make very precise adjustments and they are consistent. Very happy with the purchase
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A A Ralph,
Thank you for the review! We have been using our Vario here for a while now, and love it.
I have a Vibiemme Domobar Super HX. The cup is rather large diameter - 2.5" (64mm) OD. Will it fit in the portafiller of the Vario?
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mjackson ♦ Tom,
This would be an ideal grinder for the quality machine you have. The portafilter should fit as I have not read any reports of it not fitting. There are many people with your machine and this grinder. I would get it and you certainly will enjoy the coffee you get using the grinder.
Michael Rosso ♦ Michael...Thanks for your interest in the Baratza Vario grinder. Baratza's are assembled and largely manufactured in Taiwan. Thanks.
Does the Baratza Vario come with the upgraded display that has sleep mode and saves the settings even when disconnected from power? Thanks! -ray
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mjackson ♦ Ray,
We do have the latest edition of that machine. It has all the latest features including the ones you are asking about.
Mark, just got a sylvia from friend. I need to get a good grinder. Looking at the Vario and rocky, which would suit my needs. I Drink espresso and drip.
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mjackson ♦ Ronald,
Thanks for the question. I do think I would go with the Vario. It will do a few things better - more adjustments, less grinds stuck in the chute, and programmable dosing. I really like the Vario. The Rocky of course is a great grinder and is extremely well built and woudl last for years. Call me or email with any more questions.
mjackson ♦ Michael,
There most likely will be no price change as Baratza would like all its vendors to stay at the correct pricing with no discounts.
I have the Baratza Vario and love the extremely fine grind control. My problem is static. My last grinder was a $100 Baratza that I had for about 7 years. It generated static with decaf beans but not terrible. The Vario generates enough static that decaf grind crawls out of the container and regular, caffeinated coffee has enough static that it makes a mess pouring it into a container. What can I do to minimize the static? I'm running humidifiers in the house so the humidity is not low.
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mjackson ♦ Tom,
There has been some discussions regarding static with the grinder.A cleaning of the burrs and shot seems to make it go away. It also seems the darker the coffee the more static. If it is an older model you may want to see about getting the newer hopper that has been designed to create less static. You may also want to call Baratza directly as they are very helpful and may be able to resolve your problem with some minor adjustments. I hope this helps
DRuff Hi Mary. Thank you for your question. I will e-mail you the newest manual. We will also have a link posted on our site shortly. Feel free to also give us a call if you need assistance with this grinder. Enjoy.
Hi.
I have a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and a Rancilio Rocky grinder.
I always use the grinder in the finest adjustment to obtain a good espresso, but sometimes it is not enough.
Do you think the Baratza Vario will produce a better ground coffee than my Rancilio Rocky does?
Thank you
Mauricio
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TechMilanoItalia The Baratza Vario is an excellent grinder that is very easy to adjust for a wide range of uses (i.e. French press, drip, espresso, etc.). The ceramic burrs will certainly retain a lot more of the flavors in the coffee, but the fineness of the grind would only be marginally finer than the Rocky (providing that it is cleaned and properly calibrated). You may want to give us a call to discuss your needs and the right solution for you at: 888.411.5282 option '1'.
Looking to purchase a burr grinder in the 400 to 500 dollar range. Baratza Vario seems like a great machine. What is the power of the grinder (Watts) and RPM? Seems lighter than some of the competition but ceramic grinder is interesting. Plastic housing a bit of a surprise. Thoughts about this grinder vs Roncho or other grinders in this price range?
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TechMilanoItalia The wattage rating of the grinder is 160w and the RPM rating is not given. It does however have a belt-drive transmission that isolates the "high-torque" motor from the burrs to maintain cool temps when grinding. The Rancilio Rocky grinder is the more traditional style steel flat-burr grinder which is better to dedicate to one use (espresso or drip or french press, etc.) due to it taking a bit longer to adjust in between different uses.

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mjackson ♦ Manuel,
I agree I think out of all the grinders we sell this is the most versatile and also works great with any coffee grind. It is hard to beat.
02-18-2013 8:46am |