With GINA rolling into your homes and coffee shops, we also got a lot of valuable feedback and we feel there are a few questions to be answered. If you have more questions, feel free to ask and we’ll answer ASAP!

UNPACKING GINA

When you receive your GINA, you will see we took great care in packaging design and we made sure that your GINA will get to you in perfect shape. We just wanted to ask you to remove GINA from its foam protection carefully, especially the pitcher. As the handle of the pitcher is designed to be sturdy and tough, it is not used to be pulled on hard when removing the pitcher from the packaging. Therefore we kindly ask you to carefully remove the pitcher from the packaging by not pulling on the handle, but rather grab it by the top edge of the pitcher and remove it gently.

GINA'S BATTERY LIFE

Every GINA is equipped with an LI-Ion battery that ensures that your GINA can manage around 20 hours of brewing time. When you’re not connected to GINA via Bluetooth, it will be in Stand-By mode. To be honest, we can not accurately tell you how long the battery will last in Stand-By mode, but here’s a fun fact: nobody in our office recalls the last time we had to charge our “everyday brewing” GINA. So do not worry, the battery lasts a long time. And even when you will see that a red light that indicates low battery power, you’ll still be able to brew some batches of coffee with it. Consider the red light a signal that you should connect it to power when you get to it.
To make sure you always know the charge level of your GINA, we will include a battery life indicator in one of the future releases of the app.

GINA APP

We tested the GINA Smart Coffee Instrument app throughout on several devices and we can say that the IOS version of the app works perfectly.

In the Android version, we found a few bugs with the login process through Facebook. We already updated the app and it is now running smoothly. But, if you happen to experience a problem with Facebook login, please log into the app with your email, so you’ll be able to use GINA with no interruptions. And if you have an extra minute, just drop us an email (baa@goat-story.com) or message us on Kickstarter and explain what went wrong. Any feedback will be hugely appreciated and will give us more insight into possible issues with the app.

GINA FILTERS

Every GINA has two sets of paper filters included in the package, one for pour-over and immersion brewing and one for cold brewing. While we tested these filters as samples, the final production series of filters turned out to be quite different from the ones we tested, as the brewing process with GOAT STORY filters tends to be much slower than compared to Hario V60 or Chemex filters. 
That sounded an alarm in our team and we immediately started testing filters again. With the help of Aleš Turšič, CEO and head roaster of STOW Specialty Coffee Roasters, we took an analytical approach to brew with surprising results. 
We found out that GOAT STORY filters are indeed denser than other filters and at first we thought that would hugely affect the brew quality. After several brews with different grinds, we got very similar results with a different type of grind (we always used the same coffee and followed the same brewing protocol that included the temperature of the water and the time between putting coffee in the filter and first pours).

With only slight differences in the taste of coffee (with brew times ranging from 3:30 and 5:45), we went analytical and also measured TDS for each brew that showed a consistent and properly extracted brew, no matter the time.

What does that tell us? Aleš explains: “While the filters tend to be unpredictable at first, I was surprised that the brews we made were consistent and not dependant on the time of brewing. What we can deduct from our experiment is that the paper filters tend to "filter out" much more tiny particles in an inconsistent grind, which can be a bit unpredictable at first, but makes for a consistent and properly extracted cup of coffee that will mostly benefit beginners in the field of specialty pour-over coffee.”

To sum it up, the filters that come with GINA are on the slow side, but they have an ability that we did not account for, as they tend to “filter out” an inconsistent grind. That can be a benefit for novice brewers, while versed coffee lovers are welcome to experiment with other filters on the market that will fit GINA.
We welcome all of you to share your experience using different filters with GINA. We would love to hear more from you!

DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

We received a few comments about the fragile looks of the pitcher. It is tougher than you’d think, but we still do not recommend banging it against brick walls. If you were wondering - YES, we will have replacement pitchers available soon. If you happen to break it, send us an email at baa@goat-story.com and we’ll help.
If your GINA came with a broken pitcher or any other defect, contact us at baa@goat-story.com and we’ll make sure you’ll get a replacement ASAP.
There was also a remark about the cleaning of the ceramic funnel, as it seems quite complex. The process is simple, especially if you clean your GINA right after brewing. In that case, you just need to rinse it with water and dry it. If you leave the coffee residue to dry in the funnel, you can use a sponge or cloth and a bit of water to clean it, or to make it even easier, pour some warm water in the funnel and let it dissolve the residue, then rinse it again et voila, your GINA is clean and ready for brewing again.

Which filters should I use with GINA? 


For pour-over and immersion brewing methods we recommend using GOAT STORY paper filters or standard Hario V60, Chemex, or any other cone-shaped paper filters that fit in GINA’s funnel. GINA also works with KONE Stainless Steel filters.
For the cold brew method, we recommend using GOAT STORY or Aeropress round paper filters or any other paper filter of similar dimensions.

Where can I download the GINA app?


The GINA Smart Coffee Brewer app is available in Apple App Store (for IOS devices such as iPhone or iPad) and Google Play (for Android devices).

