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Overall, the Baratza Sette 270 is a highly regarded espresso grinder in the specialty coffee world. It's well built, extremely fast, and produces amazingly consistent results. Also, Baratza's customer service is top-notch, and they offer a 1-year warranty on the 270.
In this review, we'll go over some of the pros and cons of the Baratza Sette 270, to help you decide if this is the right espresso grinder for you.
A Quick Look At The Baratza Sette 270 Espresso Grinder
Pros
Highly accurate timed dosing (only a 0.4-gram variation through 5 tests)
A stepped macro ring and stepless micro ring allow for very precise grind adjustments
Beautiful, consistent fluffy espresso grinds with no clumping (grinds fine enough to choke an espresso machine)
Simple, easy-to-use control panel with three timed dose presets and a manual mode
Fast grinding (3.5 - 5.5 grams per second, confirmed through testing)
Easy to change beans with the shut-off valve on the hopper
Also capable of grinding for drip/pour over
Straight-through design results in almost zero grind retention
Cons
Can't do coarser grinds for French press / cold brew
A little noisier than some grinders
Burrs aren't user-replaceable, but instead are part of a gearbox/motor assembly
At a Glance - Baratza Sette 270
Consistent, fluffy grinds
Very accurate timed dosing
Extremely fast
Near zero retention
The Sette 270 by Baratza does an excellent job of providing high-quality espresso grinds. It's also the fastest espresso grinder at this price point.
A beautiful, well-built, fast, and consistent espresso grinder—perfect for those looking for an affordable, easy-to-use grinder with timed accurate dosing presets, and the ability to produce amazing espresso grinds for amazing espresso.
When it comes to features, it's a pretty straightforward coffee grinder but there are a few things worth mentioning that set it apart from other grinders.
1. The Sette Holds More Than Just Your Portafilter
The Sette 270 shown with the included grounds bin
This espresso grinder includes a built-in convertible holder, which allows you to grind coffee right into your portafilter, the supplied grounds bin, or any number of popular brewing devices (V60, Clever, Able Kone, etc.).
The arms can be rotated fully, allowing you to arrange them in any way that works best for whatever brew method you're using. The arms accommodate portafilters from sizes 49mm to 58mm and the grinder also includes an integrated, adjustable hook for stability.
The Sette's grounds bin is constructed of anti-static plastic with a molded spout for simple pouring into your preferred brewing device and holds around 160g (med roast) of ground coffee.
2. Stepped AND Stepless Grind Adjustment
There are two adjustment rings on the Sette 270 that allow you to grind for anything from espresso to manual brew.
The top "macro" ring is a stepped grind adjustment, which has 30 steps. The bottom "micro" ring is stepless, and allows you to fine-tune the grind even further via 9 indicators (letters A through I).
The macro/micro-adjustment mechanism is directly connected to the cone burr, resulting in immediate and accurate grind adjustment to dial in the perfect espresso.
3. High-Speed Grinding
The 40mm conical steel burrs and high RPM motor can crank out an impressive 3.5 - 5.5 grams of coffee per second, depending on the grind size setting.
4. Conical Burr Design with Spinning Outer Burr
Coffee grinders with conical burrs typically utilize a stationary outer burr and a rotating inner conical burr. The Sette has a unique design that works oppositely.
On this grinder, the inner burr is stationary while the outer ring burr spins around it. This design is driven by a direct gear-drive system that is strong and durable and with a few advantages.
Namely, the burrs have grooves that actively pull beans down between the burrs (instead of solely relying upon gravity) while another compressor ring at the base of the rotating ring burr gathers the resultant grinds and compresses them slightly while guiding them out. This helps to dissipate static charge, keeping grinds from clinging to the walls of the device and making for a much cleaner process.
5. Straight-Thru Design With Minimal Grind Retention
The Sette's unique straight-thru design (goes straight from the hopper, to the burrs, and then into your portafilter) means there's almost no grind retention, so you get consistent dosing with very little waste (and no stale, leftover ground coffee in the burrs).
