Compare Grinders


	Varia	Rancilio
MSRP
MSRP	$299	$440
Skill Level
Skill Level	Beginner	Beginner
Type
Type	Electric	Electric
Activation
Activation	Press Button	Rocker Switch
Grind Method
Grind Method	Conical Burr	Flat Burr
Burr Diameter
Burr Diameter	38 mm	50 mm
Adjustment
Adjustment	Stepless	Stepped
Adjustment Scale
Adjustment Scale	1 micron	10+ micron
Dosing Method
Dosing Method	Manual On/Off	Lever Dispenser
Dosing Type
Dosing Type	Single Dose	Hopper
Retention
Retention	< .2 g	1 - 1.5 g
Grind Range
Grind Range	Full - Pour Over to Espresso	Espresso
Time to Grind (18g)
Time to Grind (18g)	20	30
Motor RPM
Motor RPM	190 rpm	1350 rpm
Swappable Burrset
Swappable Burrset	Yes	No
Adjustable RPM
Adjustable RPM	No	No
Weight
Weight	3.2 kg	7 kg
Material
Material	Painted Steel	Plastic
Dosing Cup
Dosing Cup	Magentic Catch Cup	No Information

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

The Rancilio Rocky Black and the Varia VS3 are both semi-automatic espresso grinders suitable for beginners. The Rocky Black is priced at an MSRP of $440, while the VS3 is more affordable at $299. Both brands are well-regarded in the espresso community, yet the Rocky's slightly higher price may indicate a more robust build quality.

Brewing Comparison

In terms of grinding information, the Rancilio Rocky features a flat burr grinding method with a 50mm steel burr, using a stepped adjustment system. In contrast, the Varia VS3 utilizes a conical burr grinding method with a smaller 38mm stainless steel burr and offers a stepless adjustment feature. The Rocky employs a hopper type for dosing, while the VS3 uses a single dose approach, which can lead to less retention and more consistent dosing for users looking for precision. Each grinder's design offers distinct benefits depending on user preference for adjustment control and dosing methodology.

Features Comparison

When assessing key features, the Rancilio Rocky does not have adjustable RPM and has a grind range specified for espresso only, while the Varia VS3 has a more versatile grind range from pour over to espresso. The Varia also allows for swappable burrs, enhancing its adaptability and maintenance options, whereas the Rocky does not. Overall, the Varia VS3 offers more flexibility for both espresso and other brewing methods, catering to a wider audience, while the Rocky focuses on espresso-specific performance.

Note: Espresso Setup Chris is expirementing with generated summaries for dynamic pages (we have 10,000+ so I can't write for all of them!) If you found this useful, or awful, please shoot me an email with feedback Chris@EspressoSetupBuilder.com. May your shots be perfectly extracted and milk frothy.

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