I have modified my starbucks grinder per the following website for a finer grind.

http://www.ineedcoffee.com/07/hack-starbucks-grinder/

However, since I went to a non-pressurized portafilter I needed an even finer grind. Since making a second adjustment, I have found that the grinder makes a kind of high-pitched, warbling noise on the finest settings. It appears to grind nicely, but I fear I may be damaging the burrs. or grinding metal into my coffee.

Has anyone had similar experience with this somewhat extreme modfication of the Starbucks grinder?

Considering a replacement, does anyone have an alternative to the Baratza Virtuoso in the $200 price range?

Thanks,
Ken

The burrs are touching.

Keep the hack as is; you can adjust all commercial espresso grinders so the burrs touch. But use a grind setting that is just a step away from the the burrs touching as your finest setting. If that doesn't work, you may need a better grinder

Yes, and if it doesn't grind fine enough without the burrs rubbing, and you need a new grinder anyway, you can run it with the burrs touching.

A few tips with the Saeco is that you can updose (fill the basket quite full) to increase pressure a little if your shots are just a little too fast. Jim can tell you the fine details about what this means in the cup, but it will be better than just really fast, thin pours if your grind is a little too coarse. You can tap the PF a few times to get the maximum dose in. Use the very finest freshly-roasted beans you can get.

I used a hand grinder quite successfully with a pair of Saecos for several years, and now with a Francis Francis. It can be a god low-cost alternative if money is tight.

With a little patience you can pull some pretty good shots with a Saeco or similar-quality pump machine.

PC

Thanks for the replies. When I back off the grind, it's a little too coarse, and even with up-dosing and fairly rigorous tamping, the shots are a little weak and fast. It was pretty good with the burrs grinding, so I guess I'll let the burrs rub til it fails, then move on to a better grinder.

Thanks.