Please help.... its driving me batty...

[dannyboi]

Hey all, I have a problem that im hoping someone here can help me with...

Just so we all know, Im using a Rancilio 2 group commercial machine. (cant remember model, sorry) and a rancilio grinder.

I have just taken over a cafe, and have noticed that when myself, or any of my staff members are making coffee, it is only discharging 10 to 15 mls regardless of what buttons im pushing...

As the coffee comes out of the group head. (takes approx 6 to 7 second.. too long i know.. Ideally 5 seconds?) it falls like a waterfall, rather then dimming slightly behind the spout on the group head... Im guessing that the grinder is set too fine for the beans (genovese coffee) would that sound correct.. I am getting a new grinder next week, and am hoping this will fix the problem.. thoughts please.

Thanking you kindly.

Danny

[galumay]

Re: Please help.... its driving me batty...

WOW! it sounds like you are way off the mark, for a double you should be extracting about 55-60mls in 25-28 secs.

If you are extracting anything in 7secs then there is something horribly wrong. Get some expert help, pay for it - its a business not a hobby.

[cuppacoffee]

Re: Please help.... its driving me batty...

Hello Danny and welcome to CS!

It sounds like your coffee machine needs to be re-programmed. In the meantime, one of those buttons is a manual on/off switch and you should be able to use that for your extractions.

A new grinder is not going to fix your current issues. Your coffee supplier is the person you should turn to for issues concerning coffee.

[dannyboi]

Re: Please help.... its driving me batty...

Thanks for the advice guys.. appreciate it heaps... I will get it re programmed... When I said 6 to 7 seconds.. I did mean the flow should start within that time frame, not dose the amount in that time frame.. should have read it before I posted it huh...

[wholeshotalove]

Re: Please help.... its driving me batty...

Best advice:

Get trained in coffee.

To be honest, if you own a cafe, you should be able to fix this problem yourself.

I agree whole heartedly with Galumay on this, get some expert advice mate, know the business. Its a tough game at times, and having the knowlege will help you survive and flourish. Check out some of the site sponsors that are Training Facilities, they can help.

[byronseb]

Re: Please help.... its driving me batty...

Hi mate,

It can be somewhat daunting to learn to use a new machine and grinder at the same time.

How much experience have you got using commercial equipment?

What sort of coffee are you using?

If it takes about 6-7 seconds for the flow to start, but then comes out to quickly, you could have a number of problems. The simplest would be old coffee beans. If you have got stale beans, you may be compensating for this with too fine a grind, and subsequent weir result of slow initial pour with a very fast pour once it starts going.

However, it may be to do with the pressure also.

I suggest tha first of all you get someone in to service the machine properly. They should test the pressure and temperature etc during the service and at least be able to find out if the machine is running as it should. Once that is done, if the results of your shots is still the same, you know that the issue is not with the machine and can start looking at your own technique and beans.

However, if both you and your staff are having the same issues, I think it is probably an equipment issue.

Has anyone at the cafe got experience?

Cheers

Seb

[Thundergod]

Re: Please help.... its driving me batty...

I am getting a new grinder next week, and am hoping this will fix the problem.. thoughts please.

Grinders are not "set and forget"; they need to be constantly adjusted to allow for things like aging of the beans and humidity.

As stated previously, see your coffee supplier and get some training. Its not difficult to learn a few basics and will make a big difference.