enum Senior Member Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 22 Location: Chicago Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Miss Silvia v3 Grinder: Modified Mazzer Super Jolly... Drip: Clever, Aeropress, Chemex Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 1:21pm Subject: Getting Some Powder in the Grind
A while ago I purchased a used Astoria grinder (a re-branded super jolly). It came with new burrs, but the grind just didn't seem very consistent for such a good machine.
The other day I took it apart to have a look at the burrs. They looked almost pristine, but when I unscrewed them, I found a thick layer of coffee grounds underneath. Is it normal for this to happen over time?
I cleaned it out real good and put it back together. The grind is definitely better, but there is still a certain amount of powder ending up in the grind. I've uploaded some pictures of what my clever dripper looks like after brewing a cup: http://imgur.com/a/smfUG
Is there anything I can do to fix this grinder? The burrs really looked quite good, though you could tell they were laying slightly crooked for some time because the outer edge of the metal on one side is worn down ever so slightly (but not on the actual burrs).
The only other thing I could think of is the threading on the stepping mechanism is all gunked up with coffee grounds so it might not be screwing down straight. I'm thinking about cleaning this out today and taking it apart again so I can snap some pictures of the burrs.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,758 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sat Dec 8, 2012, 4:28pm Subject: Re: Getting Some Powder in the Grind
The sj is a great grinder but it is not a general use grinder. It is an espresso only grinder.
There should be no coffee under the burrs, if there was then someone did not install them properly. Coffee can build up around them but they should seat cleanly on the machined mating surfaces.
Do not try to change the angle of the adjustment colar, it is very easy to cross thread and if you do, then you will cause some very expensive damage.
I don't know if you have ever ground for espresso , but is a very fine grind, close to powder and your pics look like what I would imagine a pourover would look like from an espresso. grinder
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,758 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon Dec 10, 2012, 11:52am Subject: Re: Getting Some Powder in the Grind
Have you tried grinding a little more coarse? The grind size is set by the space between the burrs (you know this I am sure) so if you open them up a bit more (that grind looks a bit fine to me for pour over drip) you might have a bit better luck.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
MJW Senior Member Joined: 25 Jul 2012 Posts: 74 Location: Silicon Valley Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Dec 11, 2012, 5:40pm Subject: Re: Getting Some Powder in the Grind
enum Said:
The other day I took it apart to have a look at the burrs. They looked almost pristine, but when I unscrewed them, I found a thick layer of coffee grounds underneath. Is it normal for this to happen over time?
I've taken apart a Mazzer Mini, and noticed the same thing. There is a mating surface, and then there's a ring underneath the bottom burr where there's a slight gap, where coffee can get in. It's normal. I think your grinder is operating normally.
I think Calblacksmith is right to recommend grinding coarser. Your picture seems to show a really fine grind!
Posted Wed Dec 12, 2012, 5:00am Subject: Re: Getting Some Powder in the Grind
MJW Said:
I've taken apart a Mazzer Mini, and noticed the same thing. There is a mating surface, and then there's a ring underneath the bottom burr where there's a slight gap, where coffee can get in. It's normal. I think your grinder is operating normally.
I think Calblacksmith is right to recommend grinding coarser. Your picture seems to show a really fine grind!
enum Senior Member Joined: 30 Mar 2011 Posts: 22 Location: Chicago Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Miss Silvia v3 Grinder: Modified Mazzer Super Jolly... Drip: Clever, Aeropress, Chemex Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Mon Dec 17, 2012, 5:09pm Subject: Re: Getting Some Powder in the Grind
Those pictures are misleading. The grind is much coarser than it looks, it's just that there is some fine powdery grind mixed in (the whole problem). When the clever drains it just happens to settle on top.
I'll take some pictures of the grind before brewing in a bit here.
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