I've had a Europiccola for about 10 years, and in just the last few weeks I've been noticing a fair amount of sediment at the bottom of otherwise tasty shots. As far as I can tell, I've changed nothing--I'm using the same beans I always use, ground on the same setting (moderately fine in a Rancilio Rocky), and the same pull technique.

My only guess as to the cause is that I need a new portafilter basket; is it possible that the holes have begun wearing out to the point that it's allowing grounds through? (Visually, though, I can't detect any wear.) If so, what's the typical life span of a portafilter?

Thanks,
Keith

While the portafilter holes may have expanded some, this seems doubtful to me. My first thought on reading this post was that this is a grinder issue. It sounds like you are getting more fines in your grinding.

What grinder are you using? Have you been using it ever since you got the Europiccola? If so and you haven't changed the burrs, then it seems probable that this is the root cause. Are you using different coffee or having to adjust your grind often?

I'm using a Rancilio Rocky, which I've used for about 10 years, and no--I haven't changed the burrs. How often is that necessary? The coffee I'm using is the same I've always used, and I don't find the need to adjust the grind; the quality of the shots overall is consistently good, and the pressure required to pull a shot hasn't changed. But maybe my grinder is getting tired...

damiani wrote:I'm using a Rancilio Rocky, which I've used for about 10 years, and no--I haven't changed the burrs....

Change the burrs. My Rocky is seven years old and is currently on its third set of burrs (changed twice). Each time they were changed I could tell the difference, even though it only gets used on an average for about three doubles a day. Some of the damage to the first set of burrs was from grinding bits of concrete from Yemen Mocha, but they still wear down and lose their edge. I think that they could be of a better composition or heat-treated better, but they are not that expensive. If all other things are the same (such as dose and tamp) then you need new burrs... IMO.

Sounds like good advice from both of you; any leads on where to get replacement burrs for the Rocky?

While I don't disagree with the recommendation to change your burrs, have you popped the screen out and cleaned it? With normal use you get some sediment in there regardless of "wear".

The easiest thing to do is to pull the screen out after running a shot as the seal becomes pliable.