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Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

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  • pcrussell50
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    One thing i didnt like about it is that it wont store your settings when powered off for me this sucked a bit as i get multiple blackouts per year.
    not any more. at least the usa versions, as of first half of 2010, the circuit boards were upgraded to non-volatile memory... so your timing settings are remembered after power outages or unpluggings. further, if you had an earlier one, like mine, they would send you a whole new front face, with the new circuit board, for $20USD. i used to suffer from wife-induced power outages... she would unplug my vario to use the outlet for other things. it was giving me the irrits. now, it s "no worries"

    -peter

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 130402141317043E030E18610 link=1274427912/35#35 date=1276177898
    I just got my Vario from Di Bartoli. I am upgrading from a Challenger. Comparatively the Vario is smaller, faster, quieter and so much cleaner. I also like the hands free dosing. Adjustment is a little weird. The grinder needs to be running while you change the grind. There is plenty of room to fine tune the grind. There is little if any clumping.

    The cool blue lights are a bonus. Build quality appears and feels high.
    I refuse to be drawn into any comments... BAST#@#D ;D

    The K3 T has been snapped up and teh MaCap M5 is now on teh bench... Wife is still not happy...

    The K6 Silent ? IS big and quite, while teh doser is smooth... But space is not fee..

    Thus the Vario is forever looking better...

    Just got to keep fingers crossed...

    Leave a comment:


  • recurve_boy
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    I just got my Vario from Di Bartoli. I am upgrading from a Challenger. Comparatively the Vario is smaller, faster, quieter and so much cleaner. I also like the hands free dosing. Adjustment is a little weird. The grinder needs to be running while you change the grind. There is plenty of room to fine tune the grind. There is little if any clumping.

    The cool blue lights are a bonus. Build quality appears and feels high.

    My first shot after eating a cow was great (for me). I think I have the perfect space-limited setup now. My upgraditis is cured!

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Always re assess and then re assess and ask WHY ?

    The 6th is just a few sleeps away..

    Maybe I can make a MaCap  Doser into a doserless..  But do it with some style ?

    Another project..

    My K3 T  has a number of  great features and  can be clearly tracked as to Age and approx Kg of usage since new (about 3kg a month - home usage)...  As a Prise in the 10,000 comp every one knows its history  to an extent.  Would assume that Warranty would not transfer...  But hey; these units are all but rock solid except for the odd manufacturing extreme and USERS.. Have I had hardware issues = NO and before you say it.. User = NO ;D Thus I would be happy to state that warranty is a non event and any one who expected it does not know these units (in general).


    There are things about the MaCap; that I like, over the K3...

    Step Vs Stepless..   Chis said it, I am in agreement.. The steps and make up of the MaCap means this is realy not an issue... And for me; my pallet / skill sets are not that developed to require fine micro adjustments..  Forget multi grips, I use at a min - 24"  Stilsons  


    So lets see what transpires post the 6th.. One of the two Grinders has to go....

    Leave a comment:


  • Lacehim
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 726C74796F6C7776180 link=1274427912/32#32 date=1275379817
    AM, the Macap is withdrawn from sale..having second thoughts about the Vario?
    Or did the wife find out?????

    Leave a comment:


  • SniffCoffee
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    AM, the Macap is withdrawn from sale..having second thoughts about the Vario?

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Company offered a drop from approx $700 plus new - to Approx $600 plus..

    Not sure if postage was included..

    Interesting...

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 163B3A312B362B265F0 link=1274427912/29#29 date=1275140709
    AM - congrats on your purchase!
    Not completed and may not for a while yet...

    The MaCap 5 Grinder has to go and it will then fund the next purchase..

    At end of day... Need a spare and it will need to serve teh Dual Manual Lever I plan to obtain by hook or by crook..

    Would like to keep the MaCap 5 for that purpose... But the K3 T is doserless and thus it has to stay...

    End config may be

    Kitchen = DCM and Vario

    Deck = Manual Lever and K3 T (and all my roasting stuff)

    Leave a comment:


  • Identity
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    I have to say, Im not a fan of the 4-way review. Essentially it uses a grinder I dont rate highly (the Mini-E) for comparison, and is set to make other grinders conform. The vario might benefit from a totally different dose/tamp/grind size/pour time to the mini-e to extract the most out of the beans, and treats fines as a bad thing. Other niggles include marking something down for being plastic while admitting that plastic had been fine in another project where hed misjudged it. Ive also no idea why the poster cant get a decent shot out of a mini without reverting to the cut-off cup and stir routine, the i2 review is substantially different to the Aus. market one (just for reference, not a criticism of the reviewer). Additionally, using a coffee grinder for multiple beans/purposes requires dialling the bean in each time, and could require a dozen shots or more to really nail one great shot. It makes more sense to use a grinder with a particle distribution designed for french press/chemex for those brewing methods, and the conical version of the i1 wasnt covered but is a great little grinder.

    The Eureka grinders in the past have been full of ugly welds - this may be different with the Mignon, so Ive not got much to say about it. On the other hand, Im confident of the build quality of the Vario.

    AM - congrats on your purchase!

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 1C253B350F17500 link=1274427912/28#28 date=1275029945
    Well i know of 2 units recently arriving home the Aus Bev Corp. Low usage, good condition.

    Shoot them an email and smash them on price.

    Id be looking for $400 including delivery??


    Give it a try?

    Ive never used the K3 or a Macap but i can see the quality difference in the cup between the Vario and the Mazzer.
    Vario wins!

