I've been having a lot of problems with shot consistency lately, and I haven't been able to pull a decent shot in the last ten days. Same beans. Same Tamp. Same grind setting. I don't know if it's normal for the Varios to be making these weird growling, pulsing noises or if it's a problem I should have looked at. I can bring it in to Baratza on Monday, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something. These are all on the 3 Macro setting, which has always been in the neighborhood of where my shots have been okay. Any ideas? I really am starting to think that it's my grinder that is causing my alternating streaks of perfect shots and complete drain fodder.
Gig103 Senior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2012 Posts: 204 Location: Arizona Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Crossland CC1 Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: French press!
Posted Sun Feb 17, 2013, 1:30am Subject: Re: Should my Vario-W be making these noises?
If you had said that was on the 1-macro I would think it's the zero point for the calibration.
I'd try removing, brushing off, and reseating the top burr. Remember to set the Vario to its coarsest setting before doing this. Also use a paperclip to remove any build up between bottom burr and the housing.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sun Feb 17, 2013, 4:58am Subject: Re: Should my Vario-W be making these noises?
Did a full clean and recalibration and it didn't help. I know at this point it's my grinder that's on the fritz. I can see visible chunks of large grind mixed in with the fine and I can hear and see the bottom burr wobbling ever so slightly. I cleaned the hell out of the grinder and it's still not giving me any kind of consistency. I guess I should bring it in to Baratza on Monday? Does anyone know if they will be closed during Presidents Day?
Jmanespresso Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 2,108 Location: Westchester NY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Alex Duetto II Grinder: Compak K10 - Vario Vac Pot: Yama-SY5/SY8/TCA5 Drip: V60, Beehouse, CCD Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Sun Feb 17, 2013, 5:36pm Subject: Re: Should my Vario-W be making these noises?
Short answer, no.
Call baratza, they'll take care of ya in prime fashion.
Follow Your Bliss
Coffee makes your constantly overcome your prejudices and re-evaluate your own "received wisdoms" when it comes to judging cup flavors. -Tom Owen, SweetMarias
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Mon Feb 18, 2013, 1:31am Subject: Re: Should my Vario-W be making these noises?
I've been to Baratza a few times, since they're right up the road from me. As a matter of fact, Kyle was the one who sold me my Vario-W personally and I know he stands behind his products. I just hope they're around tomorrow because I JUST got my machine tricked out and rebuilt last weekend and I can't use it until my grind issues are sorted out.
Posted Fri Feb 22, 2013, 10:32pm Subject: Re: Should my Vario-W be making these noises?
I could sing praises ALL DAY about Baratza's customer service. They'll fix you up in no time--just give them a call.
I cringed when I watched the video. I can't believe you kept running that thing.
My Vario really upset me. I came home from school to discover it had eaten half a pound of beans and spat them on my counter and was running on and off for no apparent reason. They replaced it so fast.
Markarian Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 474 Location: Seattle Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Modded Nuova Simonelli Oscar Grinder: Vario-W, Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Moka, Aeropress, Melitta 102 Roaster: Wear-Ever Popcorn Pumper
Posted Sat Feb 23, 2013, 4:15am Subject: Re: Should my Vario-W be making these noises?
There's no doubt about Baratza's commitment to customer service. Time and time again they've welcomed me to their HQ to troubleshoot my grinders. This time it was a minor friction issue that they were able to adjust. The grinder is performing better now, but I'm still getting some creep. I think it might be slight play in the macro slider. When adjusting the macro slider, I now make sure it's seated firmly against the edge of its stop, ditto for the micro slider, though I see the micro slider jiggling slightly when grinding light roasts at 2J. I need to do a bit more testing, but I'm sure Baratza will continue to help me out.
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