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Baratza Preciso

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  • #16
    Glad I checked back and read this thread.
    I used my Preciso this morning and after a few shots I've got it set to the finest grind possible (macro 1) and its barely fine enough.

    I thought my unit was faulty and I would need to send it back but it sounds like I just need to calibrate it?
    I'll see how I go!

    I will also add I am happy with how fast it grinds and how static free the grinds are!
    I find the portafilter holder doesn't work so well though - the chute is too far back and half the grinds end up in the bottom of the container.
    I found it easier to just use the normal container and pour the grinds into the portafilter instead.

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    • #17
      I'm confused.

      Why would a client with no expertise need or be expected to "calibrate" a piece of equipment that should be fit for purpose straight up out of the box & require no more than a simple grind adjustment?

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      • #18
        I ended up buying a Preciso the other day. Did a first grind at 8F and thought from the feel it would be pretty close to the mark (for espresso). Lot fluffier than I'm used to from the Porlex hand grinder, making the basket overfilled and grooming a lot easier.

        Well that grind went through in about 10 seconds! Funny thing is I actually enjoyed it so really looking forward to dialing this in over the next few coffees.

        I wouldn't even it call it calibration, and no expertise is needed-- it's just a simple screw that either goes in a coarse, medium or fine hole to shift the range more in that way. I'm glad they made this extra adjustment available rather than just limiting the grinder to a narrower range. I'm glad they just didn't make the entire range of the burrs accessible via the macro/minor dials as 440 steps in a narrower range means finer steps.

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        • #19
          Initial impressions

          Pros
          • Fast shipping from Five Senses, next day from Melbourne to NSW regional. Meanwhile an in-stock item I ordered from another well-known coffee mob in Melbourne 8 days ago still hasn't arrived, nor did they respond to a pre-sales question.
          • Heavier and not as flimsy as I was expecting for the price. Feels good.
          • Not as toyish looking as it can appear in pictures. Compact, trim, bits not hanging off everywhere making it easy to store away in a cupboard.
          • Fast. I thought I wouldn't have the patience to wait for the times I've heard about with other grinders in the same class, but this thing more than satisfies me.
          • Grinding bin - no mess. I use that when the wife is around or handhold and spin the basket when she's out. Slight static and clumping with the bin but no big deal.
          • Grind retention - very minimal, a few tenths of a gram if that. Great for hopper dosing. A tap on the machine smacks most of that out too.
          • Servicing - A very simple and serviceable machine, a definite positive over the Smart Grinder I was also considering. Parts appear easy to get and at very reasonably prices, repair instructions are clear, well illustrated and readily downloadable for free. No need to send in for service.
          • Price
          • Compact - no bits hanging off everywhere, very small footprint, easy to store away.


          Cons
          • Not the most pleasant grinding sound, but I wouldn't say unreasonably loud.
          • Macro scale: labelling should have started at 0, not 1, as there are 10 steps to 10, not 9. Macro #5 for instance would be different depending on whether you counted down from the 10 marking or up from the 1.
          • Plastic adjustment components and drive train will fail with good use eventually. I'd actually prefer that they are plastic however, enabling me to afford this grinder.


          Neutral
          • Definitely more appliance looking rather than industrial.
          • Power cable is pretty long, a plus for some, a negative for others.



          The temperature issue

          One or two reviews of the Preciso commented on the heat generated during grinding potentially being an issue. I'm not consistent or tuned enough to comment on whether heat negatively (or positively) affects taste, but I did measure that an 18g grind (about 10 seconds) caused the grinds to heat up from 25°C to 31°C. It was noticeable to the touch but really only just.

          31
          °C probably sounds like no big deal considering a hotter day could do the same, but this was the temperature of the grounds after the grind had finished. Individual grains during the process would have hit higher temperatures for the average to be 31 after. This grind however was way too fine for espresso (setting: 1-F with macro starting at 0) choking a 20g beverage out in 40 seconds before I cut it. I expect this temperature rise to reduce significantly as I home in on a looser grind.


          Summary

          Definitely happy with the purchase so far. I have no delusions that it will last forever. I can't comment on the quality of the grind but the positive opinions of others and its good grind profile don't have me thinking I should have waited until I could afford a more expensive unit. I value the features it does have (like the grinding bin and small footprint) more than its build quality.

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          • #20
            Baratza Preciso

            Thanks for the review. Can you link to the service manuals? I'm interested in this to replace my aging 480, which has enough spindle play to make for a very uneven grind.

            Curious as to the spindle support methods in the Preciso.

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            • #21
              Repair instructions are filed by problem, here

              From the Gear replacement doc and gear drive replacement part I suspect spindle flop will be an issue with this grinder over time as well, possibly any cheap grinder without top support of the spindle. 15USD for the replacement kit is nice to know though.

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              • #22
                Curiosity got the better of me and I had a look around to see what this grinder actually was.

                Maybe it's fuzzy memory, but this to me looks like a souped up version of an old Solis which retailed <$200- rebranded.... It was sold under a couple of other brand names as well. Presumably, they have attended to some of the other limitations of the old one.

                I'll be really interested to see what the track record of these is in a couple of years....

                My opinion? The Breville is better value when it comes to appliance grinders and I suspect it will be just as long lived. Regardless, my money would still buy a small commercial Macap M2/Compak K3P etc and I'd save a little extra to do it. They don't break so repair instructions are not needed..
                Last edited by TC; 13 February 2013, 05:31 PM. Reason: added extra info...

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                • #23
                  Re: Baratza Preciso

                  So how was it to use?

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by Jeffie View Post
                    So how was it to use?
                    The Solis?

                    The Solis was rubbish.

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      From what I read, Baratza designed and built a grinder in 2001 that Solis put their badge on, calling it the Maestro. Baratza also designed a better spec'd machine which Solis sold as the Maestro Plus. Baratza went on to evolve the Maestro Plus into the Baratza Encore, that is currently sold for half what the Preciso does ($163). The Virtuoso is the next step up from the Encore (better burrs) and then the Preciso another step up with again better burrs, finer steps and a greater grind range.

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by Talk_Coffee View Post
                        The Solis?

                        The Solis was rubbish.
                        No the Baratza

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by Jeffie View Post
                          So how was it to use?
                          A lot easier than that Porlex hand grinder! I don't have any experience with other electric grinders to compare it to, but I can say I am yet to come across anything annoying. It does what I expected.

                          The minimal grind retention allowed me to dose straight into the hopper which was nice. The final bean or two get chewed up pretty quick whereas I could easily imagine them to bounce around, avoiding their death without other beans pushing them down. I don't use the timer dial on the side.

                          I don't use the Portafilter holder so can't comment there. Holding the basket right up against the chute while slowly rotating it gave a fluffy, clumpless distribution. It's nice not to have portafilter holders in the way actually. For those going between espresso and other brewing methods, I could imagine its ability to quickly swap out the portafilter holder for the grinding bin to be very handy.

                          I also grind into the bin and then pour into the basket--that does clump a little, but a milk pitcher like swirl while tipping seemed to mostly kill the clumps and defeat the static at the same time.

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                          • #28
                            Curious to hear if anyone has owned both this grinder and a rocky and how they compare?

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                            • #29
                              Re: Baratza Preciso

                              Originally posted by Semillon View Post
                              Curious to hear if anyone has owned both this grinder and a rocky and how they compare?
                              I just want to hear what Talk Coffee thought of actual usage of this grinder.

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                              • #30
                                Originally posted by Jeffie View Post
                                I just want to hear what Talk Coffee thought of actual usage of this grinder.
                                Clearly he hasn't used one.

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