Lagom P64 Flat (Option-O) - Page 238

September 18th, 2023, 5:15 pm

I've encountered a bunch of microstalls, but I finally managed to get it to stall badly enough that I had to remove the burr carrier and clean it out.

Process to repeat: ~0.2 on the grinder dial (sandblasted mizen burrs, calibrated to zero from factory, not sure how much safety margin was included), 2 RDT sprays, ~1.5-2 on the RPM dial, light/medium roast espresso beans (Heart Stereo blend). Was using a Weber unibasket with papers and 19g shots were running 40g out in 14 seconds at 0.3. Higher RPMs (6-7) had no issue at the same grind setting.

September 19th, 2023, 10:38 pm

Received my P64 with Mizen omni burrs a couple of weeks ago. Been using roughly ~2 times a day so far and learning the ropes.

I am doing 1 RDT spray and grinding darker roasts at around 1.2 and medium roasts at .8 to .6. I am pulling great tasting shots, but I am getting CRAZY retention so far. If I tap the machine at the end of a grind, I get at least 3-4 "heaps" of grounds. I haven't weighed them but I am certain they are significant.

Should I look at getting some cheap beans and doing a formal seasoning? I am in FL so it's humid for sure and I know that can create some clumping and retention, but I didn't have this issue with my Eureka Mignon. Plus, my house is completely normal humidity levels so that can't be it.

Any other ideas? While I love the espresso I'm producing, this is a huge issue in my mind for a grinder that proclaims to be zero-retention and is at this price level.

#2373: Post by **Jeff** » September 19th, 2023, 10:59 pm

If you're in high humidity, maybe try less of a spritz or no spritz.

September 20th, 2023, 12:10 am

You should gently thump the opening at the top with your palm towards the end of grinding, it will push them out just like a bellows.

September 20th, 2023, 12:37 am

Scott_29 wrote:Received my P64 with Mizen omni burrs a couple of weeks ago. Been using roughly ~2 times a day so far and learning the ropes.

I am doing 1 RDT spray and grinding darker roasts at around 1.2 and medium roasts at .8 to .6. I am pulling great tasting shots, but I am getting CRAZY retention so far. If I tap the machine at the end of a grind, I get at least 3-4 "heaps" of grounds. I haven't weighed them but I am certain they are significant.

Should I look at getting some cheap beans and doing a formal seasoning? I am in FL so it's humid for sure and I know that can create some clumping and retention, but I didn't have this issue with my Eureka Mignon. Plus, my house is completely normal humidity levels so that can't be it.

Any other ideas? While I love the espresso I'm producing, this is a huge issue in my mind for a grinder that proclaims to be zero-retention and is at this price level.

I don't think you have retention in the burr chamber itself but beans getting dislodged on the bean funnel when you thump the hopper. When you do RDT and load the beans, check the funnel and see if you have stuck beans on the funnel. I usually remedy this issue by shaking my beans a lot longer to disperse the moisture evenly or just use a cable tie to wipe the funnel of stuck beans

September 20th, 2023, 9:07 am

OK, here is what I am dealing with. This was from this morning. This is a darker roast bean, no RDT. This isn't even all of it really as there are grounds around the portafilter, etc.

Honestly, something isn't right here and I will be contacting Option-O. If this is how it should work, this thing is going back as I can get less retention from my Eureka Mignon at 1/3 of the price!

September 20th, 2023, 10:00 am

How are you getting that last bit out? Most people give the top a couple taps when it sounds like it's done before turning it off, and that should dispel nearly everything left. Sometimes I have to tap 4-5 times, but for the most part 2 seems to do the trick. I agree with checking to make sure the beans aren't stuck on the anti-popcorn disc or the funnel below, as sometimes wet beans can stick on the way down.

September 20th, 2023, 10:20 am

I do exactly that...After the grind is done I do a couple of taps into the portafilter. The pic I posted with the retention was what I got post-grinding when I did 4-5 harder "bellow type" taps.

I will check the disc/funnel, but honestly I don't think that's the issue here. What I posted pics here of this morning was WITHOUT any RDT so there couldn't have been anything stuck from moisture. Although, this could have been part of the cause from past sessions when I did utilize RDT.

September 21st, 2023, 4:02 pm

Is anyone able to compare this to the Duo for espresso (largely milk based)? I've got a niche zero at the moment but have the itch to upgrade. I was considering the Mizen burrs for the p64, but I am a fan of the Niche workflow (although wanting a bit more clarity which the Mizen might? provide). The duo is also cheaper for me, but I'd hate to feel the need to upgrade AGAIN if I got it.

#2380: Post by **KKUK** » September 21st, 2023, 5:32 pm

Scott_29 wrote:I do exactly that...After the grind is done I do a couple of taps into the portafilter. The pic I posted with the retention was what I got post-grinding when I did 4-5 harder "bellow type" taps.

I will check the disc/funnel, but honestly I don't think that's the issue here. What I posted pics here of this morning was WITHOUT any RDT so there couldn't have been anything stuck from moisture. Although, this could have been part of the cause from past sessions when I did utilize RDT.

Are you still getting sausage clumping? My guess is that the grinder still hasn't worked out all of its shipping static. Retention should improve once it calms down.