Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 3:44am Subject: Help new grinder cant get sweet spot
Hi All
I got a Mazzer mini 2 months back. So decided to use at work and replace the Compak K3 touch. The problem is the coffee tastes like sh--. It runs fast, blonde and is awful. Heres what I've tried.
i have tried weighing and timing using a training tamper (to take the human variables out) 18 then 20gms and timing say over 25 seconds. I cannot seem to get a sweet spot. I then use the same beans on the compak and its pretty good at 18 grams. I have moved the mazzer up to the choke point and backed it off a notch at a time but still nothing. I have about 4 years of coffee experience. i have a La Scala Butterfly at home and a Isomeac Tea II at work where I have the problem. I have used fresh beans from Merlo and Di Bella here in Brisbane. Please any help as I'm a frustrated coffee man
Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 11:25am Subject: Re: Help new grinder cant get sweet spot
If Compak K3 works just fine with same coffee that does not work at all on Mini, then it could be that burrs on your Mini are shot. Did you buy it new or used? If used, then as a rule whenever buying used grinder, change the burrs and put new ones in. If grinder was brand new, its also not out of realm of possibility to get bad set of burrs...
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 12:07pm Subject: Re: Help new grinder cant get sweet spot
I keyed in on something you said, you said that you went to choke and OPENED UP NOTCH AT A TIME, there are no notches on a mini, if you are saying that you moved a full NUMBER on the adjustment collar then you are moving WAY WAY WAY TOO MUCH!
The mini uses a collar with numbers on it. Your starting point should be at the sticker that was placed on the grinder when you bought it if it was new. If you bought it used and the burrs have been replaced then the sticker is more than likely not any place close to zero. To find zero, adjust until the burrs touch then open about 3 numbers. From this point you will be moving the collar in AS SMALL OF INCIRAMENTS AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE, yes it IS that sensitive.
A full number would be like moving a dozen or more notches on your old grinder, heck a bump between the numbers may be a dozen or more notches on your old grinder depending on how the old grinder works.
Give this a try for a while to find the proper grind setting and report back. Even with bad burrs, a mini would not react like what you are saying if it was adjusted properly.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 10:17pm Subject: Re: Help new grinder cant get sweet spot
Sorry its a brand new Mini and my choice of words is confusing. I started at the sticker and moved very small increments until i got about 5 full numbers past the start towards fine. On the sticker it was running very quick at either 18 or 20 grams. Should i go back to the start and try again?
qualin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 496 Location: Calgary, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A Vac Pot: Looking to buy Drip: Manual Roaster: Considering?
Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 11:15pm Subject: Re: Help new grinder cant get sweet spot
It is my experience that Mazzers are a little fussy with grind adjustment. Moving the adjustment collar as much as one centimetre can drastically affect your shot.
The key trick is finding out where the grinder chokes the machine. You must establish that point and use it as a point of reference to adjust.
When you get at the choke point, grab something heavy like a tamper and tap the plastic part of the adjustment lever so that the collar only moves a few millimeters at a time.. maybe try adjusting about half a centimeter to see what happens. You can then fine tune and loosen up the shot by downdosing.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,761 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon Dec 10, 2012, 12:03pm Subject: Re: Help new grinder cant get sweet spot
Buster005 Said:
Sorry its a brand new Mini and my choice of words is confusing. I started at the sticker and moved very small increments until i got about 5 full numbers past the start towards fine. On the sticker it was running very quick at either 18 or 20 grams. Should i go back to the start and try again?
I suppose the sticker could be in the wrong spot, with the grinder running, slowly adjust the burrs closed until they start rubbing on each other, you will know when it happens. Then loosen the grind about 3 numbers and start there. I bet you will have better luck.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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