This design also further contributes to getting the beans into the burrs (unlike some hopper designs, where the coffee beans can get stuck).
How Does It Measure Up? Features and Performance
So how does the Sette measure up overall? Baratza is well-known in the coffee world for its quality grinders, and the Sette is no exception.
Grind Quality and Grind Consistency
We're not alone in noting the Sette's grind consistency and quality. We found that it produces a fluffy, consistent fine grind with almost zero clumping (even at the finest espresso settings).
It's more than capable of grinding fine enough to choke any espresso machine, so if you're looking for a coffee grinder that excels at espresso, this one won't disappoint.
This grinder is very intuitive and user-friendly. Just load up the hopper with beans, dial in your grind using the macro/micro adjustment rings, and push one of three programmable preset buttons.
Each button can be programmed in increments of 1/100 of a second when your time is below 10 seconds, and 1/10 of a second for times 10 seconds and above.
The Hopper
The hopper holds around 10 ounces (or 275 grams) of beans, and thanks to the shutoff valve on the bottom of the hopper, it's easy to swap your beans out if you're feeling a change is in order.
Dimensions
Baratza designed the Sette series with a small footprint—perfect for most kitchens, offices, brew bars, and catering.
Width/Height/Depth: 5.12" (13 cm) x 15.75" (40 cm) x 9.45" (24 cm)
Weight: 7lbs (3.2kg)
Is It Messy?
So how does the Sette fare when it comes to cleanliness?
The answer is, not too bad. Keep in mind though, that because this coffee grinder produces nice, fluffy grounds, it can be difficult to fit higher doses in your basket without settling the grounds a couple of times during filling.
As an option, you may consider a dosing ring that will minimize the mess and waste of your ground coffee. Another option would be to grind into the grounds bin and fill your portafilter from there.
As far as static goes, some users have stated that the problem is lessened after grinding the first few pounds of coffee. Others have put a drop or two of water on their coffee beans before grinding to reduce their static issues.
Is It Noisy?
The 270 certainly isn't going to win the quietest grinder award, but it is impressively quiet for a high-speed grinder. It's a little louder than the Baratza Forte, but then again, that grinder runs about $850.
Here is a video comparing the noise levels of a couple of higher-end Baratza coffee grinders...
Build Quality & Durability / Longevity / Design
Again, the Baratza Sette 270 is a well-built grinder. The body and grind chamber are made of durable ABS plastic, while the hopper is made of clear, shatter-resistant polycarbonate.
The conical steel burrs by Etzinger are of superb quality and will last many years with proper maintenance.
Also, the Sette 270's design is both elegant and functional. From the minimalist control panel to the straight-thru grind path, it's clear that Baratza put a lot of thought into this grinder.
Baratza backs this grinder with a 1-year warranty, so you can buy with confidence.
Although not a commercial grinder, it can endure heavy use (light-commercial use). Baratza's maximum suggested duty cycle is 2 lbs / 1kg maximum grinding per day which is more than enough, even for many small cafes.
Baratza provides a cleaning brush and Allen wrench with every grinder purchase, which makes cleaning the Baratza Sette 270 a breeze. The cone burr is simple to remove and does not require any special tools.
Baratza recommends doing a deep clean every four to six weeks, or more frequently, depending on usage. Check out this helpful video on how to clean your Baratza grinder for detailed instructions.
Baratza Sette 270 vs Other Espresso Grinders
How does the Sette 270 fare against other espresso grinders?
In our best espresso grinders post, article we went into more detail on many of the espresso grinders below.
For the simplicity of this article, we'll only briefly touch on the major differences between the below coffee grinders as compared to the Sette 270.
Sette 270 vs 30
The Sette 30 only has 30 grind settings vs. 270 grind settings
The Sette 30 lacks the micro-adjustment ring that the 270 grinder has. Because of this, the 30 doesn't have the fine-tuning of the grind size needed for more demanding brewing methods like espresso.
