NicksMaint Senior Member Joined: 7 Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Syracuse, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Zassenhaus Drip: Chemex Roaster: Wagner Power Stripper
Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006, 5:04am Subject: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
I received a Zassenhaus grinder for Christmas. While the grinder is fine, the one thing I noticed was that the adjustment wheel that controls the grind - moved as I cranked the handle. Well looking at the reviews on this site, it apparently is not an isolated problem. I contacted the vendor where it was purchased and they promptly sent me a new bushing to install to see if it fixed the problem. I replaced it and the wheel still moves as the handle is cranked.
What I am wondering, has anyone found a solution to resolve this problem. Many of the reviews mentioned it, but then just stated that they held the wheel or constantly re-adjusted it.
I guess I am a little surprised because the grinder gets such good press. The fact is, my previous grinder cost $15 on Ebay and did almost as good a job grinding and never needed to be adjusted.
If someone has a solution to fix the Zassenhaus, I would be very interested in finding out about it. If not, can someone suggest another hand burr grinder that will have the quality burr of the Zassenhaus but be better engineered so the adjustment works properly. BTW - I only make regular coffee, no expresso or brews like that.
CoffeeRoastersClub Senior Member Joined: 6 Jul 2005 Posts: 2,144 Location: Vernon Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Vintage La Pavoni Lever... Grinder: KitchenAid Pro Line Burr... Vac Pot: Vintage Silex Drip: Aeropress, French Press Roaster: "EL SUPREMO" w/QuikSPIN-CRC...
Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006, 8:00am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
NicksMaint Said:
I received a Zassenhaus grinder for Christmas. While the grinder is fine, the one thing I noticed was that the adjustment wheel that controls the grind - moved as I cranked the handle. Well looking at the reviews on this site, it apparently is not an isolated problem. I contacted the vendor where it was purchased and they promptly sent me a new bushing to install to see if it fixed the problem. I replaced it and the wheel still moves as the handle is cranked. ...snip... If someone has a solution to fix the Zassenhaus, I would be very interested in finding out about it. If not, can someone suggest another hand burr grinder that will have the quality burr of the Zassenhaus but be better engineered so the adjustment works properly. BTW - I only make regular coffee, no expresso or brews like that.
Hello. I don't know if you would call this a solution to the adjustment nut turning, but if you use a little marker to mark where you like your grind that can help you get back to the same grind if the nut moves again.
Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006, 8:13am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
I have a Zassenhaus and I use it daily. The adjust wheel on mine does not move when I'm grinding coffee. I use it for drip and moka pot. How corase or fine do you grind? Could it be that there is not enough tension on the adjust wheel, ie. too corase?
Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006, 11:00am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
I had the same problem as you. I got tired of hassling with it, and got a Capresso Infinity. I am extremely pleased with the Infinity (so far). The only downside is it retains a lot of grounds in the burr chamber, so be prepared to do a bit of tapping and brushing after the grind is done (only takes about 30 seconds though).
NicksMaint Said:
I received a Zassenhaus grinder for Christmas. While the grinder is fine, the one thing I noticed was that the adjustment wheel that controls the grind - moved as I cranked the handle. Well looking at the reviews on this site, it apparently is not an isolated problem. I contacted the vendor where it was purchased and they promptly sent me a new bushing to install to see if it fixed the problem. I replaced it and the wheel still moves as the handle is cranked.
What I am wondering, has anyone found a solution to resolve this problem. Many of the reviews mentioned it, but then just stated that they held the wheel or constantly re-adjusted it.
I guess I am a little surprised because the grinder gets such good press. The fact is, my previous grinder cost $15 on Ebay and did almost as good a job grinding and never needed to be adjusted.
If someone has a solution to fix the Zassenhaus, I would be very interested in finding out about it. If not, can someone suggest another hand burr grinder that will have the quality burr of the Zassenhaus but be better engineered so the adjustment works properly. BTW - I only make regular coffee, no expresso or brews like that.
Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006, 12:38pm Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
I took mine apart (took the handle and barrel-adjuster off) so that I could put a drop of Loctite on the threads. After reassembling, the drifting problem was fixed. After a while of use, the drift returned... May use a slightly stronger Loctite the next time (red formula, I think).
