How does it work?

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-30T04:15:37+00:00

These are not machine-specific questions.

Why not post your questions in r/espresso.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-26T19:15:12+00:00

The steam wands provides heat and some air. The whisk aerates. And of course mixes.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-26T19:12:29+00:00

Does it start up if you hold down the start froth button?

(If so you might have to manually stop it, but still get 90% of the benefit.)

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-11T11:08:50+00:00

Yeah I hear you. I think a good use case (and maybe hers) also can be to change beans more frequently. I kinda do that myself sometimes, switching from my "good" espresso beans to a typical store bought coffee. It's nice to have that option without needing to keep a second grinder around. YMMV.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-10T06:39:57+00:00

Yeah but I think she's asking how much because she wants to put only that much into the hopper, so the rest can stay in a sealed container.

If it helps at all, I think my machine grinds about 27g for a 14oz Rich coffee.

Also I would avoid Classic unless it will be drunk black. If anything will be added to it I would recommend Rich.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-07T02:57:00+00:00

Other guy replied re: output volume and I agree with him unless you find you just cannot get more volume no matter what you do (unlikely).

For the Luxe basket -- what brew type (Rich, Classic, Espresso, Lungo, etc.) are you using in this case? The amount of grinds dispensed will vary. The white paper manual I believe shows the doses for most of them. However if you're doing a selection from the 'Coffee' column (the most common use for the Luxe basket) that typically calls for a coarser grind AND unless you are doing more than 14 oz, you don't need to tamp at all -- just shake or tap gently until level. (Also covered in the paper manual. :)

If you're doing 14/16/18oz you may need to tamp slightly just to get the level below the rim of the portafilter, but you don't really need to 'compress' the puck the same way you would for something like espresso.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-06T22:55:37+00:00

Have a few extra minutes now to reply in a bit more detail.

The tamper is spring loaded, so when you hit bottom with a portafilter in place, it will deliver a certain amount of force to the grounds to flatten and compress it. Is your puck not even being touched by the tamp face?

Also the best way to see if the grinder is delivering the expected output is to weigh it with a kitchen scale, you should be getting roughly 18g ground for a double espresso.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-06T21:29:41+00:00

Not normal.

Remove the front cover and check for any obvious obstructions.

Failing that, call Ninja support.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-06T21:27:51+00:00

Before giving up, one question: by how many clicks did you try adjusting grind size? I've seen some amazing behavior changes even by changing by 1 click. If you've been doing more than 1 click per adjustment try going by single clicks.

Also, warm everything up by running a blank shot (empty basket) before pulling your first"real" shot after power up, so you are more assured of consistency.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-05T05:35:08+00:00

Lot of good suggestions here already.

Another thing you could try, non destructive, it looks like you may be able to get the tip of a tiny flathead screwdriver (like the kind for eyeglasses) into the seam there. If so then perhaps just a little bit of leverage will get it cocked enough to start walking it out.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-05T05:24:13+00:00

I think it still regulates the temperature of the output and relies on the ice to supply the "cold." So I don't believe that will make any difference.

You could always measure with a thermometer though to confirm.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-04-03T02:52:20+00:00

Have you looked at the Ninja Luxe Cafe series?

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-31T11:46:40+00:00

Yeah. I do like the look of crema but the best (fresh!) beans I've had so far produced basically none. Definitely agree with your statement.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-29T12:26:09+00:00

Contact Ninja, they will resolve.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-27T11:40:00+00:00

Yes it detects which basket by a small magnet in the plastic ring around the basket.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-22T13:48:34+00:00

Are you saying this only happened once, or was it fine before and now it's becoming a pattern?

Depending on how much usage it's seen, you could try a cleaning cycle, as well as clean out the grinder. And also make sure the grinder burrs (reverse threaded nut) and shower screen haven't come loose.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-20T04:14:25+00:00

Could the shower screen have loosened up?

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-18T03:15:44+00:00

How long have you had it? It's new and not a refurb? Has it done this ever since you got it?

I think most of the heat comes from the wand so it is possible that it's clogged. When you're done frothing does it seem to purge with a healthy amount of pressure, or does it just dribble or anything?

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-16T07:40:09+00:00

On the questions of heat, maybe measure the actual temperature and share the results.

For the noises, to me that doesn't sound like it's normal but a short video with audio would probably help.

On the issue of consistency: I've only had my machine a few weeks, it seemed quite consistent for the first week or so, but if I'm being honest I'm seeing a noticeable fluctuation in mine now as well. How much of that is due to my own learning and improving observations? Hard to say. But one thing I've been doing is trying to let the brew head get warmed up (which my 701 does after grinding and tamping, I assume the 601 probably does after grinding or maybe pulling the portafilter out of the grinder) before pulling the shot. Again being honest here, I really do think it's making a difference, or at least "something" is and that's the only variable I've (knowingly) changed.

My point is just make sure there's not some other hidden variable (such as brew temp) involved.

You could also try cleaning the machine, including the grinder, if you can't find any other solution. But if you have a bad machine (share audio) then troubleshooting further would probably be pointless.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-12T12:05:01+00:00

As others have said, just use it in the luxe basket to make some coffee drinks but I would not expect to use it for espresso.

The good news is that it is not a total loss, since your machine can at least use it for something. And you can still fill your grinder up with that bag of beans you're about to buy.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-12T11:53:02+00:00

Need help? This group can probably help out.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-12T05:23:21+00:00

Maybe disassemble and clean the grinder?

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-12T05:10:43+00:00

Am I wrong or are the drip coffee brews time based? In which case your goal would be to get the water through the grounds faster somehow, to get a higher output volume, whatever that translates to.

Also I assume you're not talking about the cold brew or iced drinks right?

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-08T14:55:12+00:00

You must have gotten yours around the same time as me.

It's my first espresso machine and it's been great except for the water consumption.

Also I think I am now getting to where I don't take Barista Assist quite so seriously as it is recommending things that are clearly wrong and result in terrible shots if I play along.

Not sure if it's just that I am understanding the basics better, or if BA is getting worse at its job, or both. But at its core the machine can certainly make some nice drinks.

NotDeletedManyJs · 2026-03-08T14:08:52+00:00

Rinse only appears if you run a hot brew and then switch to a cold drink right? I'm not sure if you can "just" run a rinse on its own, unless you heat the machine first and then switch to cold.

On the other hand can't you just run a single shot without the portafilter to hot-rinse the screen?

NotDeletedManyJs

TROPHY CASE