Oh, Oh! You are scaring me
@ryanosaur!
Are you saying that the burrs will require replacement (due to wear) in such short time.
I don't know if there are any differences (for wear) between the conicals and the flat (mine) versions.
Try to find the duty cycle for your specific burrs, it should be specified in weight of coffee. When you have that estimate your usage and then calc the expected life, it's probably a long time.
Believe me when I say I'm not just doing it because I want to.
I talked to a guy from the shop where I bought my Lelit Grinders. He somewhat begrudgingly did the math... something I didn't know existed yesterday!
The biggest concern he voiced in our discussion was if there was a small stone or stick that got through QC and could have damaged them, but after he did some math, he suggested I was right around the point of considering new burrs.
Apparently, lighter roasts (which I do use a light-espresso roast) are harder on burrs than darker roasts. Also at 20 g doses up to 5x a day... it adds up.
Anyway, I'm also getting a pressure gauge I can fit to my "spouted" portafilter, so after I do the pump, I can make certain my pressure is correct, too.
These are the variables that have come up in several conversations with disinterested service techs and coffee shop reps. Nobody is trying to sell me new gear, thankfully. I really don't need to try to want $3000 machine!
Pump from Amazon is under $30.
Burrs are under $50.
The pressure gauge is $40.
I'm also going to descale for the first time. I've exclusively used RO water for 4 years, but I know it can still have some mineral content. Boiler temp doesn't seem to be an issue, though.
I will add, regarding the Burr conversation, it had been suggested that more expensive machines will likely have a higher duty cycle on their burrs. My grinder is in the $300 range. Dude suggested when you get to the next level ($600-800) you get longer life. That was the closest to a sales pitch I had. *shrugs
2 of these Lelit Grinders over 12 years, though... other than the noise, they've been really respectable machines.