ramack Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Centennial, CO Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 5:00am Subject: Baratza Virtuoso
Has anyone ordered a grinder directly from Baratza? I bought one from their online store about three weeks ago. The first one was damaged during shipment, I just received the second unit, it is also damaged. They are sending the grinders without adequate packing material.
I'm curious if anyone else has had similar problems.
These grinders look to be a pretty good grinder, just wish that I could use one......
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 6:28am Subject: Re: Baratza Virtouso
I ordered a refurb direct from Baratza, and it arrived just fine. Subsequently I ordered a second unit for friends (x-mas present) and it also arrived with no issues.
Both grinders are in use today, the one in my office has ground for 4-8 pots of coffee per day for almost a year now.
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 6:40am Subject: Re: Baratza Virtouso
I ordered one about two weeks ago and it arrived in good shape but I would rate the packaging as minimal. The grinder works fine but the static issue is horrendous.
ramack Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Centennial, CO Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 7:05am Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso
I've been using a flat burr DeLonghi that has a clear plastic bin which also has static issues. I was able to significantly reduce the static by taking a fabric softener sheet and wiping the exterior and (lightly) interior of the bin.
I'll be using my Virtuoso for a french press and a Gaggia Espresso machine. Looks like I'll need to recalibrate the grinder for espresso grinding.
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 7:30am Subject: Re: Baratza Virtouso
I also have a Virtuoso, though not purchased directly through Baratza.
My solution to the static is to take a strip of aluminum foil, fold in thirds so that it is about 1/2 the width of the catchbin, and drape it over the front of the bin so that the strip trails down the front inside and across the bottom of the bin. The idea is that the grounds hit the foil first as they come out. Take some care as you remove the grounds; usually I pour some out, then gently lift the foil and shake it against the sides of the container to knock off the loose grounds and lift it out before pouring out the rest. The foil can be reused and it doesn't get too messy, and is certainly less messy than static causing the grounds to pop out all over your counter.
I know this is more of a hack than a solution, but it works for me. Why they had such trouble with this I don't know, but if I can fix it with foil, they could have done some similarly cheap design change.
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 9:37am Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso
I seem to remember reading that Baratza finally got the grounds bin right and the static is gone. They will probably supply replacement bins for no charge.
An alternative is the solution which I used on a POC pseudo burr thing. See it on the last page of this string: "What a mess..."
Posted Fri Jun 29, 2007, 11:25am Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso
On my Maestro, which is a similar design, I just hold a pre-folded Melitta filter under the grinds chute where the bin would go and grind directly into the filter. Eliminates the static issue.
Peter
------------------------------------------------------ Know beans, know coffee. No beans, no coffee.
I seem to remember reading that Baratza finally got the grounds bin right and the static is gone. They will probably supply replacement bins for no charge.
Their claims that they fixed the static problem were not entirely correct, from my experience. My new bin didn't really help, although it did reduce the problem. It might be that it needed some "breaking in"; since I started using the foil strip I haven't tried it without it. I'll try tomorrow and see what happens. But my first several grinds with the new bin-- and they did send it to me in the mail-- were as jumpy as previously.
ppopp Said:
On my Maestro, which is a similar design, I just hold a pre-folded Melitta filter under the grinds chute where the bin would go and grind directly into the filter. Eliminates the static issue.
<snip> I ordered two from them about the same time you did, a refurb Virtuoso for me and a new Maestro for my dad. The Virtuoso arrived about a week later in fine shape via UPS, no problems. I wouldn't have been able to tell it was a refurb as opposed to new. The Maestro was backordered, but arrived a week after the V, in time for Dad's bday yesterday. It also seems fine. Maybe something is happening to your packages en route, after leaving Baratza?
No static issues here, but then it's awful humid 'round these parts.
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