OB Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Pace, Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancillo Silvia V3, w/PID Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Black and Decker Roaster: Fresh roast +8
Posted Sun May 6, 2012, 12:55pm Subject: Have my new Silvia, a Vario and some questions?
Got my new Silvia/PID and new Vario a few days ago. Have been getting used to them and trying to pull a shot. The Silvia has a PID and I have been trying to pull shots by pressing the start button on the PID. I see it does a second for pre infusion then a second for infusion and then starts the extraction. It's set from the company, or Seattle Gear for 24 seconds of extraction. No matter what grind I put in it I'm getting anywheres from 3 to 6 ozs of expresso. Has varying amounts of crema, with varying tastes of bitter. I have run through 6 to 8 pounds of roasted beans trying to get the grind down to give me 2 to 2 1/2 oz of expresso using the PID switch. Have run out of my roasted beans and have had to buy 8 oclock 100% Columbian beans from the grocery store
Am I doing this wrong? Should I be turning the Silvia off at around 18 seconds with the ROCKER SWITCH, instead of allowing the PID to control the time?
Appreciate the help as you can tell I'm really new at this stuff and have no guidance, other than the online videos I've been able to find.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,320 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun May 6, 2012, 1:29pm Subject: Re: Have my new Silvia, a Vario and some questions?
Have you done the fine adjustment on the vario? How fine is your grind coming out of the grinder? I have adjusted mine and most espresso is set on 2 on the right and the lower middle of the left side. (the left moves up as the coffee ages)
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Silvia is probably not the problem at this point. Sounds like dose, and more likely grind. You would think that a new grinder is always calibrated, but not seemingly so. Does it have a manufacture date? Directly from Baratza, or from Seattle Gear? You could probably call either, but you may want to read the thread to familiarize yourself.
You shouild not need to turn off the infusion as 24 seconds is about right, and 18 is too soon.
I am sure you will get a lot of help as CGer's get back on line.
OB Senior Member Joined: 5 Apr 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Pace, Florida Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancillo Silvia V3, w/PID Grinder: Baratza Vario Drip: Black and Decker Roaster: Fresh roast +8
Posted Tue May 8, 2012, 5:51pm Subject: Re: Have my new Silvia, a Vario and some questions?
After several calibration attempts I called Baratza and discussed the problem at length. The grinder was determined to be malfunctioning. They were extremely helpful and said they will send me a new grinder. It's on the way and I'm ready to start using my new equipment. Baratza has great customer service. Thanks for the help gentlemen. OB
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