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Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

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  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Originally posted by 1D2E38255C0 link=1297824738/19#19 date=1297989373
    Thanks Mal - that gets me off the daily clean that I was starting to wonder if I aught to be doing.

    In my old auto machine, if you didnt clean the shower screen regularly it would block up but this machine seems better made and I guess little coffee gets inside the screen.
    No worries Ardy....

    If you do a simple "Group Handle Jiggle" with the Blind Filter installed and then a "Water Only" Backflush at the end of every session, that will ensure that most, if not all, coffee grinds are flushed out of the Group into the Drip Tray or into the Blind Basket during the "jiggle".

    Gotta look after our coffee beasties....

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • Ardy
    replied
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Thanks Mal - that gets me off the daily clean that I was starting to wonder if I aught to be doing.

    In my old auto machine, if you didnt clean the shower screen regularly it would block up but this machine seems better made and I guess little coffee gets inside the screen.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Originally posted by 695A4C51280 link=1297824738/16#16 date=1297887764
    Hi Mal we dont put much in the grinder mostly and generally have about 100g in there but it runs out often so this figure may be less than that.

    Are you suggesting it is better to have more coffee in the hopper?
    Im not suggesting that so much, more that you need to be aware of the phenomenon and adjust your grind to suit. Of course, it is a lot simpler to just ensure that you maintain an adequate quantity of beans in the hopper to keep the grind consistent but thats not always desirable in a home setting.

    Originally posted by 4A515A4746065B4145585B4746280 link=1297824738/17#17 date=1297889330
    Hi Ardy, I only make 1-2 coffees a day but still remove shower screen and group seal weekly and chemical backflush. I water backflush daily after I make my last cup. As I understand it dosnt matter if you make 10 coffees a day or 1 a week, the coffee oils start going rancid after 45mins.... somone please correct me if this is wrong
    Thats probably way overkill "Bigdog" as a weekly chemical backflush should be keeping things spic and span in the Group.

    Same as you, I do a weekly Cafetto backflush. About six months ago, I removed the shower-screen, dispersion block, etc to give my young Junior a thorough inspection and clean if necessary. Basically, it was just wasted effort as all of the internal surfaces and components were as clean as a brand new, unused machine. What Im going to do from now on is restrict this activity to the time that the Group Gasket needs replacing. Currently, it is soft and supple so its going to be a while.....

    No need to overdo the maintenance regime on a home espresso machine you know. Youre only wearing things out more quickly than necessary by doing so and racking up extra costs as well. So long as you use a decent water filter (NOT a Brita Jug) theres not a lot of extra work to do.

    A proper weekly backflush is all thats needed, I can assure you..... 8-)

    Mal.

    Leave a comment:


  • byron.simpson
    replied
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Originally posted by 7D4E58453C0 link=1297824738/15#15 date=1297887589
    I clean it about once every 2-3 weeks as we only make about 5 coffees a day and I guessed that was enough. But I havent taken the shower screen out for ages maybe that is the issue.
    Hi Ardy, I only make 1-2 coffees a day but still remove shower screen and group seal weekly and chemical backflush. I water backflush daily after I make my last cup. As I understand it dosnt matter if you make 10 coffees a day or 1 a week, the coffee oils start going rancid after 45mins.... somone please correct me if this is wrong.

    To keep on topic, I agree with Chris, I think its time for a service. Then that at least rules out some variables.

    Leave a comment:


  • Ardy
    replied
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Originally posted by 1F32363A375B0 link=1297824738/14#14 date=1297858115
    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.
    Hi Mal we dont put much in the grinder mostly and generally have about 100g in there but it runs out often so this figure may be less than that.

    Are you suggesting it is better to have more coffee in the hopper?

    regards

    Leave a comment:


  • Ardy
    replied
    Re: Unico Spendor - inconsistent shots

    Originally posted by 4E61686A7D426E616E686A626A617B0F0 link=1297824738/13#13 date=1297852615
    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.
    Hi Anger - I clean it about once every 2-3 weeks as we only make about 5 coffees a day and I guessed that was enough. But I havent taken the shower screen out for ages maybe that is the issue.

    regards

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • A_M
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • Ardy
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • Dimal
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • brett230873
    Guest replied
    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?

    Leave a comment:


  • maheel
    replied
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • Ardy
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • trentski
    replied
    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?

    Leave a comment:

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