I have a Baratza Virtuoso grinder that has had aprox. 100 lbs. put through it. Lately is seems something has changed and the grind looks a little different on my usual setting. (18-20) Any thoughts on if it is time to change the burrs? Thanks, Dennis Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
Dennis- Sounds like it's time for a change of burrs. I have the same grinder and replaced my burrs awhile back. It made a huge difference in grind quality and consistency. Not a very difficult task to do if you're at all handy with some tools. Cheers! John in Nor Cal On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 2:34 PM, Dennis Guyer wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
Absolutely need new burrs... |
how many pounds of coffee would you grind before you thought about replacing burrs. On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 2:56 PM, miKe mcKoffee wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
I have been dealing with the same issue on my Solis Maestro Classic. First the beans were not going into the grinder and it turned out that I needed a paddle wheel, which the internal burr sits on. After replacing that --in mine, removing the burr is not difficult but a pain in the butt because it is cross threaded and over the years tightened on; I ultimately used a hammer gently hitting a vice grip to get it off-- the grind was uneven and only marginally different when I changed the setting. This unevenness is caused by the burr holder; it has a couple of little pieces that I suppose lock the outer burr into place and they are broken off.. Check the support and trouble shooting section of the Baratza web page to see if you find your problem. As for the life of the burrs, I think the Baratza web page says they should last through 300 pounds. But the very helpful tech support person i spoke said that really the life of the burr is much longer; that i should get 1000 pounds. As I am waiting to take delivery of the replacement burr holder I have been using a hand grinder that I picked up in a second hand shop some years ago. There is no brand name on it but it is a fabulous little machine; it gives me a nice even grind for drip all of the time. There is no brand name on the machine but it looks like some of the good ones I have seen. the only marking on it, carved into it in crude letters is, "Houston, 1951." Thre is a little make also where the would has been gouged by something repeatedly hitting into by the crank. When I look into the ginder it is very clear that it has been well used; the metal at the top of the burr looks a little rough and uneven. I wonder how many times this grander has been used in the past 60 years and it makes me think that the tech support person is not incorrect in saying that you could get that much life out of the burr. By the way, if you do want to change the burr they only cost around $15 from Baratza; they were not in stock for several of their grinders, the last time I checked, but I have been told that they will have them. On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 5:56 PM, John Mac wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
I'm also having a problem with my Solis Maestro grinder by Baratza. It looks like new burrs are the solution. My grinder is about 8 years old. My problem is that a fine powder is getting packed into the bottom of the cone burr area and it at first slows down the grinding and will stop it if I don't clean it after every grind. I did run some minute rice through the machine and that helped but for only one or two grinds. I'm going to get a new ring burr from Baratza. I'd like to change the cone burr as well and I'd at least like to take a look in there and maybe clean it. But it's on there pretty tight. I tried some vice grips and all it does is spin the grinder. Anyone got a suggestion as to how to get that off? Thanks. Duane On Jan 15, 2013, at 9:09 PM, msmb wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
A friend of mine and I put the vice grips on and then used a hammaer to tap them (as I recall we were hitting the grips not the burr itself). Actually gave it a pretty good hit or two or three and it did not do damage to the burr; it is tough. Make sure you are hitting it in the right direction (see the Baratza page because I forget; I think it is clockwise). Even if you were to damage the burr at least you will remove it and the replacement is very inexpensive. I used mine this morning for the first time after changing the paddle wheel and the outer burr holder. I works! Amazing little device; I have used this machine for around 7 years now and I feel like it will go on for another 7. If you continue to have trouble I suggest that you call Baratza; a technician there will help you.Ny the way, in my previous post i said the maching was good for 300 ounds; the Baratza page says the burrs will last 3 - 4 years; that is waht the tech said was so conservative. I gues i was figure that 4 years for me would be around 320- pounds, and my grind continues to be good well after 500 pounds. On Fri, Jan 18, 2013 at 12:25 PM, Duane Mitchell wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
Thanks for the info. I went back on the Baratza website. Found this pagehttp://www.baratza.com/wp-content/uploads/Paddle-Wheel-Solis.pdfAll my paddles are gone, worn smooth smooth. No wonder the coffee was getting packed into the bottom there was no way for it to get carried out. This is the info I am looking for. I'll change the burrs and the paddle wheel. It also suggests to wrap the cone burr with a towel to protect the burrs and then clamp on the vice grips. And it is a left hand thread so you have to "give it a quick jerk" clockwise. My grinder is probably around 8 years old. It's due for an update. Duane On Jan 19, 2013, at 9:58 AM, msmb wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
When I spoke to customer service at Baratza last month, the fellow said that I should be able to grind probably 500 Lbs on my Baratza Virtuoso . before replacing the burrs. I was all for replacing them, and he advised me to save my money. Ken |
There is a HUGE difference between manufacturers rated burr life AND actual quality grind burr life. And some "fellow in customer service" isn't exactly the official company stance either. For example in order to maintain quality grind a Mazzer Major needs burrs replaced at 700-800lb, Super Jolly 'bout 400lb, Mini 300lb. Rancilio Rocky 70-100lb. This of course assumes grinding for espresso. Even assuming coarse grinding like for Press Pot 500lb quality grind burr life for the Virtuoso is laughable. Slave to the Bean miKe mcKoffee www.CompassCoffeeRoasting.com URL to Rosto mods, FrankenFormer, some recipes etc:http://www.mckoffee.com/Ultimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must first not know. And in knowing know I know not. Each Personal enlightenment found exploring the many divergent foot steps of Those who have gone before. Sweet Maria's List - Searchable Archiveshttp://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/ |
