Baratza Sette 30 Coffee Grinder Review: Loud, but Badass!

Introduction and Overview

The video introduces the topic of the Baratza Sette 30 grinder and provides an overview of its features, quality, and performance for espresso.

Baratza Sette 30 Grinder

• The Baratza Sette 30 is named after its unique seven-shaped design.

• The video will discuss the grinder's quality, features, grinding capabilities, and its suitability for making espresso.

• Pros and cons of the machine will also be discussed.

Unboxing and Accessories

This section covers the unboxing process of the Baratza Sette 30 grinder and highlights the included accessories.

Unboxing Process

• The grinder comes in a sturdy box that can be kept for safekeeping or future resale.

• The design of the grinder is aesthetically pleasing.

• Included accessories are a small brush for cleaning, an allen wrench, shims (not required for this review), and a quick start guide.

• A plastic catch cup is provided but users can use their own metal catch cup if preferred.

Quality and Features

This section focuses on discussing the quality and features of the Baratza Sette 30 grinder.

Display and Grinding Time

• The grinder has a display that shows the grinding time. Currently set to 11 seconds.

• It grinds at a rate of approximately 2 grams per second, which is faster than some other grinders.

• The machine has low retention due to its straight-through design without a grounds chamber.

Controls

• There are buttons for stop, play/wake-up, up/down adjustment of time.

Timer Limitations

• Only one timer is available on this machine. It would be convenient to have two timers for different grind settings.

• When the machine is unplugged and plugged back in, it resets to three seconds, which can be inconvenient.

Portability and Build Quality

• The grinder is lightweight (4.4 kg or 9 lbs) and designed for easy handling.

• The casing is made of plastic but feels well-molded and of good quality.

• The bean hopper and grounds catcher are also made of plastic.

Burr Quality

• Baratza has invested in high-quality burrs for this grinder, resulting in a fluffy and static-free grind.

• The haptic feedback and numerical markings on the grind collar are appreciated.

Conclusion

This section concludes the review by summarizing the key points discussed about the Baratza Sette 30 grinder.

• The Baratza Sette 30 grinder offers a unique design with its seven-shaped body.

• It comes with accessories such as a brush, allen wrench, shims (if needed), catch cup, and quick start guide.

• The grinder has a display for grinding time, stop/play buttons, and adjustable timers.

• Timer limitations include having only one timer available and resetting to three seconds when unplugged.

• The machine is portable with its lightweight design but has a plastic casing and bean hopper.

• High-quality burrs provide a fluffy and static-free grind experience.

Timestamps may vary slightly depending on the video version.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a grinder, specifically focusing on haptic and numerical feedback.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Haptic and Numerical Feedback

• The speaker appreciates the haptic and numerical feedback provided by the grinder, as it allows them to know exactly where they are in terms of settings.

• However, one disadvantage is that the grinder is not stepless, meaning that if you're in between two settings, it may not be fine enough. Adjustments may be needed to achieve the desired dose.

New Section

In this section, the speaker talks about using freshly roasted espresso beans for their trials with the grinder.

Using Freshly Roasted Espresso Beans

• The speaker mentions having some freshly roasted beans that are about four weeks old.

• These beans are a mixture of 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta. The Robusta adds extra crema and has higher caffeine content compared to Arabica.

• The speaker has conducted at least 10 trials with these beans so far, finding that grinding at level six results in an average shot time of 30 to 32 seconds, while grinding at level seven yields around 23 to 24 seconds.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses grinding settings and noise levels associated with the grinder.

Grinding Settings and Noise Levels

• The speaker typically sets the grinder dial between six and seven for their shots.

• Grinding at level six results in a longer shot time (around 30 to 32 seconds), while grinding at level seven produces a shorter shot time (around 23 to 24 seconds).

• It's important to consider the noise produced by this grinder due to its straight-through design. It is on the noisier side compared to other grinders.

New Section

In this section, the speaker talks about retention and demonstrates using a specific espresso machine for their experiment.

Retention and Espresso Machine

• The speaker mentions experiencing varying amounts of retention with the grinder, ranging from 0.0 to 0.5 grams.

• They have a La Marzocco Linea Mini espresso machine for their experiment, which has a shot counter feature.

New Section

In this section, the speaker prepares an espresso shot using the grinder and evaluates its taste.

Preparing and Evaluating an Espresso Shot

• The speaker puts 18 grams of coffee into the portafilter.

• They extract a two-to-one ratio shot (36 grams) in approximately 29 seconds.

• The resulting crema is described as "real crema" and visually appealing.

• The speaker expresses a preference for conical burrs over flat ones, finding them more forgiving and producing sweeter shots.

New Section

In this section, the speaker shares their overall opinion on the grinder and discusses its pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Sette 30 Grinder

• The speaker has grown fond of the Sette 30 grinder due to its haptic feedback, numerical feedback, quick grinding speed (around 2 grams per second), good ergonomics, attractive design, ease of movement, low retention (typically around zero or 0.2 grams), and support provided by Baratza.

• However, they mention that noise is one drawback of this grinder. Additionally, having more settings between the existing ones would be beneficial for finer adjustments.

Timestamps are approximate and may not align perfectly with each bullet point.