VSSL JAVA - User Manual

OWNER’S GUIDE
BREW EPIC COFFEE,
ANYWHERE

Summary

VSSL JAVA Instructions

Remove and Fill

Details how to remove the end cap and fill the grinder with coffee beans up to the fill point.

Attach End Cap

Instructions on placing the end cap onto the grinding bolt and pressing firmly to ensure closure.

Unscrew and Flip Handle

Guide on unscrewing the carabiner attachment and flipping it over to use as a grinder handle.

Extend and Grind

Instructions on extending the grinder handle for grinding assistance and attaching the handle knob.

Grind Size Adjustment

Setting for Pour Over

Recommends turning the adjustment dial clockwise approximately 10 clicks from default for pour over grinds.

Setting for Aeropress

Suggests an additional 10 clicks clockwise from the pour over setting for Aeropress grinds.

Setting for Cowboy Coffee

Details using extra coarse grinds for Cowboy Coffee by turning the dial 10 clicks counter-clockwise from default.

Exceptional Backcountry Coffee

Use a Quality Grinder

Emphasizes that fresh grinds from a quality grinder like the VSSL JAVA significantly boost flavor.

Steel Burr Grind Consistency

Highlights the VSSL JAVA's stainless-steel burr grinder for consistent bean particle size.

Filter Your Water

Stresses the importance of using filtered water, as water quality directly impacts coffee taste.

Bean to Water Ratio

Provides a quick guide: 20g of beans (fill line) yields 8oz of strong coffee, a 16:1 ratio.

Coffee Freshness

Advises grinding beans just before brewing to preserve aroma and flavor, which diminish rapidly after grinding.

Recommended Backcountry Brew Methods

Aeropress Method

Step-by-step guide for brewing coffee using the Aeropress with VSSL JAVA grinds, including setup and specs.

Pour Over Method

Detailed instructions for the Pour Over brewing method, specifying setup, grind, and brew time.

Cowboy Coffee Method

Guide for brewing Cowboy Coffee, including setup, optimal coarse grind, and brewing steps.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Basic Cleaning

Using a brush to clean accessible parts like the grind catch and hopper, avoiding dishwashers.

Advanced Cleaning and Disassembly

Step-by-step process for disassembling the grinder to clean the burrs and internal components thoroughly.

Re-assembly Instructions

Guidance on correctly reassembling the VSSL JAVA grinder after cleaning, including bearing and dial placement.

Parts Reference

Warranty Information

About VSSL

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Usage Tips
4. Maintenance Features
5. Advanced Cleaning Instructions
6. Re-assembly
7. Warranty and Replacement Parts

The VSSL JAVA is a premium handheld coffee grinder designed specifically for outdoor use, allowing users to "brew epic coffee, anywhere." This owner's guide provides comprehensive instructions for its use, grind size adjustments, recommended backcountry brew methods, cleaning, and warranty information.

Function Description

The VSSL JAVA's primary function is to grind coffee beans to various consistencies for different brewing methods. It features a best-in-class stainless-steel burr grinder, which ensures consistent grind size and shape, crucial for optimal flavor extraction. Unlike blade grinders that can produce lumpy and irregularly sized grinds, the VSSL JAVA's burr mill provides a uniform grind, enhancing the taste of your coffee. The device is designed for portability and ease of use in backcountry settings, making fresh coffee accessible even in remote locations.

Usage Features

The VSSL JAVA offers a straightforward 4-step process for operation:

1. Remove and Fill: To begin, press the release button and pull on the end cap to remove it. Once removed, fill the main cylinder (hopper) with the desired amount of coffee beans, up to the fill point, which is approximately 20 grams.

2. Attach: After filling, place the end cap back onto the grinding bolt and press firmly to ensure a secure closure.

3. Unscrew and Flip: Unscrew the carabiner attachment from the end cap. Pull it up and flip it over to transform it into a grinder handle.

4. Extend + Grind: Extend the grinder handle as needed for additional leverage and assistance during the grinding process. An attachable handle knob can be used for further grinding assistance.

The VSSL JAVA provides extensive grind size adjustments, offering 50 different settings to achieve the perfect consistency for any brew method. To adjust the grind size, first remove the grind catch. Turning the adjustment dial clockwise results in finer grinds, while turning it counter-clockwise yields coarser grinds. For quick reference:

• Starting from the default setting, turn approximately 10 clicks clockwise for grinds suitable for pour-over coffee.
• Turn an additional 10 clicks clockwise for Aeropress grinds.
• For extra coarse grinds, ideal for Cowboy Coffee, rotate the dial 10 clicks counter-clockwise from the default setting. It's important to keep the carabiner end cap attached while grinding for Cowboy Coffee.

The guide emphasizes four key steps for exceptional backcountry coffee:

• Quality Grinder: The VSSL JAVA's stainless-steel burr grinder ensures consistent grind size, which is essential for flavor.
• Filtered Water: Coffee is 99% water, so using filtered water is crucial to avoid unwanted tastes in your brew.
• Bean to Water Ratio: For a quick guide, filling the VSSL JAVA to the fill line with beans will yield 8oz of strong coffee. For a 10 oz cup, 20 grams of beans to the fill line with 320 milliliters of water (a 16:1 ratio) is recommended.
• Coffee Freshness: Grinding beans right before brewing is highly recommended, as the aroma and flavor compounds are protected within the shells and rapidly diminish after grinding.

