Posted Sat May 5, 2012, 11:53am Subject: Odd Question But Do New Grinder Burrs Have An Odor?
I bought new burrs for my Obel Bregant grinder a couple of months ago and they had a greasy/metallic odor that I thought was normal (this was my first time ever buying burrs). I thought the odor would wear away after using the grinder for a few weeks but today, after cleaning out the grinder, the smell is still there. Is this normal? If not can I wash the burrs in some Cafiza to try and lessen or eliminate the odor? I'm worried that the odor is affecting the beans in a negative way.
The odor actually permeates my fingers after touching the burrs.
Posted Sat May 5, 2012, 2:22pm Subject: Re: Odd Question But Do New Grinder Burrs Have An Odor?
It sounds like (smells like?) the burrs had some cutting oil on them. This is commonly used in machining metals. I would recommend cleaning them with rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.
Posted Sat May 5, 2012, 5:03pm Subject: Re: Odd Question But Do New Grinder Burrs Have An Odor?
hotwasabipeas Said:
I bought new burrs for my Obel Bregant grinder a couple of months ago and they had a greasy/metallic odor that I thought was normal (this was my first time ever buying burrs). I thought the odor would wear away after using the grinder for a few weeks but today, after cleaning out the grinder, the smell is still there. Is this normal? If not can I wash the burrs in some Cafiza to try and lessen or eliminate the odor? I'm worried that the odor is affecting the beans in a negative way.
The odor actually permeates my fingers after touching the burrs.
I wouldn't worry about it. It is not like the burrs are oozing oil, correct? I know they are not. With the amount of beans you are running through them any odors getting into the beans in any discernable way is extremely unlikely.
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
Yes, with a bit of nasty stuff added so that you can't ingest it.
Len
"Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water." ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674
Posted Sat May 5, 2012, 7:52pm Subject: Re: Odd Question But Do New Grinder Burrs Have An Odor?
Well I decided to just clean them in some really hot water with a bit of Cafiza. I made sure to rinse them well and to dry them out completely. That awful oily/greasy smell is now gone..yay! I wish I had asked this question when I first got the burrs as I have used them for well over 2 months and that smell never dissipated. I thought it was just the way new burrs smelled and that it would disappear after the burrs were "seasoned" but I was totally wrong as I have probably ground over 10 lbs. of beans with the new burrs. Even today, before I cleaned them with Cafiza, just touching the burrs left my fingers smelling like I had been working on a car engine....it was an oily/greasy/metal type of odor.
fredk01 Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Posts: 115 Location: Canada Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Saeco Aroma Grinder: OE Pharos
Posted Sun May 6, 2012, 12:27pm Subject: Re: Odd Question But Do New Grinder Burrs Have An Odor?
You might want to season those burrs with a bit of mineral oil or vegetable oil. Those burrs will rust (oxidize) now that the protective layer of oil has been removed.
The advantage of mineral oil (the type you get at the pharmacy) is that it will not go rancid.
The oils from your coffee beans will eventually season the burrs, but I have no idea how long it might take to build up enough of a protective coating to keep the burrs from rusting.
I suspect that it was actually some sort of seasoning oil on your burrs, not cutting oil, as I think that cutting oil would not be good for your health.
Posted Sun May 6, 2012, 1:29pm Subject: Re: Odd Question But Do New Grinder Burrs Have An Odor?
fredk01 Said:
You might want to season those burrs with a bit of mineral oil or vegetable oil. Those burrs will rust (oxidize) now that the protective layer of oil has been removed.
How do you apply the mineral oil and how much do you use? After the mineral oil is applied would you want to run Grindz or Minute Rice through the grinder, or would that remove too much of the mineral oil?
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