Burrs are carried in plastic on the 30
The 270's burrs are carried within a metal assembly while the 30's burrs are set in plastic.
3 programmable buttons on the 270
The 270 has three programmable time-dosing buttons whereas the 30 only has one setting with a play/pause button.
Plastic Portafilter Holder on the 30
The 30 has plastic support forks which are adjusted by pulling out and re-inserting them. The 270 has a nicer metal support fork which is adjusted via an Allen screw.
Sette 270 vs 270Wi
The Baratza Sette 270Wi is very similar to the standard 270, but with a couple of improvements.
First, the 270Wi has an integrated Acaia weight scale (the "W" in "Wi"). This is a handy feature for those who want to dose by weight, rather than by time.
The dosing is pretty accurate too, usually coming within +/- 0.1g. The three programmable buttons for the 270Wi use weight-based dosing rather than the time-based dosing on the regular 270.
Second, the "i" in "Wi" stands for "intelligent". It learns by measuring the difference between your preferred dose and the actual dose each time you use it and compensates for the difference the next time you use it. This way it gets more and more accurate every time you use it.
The "Wi" grinder will cost you roughly $200 more than the 270 (as of this writing), so it comes down to whether you think the weight scale and "intelligent" features are worth the extra dough.
Baratza Sette 270 vs Eureka Mignon Specialita
55mm flat burrs on the Specialita vs 40mm conical on the 270
The Specialita is much quieter
Slower grind speed on the Specialita (1.2 and 1.8 grams per second vs 3.5 - 5.5)
Specialita costs roughly $300 more
Baratza Sette 270 vs Rancilio Rocky
50mm commercial-grade flat burrs on the Rocky
The Rocky is quieter with a lower pitch
The Rocky is built more like a tank with a one-piece aluminum housing
Slower grind speed on the Rocky (~1 gram per second vs. 3.5 - 5.5)
The Rocky only costs around $25 more
Baratza Sette 270 vs Baratza Vario
54 mm flat ceramic burrs on the Vario
Vario is slightly quieter and lower-pitched
Vario - slower grind speed (1.6g/sec.—2.2g/sec)
Vario costs roughly $130 more
Baratza Sette 270 vs Eureka Mignon Silenzio
50mm flat steel burrs on the Silenzio
Many stylish color options on the Silenzio
The Silenzio is much quieter than the 270
Slower grind speed on the Silenzio (1.8g/sec.—2.3g/sec)
All the Mignon grinders have a great build quality
Silenzio costs about $80 more
Baratza Sette 270 Common Problems - Hey, Nobody's Perfect!
Some common issues people have had with the Sette 270
Are the Burrs User-Replaceable?
I haven't been able to confirm if they are with 100% certainty (some sources say "yes", and some say "no"). Judging by the fact that the part is available on Baratza's website, I'm leaning towards a "yes".
Not Dosing Accurately
Some people have reported that they've had issues with the dose being too light or too heavy (as it pertains to the 270W). Here is a helpful article on that.
Not Grinding
If your display is on and your time/weight reading shows zero but your grinder isn't grinding at all, it could likely be the result of the safety switches not being engaged fully.
If your Sette 270 was grinding fine enough when it was new, but you're suddenly having an issue where it's not grinding fine enough, you'll more than likely need to install the one or both of the shims that came with your coffee grinder.
This commonly occurs after your burrs are "seasoned" (i.e. after grinding several pounds of coffee beans through them).
This is to be expected and no cause for alarm.
Check out this helpful video on installing the shims on your Sette 270 grinder.
Gearbox Replacement
If you're having issues with your Sette 270 and you think it might be the gearbox, Baratza has a helpful video that shows you how to replace it
Getting the Best Price on the Baratza Sette 270
This coffee grinder typically retails for $399, but you can sometimes find a better deal if you shop around. Consider the following when looking for a sale price:
Check major online retailers for sale prices around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
If you don't want to wait, consider buying a refurbished model from Baratza's website. Refurbs are a great way to get a decent deal. Refurbished models also have all the improvements (better feet, updated burr carrier, etc) done to them before they are resold.
