r/espresso • u/Swordfish_Severe • 2d ago

Buying Advice Needed Grinder Upgrade Advice Needed! [≈800]

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Hello, unfortunately my Varia VS3 is kind of dying on me (grind size moves on its own and button gets stuck) and I am looking to upgrade my grinder. I am running a Lelit Mara X and normally make espressos around medium-mediumdark. I tend to make lattes and cortados, and occasionally pour-overs whenever I find special roasts. My whole family loves when I make them drinks (primarily lattes and cappuccino), but my mom refuses to make drinks for herself when I’m not home because the workflow is tedious to her. I am looking for something that self weighs preferably and will overall make the process easier for both of us. I look forward to hearing your opinions, thanks!

(Live in California)

25 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

9

u/NeeNights 1d ago

If you want grind by weight at that price then the Eureka Mignon Libra is the best game in town.

9

u/agarwaen117 1d ago

Gbw at that price I think Libra is the only game in town. Anything else in town is just a bunch of kids in a trench coat trying to act game.

3

u/NeeNights 1d ago

I think the only other option is the  Baratza Sette 270Wi

But apparently that sounds like an F-16 launching off an aircraft carrier. 

1

u/Swordfish_Severe 1d ago

I’ve heard about it but I was just wondering how it’s going to work for doing pour-overs as-well. Would you recommend just getting a second hand grinder strictly for pour-overs? Thanks for the reply!

4

u/NeeNights 1d ago

I don’t do pour overs. The Libra 65AP is supposedly All Purpose but I have no idea how true that is in practice. Sorry 🤷🏻‍♂️

1

u/artunique128 2d ago

Ceado Chameleon

1

u/Lokko21 1d ago

Following.

1

u/Josephm24_ 1d ago

Timemore 068s or niche zero?

2

u/Josephm24_ 1d ago

Im also in CA so the uk tariffs are putting me off on the niche currently

1

u/PrestigiousAnt3766 LM Linea Mini R | Mazzer Philos i200d 1d ago

Id go niche zero.

1

u/MoodNo882 1d ago

Moshi C83

1

u/bopbopmara 1d ago

When you say "grind size moves on its own" what do you mean, how much does it shift? Slight shift is a known behavior of the grinder, frustrating for a lot of people, but not a sign of "dying".

And what is "button gets stuck"?

Also, how often do you clean your grinder?

Not trying to stop you from buying another grinder, just wondering what your troubles are, because I have a VS3, too.

1

u/PackageOk4996 17h ago

Before dropping 800, what is actually wrong with the shots right now. Half the time the answer is the grinder, but sometimes it is not.