Your description of where you are at presently is consistent with the operation of my Vario. Three clicks coarser than "zero" would produce gushers on my machine and I can never use that coarse of a grind.
OK. That's reassuring to hear. I was a bit worried I was overloading the little motor operating close to or below the zero point.
I still have the original issue of having to remove the hopper and press the lower burr down to get it to grind coarse. Does anybody have this issue or is it just me?
I urge you both to contact Baratza immediately. What you describe isn't normal for the Vario and indicates something wrong with your grinders. They have excellent customer service, give it a shot (no pun intended).
I urge you both to contact Baratza immediately. What you describe isn't normal for the Vario and indicates something wrong with your grinders. They have excellent customer service, give it a shot (no pun intended).
Thanks for the feedback...what exactly is your concern?...so far you haven't really said anything that is "actionable. Given all the variables involved, roast, blend, humidity, pressure, basket, dose, prep etc...is there really a "normal" here?
Posted Sat Sep 10, 2011, 8:01am Subject: Re: Vario Won't Grind Coarse
Needing to grind "finer than zero point" is a red flag to me. The Vario I have was calibrated via instructions and my user experience is as most others describe it for espresso and press. I'm typically two Macro clicks down from zero just to start the espresso range. Then three clicks up from bottom of range for press. With lots of room to micro-tweak the espresso grind. In my experience its been a zero-fuss machine. Don't even use my SJ anymore...(don't need too).
Posted Sat Sep 10, 2011, 10:22am Subject: Re: Vario Won't Grind Coarse
TimEggers Said:
Needing to grind "finer than zero point" is a red flag to me. The Vario I have was calibrated via instructions and my user experience is as most others describe it for espresso and press. I'm typically two Macro clicks down from zero just to start the espresso range. Then three clicks up from bottom of range for press.
This is interesting. I just got my new Vario-W, and was calibrating it for espresso. When from the factory, it was set according to the calibration instructions in the manual: "While the grinder is running, raise the Macro arm all the way up to the top (Espresso). You should not hear any change in motor speed. Now raise the Micro arm up the midpoint. You should begin to hear the motor slow (or labor a little)."
At that setting, I was getting gushers and spritzers, even with the micro arm all the way up to the top. In order to get a 30-sec shot, I needed to calibrate it so the motor was laboring at the Macro 2 clicks from the top and the Micro in the middle, and grinding with the Macro all the way at the finest, and the Micro just a couple clicks below the finest. All the way coarse on both levers gave a drip grind, not FP. Clearly that is not normal. I'll touch base with Baratza to see what's up.
Dana Leighton - Espresso hack and CoffeeGeek moderator
GDK Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 92 Location: Ontario, Canada Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: MiniVivaldi II, preinfusion,... Grinder: Baratza Vario W
Posted Sat Sep 10, 2011, 10:39am Subject: Re: Vario Won't Grind Coarse
Dana, I have similar problem - posted in the other thread: Worth the wait. I am sure I am following the calibration procedure properly. What you described is not normal either. Quality is a big question mark for me at the moment.
Just a thought - try removing and reinstalling the top burr, just to make sure it sits properly in place.
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