Where can I find the instructions for the GINA app?


You will find instructions in the app itself, along with guides, tutorials, and a vibrant coffee brewing community.

How much liquid can the glass pitcher hold?


The pitcher holds up to 750ml of liquid.

Is GINA dishwasher safe?

To make sure your GINA stays in good shape, we do not recommend washing it in the dishwasher. To keep GINA clean, use a damp cloth to clean the housing, while the pitcher and funnel are easily cleaned with running water.

Is the charging cable included in the package?

Yes, GINA comes with a USB charging cable that you can use with a computer USB port, a cell phone charger adapter, or any other USB port.

How precise is GINA’s scale?

It is very precise. It can track weight changes of as little as 0.1 grams.

How long is GINA’s battery life?

GINA’s fully charged battery is capable of up to 20 hours of coffee brewing, afterwards, it can easily be recharged with the USB cable that is included in the package.

How do I charge my GINA?

You can charge your GINA the same way you would charge your phone or tablet - just connect it to power with the attached USB cable. You will find the micro USB port for charging on the bottom part of your GINA. It takes 1-2 hours to fully charge GINA.
If GINA is running low on power, the red LED indicator will start flashing. It’s a signal that GINA needs to be connected to power as soon as possible. When GINA’s battery is empty, all LED indicators will go dark. The normal function will resume after you connect it to power and leave it to charge for a few minutes.

What do the different colored lights on GINA mean?

RED, flashing - GINA is very low on power, connect to the charger as soon as possible.
BLUE, flashing - Awaiting connection with the app.
BLUE - Connected with the app.
GREEN - Contact maintenance.

What is the difference between GINA and GINA Basic?

GINA is a smart coffee instrument that is equipped with an integrated scale and is connected to the GINA app via Bluetooth. The scale works with the help of the GINA app, which also guides you through your brewing process as it calculates the proper ratio of coffee and water (you set the ratio, the app takes care of the rest) and takes care of the timing. The app also includes brewing guides, tutorials and is the gateway to a coffee brewing community of GINA users that share their brew guides and recipes.
GINA Basic is a coffee brewing device, that is capable of making pour-over, immersion, or cold drip coffee. To brew the perfect cup of coffee, you will need a scale (for measuring coffee and water) and a timer (your watch will do fine, or you can use a dedicated timer).

Are GINA spare parts available?

Yes. If you accidentally break a part of your GINA, please send us an email at baa@goat-story.com and we’ll do our best you get it as soon as possible.

I received my GINA Basic, but I can’t connect it to the GINA app. Why?

GINA Basic is a basic version of GINA without the smart electronics and integrated scale, so it doesn’t use an app for brewing coffee. It is capable of making pour-over, immersion, or cold drip coffee, but to brew the perfect cup of coffee, you will need a scale (for measuring coffee and water) and a timer (your watch will do fine, or you can use a dedicated timer).

How do I log into the GINA mobile app?

Connect your GINA to a power supply using the USB cable provided to wake her up.
Make sure your smartphone has a stable internet connection.
Enter the app and Sign up to create your new user account, or log in if you already have one.
You can log in with your Facebook account as well, just tap Login with Facebook to do so.
Note: If you want to log in automatically after your first login, open the Account tab in the menu and enable Automatic login.
Troubleshooting the app:
If you have problems with logging into the GINA app, please try the following:
    •    Reset your phone and reinstall the app.

    •    Make sure your phone has a stable internet connection (WiFi or cellular data).

    •    Be sure you’re using the correct password. If you are not sure about your password, use the Forgot my password function to reset your password.

If the problem persists, contact us at baa@goat-story.com and provide your GINA’s serial number, phone brand, and model, operating system version (iOS / Android). Please describe your problem step by step and provide us with photos or screenshots of the issue (if possible).

How do I connect to GINA with my smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth?


When logging in, the app will offer to connect the phone to your GINA.
Be sure your device’s Bluetooth connection is turned on.
The app will display a list of all nearby GINAs your phone can connect to.
Select the one you would like to connect to. Wait until there is an orange checkmark next to it.
You will see a pop-up notification when a connection has been successfully established.
If you lose your Bluetooth connection to GINA at any time, you can re-establish it by going to Menu > Settings > Connect to GINA.

What can I do if the app can not detect GINA or doesn’t connect?


    •    Reset your phone and reinstall the app.

    •    Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is switched on and that your GINA is within its range.

    •    You can try connecting to GINA via your phone’s preferences as well, just as you would connect to any other Bluetooth device. 

If the problem persists, contact us at baa@goat-story.com and provide your GINA’s serial number, phone brand, and model, operating system version (iOS / Android). Please describe your problem step by step, and if you can provide us with photos or screenshots of the issue.

Can I use several GINAs with one app?

We call this the "barista" app function that allows us to control four GINAs simultaneously. This app function is not yet available, but it is planned for one of the future updates.

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Got more questions? Send us an email or contact us via social!