Varia VS4 – Single-Dose Grinder with Variable Speed and 53mm Conical Burrs
You load the beans into the hopper and select your speed: 150 for filter, 300 for your weekend espresso. You press the button, the grinder starts, and shortly after, you press the bellows and watch the last bit fall out of the chamber. There are 18 grams in the dosing cup – you weigh it, 18 grams. What went into the hopper has arrived in the cup.
The VS4 is a single-dose, compact grinder with 53mm conical burrs and variable speed between 150 and 300 RPM. It sits between the VS3 (38mm, fixed 170 RPM) and the VS6 (larger burrs, higher variable speed) and fills the gap if you want single-dose precision and speed control, but don't want a 40cm tall grinder on your counter. Coffee Coaching Club is the exclusive Swiss importer of Varia – stock and spare parts are available in Switzerland.
Why Speed is a Tool
Most single-dose grinders operate at a fixed speed. This is solid and reproducible, but it doesn't allow you to decide how the bean passes through the burrs.
At higher speeds, towards 280 to 300 RPM, more shear forces are generated, and the espresso tends to have more body and mouthfeel – good for Brazilian naturals and darker roasts. At lower speeds of 150 to 180 RPM, the grinding process is gentler, the particle distribution is more even, and fewer fines are produced, which preserves delicate aromas – our choice for bright single-origins and filter extractions. The speed remains stable with around 1.5 percent stability, even when dense light beans offer resistance, made possible by a 200-watt brushless DC motor with a planetary gearbox.
A tip from showroom practice: never change speed and grind size simultaneously. One variable at a time, then you learn what's really happening.
Construction
53mm 6-Core Conical Burrs
The burrs are 6-core conical, made of high-strength, nitrogen-rich stainless steel (approx. HRC58). Compared to the VS3 with 38mm, this is almost twice the cutting surface – meaning longer lifespan, less heat per bean, and a more even particle distribution.
Single-Body Grinding Chamber
The grinding chamber is CNC-milled from a single aluminum block and fully anodized. No assembled components whose tolerances diverge over time – axle, bearings, and chamber geometry are one piece, so concentricity is maintained for years.
Quick-Connect Hopper with Bayonet Mount
Press the hopper, turn ten degrees, remove – the grinding chamber is open in one second, without tools and without adjusting the grind size. Cleaning in under a minute, no recalibration needed.
Stepless 10-Micron Adjustment
Stepless grind size adjustment in 10-micrometer increments, plus a separate micro-calibration of around 20 microns for long-term adjustment of burr parallelism. This allows you to switch between espresso-fine and filter and back again, without drift.
Retention – almost zero
"Zero Retention" is a term we don't use because it's never truly zero. What the VS4 measures (10g dose, medium roast): without an RDT sprayer, 0.10 to 0.35g per shot in the espresso range, with RDT 0.00 to 0.06g, even less in the filter range. A 76.5-degree incline guides the beans directly between the burrs, an integrated bellows blows out the rest.
At a Glance
| Burrs |
53mm 6-Core Conical, nitrogen-rich stainless steel, approx. HRC58 |
| Speed |
150–300 RPM variable, approx. 1.5% stability |
| Motor |
200W Brushless DC with planetary gearbox |
| Grind Size |
Stepless, 10 microns per step, micro-calibration approx. 20 microns |
| Hopper |
Approx. 40g single-dose, Quick-Connect bayonet mount |
| Retention (10g) |
0.10–0.35g without RDT, 0.00–0.06g with RDT |
| Grinding Chamber |
Single-Body, CNC-milled, anodized |
| Dimensions |
97.7 × 161.4 × 337 mm, 5.27 kg |
| Scope of Delivery |
Grinder, magnetic Dosing Cup (58 mm), RDT sprayer, bellows, cleaning brush |
Where the VS4 stands between VS3 and VS6
| VS3 |
38mm conical, fixed 170 RPM – compact entry into the single-dose system |
| VS4 |
53mm 6-Core conical, 150–300 RPM variable, single-body chamber, quick-connect hopper |
| VS6 |
58mm flat or 63mm conical, higher variable speed, larger grinding chamber |
For those who started with the VS3, the VS4 offers a logical upgrade. Those looking for a larger class should consider the VS6 or Weber Workshops and Option-O. The full comparison can be found on VS3 vs. VS4 vs. VS6.
Recommended Beans
The VS4 is flexible, and its speed control enhances different bean characteristics. Cozy Chocolate develops additional body at higher speeds, which also carries well in milk. Nutty Delight hits the balanced sweet spot at medium speeds. Wild Peach reveals its peach note more clearly at lower speeds – a bean for the experimental palate.
Order Directly Online
The VS4 can be ordered online or picked up at our showrooms in Zurich and Bern. Delivery throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. As the exclusive Swiss importer, we keep grinders and spare parts in stock; for questions, you can reach us via office@coffeecoachingclub.ch or by phone during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the VS4 differ from the VS3?
53mm burrs instead of 38mm, variable speed 150–300 RPM instead of fixed 170 RPM, quick-connect hopper for tool-free cleaning, and a single-body grinding chamber for long-term accuracy.
How does the VS4 differ from the VS6?
The VS6 has larger burrs (58mm flat or 63mm conical), a higher speed range, and is significantly larger. The VS4 is the more compact version with 53mm conical burrs.
Can the VS4 grind for espresso and filter?
Yes, steplessly from espresso-fine to French press-coarse. As a guide: 180–220 RPM for espresso, 250–300 RPM for filter and pour-over.
How loud is the VS4?
Significantly quieter than grinders with vibratory motors. The brushless DC motor with planetary gearbox runs smoothly and deeply, not disruptive even during early morning extractions.
Do I really need the RDT sprayer?
Static charge is an issue with every single-dose grinder, especially with dry beans. One to two sprays of water before grinding significantly reduce the charge. It's possible without, but with a bit more cleaning effort.
Do you offer Swiss service and spare parts?
Yes. As the exclusive Swiss importer, we keep spare parts in stock locally and are the point of contact for questions, via office@coffeecoachingclub.ch.
Roaster's Tip
The VS4 excels when you consciously utilize the speed. Take a bean you know well, like Cozy Chocolate, and make three extractions with identical grind size and ratio, but at 150, 250, and 300 RPM. At 150, the cup will be clearer and lighter; at 250, balanced; at 300, denser in mouthfeel. The differences aren't huge, but they are there. This is our recommendation, one of many.