    Done... Now read post 27  ;D


    Post comes and post goes... Posts he want to go home  ;D 8-)

    Was there not a song like that  

    Day-o, Day-ay-ay-o
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
    Me say day, me say day-ay-ay-o
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    Work all night on a drink a coffee
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Stack coffee till the mornin come
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    Come, Mister tally man, tally me coffee
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Come, Mister tally man, tally me coffee
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    Its six Kg, seven Kg, eight Kg BAG!
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Six Kg, seven Kg, eight Kg BAG!
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    Day, me say day-ay-ay-o
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Day, me say day, me say day, me say day...
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    A beautiful Bag a ripe coffee
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Hide the deadly black tarantula
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    Its six Kg, seven Kg, eight Kg BAG!
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Six Kg, seven Kg, eight Kg BAG!
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Day, me say day-ay-ay-o

    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Day, me say day, me say day, me say day...
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Come, Mister tally man, tally me coffee

    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Come, Mister tally man, tally me coffee
    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Day-o, day-ay-ay-o

    Daylight come and me wan go home
    Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
    Me say day, me say day-ay-ay-o
    Daylight come and me wan go home

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 0E3729271D05420 link=1274427912/26#26 date=1275029326

    AM.. the Vario matches the DC very well but if your the type that likes the shiny things(big IF) you may find yourself wishing it was bigger or...shinier?

    Otherwise...pull the triger and buy one!
    Try ABC again... i hear they have an EX demo unit  
    The $$$ says E the look and stuff says V

    What more is there to causing; procrastination  ;D

    If I liked bling, the MaCap would be staying...

    But now that you have told every other CSér about a possible demo unit   ;D ;D ;D

    Who knows...  

    PM man ... The PM, when the news might be HOT    ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • Luke_G
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    I can shed some light for you guys as i have owned the Vario for around 8 months...
    Originally posted by 6E6B7C6F690A0 link=1274427912/10#10 date=1274539944
    .recently a few reports about the toothed belt breaking if a stone gets between the burrs or they jam. Strips the belt and nylon cogs within the grinder
    In my time owning the Vario i had 1 stone It lodged its self between the burrs and stopped it instantly. It made a terrible noise and was easy to remove(3 screews from memory?). Damage was minimal considering the ceramic burrs but despite visual damage it made no difference to grind quality.
    Originally posted by 4B646D6F78476B646B6D6F676F647E0A0 link=1274427912/19#19 date=1275009831
    JasonY wrote on Today at 10:36:
    My goal is to get it to where I can grind direct to the portafiller without too much mess, the wife is not keen on the grinds all over the place.


    Oh... Dont tell me that.. "
    Ddont let this worry you i always used the portafilter holder and ground directly. Almost 0 wastage once calibrated for you baskets AM. There is very little clumping and maybe no static but because you can adjust the hight of the PF holder i had it so it only fell 2 1/2 cm to the basket. I get more wastage from the Mini Mazzer by far. Vario wins that 10-1

    Noise wise the Mazzer Mini is louder.
    Speed wise the Vario is much faster.
    Appearance wise the Vario doesnt look as expensive as it really is but its not a clunky plastic unit and the build quality it very nice.
    Size wise the Vario is small...not EM480 small but small compared to a Mazzer Mini. I would take the Vario on vacations(and have) As aposed to the MM which i would not.
    Adjustability is great on the Vario. When i first pulled it from the box i was a bit overwelmed by all the lights and buttons but i managed to do the man thing and not read the instructions for programing. 2 x 6.3sec for my double basket. One thing i didnt like about it is that it wont store your settings when powered off for me this sucked a bit as i get multiple blackouts per year. No big deal though as its only the timer u need to re program. The grind remains the same. Which brings me to the adjustables.... "Micro" on the left and "Full" on the right. The "full" remained 2 full clicks down 95% of the time while the "Micro" was used from top to bottom. Most blend, roast or SO problems were quickly fixed with a few clicks of the "Micro".

    Teamed with the DC it was a perfect match. After swapping to the MM recently i have had more wastage, longer prep times and less bench space. I love being in the drivers seat with the MM but i have more shot variences without the programable grind on demand.

    AM.. the Vario matches the DC very well but if your the type that likes the shiny things(big IF) you may find yourself wishing it was bigger or...shinier?

    Otherwise...pull the triger and buy one!
    Try ABC again... i hear they have an EX demo unit

    Leave a comment:


  • EspressoBob
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Ive never tried the Vario myself, so I cant really comment on its quality. I guess what it comes down to is personal taste. I like the square form of the Mignon myself, and if the coffee that it grinds tastes better, thats a no-brainer for me. After all, its the end result that counts for a good cuppa

    Originally posted by 0C082E3737322D3A355B0 link=1274427912/24#24 date=1275024795
    Originally posted by 6E70686573706B6A040 link=1274427912/21#21 date=1275017384
    Vario
    Id go the Vario over the Mignon, just from what ive seen, and other ppls reports..... i think the Mignon looks a little cheap, and there could be a mess prob there too AM, IMO

    Leave a comment:


  • WSullivan
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 6E70686573706B6A040 link=1274427912/21#21 date=1275017384
    Vario
    Id go the Vario over the Mignon, just from what ive seen, and other ppls reports..... i think the Mignon looks a little cheap, and there could be a mess prob there too AM, IMO


    Leave a comment:


  • jasonyuro
    replied
    Re: Mahlkonig Vario Grinder

    Originally posted by 003635372036362A072A27450 link=1274427912/22#22 date=1275017903
    The Mignon is only as messy as its user
    I think that is likely the case with me

    Leave a comment:

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