Baratza Vario+ Coffee Grinder

The Vario+ uses 54mm flat ceramic burrs and a dual stepped macro/micro adjustment system that yields over 220 grind settings — enough precision for espresso yet broad enough for French press. Its LCD display with programmable time-based dosing (adjustable to the tenth of a second) and three dose presets make switching between brew methods fast and repeatable. It's ideal for the home enthusiast who brews espresso in the morning and pour-over in the afternoon without wanting two separate grinders.

The Vario+ pairs a macro ring (10 positions) with a micro ring (22 positions per macro step), creating over 220 discrete settings. This gives you enough resolution to fine-tune espresso extraction without going stepless, while the macro ring lets you jump quickly to drip or French press territory. The flat ceramic burrs produce a consistent, uniform particle distribution across the full range, so you're not sacrificing filter clarity to get espresso capability — it genuinely performs well at both ends.

Periodically vacuum retained grounds from the burr chamber using a grinder vacuum — this prevents stale buildup that affects flavor. Run Cafetto Grinder Cleaner tablets through the burrs every few weeks to dissolve coffee oils that ceramic surfaces can accumulate over time. Keep the Vario+ away from moisture; ceramic burrs are durable but the grind chamber and electronics benefit from a dry environment. Between deep cleans, purging a gram or two of fresh beans before dosing helps maintain flavor accuracy.

Time-based dosing is inherently affected by grind size and bean density — a finer espresso grind dispenses less weight per second than a coarse drip setting. The Vario+'s three programmable presets help here: you can save separate timed doses for espresso and filter, so switching methods doesn't require recalibrating each time. Expect to weigh your output occasionally when changing beans or grind size, but once dialed in for a specific coffee and setting, the tenth-of-a-second precision keeps doses remarkably repeatable.

The Vario+ pairs beautifully with machines like the Breville Dual Boiler, Profitec Go, or Lelit Bianca — any setup where you want one grinder covering espresso and filter duties. Its included metal portafilter fork holds 58mm portafilters hands-free, and the grounds bin handles filter doses. In Clive's lineup, it sits between entry-level espresso grinders and dedicated prosumer flat burr grinders, occupying a unique all-purpose position that no single-purpose grinder can match for versatility.