Grinding coffee is an art, to say the least. You decide what size of grind you want based on how you are going to drink your coffee – using a paper filter, or percolator or as an espresso. Then you find a machine which delivers exactly what you want with minimum hassles. That can sometimes turn out to be quite a task. So, before plunging into an impulsive buy, it’s best to be informed about the choice sand variety out there. This Baratza Virtuoso review should help you on the quest for better coffee.
Contents
Features Of The Baratza Virtuoso
- Grind size: The sleek and good-looking Virtuoso is supposed to do an equally good job on any grind you want – coarse, medium, or fine. Whatever the size you want, it has 40-millimeter conical burrs which deliver a consistent grind across the spectrum, so that all grains are of a similar size. The burrs come with a precision mounting system keeping them stable during extended and repeated grinding. They are highly durable and should stay sharp and pointy for years to come.
- Transmission: The grind does not get overheated and noisy thanks to a DC motor which adjusts the speed over extended grinding periods in conjunction with the second generation gearbox. This ensures smooth operation and reduced levels of noise and heat. The standard speed is 500 rpm, but it can also be changed between 405 to 495 rpm if required.
- Adjusting the grind: Thanks to precision calibration, the Baratza is capable of giving a grind from 250 to 1200 microns. With 40 settings provided, you can go from fine to coarse with just a turn of the hopper.
- The brew: Whether you like to manually brew your coffee or prefer an espresso shot, the Virtuoso can deliver what you want. Additionally, it takes care to leave behind a minimum amount of coffee in the grinder so that you have freshly ground coffee every time.
- Control: A pulse button on the front lets you conveniently operate the grinder so that the grind falls into an espresso filter basket directly. Also, there is a 60-second timer which helps to achieve exact grind times.
Benefits To Expect From The Virtuoso
- The virtuoso does deliver on its promise about the range and consistency of grinds. You get good enough grinds for espresso, drip, French Press, and manual brewing without any clumps getting formed.
- Maintenance is convenient with it being easy to remove and clean the silicone gaskets, Burr, and hopper.
- The pulse button is a great addition to put the final touches on your grinding.
- Customer support gets good reviews for prompt responses and efficient service.
- The machine is heavy enough so that it does not wobble all over the place during a grind.
A Few Things Which Are Not So Great
Just to make this Baratza Virtuoso 586 review complete, here are a few things to keep in mind before buying it. Don’t expect the Virtuoso to grind beans fine enough for Turkish coffee, something it doesn’t even claim to do. The timer may fall off during grinding, in that case, you may have to do a home solution like fixing a paper underneath to tighten it. Take care to set the burr carefully after a servicing; you may not find the correct spot you like the first time you reset it.
Specifications
- Speed to Grind: 1.5 to 2.4 g/sec.
- Bean Hopper Capacity: 8 oz. (227g)
- Grounds Bin Capacity: 5 oz. (142 g)
- Weight: 8 lbs. (3.6kg)
- Dimensions: 12 cm wide x 35 cm high x 16 cm deep
- Material type: Brushed satin metal, black plastic
- Power Rating (North America): 110 V AC 50/60 Hz. 1 Amp
- Power Rating (Other): 230 V AC 50/60 Hz. 0.5 Amps
- Safety Listing: UL/CSA/CE/EK
- Designed & Engineered: Seattle, WA, USA
- Warranty period: 1 year
In Conclusion
This Baratza Virtuoso review should have convinced you that this grinder does a good job of what it’s meant to do, namely grinding coffee for most kinds of coffee lovers. There are a few hiccups on the way, but nothing that is a complete turn-off. The positive aspects make up for any shortfalls in the operation of the grinder. All in all, the verdict is that if you need a coffee grinder or are looking to replace your old one, go and get the Baratza Virtuoso. It is an investment which will last you long and give you good coffee grind in the meantime.