Three recommended backcountry brew methods are detailed:

1. Aeropress:

   • What you'll need: Fresh VSSL JAVA grinds, Aeropress brew kit (filter, scoop, stirrer), pot to boil water, and a mug that fits the Aeropress.
   • Optimal Grind: Fine, similar to sea salt.
   • Brew Time: Approximately 2 minutes.
   • Step-by-step: Place the filter, screw the cap, and place on mug. Add fresh grinds. Pour boiling water halfway, stir for 10 seconds, then fill with remaining water. Insert plunger and press gently until it reaches grounds. Remove filter cap, push plunger to eject used coffee, and rinse seal. (Refer to Aeropress guide for more details).

2. Pour Over:

   • What you'll need: Fresh VSSL JAVA grinds, cone, filter, pot to heat water, and a large mug.
   • Optimal Grind: Medium coarse, similar to rock salt (JAVA default setting).
   • Brew Time: 3 minutes, 15 seconds.
   • Step-by-step: Place filter in cone. Add coffee. Slowly pour hot water to wet grinds, stir, and wait 20 seconds. Pour half of remaining water, wait 20 seconds for drainage. Add remaining water and let filter. Remove filter and enjoy.

3. Cowboy Coffee:

   • What you'll need: Fresh VSSL JAVA grinds, mug, pot to boil water, and a splash of cold water.
   • Optimal Grind: Coarse (as "cowboys couldn't have been too finicky!").
   • Brew Time: 2-3 minutes.
   • Step-by-step: Add fresh grinds to boiling water in a pot. Leave top open for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, set aside. Add a splash of cold water (~1:16 cold to warm) to help grounds settle. Slowly pour coffee into mug to avoid disturbing settled grounds.

Usage Tips:

• Only grind coffee beans.
• Do not put liquid inside the grinder chamber.
• If grinding becomes difficult, reverse direction for a few turns, then continue.
• If jammed, inspect the burr mechanism, locate, and carefully remove the obstruction.
• The carabiner should only support the weight of the VSSL JAVA unit.

Maintenance Features

The VSSL JAVA is designed for easy cleaning. A supplied brush can be used to keep the grind catch, adjustment dial, and main cylinder (hopper) free of debris. Periodically, residue may build up, requiring a more thorough scrubbing.

Advanced Cleaning Instructions:

If residue builds up in the burrs, a more advanced cleaning is necessary, and the VSSL JAVA can be disassembled.

1. Remove Grind Catch: On a clean, flat surface, remove the grind catch (1).
2. Remove Adjustment Dial Nut: Remove the adjustment dial nut (2) by turning it counterclockwise until it comes off.
3. Remove Adjustment Plate and Burr: Remove the adjustment plate (3) and burr (4) from the hopper, along with the spring (5) and lower bearing (6). The bearing sits in a frame within the hopper; if needed, tap the bottom of the hopper against a solid surface to remove it.
4. Remove Upper Bearing and Washer: Remove the upper bearing (8) and bearing washer (9) by sliding the grinding bolt out (10). If necessary, gently tap the top of the hopper against a solid surface to remove the bearing.
5. Lay Out Parts: Lay the parts out in order to facilitate re-assembly.
6. Clean Each Piece: Clean each piece with a brush or buffing pad.

Caution for Cleaning: Be careful when cleaning the burrs as they have sharp edges. Use a cotton swab or Q-tip to safely clean edges and grooves. Do not wash the bearings; simply remove them and wipe with a dry cloth or brush.

The push-button release mechanism (11) cannot be removed, but a cotton swab or Q-tip can be used to remove build-up. The carabiner release (12) and carabiner hinge (13) may not need cleaning but might require lubrication with a household, food-grade lubricant. The carabiner extension arm can also be lightly lubricated.

Re-assembly:

1. Position Bearings and Grinding Bolt: Ensure both bearings are nested back in place within the grinder body. Slide the grinding bolt from top to bottom, with the threaded end at the copper band end of the unit.
2. Slide Spring, Burr, and Adjustment Plate: Slide the spring over the grinding bolt, then the burr, and finally the adjustment plate over the bolt, against the burr. Ensure the adjustment plate aligns to fit into a depression on the burr.
3. Screw on Adjustment Dial: Press down on the adjustment plate to expose enough of the grinding bolt threads, then screw on the adjustment dial.

Note: Re-positioning the adjustment dial nut flush with the top of the grinding bolt is the default setting for medium-coarse grinds, recommended for the pour-over brew method.

Warranty and Replacement Parts

All VSSL products come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, with exclusions. The VSSL JAVA unit is covered for life against material and workmanship defects. The burr mechanism is built for approximately 6,000 grind cycles, after which replacement should be considered. Wear and tear on the burr mechanism is not covered under the warranty. Full warranty details are available online.

Available replacement parts include the Carabiner End Cap, Grind Catch, Burr, Grind Dial, and Handle Grip, which can be found on the VSSL website.

VSSL JAVA Specifications

General

Grind Settings	30
Material	Aluminum
Burr Type	Conical
Grinder Type	Manual
Burr Material	Stainless Steel
Burr Size	38mm
Burr Geometry	Conical