espressobecky Senior Member Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 671 Location: Northern BC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major, Baratza... Vac Pot: Hario TCA-3 Drip: French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 7:56am Subject: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
Ever since I got my Baratza Virtuoso, it has had trouble grinding. We have it on about a 10 grind setting and have to keep minimal beans in the hopper. Then almost the entire way through grinding, we have to shake the grinder to get it to grind. Stop shaking and soon after it will stop grinding (the motor's still running). This is not much affected by cleaning the grinder either, it was a problem when the grinder was brand new. It's been about a year since I bought it, so it's too late to be bringing this up with the seller (I called once early on and was told that I needed to clean it). Any other solutions?
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 8:10am Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
I have had similar issues with mine although I grind more towards 38 for press. When the hopper is full, I don't have the problem; only towards the end of the batch as you've said. I think it's an issue that the beans at the burrs need to be weighted down to the burrs. I don't know if the beans are bouncing around at the burrs (doesn't sound like it) or if the beans clog at the bottom of the hopper. The bottom of the hopper has the guard that has pretty small openings and I would assume that's where the issue is.
For me personally I just shake it towards the end to get the beans grinding again.
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 8:23am Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
I've got one too. If I understand you correctly, I don't have exactly the same problem. The only time I've experienced it not grinding is when there are maybe 4 or 5 beans left, like Joel_B said. It is probably affecting you more than I because most of my grinding is for press (38) which leaves more space in between the burs. I've found a good solution is to use the button on the front and do a pulse type thing. Usually, the slower rotation of the burr catches the few stray beans and once it does, I just hold the button until it's all ground.
I realize every grinder is calibrated a little differently, but what are you using the "10" for? Outside of a coarse espresso grind, it seems too fine.
bjmcgeever Said:
The only time I've experienced it not grinding is when there are maybe 4 or 5 beans left, like Joel_B said.
In all fairness, I have had it happen with more than just a few beans, but it's pretty infrequent. I'd also add that it doesn't sound like beans hopping around which is why I feel it may just be jamming at the bottom of the hopper.
espressobecky Senior Member Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 671 Location: Northern BC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major, Baratza... Vac Pot: Hario TCA-3 Drip: French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 12:27pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
I use the 10 for flat-basket drip. Is this too fine? I don't usually drink drip - my hubby takes it in a thermos to work. I guess it seems coarse enough to me because I'm used to espresso grinds. What setting is best for drip? I do adjust it quite a bit if I make press pot coffee.
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 12:38pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
hard to say since they are all calibrated a little different, but it would definately be to fine on mine. For cone drip I used around 18 and flat basket is supposed to be slightly coarser than that from what I understand.
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 12:55pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
When I use my basket drip I do about a 25, but I honestly haven't toyed with it that much because I only use drip for making large amounts of coffee. That setting seems adequate for me.
philosogeek Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 448 Location: Northborough, MA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Livia 90 Semi-Auto Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Maestro Vac Pot: Yama 8 and 3 cup Drip: Pour over, Clever coffee... Roaster: Behmor
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 1:01pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
I noticed you have a behmor and I assume that you're grinding your own beans. I can into a similar problem a few times (on a different grinder) when I was experimenting with light roasts...the grinder just couldn't handle the hard beans and the burrs would stop turning intermittently until I shook the problem bean loose.
I assume you aren't experimenting with light roasts, but could it be the case that there is an unusually light bean or two per batch of beans? I know that when I finish a roast in my behmor there are sometimes oddly light beans.
espressobecky Senior Member Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 671 Location: Northern BC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: Mazzer Major, Baratza... Vac Pot: Hario TCA-3 Drip: French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2009, 9:20pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso driving me nuts!
The light beans ("quakers") are more frequent with lower grades of beans. I do notice one every few batches I do, but usually just pick it out. I am using my home-roasted beans, but they are medium-dark at least. I tried pushing down on the beans the last time I ground (with the grind setting on 20), but that didn't seem to help much. I guess I just have to stand by and shake, poke and push the beans the whole time it's grinding. It would sure be nice to be able to start it grinding and walk away until it's done. Drip coffee's not supposed to be as much effort as espresso :)
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