Baratza - Forté (Modified)

I currently have an alicorn aligned Forte and LOVE the coffee it produces from Light to medium, no problem. However, I am so tired of hand grinding for espresso, I use a JMax for that, so I want to get a second electric grinder. I am willing to get a espresso grinder and keep the Forte as a Brew Grinder, or IF there is a better brew grinder available (sub $1k) get that for brew, and dedicate my Forte to espresso. The only reason I am considering the 078 is because Lance, in his review of the Sculptor lineup, the ONLY one that he rated above the Vario/Forte was the 078, which according to him, is THE BEST brew grinder under $2000. So now I'm interested, and looking for others opinions. Edit: I was looking at the DF83v prior to this, but at the same price point I figured the Timemore was better overall, and also I really prefer it in white aesthetically.

I appreciate the detailed comparison. I may be grasping at straws here, honestly out of the few different grinders I've had coffee from, including local shops, the coffee produced from my forte is clearly the best, I'm such a huge fan of it. I think I may be better served finding another espresso grinder and dedicating my Forte to my daily brews. Even your description of the Vario brew is very much in line with my experience, just vibrant, colorful, and and juicy cups, time and time again. But I am staying tuned, in case you have any more great cup comparisons even down the line 👍🏽

My Baratza, ordered from Baratza, ground unevenly (dust, ground coffee, and biggish pieces) with a loud cracking noise at regular intervals (not just the usual burr grinding sound) from the git-go, and broke irreparably within a year -- as I drink coffee only two or three times a month, that would be more like a few weeks for most users. The on/off switch doesn't have a timer and if you fill the top -- if you put in more than a few tablespoons, actually-- and turn your back for a moment it will clog. As I put up with it for about a year, having no other option for grinding coffee, service was nonexistent. The years old Baratza this was supposed to be a replacement for had a timed switch (the same switch from the outside, and the little glitch of turning on until YOU turn it off wasn't mentioned in any review or Baratza's description), ground delightfully evenly at all settings, and never clogged despite my ex-husband -- the main coffee drinker-- never cleaning it and me only cleaning it (running rice or cleaning grains through it) when I thought of it, which wasn't often. I guess the gist is, be sure of what you're getting if you get a Baratza.

Baratza is the answer. I've had mine for over 20 years. I recently contacted the company to buy the little rubber feet that deteriorated on the bottom and they sent me the feet, some extra other parts, stickers and postcards. Years ago I contacted them to buy a few other normal wear and tear parts and they sent those free too. Buddy at work has one, they've sent him new circuit boards and gearboxes for free. Outstanding product and customer service you just don't find anymore.

Baratza is great.

Get a used grinder on marketplace for sure. Oxo and Breville are the bare minimum, but if you see a sub-$50 Baratza, that’s even better. If you don’t want to then start buying more beans, just resell it yourself when you finish the bag. Anything lower-end than those and I wouldn’t bother. Blade grinders ruin beans, as do super cheap “burr” grinders like Cuisinart and Shardor. As far as storage, if you brew coffee daily, I’d just keep them in a resealable container (with a “burp” valve if possible; old bags from previous coffee purchases should work) in a cool and dry place.

I got the Sage Barista Pro with the Baratza-Grinder and love it.

☝️this, I have 2 Mazzer Minis for regular and decaf espresso, and a baratza mainly for French Press and cold brew

I use a Comandante hand grinder with a Hario electric attachment to make pour over. I have a Baratza that rarely gets used.

I 2nd that. I got the one with the scale used on eBay. It's been great. Baratzas are great too. Better reliability and fix ability. But they are also a lot noisier.

We've had an OE Lido3 for years, and it's an excellent manual burr grinder. Have a Barazta that was just too damn loud, particularly first thing in the am. It's been collecting dust since the Lido3 showed up. But the Lido is $$$.