Also had a miserable time with this - constant inconsistent underdosing of 2-4grams and sometimes reasonable dosing, using two different portafilters and a few pounds of beans for testing. It worked perfectly fine with just the filter resting on the arms, but portafilters just don't work, at least the two I used (breville 840xl and gaggia baby).

Fixing the leg issue didn't help, opened it up to make sure there weren't any bad connections or lose screws, etc.

Did you try adjusting the hook so that it holds the PF firmly and flat against the arms? Doing so will prevent the weight of the PF from shaking and cause scale instability.

lefty69 wrote:Did you try adjusting the hook so that it holds the PF firmly and flat against the arms? Doing so will prevent the weight of the PF from shaking and cause scale instability.

Yeah, as much as it was possible. My portafilter is slightly conical and doesn't sit perfectly flat on the arms. I tried rotating the grips, and every possible position of the hook.

My first tests using the 270W.

My setup: Profitec Pro 700; Ceado E37S (for espresso); Breville SmartQ for pour-overs.

I also roast my own coffee. Had Hottop latest model for about a year and just got a Huky 500T.

Espresso Tests:
1. 18g dose with setting at 5. Pulled 28-30 second double shots for 28g fluid. Tasted both straight shots and lattes.
2. I had some of the sweetest and smoothest espresso shots I've ever made with the setup. Although I roast my own beans, for testing I used Driftaway coffee a medium roast single origin. I compared shots to my Ceado E37S with same dose. The E37S was good too, but the 270W appeared better.
3. I also noticed the fluffy grind. I don't see that with my E37S. I also noticed a thicker creme with the 270W compared to shots pulled from the E37S. E37S looked clumpier.

Pour-over Tests:
1. I do Kalita pour overs every morning. I typically do 22g doses with my Breville SmartQ for 340g water. I get a nice bloom when I do the first 40 second setup. However, I had 270W at highest coarse setting (including micro) and could not get as coarse as Breville.
2. I noticed for 270W, the first 40 second pour resulted in what looked like "sludge." It didn't rise like the Breville grinds like a mushroom. It was flatter and muddier looking. I could get a similar drawdown time, but I got an over extracted bitter taste compared to the same dose with the Breville.

Looks like I will keep the Breville for pour overs, but I'm sold on the 270W for espresso.

When the grinder starts, it causes the PF to shake and the scale registers the shaking as weight. If it continues to shake it will think you've hit your weight and stop...that's why it's 2-4g short.

If you run with the PF on the grinder without beans on manual, you can watch the scale jump around. Mine only jumps around for a second then is steady at 0g. Compare that to the same weight of the portafilter, but have it lay across the arms of the grinder...the scale won't jump around...it will sit at 0g...

If the PF is conical, then I can see see how it would provide a pivot point that would cause it to bounce and register weight. My PF is bottomless, so it sits pretty flat.

Maybe if you could support the PF on the handle side, you could eliminate the pivot point and stabilize the scale. Maybe some rubber o-rings, rubber bands or something near the ends of the arms to support the PF...

itivino wrote:Yeah, as much as it was possible. My portafilter is slightly conical and doesn't sit perfectly flat on the arms. I tried rotating the grips, and every possible position of the hook.

I just purchased a 270 (non w version), and can't wait to try it out. It will be my first electric grinder, thus far I've been grinding on a PeDe Box Grinder from the 1940 and an old cast iron wall mount grinder from the late 1800's. Can we say upgrade?! Anyway, looking forward to testing.

itivino wrote:Also had a miserable time with this - constant inconsistent underdosing of 2-4grams and sometimes reasonable dosing, using two different portafilters and a few pounds of beans for testing. It worked perfectly fine with just the filter resting on the arms, but portafilters just don't work, at least the two I used (breville 840xl and gaggia baby).

Fixing the leg issue didn't help, opened it up to make sure there weren't any bad connections or lose screws, etc.

What grind fineness are you on for espresso? I had the problem of inconsistent weights when I was using 1 to 2 grind settings. I think besides the burrs being close, those settings also mean that area around the exit shoot is smaller and coffee can get hung up. Which either backs up and stops the burrs, or just doesn't fall in to the PF causing a low weight.

itivino wrote:I tried rotating the grips, and every possible position of the hook.

Does your grinder have the old grips and hook, or the updated ones as pictured? (I only ask because you say "hook" and in the updated version it's not much of a hook as a crescent-shaped stabilizer.)

lefty69 wrote:When the grinder starts, it causes the PF to shake and the scale registers the shaking as weight. If it continues to shake it will think you've hit your weight and stop...that's why it's 2-4g short.

If you run with the PF on the grinder without beans on manual, you can watch the scale jump around. Mine only jumps around for a second then is steady at 0g. Compare that to the same weight of the portafilter, but have it lay across the arms of the grinder...the scale won't jump around...it will sit at 0g...

If the PF is conical, then I can see see how it would provide a pivot point that would cause it to bounce and register weight. My PF is bottomless, so it sits pretty flat.

Maybe if you could support the PF on the handle side, you could eliminate the pivot point and stabilize the scale. Maybe some rubber o-rings, rubber bands or something near the ends of the arms to support the PF...

TrlstanC wrote:What grind fineness are you on for espresso? I had the problem of inconsistent weights when I was using 1 to 2 grind settings. I think besides the burrs being close, those settings also mean that area around the exit shoot is smaller and coffee can get hung up. Which either backs up and stops the burrs, or just doesn't fall in to the PF causing a low weight.

Thanks for the ideas - I ran it without beans it it did just likes yours, jumped down for a moment and then held very steady, about 0.1g movement. Unfortunately still got the same thing when running with beans. If I run it with just the filter resting on top of the arms, it works okay and consistently. Am also running fairly coarse, at 8.

I did try supporting the arms and adjusting the rubber on the arms to more fit the canonical shape, but no luck.

The other issue is that running anything over 12grams will overflow, it's a 54mm breville 840 portafilter which isn't quite standard.

tglodjo wrote:Does your grinder have the old grips and hook, or the updated ones as pictured? (I only ask because you say "hook" and in the updated version it's not much of a hook as a crescent-shaped stabilizer.)

<img>

Aye, it is the updated one you have pictured there. Although it didn't come with the shim or allen wrench or instruction manual (outside of a 1-page thing) like it seems other people got.

Quick update - was able to improve the grinding by turning the portafilter perpendicular to the arms. Still a a bit less precise than most seem to get (+/- 0.5), but an improvement. Still have the issue of dealing with a small basket and overflowing