Jeess, I did read all of Matts posts on HB & saw all the pics of the grind., don't know how I got so offside/misguided on that.., sorry!
There must be a broken lug in the grinds adjustment ring assembly somewhere. I've posted lots of pics of the mentioned rings, etc., here's one: "Re: Virtuoso Preciso Problem" there's also 3 lugs on the outer ring burr holder that may be broken or cracked, the outer ring burr holder could be cracked also & flexing (I've seen that) allowing for excessive ring burr movement.
I know this is a pic & pics further down in that thread for the Precisio grinds adjustment ring assembly, but I can't find pics of the Virtuoso ring assembly but suffice to say check that all the lug/tabs are there.
DexD Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 29 Location: Ottawa Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 6:57pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
The grind consistency demonstrated by Matt isn't much of a consistency at all.
But, I'm willing to believe it is a lemon -- I mean, nobody would praise the grinder as highly as Baratza is praised around here with that type of performance.
So, the conversation turns to the obvious, whether a Baratza Virtuoso is meaningfully more consistent at a course range over the lesser priced Encore. I can't find any information about this (particle distributions are nice, but I'd settle for some anecdotes at this point). Going in the exact opposite direction (price and practicality wise), I'm wondering if I should simply wait out for an acceptably priced used bulk grinder. Although I think my future wife would probably decide at that point that I've officially gone off to the deep end...
Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 7:13pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
It's not quite what you asked for, but have you seen the comparison chart here? Interestingly, the Encore doesn't go quite as coarse, but I never use the coarsest settings for press-style coffee on my Preciso anyway (prefer to stay around 32). The Encore would probably be a fine choice.
By the way, re: that link, the folks at Prima are very responsive. You might consider asking them to compare the Encore's and Virtuoso's press grinds for you since they carry both.
mwright Senior Member Joined: 6 Sep 2010 Posts: 105 Location: Michigan Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Nov 1, 2012, 7:16pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
I will open it up this weekend and look to make sure everything is OK. The tabs are all there on the top burr and the black ring does not have any excessive movement that I have felt.
mwright Senior Member Joined: 6 Sep 2010 Posts: 105 Location: Michigan Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sat Nov 3, 2012, 8:09am Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
I opened it up. I did not see anything broken. The only thing I noticed was that it was calibrated as coarse as it could be adjusted to. I did notice that if you take the hopper off and you look down at the black ring there are two tabs on it. It seems like those are normally at 12 and 6 oclock. Mine are more offset than that. Maybe that is the result of the calibration but I am not sure.
mwright Senior Member Joined: 6 Sep 2010 Posts: 105 Location: Michigan Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Mon Nov 5, 2012, 12:59pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
Only thing I have noticed is it seems to do a little better on darker roasts. That does not really help me because I like lighter roasts better but it was interesting none the less.
DexD Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 29 Location: Ottawa Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Nov 19, 2012, 6:31pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
Update to my problem: not the grinder. Yes, it's true, it remains a sub-par grinder, but I've honestly managed good results out of it. Anyway: my thermometer was shot. Since switching to the Bonavita PID kettle, zero issues. I've tested my thermometer and it's often quite off. Must have gone funny around the time I started getting inconsistent results.
Posted Mon Nov 19, 2012, 6:44pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
DexD Said:
Update to my problem: not the grinder. Anyway: my thermometer was shot. I've tested my thermometer and it's often quite off. Must have gone funny around the time I started getting inconsistent results.
Posted Mon Nov 19, 2012, 9:02pm Subject: Re: French Press Inconsistency - Possibly the Grinder
Wow, thanks.
I have & use a lab grade mercury thermometer (41½ YEARS OLD!) that I've had since my homebrewing days when I first started out in 1971 (16 years old!, & 57 now!! {:-O), a miracle I haven't broken it yet lol!!
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