Originally posted by TampIt
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it almost seems like every 480 i come across is slightly different from the other.

agreed with commercial grinders and grind retention. some people (myself included) just dont mind the 'arcane' routines around our coffee. i personally load a weighed amount, grind, brush, run grinder again and repeat last 2 steps 2-3 times. the results in my VST are amazing. moving from the 480 to the mazzer yeilded significant differences in taste. despite same shot time and appearing similar in pour (wish i had a naked pf to compare, but unfortunately, I dont).
my first time i used a friend's vario I was very impressed with the grind retention - virtually none. i even stuck my finger up the chute (****AFTER UNPLUGGING THE GRINDER) and couldnt really find any clogged up grinds.
it does seem ideal for home use for the person who just cannot be bothered with stupid arcane routines obsessive personalities like myself enjoy.
so if you do consider the commercial grinders - keep in mind the arcane routines will be absolutely necessary or you might as well spend your money on something 1/5 the price.
my major gripes with the vario are:
1. cleaning it every few weeks might be a little bit of a hassle (if you are like me and want everything completely free of oils... from hopper to burrs to chute). the rubber bits in the exit chute especially.....
2. i've heard the burrs are ceramic? can anyone correct or confirm this? i always thought they were steel... in which case another caveat with cleaning the burrs. my hario slim mill burrs cant seem to get the colour of brown off them despite thorough cleaning.
3. stainless is painless. and i see alot of plastic =p.
4. there is just something about the commercials that give you confidence they're built like tanks and considering the very light use in a domestic setting, dont make you feel like you're going to need to replace them in many, many years to come.
and just a side note on the comment about machines not making a difference - they sure do
a heavily modified gaggia speaks for itself.just my 2 cents



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