If money is not an object, the Baratza Sette line will definitely be the choice of coffee lovers. Baratza brought espresso home grinding and specialty coffee preparations to a whole new level.
We have Baratza to thank for the Vario grinder, the decade-old burr grinder that set the bar for high-end home grinding for espresso and gourmet coffee. Today, the Vario is still a favored bean grinder despite the fact the many other newer models are now available.
Still, Baratza does not rest its laurel by being happy with the response and feedback for the Vario. There is always room for innovation and the Baratza Sette line proves that.
What Makes the Sette Line Unique?
The two important new features of the Sette line are: design and low retention grinder
- Design – The Sette line features a straightforward design. It has a 40 centimeter conical burr. The inner burr of the Sette is stationary while the upper outer burr rotates. This is the total opposite for most conical burrs in the market today. This setup allows for a straight design with low grind retention and high speed grinding. With this unique design, the Sette can grind 3.5 to 5.5 grams per second, twice the speed of the Vario.
- Low Retention Grinders – Specialty coffee beans are expensive and we want to get the most of them when we grind. The Sette line does that. No beans are wasted and you get the most of your coffee grounds. With other conical burrs, you need to add 3 to 5 grams more in order to get the exact amount that you need.
Let’s now take a look at the different Baratza Sette models.
Baratza Sette 30AP vs 270
The Baratza Sette 30AP came after the phenomenal success of the 270. It is known as the more affordable younger brother of the 270, which was awarded as the best new product in 2016 by the Specialty Coffee Association.
The 270 is already an institution when it comes to high-end grinding, what can the Sette 30AP offer?
Number of grind settings
The Sette 30AP gives us a clue as to the specific grind settings of this new model. The 30AP has 30 macro grind settings. The 270 also has 30 but there are nine more micro adjustments to each for a total of 270. It only means that the 30AP is less complicated and more user-friendly, especially for a first-time buyer of an espresso grinder.
The 270 can offer more grinding options but if you are looking for a less demanding grinding machine and an entry level espresso machine, the 30AP offers that advantage.
Burr material
Baratza Sette models feature a standard 40 mm steel burr, except for the 30AP. The 30AP has a plastic burr which is perfect for espresso and other finer grinding method. If you want a coarser grinder, you can use the BG burr or the brew grind burr. It fits all the Sette models.
Portafilter Accommodation
All the Sette models have coffee ground bins. On the 30AP, the plastic support forks are adjusted by pulling them out and re-inserting. On the 270, the metal support is easily adjusted without removing the bin.
Baratza 270 features
The Sette 270 is the mother of all Sette models. The 30AP is like a downgrade of the 270 but it does not mean that the 30AP is no good. Still, there are more features that are to be loved from the original Sette model. Let’s see about that.
Design
The unique arrangement of the 270 burr gives it a low grind retention. The outer burr rotate and the inner burr is fixed to give consistent and even grind. Literally, almost no coffee ground is left behind. The Sette 270 design create room for the bean hopper on top of the burrs. This improves the speed and efficiency of the burr grinder.
Programmability
The 270 model gives you three programmable buttons to keep the time. The pulse button also helps you to switch to manual grinding until you release it. If you want to increase the volume of your grind, choose the pulse and grind based on your preference. You can save this preference for future grinding.
Glamor
Sette in Italian means “seven”. This design element is obvious in the streamlined shaped, straight lines of the Sette 270. It veers away from the common design of coffee grinders which is more on the curves and bends.
Easy to clean
Because of the low grind retention, it is easy to clean the Sette 270. You just need a grinder brush to dust off any minimal leftover on the burr and the glass. No need to rinse with water.
Baratza 270w features
The Baratza 270W is relatively new. Let’s see how it fares compared to the 270.
Performance
The 270w is virtually the same as the 270. However, it has a new feature that allows you to grind beans by weight. Hence, the “W” in the 270 model. It measures your beans and show you how much beans are loaded and if you want to reduce or add more depending on your need. However, there had been some issues with 270w since some users tend to grind more, causing the portafilter to overfill.
Build Quality
According to coffee reviews, the 270W motor can run for up to 150 hours. If you make 10 espresso shots each day, your grinder can last for 20 years. This is already a good investment for home use. But if you are buying one for a coffee shop, this will wear and tear faster than expected.
Functionality
The 270W has a Bluetooth capability and you can use the Brewbar app and install it on your phone. This records all your grinding process and suggests good combination depending on your usual preference.
Baratza 270Wi features
If you think Baratza is done innovating, think again. The Baratza 270Wi features 40 mm conical steel burrs. It has a time and weigh-based dosing systems and a combined stepped and stepless grind adjustment system.
Like the other Sette models, the 270Wi features the same design, programmability and quality. However, this model perfected the 270W’s weight management feature. With its design, you can place it on top of the counter to save space and put an elegant eyepiece on your kitchen.
Other types of coffee grinders
The Baratza Sette line is an elite type of coffee bean grinder. But, there are other grinders that you need to know as well.
Disc and conical grinder
Baristas prove that this type of grinder produces consistent coffee grounds that works well for coffee makers used in gourmet coffee shops. The beans fall in between cones and discs, ensuring consistent grind. However, they come at a price and may not be a reasonable purchase for average home users.
Blade Grinders
This is considered the cheapest kind of grinder. Your kitchen blender can double as a crude blade coffee grinder. Just like the blade of a blender, this type of coffee grinder slice, tear and smash coffee beans. However, it makes inconsistent grinding. Plus, the high RPM rate can burn the ground coffee. According to expert, if you are using a blade grinder, grind the beans for 20 seconds tops.
Hand Crank Burr Grinder
Nothing beats old-fashioned, manual, hand-driven, burr grinders. It may sound so old school but the rhythmic fashion of hand grinding produce a consistent texture of the ground coffee. You will need a minute to grind coffee beans for a cup of coffee. You may need to pay a few more bucks for it, but it’s worth the investment.
