CoffeeGeek - Espresso: Grinders - Espresso, Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

Espresso: Grinders - Espresso
Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

Saeco Espresso Machines

Large selection in-stock, includes Free Gifts and Free Shipping!
www.espressozone.com

Not Logged in:

updated topics	new posts	new unanswered
search	faq	sign up

Discussions > Espresso > Grinders -... > Virtuoso Preciso...

view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics

Author

Messages

MisterJohnnyT
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Location: S.E. Florida
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Crossland CC1
Grinder: Compak K3 Touch

Posted Mon Jan 23, 2012, 6:41pm Subject: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

So I have been struggling for too long now, trying to get a decent shot. EVERY shot no matter how fine or course, over/underdosed, light/heavy tamp is giving me horrific early blonding and sprays/sprites with my bottomless PF. Then I noticed the Burr Holder, the white plastic ring that holds the upper burr ring, seems to be broken. I think it has been like this since I got it, so I didn't realize it was broken... but now from looking at every other picture of it online, I guess that it is indeed broken.. Oh man I have wasted so so so much coffee trying to get a decent shot the past week. I will attach pics. Is that definitely broken and not supposed to be like that? I have only had it for about 2 weeks, and I was having some good shots the first few days, but then it's been down hill. (Click for larger image)

MisterJohnnyT
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Location: S.E. Florida
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Crossland CC1
Grinder: Compak K3 Touch

Posted Mon Jan 23, 2012, 6:42pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

It's really annoying I can't upload more than 1 pic per post. (Click for larger image)

jbviau
Senior Member

Joined: 12 Jul 2010
Posts: 649
Location: Baltimore, MD
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Classic
Grinder: Preciso / LIDO
Drip: Trifecta MB / Eva Solo...

Posted Mon Jan 23, 2012, 8:28pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

Yup, broken (sorry)--call Baratza tomorrow. I'm sure a mod will be along soon to give you more info. if you're curious.

MisterJohnnyT
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Location: S.E. Florida
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Crossland CC1
Grinder: Compak K3 Touch

Posted Mon Jan 23, 2012, 10:41pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

Thanks. I see I can buy replacements for a couple bucks, but I'm wondering if I should just return the whole thing while I can and get something else. I have not abused this machine at all, so I don't want to have to buy a new ring every week with normal careful use. This looks like it's clearly a week point in the mechanism for it to already be giving me issues. Mostly I'm annoyed at all the coffee and time I have wasted trying to get a good shot this past week.

MisterJohnnyT
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Location: S.E. Florida
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Crossland CC1
Grinder: Compak K3 Touch

Posted Sat Jan 28, 2012, 5:36am Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

I did return the Preciso. I have a Compak K3 Touch on the way that I think I'll be very happy with. The K3 supposedly is not the best option though if I want to frequently switch between grinds, from espresso to drip. Since my wife mostly makes drip, I have a Baratza Maestro on the way as her drip grinder. Maybe I can also use it as a backup espresso grinder, but I know this might be a stretch.

ptrck2184
Senior Member

Joined: 1 Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Location: New Jersey
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Mon Feb 20, 2012, 6:39pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

I just noticed tonight that I have the same problem on my preciso. I will contact baratza tomorrow and keep you updated on the response. Anyone else experience this problem or have a solution?

dyqik
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Oct 2011
Posts: 351
Location: Cambridge, MA
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Bezzera BZ07 PM
Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso...
Vac Pot: Cona D
Drip: Bona-Vita, CCD, Aeropress.
Roaster: Gene Cafe, Modded Poppers

Posted Mon Feb 20, 2012, 7:04pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

I had this problem last week - emailed them on Sunday with the details, got an email reply on Tuesday, and a warranty replacement burr holder in the post on Thursday. My grinder was 6 months old at this point. Fortunately I also own a Porlex that I use for travel, so I just switched to drip with breakfast. As their rep said in their email - this part does act as a sort of fuse to help prevent damage to the rest of the grinder if a stone or extra hard bean gets in - although I'm not sure it was designed that way :) I might order a couple of spares at some point - I figure it's better to have a grinder that will fail in a known and easy to fix way than an unknown way (a philosophy I also applied to my last car - an MGB).

MisterJohnnyT
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Posts: 59
Location: S.E. Florida
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Crossland CC1
Grinder: Compak K3 Touch

Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012, 6:41am Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

I've also read about this being the machine's "fuse." With that being the case, they really should include at least 2 extra ones for free. Mine broke after only 1 week, with VERY careful use. I have been using my Compak K3 for the past few weeks, and it works great... much better than the Preciso did before it broke.

Intrepid510
Senior Member

Joined: 30 Dec 2010
Posts: 303
Location: California
Expertise: I love coffee

Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012, 2:56pm Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

I noticed mine had developed a crack, was still able to grind, but it would break at somepoint. A quick email and a few days later it was replaced. Quick and easy. Even if Baratza hadn't replaced it free of charge at only two dollars it's not really a big deal imho. So all things considered if Baratza is going to get people into espresso grinders that work as well as others a few hundred dollars more and what we have to deal with are some parts breaking every now and again that are easily replaceable/inexpensive/or free, then what do we have to worry about?

Less water, more grounds.

GlennT
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Feb 2012
Posts: 38
Location: SF Bay Area (Silicon Valley)
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Kraps Il Primo Steam Wanabe...
Grinder: Baratza Priciso
Drip: Aeropress & "Don't ask don't...

Posted Tue Feb 21, 2012, 4:06pm
Subject: Re: Virtuoso Preciso - Broken Burr Holder causing my early blonding and sprites?

MisterJohnnyT Said:

I've also read about this being the machine's "fuse." With that being the case, they really should include at least 2 extra ones for free. Mine broke after only 1 week, with VERY careful use.

Posted February 21, 2012 link

Using standard margins, a $2.00 spare part should have a fully burdened cost between $0.50 & $0.70. I would be surprised if they could process the warranty order and ship the nearly weightless part for less than $10-15. Depending on warranty failure rate, it may well be cheaper for Baratza to include a couple of spares, making the "fuse function" more a design feature than a hassle. It would certainly be consistent with their customer-oriented philosophy.

It should be a no-brainer to supply no-cost spares to foreign distributors. International warranty support is EXPENSIVE!

view previous topic | view next topic | view all topics

Discussions > Espresso > Grinders -... > Virtuoso Preciso...

updated topics

new posts

new unanswered

faq

Not Logged in: log in
Discussions Quick Jump:
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post

Forum Rules:
No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards.
No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum.
No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum.
Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards.
Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics.
Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies.
Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies.
Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts.
Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.

Cafe Espresso Machines

Video reviews, nationwide installation, leasing options... Nuova Simonelli, Rancilio, La Marzocco.
www.seattlecoffeegear.com