Lance Hedrick Vario Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoM93jK5BCE
Metal chamber upgrade and Alignment
As on 2/2024, need to email Baratza and request 1024 metal threaded grind chamber, and 1067 metal upper burr carrier
They will ask you to agree to do at your own risk without Baratza instructions.
Home Barista How to align Alicorn thread
Using a clamp method Another post
Jacob G's Grind Assembly/Removal Video
Alignment deep dive video (Phil Weber)
I tried the socket method, didn't work for me, so ended up using the standard jiggle the adjustment levers method.
If you get everything really loose, and then tighten up the burrs and then try to tighten everything back up, you will be fighting your self.
Loosen chamber screws and belt
Raise lever(s) /adjust calibration screw(s) as needed to get burr-to-burr contact.
Apply light pressure on the belt and tighten motor mounting screws.
Tighten chamber screws a little bit.
Lowel lever(s) enough to wiggle the adjustment plate that lifts the lower burr carrier.
Repeat steps 2, 4 and 5 until the chamber screws are tight
Going from step 5 back to 2 several times while tightening the chamber screws helps ensure that nothing binds and also that the chamber has every opportunity to center as the burrs are repeatedly seated against one another.
First time I tried, belt was too tight, so grind chamber didn't move up/down correctly to change the grind settings. Took me a little while to figure out why the calibration point seemed to be moving.
Next time, I made sure the chamber was moving up and down after setting the belt tension. Set it looser then I thought it should be, but works fine. Slight pressure moves belt a 1/4 inch or so.
With metal burrs, set to 1M
I reached out to Baratza to see if they had recommendations and this was their response: Thanks for reaching out. If you plan to grind for espresso one the Vario W+, I would recommend recalibrating to a touchpoint of 2Q. The 1M calibration that the Vario W+ comes with optimizes the grinder for filter coffee.
With steel burrs and a 2Q calibration, you should be able to grind for espresso in the low to mid 1 range. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Ah not anymore, I did the realignment where I actually took it apart and fixed the burrs, and when I calibrated to 2Q again I couldn't grind in the 1s without choking the espresso machine, it was way too fine. Now I am in the middle of 2, like 2K or 2L, most of the time.
Mods for single dosing
Hopper Blower $13
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D0I21CI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Single Dose Hopper and Cover
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4691103
Tube to stop popcorning
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4612650