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Espresso: Espresso Machines
CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

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Discussions > Espresso > Machines > CC1 (and...

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BarryR
Senior Member

Joined: 21 Nov 2010
Posts: 182
Location: Wilbraham
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: CC1
Grinder: Baratza Preciso
Drip: Bunn HG, Clever Dripper
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Sat May 12, 2012, 11:06am Subject: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

I've had it now for just over a week (paired with a Preciso grinder). Pretty much by day two, I was pulling very good shots. I spent a while researching here and at HB before deciding on the machine. At this point I'm extremely pleased with my purchase. I may eventually outgrow it, but at this point it seems to meet al of my needs. I knew that if I wanted to do a ton of steaming there might be better (and pricier) choices. I drink mostly straight espresso some americano and less so, cappucinos and this hasn't been an issue. If I'm steaming for 2 drinks I find that it steams very fast (maybe too fast since I'm a beginner). I think if you get it ready to steam, then pull the shot, then steam there's very little waiting time between pulling and steaming (but I'm not positive). By my 2nd attempt, I (think I) was getting properly textured microfoam. I had one errro message on the screen (EA1 - open circuit) appear once but turning the machine off then on again solved that. Otherwise it's behaved flawlessly. For $900 with a Preciso fro SCG I don't think anything else would come close in the under $1000 range. Once I recalibrated it, the Preciso seems to be doing very well also though I don't have anything to compare it with. The only thing in my mind that remains unknown is reliability which only time will tell. Soon we'll find out how it fared on the Road Trip.

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 Sat May 12, 2012, 2:26pm Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

What calibration did you need to make to your Preciso - the adjustment screw? I have been told to do that by Baratza to go with my CC1 and I'm not sure where my new zero point is supposed to be.

Posted Sat May 12, 2012, 4:58pm Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

My preciso came from the factory with the calibration ring on the coarsest setting. I did have to recalibrate it and used the finest setting. Even within the finest setting there seemed to be a range that it could be set so I used the coarsest portion of the finest setting. I don't know if that detail actually makes a difference or not. With it set this way I usually get a good pull with the Macro setting at 5 and the micro somewhere in the low (A) to mid (G) range. PS: The lowest macro number seems to be marked as 1 but I count it as zero as that's the only way it really makes sense. Anyway, these numbers all seem to be relative, not absolute.

ampguy
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 119
Location: Pac NW
Expertise: I like coffee

Posted Sun May 13, 2012, 7:43am
Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

Hi Barry,

Congrats on the setup! My Preciso is set between 6 and 7 (but if 1 is 0, then maybe 5 or 6?) but anyways, there is more than enough leeway to go finer than I need. I rarely need to change the macro setting with the same beans, unless the micro is at A, then I might need a half click. I always grind while turning coarser. Getting about 2.25 oz in 30 seconds works really well for me at this setting with the CC1.

BarryR Said:

My preciso came from the factory with the calibration ring on the coarsest setting. I did have to recalibrate it and used the finest setting. Even within the finest setting there seemed to be a range that it could be set so I used the coarsest portion of the finest setting. I don't know if that detail actually makes a difference or not.

With it set this way I usually get a good pull with the Macro setting at 5 and the micro somewhere in the low (A) to mid (G) range.
PS: The lowest macro number seems to be marked as 1 but I count it as zero as that's the only way it really makes sense.
Anyway, these numbers all seem to be relative, not absolute.

Posted May 12, 2012 link

Posted Sun May 13, 2012, 8:49am
Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

ampguy Said:

I always grind while turning coarser. Getting about 2.25 oz in 30 seconds works really well for me at this setting with the CC1.

Posted May 13, 2012 link

I thought you have to grind while going finer since the burrs will be moving closer together and trapping coffee.

I use the grinder for espresso and non-espresson and weigh the beans before grinding. That means it's empty between grinds.
I tend to (very briefly) pulse the (empty) grinder when going from coarser to finer. I assume I'm not damaging the burrs, but I was wondering about it.
Anyone know?

ampguy
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 119
Location: Pac NW
Expertise: I like coffee

Posted Sun May 13, 2012, 10:36am Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

Hi Barry, Sorry, I meant when moving finer. Although I also have it on while adjusting either direction or even when making micro changes.

Posted Sun May 13, 2012, 10:38am
Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

ampguy Said:

Hi Barry, Sorry, I meant when moving finer. Although I also have it on while adjusting either direction or even when making micro changes.

Posted May 13, 2012 link

If there are no beans in it do you just pulse it slightly or do you always have beans in it and waste some?

ampguy
Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 119
Location: Pac NW
Expertise: I like coffee

Posted Sun May 13, 2012, 10:52am
Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

Unless I'm cleaning it, I keep beans in it, and always have it on (front button pressed fully, never use the side timer) while rotating the hopper or making micro changes either way.

I use the pf holding adapter and let a few seconds drop down when dialing in (e.g. after a cleaning), but for normal usage, say I'm getting 2.5oz in 30 seconds, I'll then do a micro change a couple of letters finer (while pressing unit on). I think there are a few seconds time before the new settings will take effect, so I let that drop into the bottom. I wash this out daily, as the way I jog the PF on the stand it drops a bit over the sides anyways.

BarryR Said:

If there are no beans in it do you just pulse it slightly or do you always have beans in it and waste some?

Posted May 13, 2012 link

yiplong
Senior Member

Joined: 19 Feb 2012
Posts: 79
Location: EU
Expertise: Just starting

Posted Tue May 15, 2012, 12:31pm Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

I also have exactly the same setup from SCG. It's good value and the resulting espresso/latte is really good. My CC1 ended up leaking within a few weeks and I had to ship it back for repair. It is still in the shop. I've had ample opportunity to test out the Preciso for french press usage since I sent in the CC1 3 weeks ago. I think the Preciso is the perfect grinder for home use if you do both espresso + drip/FP. A setting of 7-8 works fine for espresso, whereas 30 is good for FP. Don't see a lot of differences between the micro-adjustments, have to move it at least 4-5 slots to see significant difference in result. I am not neurotic enough to stress out over 2 second difference in shot timing. I would reserve my opinion on the CC1 until I have more experience with it.

Posted Sun May 20, 2012, 5:40pm
Subject: Re: CC1 (and Preciso). First impressions of an espresso newbie

ampguy Said:

Posted May 13, 2012 link

I emailed Baratza tech support about changing grinder settings while briefly hitting the pulse button (on an empty grinder) and they said it should be fine since it's only for a few seconds.

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