The Baratza Sette 270 is among the trio of cone burr grinders that come in the Sette series. It shares identical components with the other two. The Sette 30 is an excellent choice for those who enjoy espresso, yet the alternative surpasses it with greater sophistication. Why? The reason it is popular is because it has the capacity for fine tuning and a remarkably precise timer for measuring out the dosage.
The Sette 270 Wi is the most costly and state-of-the-art of the three, because it has a nifty – albeit not obligatory – weight management attribute.
The purpose of this review is to determine if the Baratza Sette 270 is an item worth buying.
Past issues
It is advantageous for seasoned grinders to become better with practice. Soon after Baratza released the Sette collection in 2016, customers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of sturdiness of the motor.
Additionally, although the majority of users and professionals were satisfied with the evenness of the grind and the minimal retention, no one was spared from the obnoxious noise these grinders emit.
Baratza has devoted their time to fix these predicaments and have achieved some progress in doing so. The Sette 270 and 270 Wi have been improved by replacing their feet to produce a quieter coffee grinding process. Furthermore, these items run at a slower rate of revolutions per minute to minimize noise and help decrease the probability of wear and tear without compromising on performance.
Sette 30 vs. 270 vs. 270Wi
Overall, the three grinders offer outstanding grinding quality. They provide a reliable level of grinding, minimal unintended material, limited waste, and a noticeably rapid pace.
The most economical one out of the three models is the Baratza Sette 30. Coffee lovers who are fans of espresso will discover that the 30 adjustments aren’t enough to make the ideal espresso every time.
The Sette 270 and Sette 270 Wi feature step-less adjustment settings that are considerably better. Moreover, the Sette 30 has less configurable options than the more advanced versions.
If you have already done a lot of exploring into coffee, then you have noticed how important accurate measurements are. This espresso is top-notch, and it’s extraordinary that a grinder at this price point is able to make it. The Sette 270 Wi has pro-precision capabilities.
The 270 models are equipped with a slower speed setting in order to enhance the longevity and strength for day-to-day use.
Build quality and design
Plastic is known for its longevity, yet it has a fragile, inexpensive quality about it.
Some coffee fans may not be thrilled with the plastic construction of the Sette 270. This grinder is not particularly polished and does not muffle the sound of the motor, thus it is quite loud. That said, construction isn’t of low quality. It is mostly about how attractive and solidly-constructed the Sette coffee grinders appear. The look of the buttons does not seem to fit with the rest of the design. They are reminiscent of an old DVD player.
In contrast, the Sette series grinders have a distinctive form and appearance. The design, display, and buttons make it simple to operate for any person. In addition, the illuminated screen makes it simpler to use this device even when it is dark or in an area with very little light.
Burr and motor quality
In its entirety, the Sette 270 is a robust grinder, while Baratza gives extraordinary customer service and technical aid. The motor does not have as long a lifetime as most Baratza grinders, which is the only hindrance when it comes to durability. If you don’t live in either the US or Canada, it might be better for you to look into other possibilities that involve fewer problems.
The issue is that many comparable coffee grinders cost more or lack the modern qualities that the Sette 270 has.
The Etzinger 40mm conical burr is a game-changer. The burr functions to make a level cut, leading to superior regularity and rapidity in performance. The singular form of the design of the grinder chamber allows crushed coffee beans to directly enter the portafilter or storage container.
Over time, Baratza has come to understand the desire of their customers to increase the range of applications for their Sette grinders. Therefore, the company designed a distinctive collection of burrs to enhance the delivery of medium to coarse grounds.
At first, the corporation referred to their burr grinders as AP (general-purpose) and BG (tea grinder). Baratza came to the conclusion to call them S1 and S2 after more thought, aware that the size of the grind and the outcomes of the brewing depend upon each individual’s tastes.
Ease of use
The Baratza Sette 270 is packed with lots of functions but is still uncomplicated to use. All the functionalities are easy to use. You can easily alter the major and minor adjustments by turning the foundation of the coffee spout. Memory buttons make it possible to save certain coffee recipes so that they can be used quickly in the future.
This grinder has a moveable holder arm which can be adjusted to fit the portafilter and container sizes.
Grind retention and Consistency
It is essential to achieve a consistent grind size when brewing coffee. When you make coffee from grinders of low cost, you may observe a few strange tastes and smells. Unpleasant harshness results from too much sand, and there are touches of acidity brought on by pebbles. Regarding the Baratza Sette 270, it tends to produce a low amount of powdery material and rare large particles.
This means that the grounds that come out of the burrs on a coffee grinder and land in the basket are known as the grind retention. In certain scenarios, the design of the machine may make it achievable to get as close to zero as possible. Sette grinders boast a sleek and polished design around their burrs, resulting in low grind retention. Baratza devised the burr grinder to send coffee grounds directly into the receptacle or portafilter, reducing the size of the chute.
The Baratza Sette 270 has extraordinarily minimal retention, even in comparison to professional-grade grinders, where the Sette excels. Examinations carried out by independent auditors and professionals have revealed the Sette 270 generates measurably less than one gram of coffee grounds residual. This is an exceptional accomplishment, especially for a grinder of this cost.