FWIW, I bought my Rocky used in 2006 from a fellow CoffeeGeek member and my= Mazzer Mini in 2007 on eBay from a café that had gone under and was liqu= idating equipment. Both had their original burrs. Haven't had to replace th= e burrs on either yet (though I pull maybe a double ristretto a day on the = Mazzer and a decaf shot every two or three on the Rocky). Your mileage may = (and undoubtedly will) vary. On Jan 23, 2013, at 8:18 PM, Ken Schillinger wrote: <Snip> hat <Snip> ave <Snip> <Snip> <Snip> <Snip> <Snip> <Snip> mar <Snip> a> <Snip> Peace & Song, = Sandy Andina www.sandyandina.com Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetma=riascoffee.com Sweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
For the solis grinders Baratza speaks of the life of the burr in terms of years. The web pages says 3- 4 years, if i recall correctly. For me that would be around 250 - 350 pounds. But the guy at Baratza -- he was the tech support person probably-- told me far more; i think he told me up to 1000, remarkable as that might seem. Not sure why he would so overestimate the life of the burr, especially since the company can earn more based on the lower figure. Actually, I have probably now used my grinder for close to 600 pounds and I do not see any need to change the burr. That is almost exclusively grnding for drip. But let me admit to being rather lowbrow in the matter; other people on the list seem to take much greater care. I suppose that ignorance is bliss. Perhpas I should ask you, then, what is it that determines the quality for you; taste, of course, but what are the visible signs of having to replace the burrs? On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 11:29 PM, miKe mcKoffee wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
No "visible" signs unless really REALLY shot. Run the tip of a finger nail along a burr cutting edge, will it cut it or does it slide easily? Truth is many or most "tech support" people are low trained parts replacement monkeys not trained trouble shooters or quality control conscious. It's ludicrous to speak of burr life in terms of years. If it's done with consumer grinders like Baratza it is for marketing using some estimated "average" home usage and IMO less than critical taste criteria. One user might grind an ounce of beans a day another 8 ounces (or more) wearing the burrs 8 times as fast. One user might grind extremely coarse for a long Press Pot infusion time while another much finer even grinding for Press Pot but with short 2 or even 1 1/2 minute infusion instead of 4 or 5 minutes often used - again resulting in much more burr wear. The finer the grind the more the burrs are working and dulling. As burrs dull they slowly "cut" less and less and "crush" more and more resulting in greater and greater grind unevenness and fines. With espresso shot pulls become more and more inconsistent dull and or bitter tasting. Non espresso brewing cup change can be less detectable because the changes are so gradual and brewing processes not as demanding. Until one day one might realize there coffee doesn't taste as lively as it once did but bland and dull. When they finally break down and spend a few bucks on new burrs the taste difference is (usually) night and day, as in huge. Slave to the Bean miKe mcKoffee www.CompassCoffeeRoasting.com URL to Rosto mods, FrankenFormer, some recipes etc:http://www.mckoffee.com/Ultimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must first not know. And in knowing know I know not. Each Personal enlightenment found exploring the many divergent foot steps of Those who have gone before. Sweet Maria's List - Searchable Archiveshttp://themeyers.org/HomeRoast/ |
All those fellows I've spoken with in customer service have been the best guys in a cs dept that I've ever seen....bar none! Personal service, free upgrades and parts. I've replaced a drive gear (free) but never a burr. I grind maybe 40% for espresso. But I'll tell you it's those fellows in the cs dept that keep me coming back for baratza gear.... Sent from my iPad On Jan 23, 2013, at 10:29 PM, miKe mcKoffee wrote: <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
Burr dulling is insidious. You really do not notice the general decline in your shots as it occurs. It is only after replacing the burrs that you say Wow why didn't I do that a long time ago On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 9:00 PM, Sandy Andina wrote: <Snip> to <Snip> mar <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetma=riascoffee.com Sweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
And if you've ever had the misfortune to get a coffee bean shaped rock go into your grinder, burr dulling will be accelerated. That being said, I think I probably need to order a new set for my gear. On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 1:07 PM, Barry Luterman wrote: <Snip> in <Snip> a <Snip> ur <Snip> id <Snip> to <Snip> le <Snip> mar <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetma=riascoffee.com Sweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
I am interested in learning more about this idea of grind unevenness and fines. Are there any good videos or images out there that can help me identify this issue. That might help me know if my burrs are dulled. John On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 11:17 AM, Seth Grandeau wrote: <Snip> was <Snip> mar <Snip> /a> <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetma=riascoffee.com Sweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
There was a pretty thorough discussion on this some time ago, don't recall a video but it was very informative. Will try to locate and post a link to the thread. Terry/Kona, Hawaii |
I was just checking out the prices of the new burrs and talk about sticker shock. I paid $37, shipped, for both burrs two years ago and now they want $35 for just the cone burr! Talk about a MAJOR price increase! What gives at Baratza ? Talk about taking advantage of the consumer. On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 3:25 PM, Terry McVay (rr) wro= te: <Snip> . <Snip> mar <Snip> st_lists.sweetmariascoffee.com> <Snip> a> <Snip> mariascoffee.com <Snip> a> <Snip> Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetma=riascoffee.com Sweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |
"Rancilio Rocky 70-100lb." Why do you suppose the Rocky has such a short life? Homeroast mailing list Homeroasthttp://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/mailman/listinfo/homeroast_lists.sweetmariascoffee.comSweet Maria's Forum Our new Coffee Library |