What I've been doing in the meantime is to place my left palm against the side of the grinder so that I can get my thumb between the grinder body and the handle. I hold the barrel-adjuster in place with my thumb as I grind with my right hand. I also place the bottom of the grinder between my legs to prevent it from moving (obviously, I'm sitting down when I do all this!). Works okay, but I occasionally clip my thumb with the crank-handle, so I'll be Loctite-ing again soon...
NicksMaint Senior Member Joined: 7 Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Syracuse, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Zassenhaus Drip: Chemex Roaster: Wagner Power Stripper
Posted Wed Feb 22, 2006, 9:12am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
slooowr6 Said:
I have a Zassenhaus and I use it daily. The adjust wheel on mine does not move when I'm grinding coffee. I use it for drip and moka pot. How corase or fine do you grind? Could it be that there is not enough tension on the adjust wheel, ie. too corase?
Tension seems to be lacking no matter where I set the wheel. I have cranked the burr closed (all the way counter clockwise) and then opened anywhere from 1/2 to 1 full turn clockwise and noticed the drift. I have tried all settings progressing 1/2 turn clockwise and each time noticed the drift. When I get the burr about 1/2 turn from all the way open, it still drifted until it was completely open.
Thanks to everyone for their feedback.
When I get a chance, I believe I will try the Locktite solution.
Posted Fri Feb 24, 2006, 1:23pm Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
Pardon my ignorance, as I don't own one of these grinders, but is there a threaded rod / nut engagement thats loose/sloppy? In other words, is there a threaded area that you could wrap some teflon tape around (the kind for sealing pipe threads)? That may snug things up to the point where it won't work loose.
NicksMaint Senior Member Joined: 7 Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Syracuse, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Zassenhaus Drip: Chemex Roaster: Wagner Power Stripper
Posted Mon Feb 27, 2006, 3:38am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
Christopher_01 Said:
Pardon my ignorance, as I don't own one of these grinders, but is there a threaded rod / nut engagement thats loose/sloppy? In other words, is there a threaded area that you could wrap some teflon tape around (the kind for sealing pipe threads)? That may snug things up to the point where it won't work loose.
I took the grinder apart yesterday and gave the teflon tape a try, as I had some in the house. I used the grinder this morning and the adjustment wheel stayed right where it was set the entire grind. I will keep an eye on it and report back after a week or so. We usually press our coffee on weekends, so I will see how it reacts when I change the grind then.
NicksMaint Senior Member Joined: 7 Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Syracuse, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Zassenhaus Drip: Chemex Roaster: Wagner Power Stripper
Posted Sat Mar 4, 2006, 4:06am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
Well after a week of changing the grind coarseness several times, it appears that the teflon tape is a good solution to this common Zassenhaus grinder problem. Who knows over time I may have to replace it, but it sure beats holding or constantly adjusting the wheel while grinding. This is a very nice grinder for the price, it is too bad the manufacturer cannot just put the tape in as part of their manufacturing process.
neocelt Senior Member Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 58 Location: Rochelle, VA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Anfim Milano/Best, 2 Zass' Drip: several cafetieres Roaster: Mk II Poppery
Posted Wed Mar 8, 2006, 6:35am Subject: Re: Zassenhaus grinder - adjustment wheel problem
Interesting thread. I'm glad y'all hit upon a good fix for the problem (at least it seems like it will do the job). I have two older Zass grinders (one for high-octane and one for unleaded) and I would note that with the older models, the adjustment wheel is a separate knurled knob. It has adequate tension to prevent unintentional turning and I've never had a problem with this setup. It is easy to adjust and produces a great, dustless grind for espresso or cafetiere (press pot). I don't know how long ago Zass adopted the new design, but the concept of integrating the adjustment wheel with the driveshaft seems impractical to me in theory (and apparently practice has proven this to be the case). Zassenhaus has manufactered very high-quality manual grinders for many decades now, and I think it's a shame that they felt the need to modify such a simple and efficient design. Sometimes the makers of highly-successful products get seduced into "changing for change's sake" or to "keep up with the times," and some have discovered the hard way that there's no need to mess with success--the original Coke comes to mind. Just chippin' in my two cents...
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