Value for money
The Sette 270 is mid-priced for consumer grinders. The control it offers over crushing is far superior to other conical burr grinder models and it has an outstanding cost to benefit ratio.
It is worth taking into consideration that the Sette 270 is an excellent espresso grinder. Many customers praise its accuracy, micro-adjustment ability, and speed.
Certainly, the most concerning detriment is the amount of noise it produces. Some may not be pleased that the device has a plastic shell, however, that is what allows it to offer a host of modern capabilities, exceptional storage of grind amounts, and even a uniform dispersion of coffee particle size at an economical price.
Baratza Sette 270Wi: Specifications
Baratza Sette 270Wi: First Impressions
Let us start by quickly outlining what separates the Baratza Sette 270 (priced at $399 from Amazon) from the 270Wi. Despite a considerable variance in cost, $150 may not seem like a considerable sum to some of you in this range.
You also have the choice of deciding to use the Baratza Sette 30. This is the beginning version in the Sette line and can be obtained on Amazon for $249. The Sette 30 has a lot in common with the 270, however it does not have pre-selected options or an option to make minor adjustments without taking steps. Despite this, the Sette 30 remains an outstanding beginner-level grinder.
Baratza Sette 270 vs Baratza Sette 270Wi
Now, we begin to analyze the components and appearance of the machine more specifically, which both look like number sevens and subsequently share the same name. The real difference, though, is in the way they dose coffee:
- Baratza Sette 270Wi — The Baratza Sette 270Wi has an active (!) weighing unit that constantly checks the dose during grinding. In fact, it was the first espresso grinder to offer this feature and caused quite a stir when it first came out.
- Baratza Sette 270W — Coffee from the Baratza Sette 270 is dosed according to time, but as with the 270Wi, the grinding speed is incredibly high. Both models achieve speeds of 3.5 – 5.5 grams per second. For once, the espresso really becomes an espresso!
For comparison: the Baratza Encore, which I gave a positive opinion about in my review, can only produce 0.8 – 1.1 grams of grinds per second. Any questions?
Baratza Sette 270Wi Grinder and Settings
Many reviewers would likely not pay much attention to a 40mm conical burr grinder made of stainless steel that has been hardened. The Baratza Sette performs in a way that is incredible.
The Baratza Sette recognises that producing between 3.5 and 5.5 grams of coffee grinds per second is not only the key to having a great cup of coffee but also brings in rewards. We’re discussing a continuously adjustable grinder with exceptional readjusting capability and accuracy even at its most detailed grinding settings.
If the selected grind is too thin, it may cause some obstruction at first. It is clearly demonstrated that if the Sette 270Wi says ‘fine,’ it is genuinely meant.
It is simple to adjust either the grinder or how much coffee is used, particularly because the scale displays the results in an easy-to-read form on the front panel.
You’ll discover three buttons for your distinct applications, as well as user-friendly buttons for starting, ending, and changing the amount.
Certainly, I consider the Eureka Mignon to be more appropriate for making espresso, however, I am of the opinion that the Baratza grinder has no restrictions.
Baratza Sette 270Wi in Use
As I already said, it was very easy to get the Baratza Sette 270Wi set up. I had the opportunity to experiment with more features than in other evaluations of coffee grinders.
I had an absolute blast, and the loud machine didn’t bother me at all! There is a teeny-weeny catch to weighing. The Acaia weighing module may cause some people to reconsider their plans.
Current and potential customers alike should be aware that Acaia is solely focused on producing coffee and barista scales, along with relevant accessories. So, this niche company knows exactly what it’s doing.
It is essential to be mindful and meticulous when taking measurements, making sure that the receptacle, portafilter, or filter do not come into contact with the table. Make sure that the item you are utilizing is placed in the gadget stand and don’t press down on it. It’s certainly a good way to assess your dexterity with small objects.
Otherwise, I can’t think of anything to complain about:
- The coffee grounds are extremely uniform and attractive — professional quality for the home.
- The small dead space is definitely noticeable during and after grinding — I looked closely and found practically no residue.
- The ground coffee ends up in the filter or container and not on the table — thanks to a vertical ejection chute with optimal height.
Cleaning the Baratza Sette 270Wi
On and on, I go with the praise. It is apparent that there should not be an obstacle to scrubbing, as when the engine is not hindering it is much simpler to access the critical areas needed for proper maintenance of the grinder.
If you take apart the machine beyond what is specified in the instructions you run the risk of losing your guarantee or even seriously hurting yourself, however, there doesn’t seem to be a great possibility of it exploding into your face anytime soon so don’t let that worry you overly.
Let us analyze if reducing wasted space necessitates reducing the amount of cleaning required for the Baratza grinder.
Be mindful to clean off the burrs and junctions between parts quickly, as these areas are still vulnerable to a build-up of bad-tasting coffee oil. The 270Wi is too pricey and sophisticated to ignore.
A helpful hint: for cleaning a Baratza Sette 270Wi grinder, grinder cleaning granules, brushes, and similar tools tend to be more effective than machines with extra features.