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  • Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Hi All

    Bought a Unico Splendor about 2 years ago, best thing we ever did.

    My issue is that the first shot comes out beautifully like liquid gold, the next one comes out over extracted and with some coffees it will not run at all. It is a bit of a pain.

    At the moment I adjust the grind by 1 notch from the 1st shot to 2nd shot. What is happening here and is it fixable?

    regards

  • #2
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    is there excess old grinds in the grinder for the 1st shot

    then the fresh grinds in the 2nd shot choking it ?

    try running a waste shot through the grinder and try two more maybe so all grinds are fresh

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

      This same thing happens to me in the morning, it doesnt matter what machine I am using.
      I would have it as a guess that the grinder burrs are slightly heating and expanding slightly there by reducing the grind size. This may account for your machine choking.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

        Originally posted by 2529202D2D24480 link=1297824738/1#1 date=1297828472
        is there excess old grinds in the grinder for the  1st shot

        then the fresh grinds in the 2nd shot choking it ?

        try running a waste shot through the grinder and try two more maybe so all grinds are fresh  
        Will try this but Im not sure this can be it as it can be only a couple of hours between grinds. My partner drinks at 8am and I at 10.

        I wonder if it is a temperature thing?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots


          Probably a dumb question - but - are you doing a cooling flush first?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

            Originally posted by 736D75786E6D7677190 link=1297824738/4#4 date=1297832412
            Probably a dumb question - but - are you doing a cooling flush first?  
            No, I had it adjusted about 2 months after I bought it as it was running a bit too hot and since then I havent had to do this. I do a cooling flush between coffees to ensure the shower filter is clean.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

              your partner isnt adjusting the grind just to play with your mind?

              What happens if you make two in a row, rather than with a two hour wait in between? what happens if you make 3 in a row?

              Are you making both coffees or does your partner make one and you the other.

              If you are making both what changes in your technique occur between 8am and 10am, are you tamping harder?

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                Originally posted by 4A4C5B504A4D55573E0 link=1297824738/6#6 date=1297833199
                your partner isnt adjusting the grind just to play with your mind?

                What happens if you make two in a row, rather than with a two hour wait in between? what happens if you make 3 in a row?

                Are you making both coffees or does your partner make one and you the other.

                If you are making both what changes in your technique occur between 8am and 10am, are you tamping harder?
                She is always tampering with my mind (like most females)   but not the coffee machine.

                I make nearly all the coffee.

                She has 2-3 cups, adjusted after first cup and leaves about 8.30 and I have 2 starting at 10am. Dont think technique changes have been using it for 2 years.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                  Originally posted by 6C5F49542D0 link=1297824738/3#3 date=1297832257

                  I wonder if it is a temperature thing?

                  how long has it been on when u make the 1st coffee 4 the wife?
                  do you then leave it on for your coffee?

                  might be a factor

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                    I know that when adjusted the machines run very temp stable but I was under the impression that all HX machines needed a cooling flush if idle for a while irrespective of restrictors etc?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                      Originally posted by 2E3E2938387E7F7C747B7F4C0 link=1297824738/9#9 date=1297838718
                      I know that when adjusted the machines run very temp stable but I was under the impression that all HX machines needed a cooling flush if idle for a while irrespective of restrictors etc?
                      Thats correct Brett...

                      The water sitting within the Heat Exchanger tubing inside the Boiler will rise to be the same temperature as the fluid (water & steam) in the Boiler. This volume should be flushed out before pulling a shot if the machine has been sitting idle for a while and also serves to raise the temperature of the Group; a couple of hours is definitely a while.

                      Originally posted by 0D3E28354C0 link=1297824738/0#0 date=1297824738
                      My issue is that the first shot comes out beautifully like liquid gold, the next one comes out over extracted and with some coffees it will not run at all.
                      As a matter of interest, what mass of beans are you using in the hopper?

                      Mal.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                        Hello Ardy,

                        My advice is that its time to have two things checked:

                        1. Your machine is 2 years old. Book a service and have the machine inspected for normal operation including a check for scale, pressurestat health, pressure at the group and have the shower screen and group seal replaced. Have your grinder checked at the same time.

                        2. Book a training session with an appropriate trainer and have your technique assessed. You may well get some useful tips.

                        Good luck!

                        Chris

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                          Thanks guys, impressed with the efforts here.

                          1. Maheel - I leave it on for about 15 mins but do check the base of the hand piece to make sure it is hot. I then turn it off until 10am.

                          2. Brett H - It is only about 15 mins on average between shots. The temp gauge seems pretty stable.

                          3. Mal I have no idea I just fill the basket loosely to the top and tamp it down. How do you check this?

                          4. Talk Coffee - good call and will do this. I did do a course about 3 years ago but there is a drop off of information.

                          regards

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                            When did you last do a clean using a cleaner and when dod you last check / clean teh shower screen ?

                            I have seen it where teh first one is OK and then as she warms up the crap gets all soft and teh rancid oils are released in to the shots that follow...

                            Let us know how ya go.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

                              Originally posted by 6F42464A472B0 link=1297824738/10#10 date=1297839656
                              As a matter of interest, what mass of beans are you using in the hopper?

                              Originally posted by 6A594F522B0 link=1297824738/12#12 date=1297847516
                              3. Mal I have no idea I just fill the basket loosely to the top and tamp it down. How do you check this?
                              I was actually referring to the quantity of beans - mass/volume - that you load into the Grinder Bean Hopper mate .... Sorry for the confusion.

                              Some grinders are more affected than others but the height of the column of beans sitting above the Grinding Chamber can and does affect the size distribution of the resulting ground coffee. This can have a marked effect on how the shot pours once the bean column height gets below a critical level.

                              Its happened with every grinder Ive ever owned, including the current one....

                              Mal.

                              Comment

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