The Virtuoso has consistently delivered excellent performance and has never failed me. 

Along the way, I also added grinders from Wellhome and Breville, which brought some exciting moments. 

Let’s explore how these grinders have paired with my espresso machines over the years and the decisions I’ve made along the way.

2. First Encounter with the Virtuoso

When I first purchased the Virtuoso, about 12 years ago, I primarily used it for brewing methods like drip coffee, Aeropress, and Cold brew. 

At that time, I didn’t own an espresso machine. 

Over time, I acquired and upgraded machines in the following order: Rancilio Silvia, Breville 900, and Rocket Cellini. #click to amazon

Once I had the Silvia, I used the Virtuoso for espresso as well, but it had limitations in grind size adjustment. 

 The Virtuoso also served well with manual espresso devices such as the Presso (now ROK), Handpresso, and Cafflano. 

While it provided a decent extraction quality, I started feeling the need for a grinder upgrade to improve the espresso extraction further.

3. Realizing the Need for an Upgrade

Using the Virtuoso with the Rancilio Silvia, I encountered limitations with the grind size adjustment. 

Devices like the ROK and Handpresso required very fine grinds for better extraction quality, but the Virtuoso couldn’t always meet this need. 

The photo above shows the Virtuoso set to its finest grind size, yet it still fell short for certain espresso extractions.

4. Introducing the Sette 270 Grinder

When I transitioned from the Silvia to the Breville espresso machine, I also used a Breville grinder. 

After selling the Breville setup, I didn't own any grinder for espresso until I got the Rocket Cellini. 

With the Cellini, I needed a new grinder and started exploring various options. 

I desired a grinder with a digital LCD and the ability to mount a portafilter directly to receive coffee beans. 

Price was a significant consideration, and ultimately, I chose the Sette 270 grinder. 

My prior positive experience with Baratza’s Virtuoso built my trust in the brand, and the Sette 270 was a promising new product. 

After extensive research, I made the purchase with high expectations.

5. Performance and Pros & Cons of the Sette 270

The Sette 270 grinder lived up to my expectations. 

It significantly improved the stability and quality of coffee extraction, which had been challenging with the Virtuoso. 

The overall quality of my home café experience has been elevated, and the harmony with the Rocket Cellini is now perfect. 

 The Sette 270 allows for precise adjustment of the grind size and has three programmable buttons to set grind amounts according to basket size. 

This feature makes it easy to use without much hassle. 

However, one downside is the noise. The grinding sound is quite loud and can be disruptive at home.

6. Conclusion

The Sette 270 grinder has proven to be an excellent addition to my home café. 

With this upgrade, my home café has reached a new level. The Virtuoso is now dedicated to various brewing methods like cold brew and drip coffee, while the Sette 270 pairs with the Rocket Cellini for espresso extraction. 

After using the Sette 270 for about 2-3 years, I can confidently say it is worth the investment. 

While it may not be my final grinder (as I’ve already moved on to another), the Sette 270 is a highly recommended device for those transitioning from beginner to intermediate levels.