Posted Tue Mar 25, 2008, 6:49am Subject: Grinder chute problem
I am having a problem with my Rancilio MD50 chute. At first the coffee flies out of the chute beautifully, but about 1/3 of the way the coffee starts to clump up and eventually almost gets completely stuck in there. It kind of then comes out in chunks. I would say that I could probably fill another double basket with all of the leftover grounds that get stuck I am sure it would work fine if you weren't grinding per shot or had tons of money to be spending on coffee, but it doesn't work for me. I am just wondering if anyone has any tricks on how to alleviate this problem. I could post a picture when I get home tonight if needed.
Posted Tue Mar 25, 2008, 3:05pm Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
Get a can of condensed air and shoot it down the burr assembly. Don't know how you could get it to fit, but the ClikClack is also a popular choice (but for the Rocky... don't know how it would fit on a MD50, but you might be able to come up with something.) You could also use beans that aren't as dark and don't have as much oil on them, which is probably why they are sticking together... Are the shots still pouring well? Seems like coffee coming out this slowly from the grinder would mean you were grinding a little too fine. It's supposed to clump and spit...
HTH -Bry
Bryan Wray
"I just hope that people realize that coffee is not just a caffeine delivery service, it can be a culinary art." -Christopher Owens
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008, 6:40am Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
The beans I roasted aren't that dark (Sweet Maria's Liquid Amber to Vienna). Since this is my first time dialing in a grinder, I thought that I was grinding too fine, also. This morning when I made my morning cappucinno, I used a coarser grind. It was enough where my shot flew through the Gaggia Baby. However, it still got clogged up and there was about enough for a double still stuck in the chute.
Maybe this is just how the machine works (or doesn't). I suppose it wouldn't be that big of a deal for someone who is running it in auto mode. Who cares at that point if there are stale beans in the chute? I'll keep playing around with it, researching, and posting back. The ClikClack wouldn't work on my hopper since it it is square.
The shots pour somewhat well (although, again, I'm just starting). I have a naked PF and they're usually around 15 seconds with channeling sometimes...probably a result of the clumping and my poor dosing / tamping skills.
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008, 10:23am Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
make sure that you are using the Weiss Distribution Method if you have clumping, but the MD50 is a dosered grinder isn't it? So the 'thwack thwack' should break up those clumps. Clumping isn't all bad, really... It isn't a sign of you doing something wrong, so don't be concerned with that, but I understand that a big concern for you is waste. I would just put enough beans in the hopper for one use (weigh it out... probably 15 grams or so for a double to start with) and then grind those through. Use a can of condensed air (the little air dusters) to blow out the remaining grinds (blow down through the hopper and burrs and it should cause the grounds to come out of the shoot) out of the grinder. I think this would probably work just fine.
HTH -Bry
Bryan Wray
"I just hope that people realize that coffee is not just a caffeine delivery service, it can be a culinary art." -Christopher Owens
interference Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 58 Location: TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quickmill Andreja Premium Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008, 10:51am Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
Are there any reasons not to use compressed air on a grinder or around food? I have avoided it thinking that there were chemicals of some sort contained in the can. Anyone care to debunk this? Is the moisture from a compressed air can at close range simply H2O?
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008, 11:09am Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
I don't know the specifics on that, but I know lots of people that use condensed air to get the grounds out. You are about to hit it with 200 degree water anyway... But yeah, i would be curious to know about that too.
-Bry
Bryan Wray
"I just hope that people realize that coffee is not just a caffeine delivery service, it can be a culinary art." -Christopher Owens
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008, 8:08pm Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
I tried a couple of different things today that worked out pretty well. I only used enough beans for one use like Bry suggested. That worked much better. I also Thwacked much harder on the doser and that seemed to definitely break up the clumps a lot more. Some grinds are still getting stuck in the chute, but not nearly as bad. It's definitely reasonable now.
I'd be a little nervous to shoot condensed air in the chute. Has anyone ever turned one of those cans upside down and sprayed? It makes for a great way to freeze gum on your clothes!
I attached a photo of the switch that gets triggered when the doser gets full to kick off the grinder. Since I obviously don't need it, I'm going to remove it so that I have easier access to the grinder chute to clean it out after every shot. You can see the chute right behind the switch compartment.
Posted Fri Mar 28, 2008, 2:15pm Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
You'll probably have to re-wire the ground wires and such inside of the switch, just so you know. It's not too hard, but does take a little work, it's not just "removing the switch."
HTH -Bry
Bryan Wray
"I just hope that people realize that coffee is not just a caffeine delivery service, it can be a culinary art." -Christopher Owens
interference Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 58 Location: TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Quickmill Andreja Premium Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Mar 28, 2008, 3:06pm Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
I think I killed the processor in a computer once with compressed air. The processor fan was all gunked up with dust and I fired the compressed air at close range to get in the nooks and crannies. I think the moisture had an adverse effect, because the CPU was dead after that.
Posted Fri Mar 28, 2008, 3:37pm Subject: Re: Grinder chute problem
ThatCoffeeGuy Said:
Get a can of condensed air and shoot it down the burr assembly. Don't know how you could get it to fit, but the ClikClack is also a popular choice (but for the Rocky... don't know how it would fit on a MD50, but you might be able to come up with something.) You could also use beans that aren't as dark and don't have as much oil on them, which is probably why they are sticking together... Are the shots still pouring well? Seems like coffee coming out this slowly from the grinder would mean you were grinding a little too fine. It's supposed to clump and spit...
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