I have had my Baratza Virtuoso grinder for a few years. It originally seemed to grind fine for our Gaggia Classic Espresso machine, but over the last several months has been grinding too large even at the lowest settings which we have used from the beginning. We replaced the Ring Burr with Holder (found that the plastic had broken when we cleaned it). and the silicone bean seal which looked worn, but it is still and actually doing a poorer job than it did before. What can we do? Thanks P.S. This machine has always made the espresso drip too quickly so that it has never been a great brew. At this point in time, we would not get a Virtuoso grinder again.

The only possible chance you have is to correspond with these people Home Baratza They are a supplier of parts for the model that you have, The model you have is no longer available in the USA

Hi
The first thing you should do when it grinds but doesn't fall into the dump box is to open the grind setting to the coarsest setting and grind once more. This will clean the passages and teeth of the fine grinds that are packing up inside. If this doesn't clear the coffee you will have to call Baratza @ 1-877-701-2021

First, I'm not a Baratza tech, but I have worked on commercial grinders. You should contact your vendor for service.
*** The following is for information only ***
* check on line for your model parts manual. The diagrams will help you identify the parts needed and should provide instructions on replacing/cleaning the burrs.
* As you've figured out, cleaning with rice is not a good idea.
* Burr plates do get dull and needs to be replaced. Longer grind times and frequent adjustments to get finer grinds is an indication of dull plates.
* The oil in the beans used gets caked up under and on the sides of the burr plates.
* Heavy usage and long grind times will melt the oils and fill every part of the burr chamber and even get into the motor and bearings. I've found oil in the on/off switches and rotary switches.
* The burr plates must be removed and chamber cleaned of all oil residue and beans (rice too). Use a vacuum cleaner and stiff brush to clean. Do not use water or any liquids in the burr chamber. You can clean the burrs in wash water once it's removed from equipment. Dry thoroughly before reinstalling.
* The motor should turn freely by hand (no power!) with nothing hitting the sides or under the plate. If it's difficult to turn or makes grinding or whirling noise. Then the lower plate needs to be removed and cleaned. The motor bearings will need to be replaced if the motor does not turn at all.
* Once cleaned and assembled(without any beans) Power up and check the operation. You should have a motor hum without any clanking or screeching (metal rubbing metal) sounds. Stop and power down if you do. Motor bearings are bad.
* If you get nothing then check the switches. Oil probably got in them. Replace.
* Runs okay? Then set the grinder to a large setting (like drip coffee; Turn on and allow to run while you drop some whole beans into the hopper. Use 1/4 cup or less. This should grind through smoothly.
* Placing another 1/4 cup of whole beans. Turn on grinder again. Just hums without grinding? Power down. Replace motor starter capacitor.
* The capacitor is round and usually attached to the motor like a 'hump' on the side or near the top. If you didn't take it apart then one of the wires in the switching side may be miss wired or loose. Check both for loose and correct wired. Careful around the capacitor as it may still have a charge! The capacitor is used to kick start the motor with it's heavy burr plates.
* If your still having problems with low power. Check the motor for burnt smell as you may have overheated and fried the motor. They usually have thermal resets, but if you kept forcing the reset to keep grinding then the motor is defiantly burnt out.
* Final; if everything is working but your not getting the fine grind setting (you should at least get espresso setting but not turkish) then the burrs are gone. It will only be good for drip coffee.
Aloha, ukeboy57

PS I found a cute video on how to clean the burrs (frequent cleaning)
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=baratza+virtuoso+grinder+cleaning+burrs&&view=detail&mid=41DCCF0EB0CACFEA9E4841DCCF0EB0CACFEA9E48&&FORM=VRDGAR

This normally indicates due to the grinder being set too fine or oily beans being used.
Try setting the grind on 7 .
If it still fails the grinder will need to be unblocked and serviced.

Use less beans when grinding! Or if your not happy with it return for better model!
(its no falt of yours!)

I was having this trouble with Lavazza beans and Morrisons (horrible) beans. I switched to Formula 6 from James' Gourmet Coffee on the internet and every cup has a great crema layer and good taste.
With the old beans I could get an occasional good cup, it seemed this was more of a problem if the machine had been switched on for a long time before making the cup. I use a Gaggia machine with a Gaggia MDF grinder on 8 or 9 setting, with the new beans I now get a great cup all the time so I'm going to try more the James' range!

On my Gaggia Machine I use an Gaggia MDF Grinder on 8 or 9 setting for the best flow. I only use as low as 4 with my Presso Manual Machine

Hi,
I am what you would call an expert when it comes to Baratza repairs.
The problem you are describing is not an unusual one. It sounds like the main drive gear has been stripped due to something foreign (likely a stone) sneaking into your grinder with the beans. It would have jammed the burrs, and because of the powerful torque from the motor, the drive gear has been stripped so it will no longer (or rarely) engage the burrs.

To solve this problem you will need to contact COAG Ltd (if you live in Canada) or Baratza if you are from the US. If you machine is still under warranty (less than a year old) this repair will be free of charge and you shouldn't be parted from your grinder for long.

I hope this helps anyone who stumbles upon this and finds themselves with the same problem.
Kind Regards
Emily
COAG Ltd.
877 477 3849

our waste coffee is it consistant like stay in 1 round piece or loose lock at it if it lock like it was fine grind i suspect that our machine dont grind fine enough our coffee should have that lovely brownish cream on top maybe grinder need ajustment it wasnt done properly at the compagny and you said you adjusted the dial in the grinder but what about the quatity of coffee look in our manuel fine grounded coffee good quatity of coffee our suppose to get that perfect expresso i think ajust our dial for quatity of coffee thanks for using fixya pierre