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FAQs
FAQs - Starbucks Has the Answers
What is the best way to store coffee? How long will it stay fresh?
Once roasted, coffee begins to lose its flavor the longer it is exposed to
air and moisture. Starbucks recommends buying your coffee weekly, storing it in
an airtight container in a cool, dark place and grinding it just before
brewing. Coffee in an unopened FlavorLock™ bag (see below) will stay fresh for
several months. You can learn more about how to brew great coffee in Coffee
Education, on the Starbucks site.
What is a FlavorLock™ bag?
Starbucks unique FlavorLock™ technology utilizes a special one-way valve
that allows the carbon dioxide that is released by freshly roasted coffee beans
to escape a sealed coffee bag without allowing flavor-robbing oxygen to get in.
All Starbucks coffee sold online in half-pound and one-pound bags are sealed
in their airtight FlavorLockTM bags within two hours of roasting so they stay
fresh until you're ready to use them.
Do your brewing, grinding, and espresso machines come with a warranty?
Yes, all of our Starbucks Barista® series machines come with a 2-year
warranty. For additional details, please check the product label or refer to your
warranty card. You may also contact the Starbucks Warranty Services department at
1-800-334-5553. Their representatives are available to help you Monday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.
What is universal grind?
Starbucks developed universal grind to deliver optimal flavor while
maximizing convenience. It's perfect for all electric drip coffee makers and also works
well in coffee presses. Universal grind is the same grind used to brew the
drip coffee in Starbucks retail stores and now replaces their current grind
options.
For the freshest tasting coffee, Starbucks recommends starting with whole
beans and grinding them fresh for each pot. Or, if you prefer, you can take your
whole bean coffee to your local retail store and ask them for a custom grind.
How can I get help with electrical equipment that I purchased at Starbucks?
The Troubleshooting and Maintenance area of the manual for your machine
should help to answer most of your questions. For additional assistance, please
call Starbucks Warranty Services at 1-800-334-5553. Their representatives are
available to help you Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST. Do
not attempt to open the housing or repair the machine. This can be dangerous
and will result in voiding the warranty. When calling for technical assistance,
please be sure to have the machine in front of you so that a representative
can help you troubleshoot the problem.
Where can I purchase brewing equipment?
Most Starbucks stores carry at least some brewing equipment. All stores can
special order the machine of your choice. For an updated list of stores near
you, go to store locator on the Starbucks site or call 1-800-STARBUC.
What if I am missing a manual or part of my machine?
If you need a manual, a part, operational assistance, maintenance hints, or
if you are having any problem with your machine, please contact Starbucks
Warranty Services at 1-800-334-5553.
Why should I decalcify/descale my machine?
Decalcifying helps to remove mineral buildup from the internal workings of
your espresso machine. Mineral buildup can slow down or stop the machine from
working. Decalcifying can help in the water flow through the machine, how
quickly the ready temperature is reached, cleaning the showerhead screen and
portafilter basket and clearing build up from the steamwand.
What kind of grind should I use?
Espresso machines should use a very fine grind, 30-35 seconds in a blade
grinder. Drip makers perform best with either a universal grind that is available
in pre-ground coffees or with a grind specifically for a cone type filter. All
Starbucks stores can grind coffee to this specification. Machines are “grind
sensitive”, especially introductory level machines. Slow and fast shots are
often caused by coffee variables (too fine or too coarse a grind, frozen or
refrigerated beans/grounds, tamping coffee too hard or not firmly enough). If you
have additional questions about universal grind, please contact Starbucks at
orders@starbucks.com or 1-800-STARBUC.
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