Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Fri Dec 14, 2012, 4:30pm Subject: Vario settings problem or Roast problem? HELP.
I buy, 90% of the time; my freshly roasted beans from a local roastery. I was told by the roastery that I have been buying beans from for years--that they roast fresh every day. My Vario grinder is set even finer than normal, as finer goes better with my Gaggia Classic. When I grind beans, the macro has been set on 2, and the micro on S-T for freshest beans. As the beans get older (1 week or so), I can normally push the micro anywhere from O to P. Just bought fresh beans 2 days ago. Settings were as normal for very fresh beans (2-Macro, S Micro). Tamped as normal, espresso came through fast & sour tasting. I ended up having to put the Macro on 1 and the Micro on P. Still coming through faster than I would want. Can anyone tell me why this would happen all the sudden? Appreciate your input.
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Sat Dec 15, 2012, 11:27am Subject: Re: Vario settings problem or Roast problem? HELP.
No, it did not choke. Like I mentioned, the coffee was coming out fast & sour--furthest thing from choking. The Vario has been calibrated to work with my Gaggia Classic which requires finer grinding. That's why with it working perfect since I got it--only a few months back (2nd one) I don't understand why (if I am using the same beans) this would happen. I was hoping I would get more replies.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,017 Location: Philadelphia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Duetto 3, A Dead Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Preciso w/Esatto,... Drip: Brazen Roaster: Diedrich IR-1, HT B
Posted Sat Dec 15, 2012, 12:17pm Subject: Re: Vario settings problem or Roast problem? HELP.
Chanty Said:
No, it did not choke. Like I mentioned, the coffee was coming out fast & sour--furthest thing from choking. The Vario has been calibrated to work with my Gaggia Classic which requires finer grinding. That's why with it working perfect since I got it--only a few months back (2nd one) I don't understand why (if I am using the same beans) this would happen. I was hoping I would get more replies.
I have had 3 Vario's over the last 3 years and at some point when the new burrs "season" I have to calibrate finer. Other then a grinder issue beans and roast levels can have drastic effects on grind settings. Even when buying the same bean from a roaster who gets the same variety from the same farm every year it is an agricultural crop and will vary year to year. Same bean at a different roast level will also require a different grind to same results from each roast level. 1-3 day old beans for espresso can be next to impossible to get consistent shots since the beans are off gassing so much CO2.
Chanty Senior Member Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 137 Location: Milwaukee, WI Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Vario, had an MDF Vac Pot: none Drip: none Roaster: I buy beans from many...
Posted Sat Dec 15, 2012, 4:50pm Subject: Re: Vario settings problem or Roast problem? HELP.
No I do not use a scale. I have done it the same way for many years & normally works perfection. I use a 1/4 cup of beans for a double shot. This is not the problem (not using a scale) because like I said, have done it this same way for many years. This is a new issue. I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't a problem with the roast this time. I've used this roast for many years (freshly roasted), and I use Red Bird. Just a problem with this last roast.....
Posted Sat Dec 15, 2012, 5:54pm Subject: Re: Vario settings problem or Roast problem? HELP.
Sounds like you have found your issue with this particular roast. Like Rob said, there is no way a roaster can use the exact same beans in a blend year after year. The beans must change at least by the crop year. I roast and blend my own. If I dial in a great blend, I will sometimes stick with it for a few months until one or more of the beans runs out. During this period. I rarely have to adjust the grind at all. Sometimes back and forth just a bit to deal with the 3-10 day aging of the beans. Along comes a new bean in the blend and I may have to shift the grind a half or whole turn.
If you know your local roaster well, I'm sure he would level with you on how he goes about tuning his blend as the crop cycles require. Maybe he can confirm what you suspect.
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