Very happy with machine; instructions accompanying the grinder were minimal, but online SCG videos aided tremendously in educating us.

Expensive, but worth it.

Yes it’s an expensive coffee grinder. But it should be the last coffee grinder you need for your home. It’s heavy, and built to last. My favorite part is the ability to set the weight of coffee to grind; it makes having a consistent coffee taste every time. You can also accurately change the grind setting to meet ensure the saturation time of your coffee is perfect.I use mine for a drip coffee maker, the Technivorm 1-cup. If using coffee beans from Starbucks, your drip coffee will taste like Starbucks if you put in the correct setting of grind size and weight.I love how it has ‘favorite’ settings. This way I have two different settings, for two different sized cups. For an after dinner coffee, I use a smaller cup.

Horrible experience

I have to believe that there are good Baratza Fortes out there, because there are good reviews, but so far with my new one my experience 100% confirms my experience with Baratza: lousy quality control that often results in defective products reaching hands of customers. I have been struggling with my Forte for 3 weeks now, thinking I just had to get used to it and dial in the right grind for my setup. But I have reached the conclusion that my Forte is defective. The grind adjustment levers seem to have absolutely no relationship to the grind of the coffee that comes out. I will get it in a good setting and make a few perfect shots. Then all of sudden the grind radically changes and the shot either chokes or flows through in 8 seconds. No amount of tinkering can get ... MoreI have to believe that there are good Baratza Fortes out there, because there are good reviews, but so far with my new one my experience 100% confirms my experience with Baratza: lousy quality control that often results in defective products reaching hands of customers. I have been struggling with my Forte for 3 weeks now, thinking I just had to get used to it and dial in the right grind for my setup. But I have reached the conclusion that my Forte is defective. The grind adjustment levers seem to have absolutely no relationship to the grind of the coffee that comes out. I will get it in a good setting and make a few perfect shots. Then all of sudden the grind radically changes and the shot either chokes or flows through in 8 seconds. No amount of tinkering can get it back. I can put the lever on 10 and still get a grind so close to Turkish that my espresso machine won't put out a drop. Then all of sudden after grinding that way 5 or 6 times, without changing the adjustment it will start putting out coffee the consistency of gravel. The burrs in my machine seem to be slipping all over the place with no relationship to the lever settings. I guess I will have to deal with Baratza customer service and figure out what is going on, but this is an annoyance that is like my prior experience with their products and many people I know: if you get a working product on the first try you're lucky.

Rock Solid Grinder

Build quality is impeccable. Grind is consistent, and I can switch effortlessly and precisely from espresso to pour over and back.The grinder offers the choice of grind by weight and grind by time which further enhances its ability to dial in just the right setting for whatever brew method you desire.

Simply Amazing Quality and Value

We have a Breville 920XL Dual Boiler and for the last two years we have used a low to mid price range grinder from a quality Company. But, that grinder has been just "OK".We use high end espresso beans and the old grinder only barely came close to an optimum grind at the absolute max espresso grind setting. It could help to just barely achieve a 9 bar pull @ a 30 psi tamp. With various beans the result was often a slightly bitter to fairly bitter with an OK crema and some chocolate favors. So, pretty good for lattes but usually yielded only mid range quality espresso shots.That grinder has been getting even less capable with age so buying a new grinder has been imminent for the last six months while doing research, studying, reading blogs, watching demo videos ... MoreWe have a Breville 920XL Dual Boiler and for the last two years we have used a low to mid price range grinder from a quality Company. But, that grinder has been just "OK".We use high end espresso beans and the old grinder only barely came close to an optimum grind at the absolute max espresso grind setting. It could help to just barely achieve a 9 bar pull @ a 30 psi tamp. With various beans the result was often a slightly bitter to fairly bitter with an OK crema and some chocolate favors. So, pretty good for lattes but usually yielded only mid range quality espresso shots.That grinder has been getting even less capable with age so buying a new grinder has been imminent for the last six months while doing research, studying, reading blogs, watching demo videos and talking to espresso friends and baristas. Our $$ limit was an absolute $1,400 max with a preferred price point under $1,000. Strictly for home use with usually 4 to 6 doubles every day and occasionally 10 or 12 doubles at a gathering of friends.Additional criteria for us included under 15" tall if possible, as quiet as possible, powerful but lower RPM operation to better protect the beans, and yes, a classy looking heavy machine of near commercial quality. Weight based grinding was also desirable but not a deal breaker. However, a good quality portafilter holder option was essential.For our needs, it kept coming down to the Baratza Vario W, the Baratza Forte AP, or the various Mazzer Mini E's.We finally chose the Forte AP. We ground through 3 pounds on the first day to break it in and to get a feel for bracketing the likely espresso grind settings. By the third day and after maybe 30 double shot grinds we felt we had a good ball park. Somewhere between the 3C and 2S grinder settings seemed to yield the results we desired. The machine can also do Turkish and French Press grinds that satisfy our coffee needs. A little coarser would be nice for the French Press, but this is close enough.The real test is of course the espresso shots. The Forte AP brings out the nuances of each bean we've tried. Caramels, chocolates, and more delicate tastes are enhanced while minimizing any distracting bitterness.The end product is certainly leap years ahead of the previous grinders we've owned over the last seven years of home espresso enjoyment.Summing it all up, the Baratza Forte AP is a nicely heavy machine with very high quality overall construction exhibiting excellent engineering tolerances and attention to detail. The time and weight grind features offer great flexibility, the touch screen controls are easy and intuitive, and the portafilter holder has proved flawless. I would have to surmise that this machine will be a blueprint for the next generation of high end electronic controlled grinders for either home or commercial use.As usual, SCG made the purchase and delivery easy, fair, and quick. Many thanks to SCG.