DebB Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Toronto Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sun Dec 7, 2008, 6:36am Subject: Baratza Virtuoso - how long before burr replacement?
I've had my Baratza Virtuoso for just over a year. It has ground less than 100 lbs (I'd say maybe 50 max) and recently I have been having problems with it where it is just not grinding. It will jam up just days after a cleaning. Do the burrs need replaced already? Any help would be appreciated.
Posted Sun Dec 7, 2008, 1:37pm Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso - how long before burr replacement?
Well the burrs for this grinder are cheap so go get some! The lower price grinders do not have the same quality metal or heat-treating as the expensive burrs do so there going to fail faster. Just to give you an idea of the cost of burrs on high end grinders the burrs for my Bunn LPG cost $200.00 a pair! Bunn clams there good for grinding 33,000 pounds of coffee, i expect them to last a life time.
One way to make sure burrs Jam is to adjust the grind without the burrs running in motion, you should always adjust burrs when the grinder is running even on the 2k grinders you have to do that.
Posted Sun Dec 7, 2008, 2:13pm Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso - how long before burr replacement?
I think it highly unlikely your clogging problem is due to worn out burrs. When cleaning the burrs, did you remove the top burr and clean the area under the bottom burr? There is a white plastic 'paddle wheel' down there that pushes the grounds to the front and down a shoot to the bin. I'm thinking (based on several I've cleaned out) that this area is clogged up. I have seen a couple where it was clogged so bad the paddle wheel had to be replaced because it was worn to a stub. ....As always, Baratza came through for me in short order to get the required replacement parts. Also, if that area is clear and you still have a problem, you will need to dis-assemble and clean out the shoot area.
DebB Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Toronto Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sun Dec 7, 2008, 2:46pm Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso - how long before burr replacement?
This may be a stupid question but how do I clean under the bottom burr? I've cleaned the top burr and I've cleaned the chute leading to the grounds bin. I try getting brush into the areas of the bottom burr but I don't know how to get it out to clean under it. Thanks!
Posted Sun Dec 7, 2008, 3:08pm Subject: Re: Baratza Virtuoso - how long before burr replacement?
DebB Said:
This may be a stupid question but how do I clean under the bottom burr? I've cleaned the top burr and I've cleaned the chute leading to the grounds bin. I try getting brush into the areas of the bottom burr but I don't know how to get it out to clean under it. Thanks!
I don't think you need to take the bottom burr off (but it is possible, just reverse threaded: turn clockwise to loosen) I would suggest to use a toothpick or such ( I use a bamboo skewer stick) and dig out around all the vanes of that plastic paddle wheel. If it's really bad you may need to remove the bottom burr, but sometimes they can be on real tight and hard to budge. (also may need to hold the motor shaft to stop it from spinning on you, this would require dis-assembly) While poking around in there try to make sure the entry to the shoot is clear: it is in the front of that area where the paddle wheel spins. Good Luck!
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