Baratza Vario steel burrs - endurance
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: 10 years ago
Hi
I was just wondering, how many pounds can I expect the steel burrs from Baratza to grind before I have to buy new ones? The ones I have are just about through 150 pounds and still going strong...
Cant seem to find an answer out there, so for future reference...
I was just wondering, how many pounds can I expect the steel burrs from Baratza to grind before I have to buy new ones? The ones I have are just about through 150 pounds and still going strong...
Cant seem to find an answer out there, so for future reference...
-
- Posts: 302
- Joined: 13 years ago
I've had 3 motors burn out on my vario but never had to replace the burrs... of course, only go through about 3lbs a week.
Actually, the motors themselves didn't burn out, something strips in there and the motor no longer turns the burrs.
Actually, the motors themselves didn't burn out, something strips in there and the motor no longer turns the burrs.
LMWDP #357
- Eastsideloco
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: 13 years ago
The set screw that attaches the motor pulley to the drive axel is most likely what stripped. The small motor pulley drives a larger burr pulley via belt. If you can identify the "chatter" associated with a loose set screw before the screw strips, you can simply reset the set screw or replace the small pulley rather than the motor. These are cheap fixes compared to buying a new motor. (To avoid this problem, use Loctite on the set screw.)
Some info on the inner workings of the grinder here:
https://www.baratza.com/wp-content/uplo ... -Belt1.pdf
It's a pretty easy grinder to work on.
Some info on the inner workings of the grinder here:
https://www.baratza.com/wp-content/uplo ... -Belt1.pdf
It's a pretty easy grinder to work on.
-
- Posts: 302
- Joined: 13 years ago
thx for the link, I may have to take a look at that...I actually ordered an HG One this time around because I was getting tired of the hassle but if the fix is simple I will definitely fix the vario
LMWDP #357
- Peppersass
- Supporter ❤
- Posts: 3694
- Joined: 15 years ago
I am so glad you posted this. I did some service on my Vario-W last week and noticed a distinct chatter I'd not heard before (I rarely use the grinder, but my wife uses it daily for drip.) I opened the machine but couldn't find anything that would seem to cause the chatter. After reading your post I checked the small pulley set screw, and sure enough it was ever-so-slightly loose. I tightened it up and the chatter is gone. Thanks!Eastsideloco wrote:The set screw that attaches the motor pulley to the drive axel is most likely what stripped. The small motor pulley drives a larger burr pulley via belt. If you can identify the "chatter" associated with a loose set screw before the screw strips, you can simply reset the set screw or replace the small pulley rather than the motor. These are cheap fixes compared to buying a new motor. (To avoid this problem, use Loctite on the set screw.)
Some info on the inner workings of the grinder here:
https://www.baratza.com/wp-content/uplo ... -Belt1.pdf
It's a pretty easy grinder to work on.
- Eastsideloco
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: 13 years ago
Glad I could help. It's one of those things that's probably easy to miss because it happens gradually over time. In my case, I had a feeling that something wasn't right. The grinder worked fine, but seemed to be making a new noise. It turned out to be the set screw.