Trying to dial in my grind/dose with the MCAL, and seem to always get "drips" instead of mouse tails, even with a very coarse grind. If I used the same coarse grind with my Cremina, it would cause undrinkable gushers. Also, when I let go of the MCAL lever, it goes up very slow. Seems too slow. Way past 45 seconds.

I started dosing at 14g, then eventually went down to 12g (same grind). And the pull is the same. Just drips and extra slow pull.

I had just lubed the seals a little bit ago, and in the beginning, it pulled faster for about 3 days. Now it's pulling like it did before I lubed the seals.

If someone can fill me in on what I maybe doing wrong, please let me know. Thanks.


Cindy

Thanks Sam.

In my haste to post the question, I left off a couple of things that would explain why I asked this question. My apologies.

First, this is a brand new machine. About 6 weeks old. When I started pulling shots, my grind was about 3 micro steps coarser (Vario) than my Cremina. Seemed to pull good at that point. Tastes was so-so, but the timing of the pull was good. Within the last 3 weeks, using the same Redbird blend (frozen when received and thawed when needed), my grind is already at 10 micro steps coarser with a long pull. It still drips. I guess I don't understand why I have to grind so much coarser now, than before. My grind has not changed for the Cremina, only the Elektra. I'm at the coarsest micro grind now for the Elektra, now I need to go 1 macro coarser, and them adjust the micro from there. Just seems bizarre since this wasn't the case when I got the machine.

Several possibilities for the change; new lube wearing off some, seals breaking in, new spring settling. The MCaL likes a coarse grind. If I'm grinding a 14-15g MCal dose with my K10 I'll be in the same range I'd use for a 21g-22g triple on my pump machine.

I wouldn't expect much from the Redbird using the Microcasa. Fruity blends or S/Os would be a much better choice.

Thanks John. Need to look into different beans for the Elektra. I knew that the leva needed a coarser grind, but didn't realize it was really that much. It's around 12 steps coarser on my Vario.

I just installed an inner booster spring on mine. It does add pressure and is harder on the arm and yields more crema, but none of the above is incredibly dramatic.



I wonder if there is something mechanically going wrong with your piston assembly? You might pull it and check the seals. Maybe something was installed wrong? Also knock out the dispersion screen (with the handle end of a screwdriver) and see if it is fine.

I've noticed that unless I get the grind/dose correct it wants to sort of stall about half way through the pour. But you should get good flow for the first 5 or so seconds.

Also, I don't tamp, but use a homemade tamper (to push the grounds down) with a lip that gives 1/4" clearance every time, so that is a variable eliminated.

Today I tried 16, 15, 14, and 12 gram doses all with the same grinder setting. For that setting the 14 gram dose was the clear winner and it was easy to see and taste the difference between each shot. So it would seem that even 1/2 gram off optimum will make a difference. I am using a Teflon gasket, so it is not overheating, and I flush hot water through the group before each shot. If I don't it tends to be on the sour side.

When I remove my dispersion screen, by the way, I put it back by simply pushing it (and the o-ring) into place and then putting the PF on, which kind of locks it in.


dan