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Sudden issue with clumping

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  • wattgn
    replied
    These questions on clumping always end the same way...the butler did it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Always pays to look for simple solutions first...
    Glad to hear all is good now.

    Mal.

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  • simonsk8r
    replied
    Yep, strangely some beans just clump more than others, and I've noticed with some of my old grinders, the darker roasts clumped alot and lighter ones not so much. I can't explain the why haha (green/roasted bean moisture levels, processing method, the weather??), but very strange! Glad it was resolved!

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  • Mrsr20
    replied
    Okay so good news, using the same brand of beans (five senses) but a different blend, it seems the clumping issue has fully resolved. Very strange haha.

    It's been a couple of days though, and very minimal clumping and beautiful tasting shots pouring 50~ml in 25-30 seconds with 18g of beans.

    So thank you all for your help, and for the suggestion of changing beans. The whole ordeal was very frustrating but we got there in the end! Cheers guys!

    Leave a comment:


  • Mrsr20
    replied
    Originally posted by saeco_user View Post
    Clumping itself wouldn't effect pour time greatly but it may be a symptom or cause of retention in the grinder.
    On some shots only a portion of the dose is being expelled by the grinder and on others a significantly larger amount.
    Weighing the dose should identify this.
    I weigh every single time I dose, the problem is the clumping. These clumps are big, like big enough to pick up and they don't fall apart.

    I did do what was suggested above and changed my beans, these new beans don't seem to be clumping today, so hopefully that doesn't change tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

    Leave a comment:


  • saeco_user
    replied
    Clumping itself wouldn't effect pour time greatly but it may be a symptom or cause of retention in the grinder.
    On some shots only a portion of the dose is being expelled by the grinder and on others a significantly larger amount.
    Weighing the dose should identify this.

    Leave a comment:


  • saeco_user
    replied
    I would concentrate on what is causing the change in pour time.
    Asumming at this stage it's not coffee machine related then it is either the grind is too fine or the dose has increased.
    Maybe start weighing the dose to see how consistent this is between shots.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Any chance of changing to a different batch of beans, just for argument sake...
    Beans being a natural product, are subject to a lot of variability and no matter how careful the Roaster is, a lot of this variability can end up in the final product.

    Grinders are such simple pieces of machinery, there is next to Sweet Felicity Adams that can go wrong with them. You've also had the grinder apart and nothing appeared to be drastically mechanically wrong with the innards. If you still think it is the grinder after trying a different batch of beans, take it to your trusted specialist service person and ask them to go over it with a fine tooth comb. Nothing much else to do really...

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mrsr20
    replied
    Originally posted by Dimal View Post
    Like Alex mentioned above - It won't be your grinder.
    Much more likely to be the beans you're using coupled with variations in ambient conditions.

    As an aside, have you had your Classic checked out by a reputable service centre to ensure that all parameters are set within acceptable limits for the attainment of consistently excellent coffee? At 15 years old, it wouldn't hurt to have this done...

    Mal.
    See the strange thing is I've used these same beans for years now and have never ran into this issue until now. Likewise with ambient temperature, I agree humidity will effect thing's bit I'm sure we've had humidity in the last three years but it seems only now this issue has arised.

    The machine is 15 years old but after purchasing it I stripped it down and did a "rebuild". New upgraded shower screen, new gasket seals, new brass dispersion disc ect, the only thing I haven't done is check to see if it's running 10 bar of pressure.

    I really think the issue lies with the grinder, as when I get a nice grind with minimal clumping I pull a perfect, and excellent tasting shot. I've never had this issue in the three years of running this machine/grinder combo until now, where it's grinding quite fine and pulling a nice shit, and then the next day giving me giant lumps big enough to throw across the room.

    I really so hope I can solve it, I'll keep playing around with the grind some more and keep you posted.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Like Alex mentioned above - It won't be your grinder.
    Much more likely to be the beans you're using coupled with variations in ambient conditions.

    As an aside, have you had your Classic checked out by a reputable service centre to ensure that all parameters are set within acceptable limits for the attainment of consistently excellent coffee? At 15 years old, it wouldn't hurt to have this done...

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • AlexHeyworth
    replied
    Okay, my final contribution on this subject. Coffee is a variable beast and can be greatly affected by eg humidity. I anticipate you would find clumping more of a problem in humid weather. Baristas commonly find they have to vary the settings on their grinder according to the time of day. All I can suggest is, if your first shot is too slow back off the grinder a couple of notches and try again. I assume your tamping pressure doesn't vary too much.

    Although the Macap is not a perfect grinder, I don't think it is the main cause of your problem.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mrsr20
    replied
    Okay, so this is really frustrating and it's getting to the point where I want to throw this grinder in the bin haha.

    Went through half a kilo of beans dialing it all in and finally got it perfect. Minimal clumping, and a really nice shot.

    The following morning I went to make another coffee,same grinder settings and it's started clumping again! Short was horrible, pour was way too slow. I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell is going on and it's driving me absolutely insane.

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    If you can pick up a clump and throw it at someone it will be a problem. If it falls apart as soon as you try to pick it up it won't be an issue.

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  • AlexHeyworth
    replied
    Poke something like a toothbrush down it from the inside, then vacuum from the outside with your hand covering over the grinder as much as possible.

    Further tip: clumping per se is not a problem. Only worry about it if it affects the quality of your extraction. Some people think it is better to grind into a container other than your portafilter, then stir up the grounds with a fine object like a large needle before filling the portafilter. However, I can't see the point. Clumps are caused by the coffee particles joining together. You want them compressed, that is why you tamp the coffee before you lock the portafilter in. After tamping, I doubt if the areas that were clumps are any different from the rest.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mrsr20
    replied
    Also, any tips for cleaning the outfeed spout?

    Leave a comment:

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