Finally, you can also check eBay for discounts from major retailers' eBay stores. A lot of times, these retailers sell the same product at a discount.
The Verdict? The Sette 270 Is the Perfect Mate For Your Espresso Machine
The Baratza Sette 270 is an excellent espresso grinder, especially if you're looking for an upgrade from an entry-level grinder.
Its conical burrs provide uniform grinds, and its stepless micro adjust allows for very precise grind settings for espresso.
Baratza's quality control is also top-notch, so you can be confident that you're getting a quality product.
Is it the best espresso grinder out there? Certainly not. But it's a great option in its price range, and it's a great companion for your home espresso machine.
Overall, though, it's a great coffee grinder for espresso and will serve you well for many years to come.
From a very young "growth-stunting" age, Clint Doerfler has had a deep-rooted love for coffee. As a result, he founded Coffee Gear Gurus® to share his passion for incredible home brewed coffee with others. When he's not watching true crime shows with family or playing music, he's devoted to helping fellow coffee feins make amazing coffee at home - regardless of their experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Baratza Sette 270
Can you upgrade the Baratza Sette 30 to a 270?
If you're interested in upgrading your 30 to get it closer to the 270, check out this video.
Is Sette 270 a good grinder?
With 270 grind settings, a wide grind range, and programmable timed grinding, the Sette 270 is an ideal espresso grinder for any prosumer espresso machine or manual brewing setup.
Can Baratza Sette 270 grind for drip coffee and pour over coffee?
Yes, it is capable of grinding for drip and finer pour-over coffee brewing methods for smaller batches. However, this is about where its versatility ends. If you plan on brewing with a French press, cold brew, or other brew methods that require a coarser grind, we recommend looking at a different Baratza grinder like the Baratza Virtuoso+.
When the 270 is dialed in and grinding fine enough for espresso, it's going to be more difficult to grind coarse enough for drip coffee if you're brewing in larger batches (>20 grams). In smaller batches, though, (<=20 grams), it does a fine job.
How much does the Baratza Sette 270 cost?
The current price of the Baratza Sette 270 is $399.95 at most retailers.
What grind Setting for Espresso?
There is no definitive answer as the "perfect" espresso setting will vary based on a number of factors (e.g. coffee bean, espresso machine, etc.).
That said, the recommended starting point is 9E on the Baratza Sette 270. After pulling your shot, start making small adjustments until you get the extraction time you're after.
What's the grind time?
The grinding time on the Baratza Sette 270 typically falls within the range of 3.5-5.5 grams per second, depending on your grind setting (fineness/coarseness), roast level, and type of bean.
What size portafilter can I use with the Sette 270?
The adjustable arms on the Sette 270 can accommodate any standard 49mm to 58mm portafilter.
Is the Baratza Sette 270 noisy?
The Baratza Sette 270 is not a particularly noisy grinder, but it is not the quietest either. If noise is a major concern for you, we recommend checking out the Mignon line of grinders from Eureka.
Is Baratza Sette 270 good for Espresso?
Yes, the Baratza Sette 270 is made for Espresso. It's capable of grinding very fine, which is essential for making espresso.
What is the difference between Baratza Sette 270 and Baratza Sette 270Wi?
The Baratza Sette 270Wi is the same grinder as the Baratza Sette 270, except it comes with Baratza's built-in weight scale and some intelligent features.
This is a great feature for those who want the most consistency and accuracy when making espresso.
How many grind settings does Baratza Sette 270 have?
Since the Baratza Sette 270 has both a stepped and stepless grind adjustment, it technically has an infinite number of grind settings. However, Baratza likes to market the grinder as having "270 grind settings."
What is the Baratza Sette 270's grind range?
The Baratza Sette 270 has a grind range of 230 microns to 950 microns. This is a pretty wide range, which means the grinder can be used for espresso, drip, and many manual brewing methods.
However, it will struggle with French press and other coarser coffee brewing grinds.
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