Gaggia Classic off of FB Market place - $300
Baratza 230 - off of FB Market $150
50 bucks a good 2lb bean from local roaster.
$100 for wdt, tamper and pitcher and other odds and ends.
I have a Mignon XL which is a timer based on-demand grinder and I find it works quite well. I replaced a Vario-W that I used for 10 years with it and while I honestly don’t notice much difference in the cup, the Eureka is faster, quieter, and more consistent….the speed and noise can’t be overstated, it’s not even close. It was a bit of a step backwards in terms of usability with going from GBW to timed dosing, but the Vario grinds into a catch bin so in some ways the Eureka was an improvement. I’ve since added a large adjustment dial to it, and an olive wood hopper lid. I use a scale to weigh the portafilter before and after I grind and I find the timer works quite well at achieving consistent output.
I own 5. I have a. Vario W+. A Eureka ORO XL. 1Zpresso JX pro, Outin Fino and a Cera +. I do most things with the ORO which single doses and with the Argo wheel will move between Espresso and everything else very easily, reliably and accurately. I do hand grind for my flair FP3 with the JX pro because it’s set up for that. At work I use the Outin Fino for everything from Outin Nano to Aeropress, Clever and V60. I bought the ORO new and it has been bullet proof for almost 5 years. It replaced the Vario, which is in my basement. I have been drinking home espresso since 2003ish. I do upgrade but it’s pretty intentional and functionally driven. I’m on my 5th machine (Lelit Victoria bought new 5 years ago) and it is perfect for my use case. The ORO was some serious coin, but it is pretty amazing. Low retention (almost zero with rdt) and infinitely adjustable with the Argo wheel. I grind V60 at 60 and Yirgachaffe for espresso at 6. It returns to the setting. I am interested in the Mahlkoenig X64 SD. I love their grinders. If the ORO ever breaks, it’ll be on my short list.
| Grinder | Burrs & size | GBW style | Best use case | Notable strengths | Main drawbacks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Baratza Vario W+ | 54 mm flat steel burrs, home‑oriented | GBW only, into bin | Home espresso + filter | Versatile, compact, good value; designed for home duty | Lighter build than Forte; GBW not into PF by default |
| Baratza Forte AP | 54 mm flat **ceramic** flat burrs | Time or GBW, PF or bin | All‑purpose, espresso‑forward; home or low‑volume café | Commercial‑grade build, 260 stepped settings, by‑time or by‑weight, PF holder, stronger motor than Vario | Louder and pricier than Vario; still 54 mm vs 64–75 mm class |
| Eureka Mignon Libra | 55 mm flat, espresso oriented | GBW into PF | Compact home espresso GBW | Quiet, small footprint, accurate GBW into PF | Less heavy‑duty than Atom; retention only “okay” |
| Eureka Atom W65/W75 | 65/75 mm espresso burrs | GBW, hands‑free PF | Prosumer / light‑commercial espresso bar | Fast, quiet, very slick PF‑docking GBW workflow | Large, expensive; overkill for light use |
| Mahlkönig E64 WS | 64 mm GBW espresso grinder | GBW, hopper‑fed | High‑end home / prosumer espresso | Very consistent, “pro” feel, strong value in 64 mm GBW segment | Bigger and more industrial feel; louder than a Mignon |
| Fiorenzato All Ground Sense | 64 mm multi‑purpose burrs | GBW, multi‑mode | Smart, feature‑rich home grinder (espresso + brew) | Highly regarded performance, flexible modes, modern UX; often rated ahead of Eureka GBW line overall | Retention only average; price above entry GBW options |
It was convenient, but I would have occasional inconsistencies that led me to think it was part of the problem. Usually it was pretty accurate, but occasionally the weight would be off just enough to be annoying.
Also, the grinder retained a fair amount, which was a slight issue the next morning because you'd get some day old grinds.
I don't think it was bad at all, and it certainly was convenient... But in the end I started ignoring the weight function by setting the target weight really high, and then single dosing. It also means I can use a couple sprays of water to reduce friction.
That being said, now I have a Zerno Z1 which was a remarkable upgrade, and I wouldn't consider going back. The Vario was great for its price range though. It made some good pour over as well.
The Vario W+ is an excellent grinder—its 54mm Ditting flat burrs are tried-and-true for pourover. Plus you get the benefit of excellent product support from Baratza. IMHO, there really isn’t any other grinder to consider because you like the convenience of the hopper and grind-by-weight features.
Other people are chiming in with the usual grinder recommendations—and they are good grinders. However, please keep in mind that most people recommend things that work well for them, and according to their own preferences. Most pourover enthusiasts eschew grinders with large hoppers and grind by weight features, for example. Many have a strong preference for hand grinding.
Get the grinder with the features that \*you\* want, not the grinder that others would prefer to own. After all, \*you\* are the person who will be using it every day. The Vario W+ is an excellent grinder, and there is no other grinder at its price point that offers its combination of 54mm Ditting flat burrs, generous hopper, grind by weight convenience, and strong product support by Baratza.
The AllGround Sense is an excellent grinder as well, but it’s most likely out of the OP’s budget. The AllGround Sense typically retails for around $1,300. I suppose it’s possible that one might be had for closer to $1,000 if a sale can be found.
The AllGround Sense is more espresso-focused, although it is capable of grinding for filter coffee. While the Vario W+ is a primarily filter-focused grinder capable of grinding for espresso.
IMHO, the Vario W+ is a better fit for the OP.
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DF54 Series
79% positive of 390 users
Great value for espresso, but clogs and poor for pour-over.
Aggravating_Joke2651
