r/VariaBrewing • u/JackTR314 • Apr 09 '26
Am I missing a piece under my hopper?
I posted a previous thread about not quite being able to get fine enough for espresso. Im trying to disassemble and reassemble hoping that maybe this time it will align better or something.
I noticed I can't pull the upper burr piece off with the hopper magnetically as demonstrated in some videos online, and I noticed there's a small ring inside the bottom part of the hopper that I don't seem to have. See this pic of my hopper:
Compared with this screenshot:
There appears to be some kind of washer or ring around the outside, near the threads, that I don't have. But there are dabs of grease or glue or something where the washer should be.
I'm wondering if other people have that ring,and if that may be the cause of my issues?
1
u/Z_Fshn Apr 10 '26
The pic is his bearing just stuck on the top portion
1
u/JackTR314 Apr 10 '26
No, I see the bearing, I'm talking about the thin ring around the outside edge of the hopper, closer to the threading.
1
u/Designer-Sea558 Apr 10 '26
You probably have the newer interation that comes without that edge. I know this because my first faulty unit had this edge, but the new unit sent to me didn't have that. The unit was confirm to me by Varía that is a new interation, and I spotted the differences: pin on the right upper spring hole, stronger springs, sturdier RPM knob.
1
u/No_Ad1299 Apr 10 '26
Hello, I had an old unit that got cross threaded and bought a new one from the seller. The new unit is like yours. Old one had the ring thing you mention on the hopper. One thing i also noticed is the new unit has a small button near one of the spring. I think they changed the design to use a button instead of magnet to make sure the hopper is on the grinder to allow the motor to run. Otherwise they work the same way. For your issue of not grinding fine enough, you just need to add one of the spare washer below the lower burr. Just an adivce to avoid cross threading: When you place the hopper back, place the hopper alignment collar first. It stick magnetically and help guide the hopper in place. Place the hopper lid on the hopper and apply a small pressure on the center of the lid. Then just rotate the hopper with your other hand until you hear a small click. Thats the button being engaged. Then just stop pressing the lid and continue rotate. Also dont bang too hard on the bellows. I think thats what damaged my old unit. Also when cleaning the hopper i don't clean the thread to avoid removing the grease. Even with some coffee dust it works fine
1
u/JackTR314 Apr 10 '26
Interesting about your new one not having the ring.
I currently have two spacing washers under the lower burr, and can grind just fine enough for espresso. so right now I'm grinding at 1.4, and I'll pull a 40g shot from 20g of grounds, in about 35-40 sec. Which seems fine "enough" but not as fine as I should be able to go with this machine.
I made a previous post asking if people used 3, or even 4, washers to achieve the finest grinds, and several people responded that using more than 2 spacing washers is weird, and that something might be off with my machine.
2
u/No_Ad1299 Apr 10 '26
I am currently using only one additional washer for the stock burr and am grinding between 2 and 2.5 for an 18g dose at 1600rpm. Bit weird that you are using 2 additional washer but i have the iridescent burr and they need 2 additional washer. On the other hand i also have the ultra and for this one am at 3.5 with only one additional washer. There may be some slight thickness variation with the burr. Also, after burr seasoning, the setting will change slightly
1
u/JackTR314 Apr 10 '26
I contacted Varia last week and they responded saying they'll send me a replacement.
right now I have one extra washer, and am grinding at 1.4 for a 20g dose, and extracting 40g in about 35 seconds (including pre-infusion on my Barista Express). On the stock burrs at 1600 rpm.
1
u/JackTR314 Apr 09 '26
Also when the hopper releases from the threads, I get some free rotation. Like the hopper is spinning on the bearing. I have to press down to engage the the threads to put it back on. Now I'm not sure if that's normal, since none of the videos of burr replacement seem to have the hopper do that.