Description
Baratza Vario-W 986 Coffee Grinder Overview
The Baratza Vario-W 986 is a weight-based coffee grinder with a built-in electronic scale. Instead of dispensing by time, it measures grounds in real time and stops automatically when the programmed weight is reached, landing within 0.2 grams of the target. The three weight presets can be adjusted in 0.1 gram steps.
Dual-cam adjustment replaces hopper twisting, with ten macro settings and twenty-three micro settings giving 230 steps in total. That range helps when dialing in espresso for a prosumer machine, and the grind can be tuned between 250 and 1150 microns. Its 54mm flat ceramic burrs hold less heat than stainless ones, which protects the coffee’s flavors, and they are harder than steel and stay sharp longer. The grinder can be used manually or with a preset that dispenses weighed grounds. Jotting down the settings for each favorite method makes it easy to swap between brews.
Key Features
- Integrated electronic scale with real-time weight measurement
- Dose accurate to within 0.2 grams of the programmed weight
- Three weight presets, adjustable in 0.1 gram increments
- 230 grind steps from 10 macro and 23 micro settings
- 54mm flat ceramic burrs
- High-speed 1350 RPM motor filling the enclosed 5 oz. container at about 2 grams per second
Who It’s For
This grinder is for home brewers who weigh their dose before every brew. The grounds container must be in place for it to run, so a portafilter holder cannot be used, and no portafilter hooks are included.
Specifications
- Burrs: 54mm flat ceramic
- Grind steps: 230 (10 macro, 23 micro)
- Grind range: 250 to 1150 microns
- Dose accuracy: within 0.2 grams
- Presets: three, adjustable in 0.1 gram increments
- Motor speed: 1350 RPM
- Grounds container: 5 oz.
- Output: about 2 grams per second
- Operation requires the grounds container in place
- Portafilter hooks: not included
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the Baratza Vario-W 986 scale?
The Vario-W 986 has a built-in electronic scale that measures grounds in real time and stops automatically when the programmed weight is reached, landing within 0.2 grams of the target. Its three weight presets can be adjusted in 0.1 gram steps.
How many grind settings does the Vario-W 986 have?
Dual-cam adjustment gives ten macro settings and twenty-three micro settings, for 230 steps in total. The grind can be tuned between 250 and 1150 microns, and the listing says that range helps when dialing in espresso for a prosumer machine.
What burrs does the Vario-W 986 use?
It uses 54mm flat ceramic burrs. The listing says ceramic holds less heat than stainless burrs, which protects the coffee’s flavors, and that the burrs are harder than steel and stay sharp longer.
How fast does it grind and how big is the container?
A high-speed 1350 RPM motor fills the enclosed 5 oz. container at about 2 grams per second. You can grind manually or use a preset that dispenses weighed grounds automatically.
Can the Vario-W 986 grind into a portafilter?
No. The grounds container must be in place for the Vario-W 986 to run, so a portafilter holder cannot be used, and no portafilter hooks are included. It is meant for home brewers who weigh their dose before every brew.
Buying advice: read our guide to coffee grinders for pour over, or compare all pour over and drip grinders.
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