Posted Mon Jul 28, 2003, 10:11am Subject: Re: Not pleased with this forum/web site
Hi Randy, Thanks for the first report on the Maestro Plus. As per my post from yesterday, I also had the first non-bitter shot from my machine yesterday, but I am relying on getting my coffee pre-ground, which is less than ideal. I absolutely NEED a new grinder.
I see from the reviews of the earlier Maestro that one of the main complaints was lack of consistent grind. Could you do a followup report in a few days and let us know how it holds up?
segfault Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2002 Posts: 37 Location: Centennial, Colorado, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Nuova Simonelli MCF Vac Pot: Press: Bodum Drip: Mr. Coffee Roaster: n/a
Posted Tue Jul 29, 2003, 8:09am Subject: Re: Not pleased with this forum/web site
For those who still have the Braun, Here is what I did to mine to make it work until I saved the bucks for my Nuova Simonelli MCF:
My old Braun KMM-20 (this should work for the KMM-30 as well) didn't grind fine enough, so I modified it to work tolerably well until I got a new grinder. (About 6 weeks) I took off the bottom of the unit (2 or 3 screws) and loosened the nut on the set screw. Then, holding it upright with a screwdriver on the set screw, turned on the motor and tightened the screw (raising the bottom set of burrs) until I heard the burrs touching, and then I backed off a little, tightened up the nut, and put it all back together. I was then able to use this grinder to pull ristrettos from my Silvia, but I had to use a heavy tamp (more than 30 pounds) for a proper 25 second shot. But this was better than the 10 second doubles I was pulling before modifying the grinder, even with very heavy 60 pound tamps! Note that there was still too much dust in the grind, so the cup had too much sediment compared to a shot done with grinds from a good grinder - I am comparing to grinds from my Nuv=ova Simonelli MCF. I hear this modification still works on the current model of Braun burr grinder, the KMM-30. Mine was the older KMM-20 Type 4045.
Note that after going to the MCF, I am able to tweak the grind to the extent that even a very light (15 to 20lb) tamp can give me a great 25 second 2 ounce shot. Call me a convert to the "Randy Glass" light tamp. More on his website, and even more
NOTE: You can give yourself a shock if you are not careful. In the worst case, you could electrocute yourself. I am NOT responsible if you do! You are doing this AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Posted Wed Jul 30, 2003, 12:20am Subject: Re: Not pleased with this forum/web site
Hi Segfault, After reading your post at work, I rushed home to try out your mod on the Braun grinder. I flipped it upside down, and alas - no screws. Rats - they must have changed the design when they went to the "30" model.
So, I pulled off the hopper and played around with the burr adjustment collar. I figured, what the heck - this grinder is not grinding fine enough so I am probably going to have to buy a new one anyways. So what if I break this one. I pulled pretty hard on the collar - it popped off. I then twisted the inner collar clockwise (finer) until it was too stiff to move any further. I would estimate that it went 12 clicks finer than the factory preset zero point. I took it back about 12 clicks, plugged it in, turned it on, then adjusted one click at a time until I heard metal on metal. I can't remember how many clicks this was, but I would estimate 8 or 9. I then backed it off one click, then replaced the collar so that the indicator was recalibrated to my new zero. I thought, "cool - this might actually work - 9 more degrees of fine grind".
I ground up some beans I have been using for french press coffee at my new zero setting, and I was surprised to see that the grounds actually looked finer than the grinds I had JJ Bean grind up for me on Sunday! Fired up the Barista, loaded the PF, tamped at about 40 lbs (since I had JJ Bean grind my beans, I could not control my grind settings - only my tamp pressure, and 40 lbs was best suited to this pre-ground coffee), hit the brew switch.......three or four drips of black gold, then GRUNNNNNT - my machine has now been officially choked. Gee - I guess the new grinds actually are finer than the JJ Bean grinds. I reloaded the PF, and only tamped to 30lbs. Pulled a 1.25 oz ristretto in 28 seconds. I then adjusted the grinder one click towards coarse and ground some more coffee. This one was a 1.75 oz shot in 28 seconds.
Only trouble is all of my shots tasted like crapola - I hate to admit it, but I the beans I used were the Starbucks Espresso roast from Costco in the 2lbs bag. I know - they were probably roasted in 1996, but I have always been happy with this particular bean for press pot brew. I am off to JJ Bean again tomorrow to get some of their whole bean Espresso and try out my "new" grinder.
randyjh Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 98 Location: Whitefish, MT Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Good bye old chum Grinder: adios Vac Pot: . Drip: . Roaster: ciao
Posted Wed Jul 30, 2003, 6:26am Subject: Re: Not pleased with this forum/web site
Hi Sean,
I also modified my Braun in hopes of improved shots. While you can get powder and choke the machine, the grind is not consistent and it promotes channeling, which causes P.O.S espresso.
I'm still amazed at the quantum change the Maestro has made in my espresso.
And it's soooo quiet!
I've got some Black Cat Blend from Intellgentsia in Chicago arriving today. I've read a lot of raves about this blend so I'm anxious to give it a spin.
Slante.
r
What's so funny about Peace, Love, and Understanding?
segfault Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2002 Posts: 37 Location: Centennial, Colorado, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Nuova Simonelli MCF Vac Pot: Press: Bodum Drip: Mr. Coffee Roaster: n/a
Posted Wed Jul 30, 2003, 12:04pm Subject: Re: Not pleased with this forum/web site
Strugs, Randy is right. While I was able to pull shots with the right time, I could not do it consistently, and the shots, even with frashly roasted beans, were only okay. The Nuova Simonelli (or any other good grinder) will amaze the heck out of you on how awesome the shots can be.
My local Dietrich's receives their beans from their roasting unit on Fridays, and when I buy beans on Fridays, they tell me they are within 3 days of the roast. And dang, their "Wiener Melange" pulls an awesome shot.
So, despite being able to mod the Braun, you have only slightly delayed the inevitable necessity to get a good grinder. Freshly roasted beans make a HUGE difference as well.
mekki Senior Member Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 5 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Beginner
Posted Sat Aug 2, 2003, 1:35am Subject: Re: Not pleased with this forum/web site
Hey Randy,
I don't know what you're drinking habits are, but I've been guzzling this simple Iced Mocha for the past week and each one gets me even goofier and giddier with coffee delight. I firmly believe that this must be made with Black Cat - there is something about BC and chocolate that creates not espresso and chocolate flavours but some other, complex, sweet but not too sweet absolutely amazing flavour. The sum is far, far greater than the parts.
I'm a cheap bastard and use liquid Nesquik (sue me - I like the rabbit ;). A good sqoosh into the bottom of the glass (an ounce?) and a nice double shot of Black Cat. Gently stir and add your choice of milk (I'm doing 2% now cause of the little pot belly I'm getting) and finish it off with a few ice cubes.
Simple but an absolutely exquisite drink. Hmm, I think I've got some decaf BC around here somewhere....
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