Posted Sun Apr 19, 2009, 6:17am Subject: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
Replaced the burrs in my machine. Straight forward procedure.
Unfortunately at the coarser settings I'm getting far more large "chunks" than I did before I replaced the burrs. Even half way towards the medium/filter setting I'm getting significant amount of larger flakes.
As far as I'm aware none of the important plastic bits that regulate grind adjustment broke off during the fitting of the new burrs. It just seems the grind in irregular, at least at french press settings. Will the new burrs bed in?
It's bad enough that I'm adjusting my espresso grinder for French press and this is a worm drive Iberital, tedious - but great grind even at coarser settings.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,016 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 Sun Apr 19, 2009, 10:04am Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
I had the same problem with my Virtuoso after taking the burr out to clean. The red markings that indicated alignment had worn off and since it could drop in one way or 180 degrees the other way it seemed like a no brainer. Very coarse grind even at the finest setting, I rotated the burr 180 degrees and it was back to normal. Hope this helps.
Posted Mon May 11, 2009, 7:37am Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
I feel that I've replaced the obviously worn burrs on my Starbucks Barista and actually ended up with something which isn't as good as when I started. Does anyone know if there is anything that can go wrong? I followed the instructions on the Baratza web site.
Appreciate germantownrob's suggestion but doesn't really seem to apply to the Barista since the upper and lower burrs can only fit in one way.
I've had the grinder for years and never had a real issue with it until I replaced the burrs.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,016 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 Wed May 13, 2009, 4:54am Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
So I checked to see if my virtuoso top burr really can go two ways and it doesn't really, it can drop in the wrong way and the hopper still fits on top but it fits the other way with precision. Checking this and not cleaning it I now have the same problem as you, My finest setting only does a fine drip grind now. I am wondering if I got some debris under the plate the hopper turns that adjusts the burrs, not sure.
Posted Wed May 13, 2009, 6:58am Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
Not so good, hopefully a good clean will sort it out. At the minute I've given up with the Barista/Solis and am using my Iberital (Nemox Lux) instead becausde I can't fix the problem. Having said that you can't really switch brewing methods because the Iberital is a "worm" drive and going from drip grind to coarse for french press is a chore.
Kinda miss the ease of adjustment of the Barista/Solis.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,016 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 Tue May 26, 2009, 11:30am Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
Apparently the last time I took the burrs off a couple of the tabs broke off. I was impressed with my phone call to Baratza, 2 rings and someone that could immediately answer my question and tell me it was only an $8 part.
Posted Tue May 26, 2009, 12:10pm Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
No luck at all, thanks for asking. I'd read there were tabs that could break off so I was being careful. Didn't notice anything at the time. No spare bits of plastic.
It's almost as if the upper/outer burr no longer sits correctly in its location. I'm begining to wonder but it looks the same as before and I've been comparing it to pics on the web and I still don't see anything obvious.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,016 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 Tue May 26, 2009, 12:56pm Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
The 3 tabs on the white plastic that surrounds the top burr keep mine aligned, I only have 1 tab remaining and the whole thing sits cocked to the side. I was able to order just the white plastic piece the burr sits in. I was looking at the pics on their site at your grinder and I see it is very different from mine, and the pictures don't show much detail. If you have not called them yet give it a shot, I cursed Baratza for a week to long to find out it was a quick cheap fix.
germantownrob Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2007 Posts: 2,016 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 May 30, 2009, 9:26am Subject: Re: Solis 166 aka Maestro (Baratza) grinder problem with replacement burrs
I got my burr holder today and all is well again! Wow this experience has been a testament to how much even grinding makes a good cup, I have not enjoyed a cup since the grinder stopped grinding even.
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