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Permalink Reply by Kevin Ayers on June 22, 2009 at 12:04pm

The grinder looks pretty good, definitely usable if it runs. The little counter is pretty useless, as it is made for filling the doser, letting the grounds stale, and using them throughout the day. Not the way to go, as that grinder is plenty fast to be able to grind each shot to order. Probably should get some new burrs for the grinder, espressoparts.com has a lot, but there are others if you just search around. Good Luck!

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Permalink Reply by Notblueatall on June 22, 2009 at 12:07pm

Thanks! Do you know if there's a way to get a manual or something online to help with installing new burrs? I'm afraid if I take it apart I'll never get back together properly! Ha-ha!

Kevin Ayers said:

The grinder looks pretty good, definitely usable if it runs. The little counter is pretty useless, as it is made for filling the doser, letting the grounds stale, and using them throughout the day. Not the way to go, as that grinder is plenty fast to be able to grind each shot to order. Probably should get some new burrs for the grinder, espressoparts.com has a lot, but there are others if you just search around. Good Luck!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Ayers on June 22, 2009 at 3:44pm

I'm sure there's something. Many sites offer pdf's of the manuals. The most important part is just not to strip the screws as you're taking them out. Otherwise you'll never get them out!

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Permalink Reply by Notblueatall on June 22, 2009 at 3:49pm

So, how do I get the gross old residue/oils out? You're not supposed to get it wet...?

Kevin Ayers said:

I'm sure there's something. Many sites offer pdf's of the manuals. The most important part is just not to strip the screws as you're taking them out. Otherwise you'll never get them out!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Ayers on June 22, 2009 at 4:07pm

Very Carefully chip away at it. Otherwise use very hot water on a rag, very sparingly.

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Permalink Reply by Notblueatall on June 22, 2009 at 4:08pm

Can I take apart and soak the metal components in some sort of solution and allow to dry for a week (to be sure) or anything?

Kevin Ayers said:

Very Carefully chip away at it.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Caragay on June 22, 2009 at 5:15pm

I suggest tearing the whole grinder apart and installing new burrs (just to be sure). Grinders are relatively simple beasts, just take your time and catalog each screw and each part you remove (I use a digital camera) so that re-assembly is easier.

The parts can be scrubbed and cleaned even in dish detergent - just be sure to rinse under hot water to get all residue off and then towel and air dry for a couple of days before re-assembling the unit. I remember one Mazzer Major we took apart in 2005 - when we removed the bottom plate, at least a pound of ground coffee came spilling out. The grinds were covering all the internal wiring and relays - I was surprised it hadn't caught fire.

Doing it yourself will give you a leg up in understanding (and troubleshooting) your equipment. It's well worth the effort. I'm a bit busy nowadays to do much of that work myself but I still have a Mazzer Major and Grindmaster 875 sitting on the workbench at home waiting for me to work the magic.

With regards to tampers, I prefer the Reg Barber wood handled tampers. I still have my original Reg Barber from 2003 and issue custom Reg Barbers to all my certified baristas.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Von Kaenel on June 23, 2009 at 8:38am

The best tool I've found for cleaning used grinders is compressed air. If you have access to an air compressor just use a trigger or button operated air hose nozzel and you can blow away 99% of the crud, leaving much less work for your brushes and damp towels. You'll still want to take the doser off and disassemble the parts for a good wash in the sink with dish soap, but it's not TOO hard to do. Just look it over carefully, take some picts, and remember how it came apart so you can reassemble it. And yes, make sure everything is perfectly dry before reassembly. If you're at-all handy with tools it will be fine. Grinders are not terribly complicated. Once you get it apart it will be more obvious how things work in there.

NOTE: You'll want to use the compressed air method outdoors and use eye protection. Crud will fly everywhere. I have a compressor in my garage at home and it's easy to run the hose outside on the driveway for this. If you don't have a compressor you might know a car guy who has one, or maybe someone who works at an auto repair or a body shop.

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Permalink Reply by Notblueatall on June 23, 2009 at 10:47am

Thank you! That was the best possible answer I could ask for. I will use my dig camera and just go for it! Oh! And I bought the orange lava tamp from espressoparts.com yesterday...can't wait to get in there and start pulling shots! =0)

Jay Caragay said:

I suggest tearing the whole grinder apart and installing new burrs (just to be sure). Grinders are relatively simple beasts, just take your time and catalog each screw and each part you remove (I use a digital camera) so that re-assembly is easier.

The parts can be scrubbed and cleaned even in dish detergent - just be sure to rinse under hot water to get all residue off and then towel and air dry for a couple of days before re-assembling the unit. I remember one Mazzer Major we took apart in 2005 - when we removed the bottom plate, at least a pound of ground coffee came spilling out. The grinds were covering all the internal wiring and relays - I was surprised it hadn't caught fire.

Doing it yourself will give you a leg up in understanding (and troubleshooting) your equipment. It's well worth the effort. I'm a bit busy nowadays to do much of that work myself but I still have a Mazzer Major and Grindmaster 875 sitting on the workbench at home waiting for me to work the magic.

With regards to tampers, I prefer the Reg Barber wood handled tampers. I still have my original Reg Barber from 2003 and issue custom Reg Barbers to all my certified baristas.

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Permalink Reply by Brady on June 23, 2009 at 12:50pm

Bob Von Kaenel said:

The best tool I've found for cleaning used grinders is compressed air. If you have access to an air compressor just use a trigger or button operated air hose nozzel and you can blow away 99% of the crud, leaving much less work for your brushes and damp towels. You'll still want to take the doser off and disassemble the parts for a good wash in the sink with dish soap, but it's not TOO hard to do. Just look it over carefully, take some picts, and remember how it came apart so you can reassemble it. And yes, make sure everything is perfectly dry before reassembly. If you're at-all handy with tools it will be fine. Grinders are not terribly complicated. Once you get it apart it will be more obvious how things work in there.

NOTE: You'll want to use the compressed air method outdoors and use eye protection. Crud will fly everywhere. I have a compressor in my garage at home and it's easy to run the hose outside on the driveway for this. If you don't have a compressor you might know a car guy who has one, or maybe someone who works at an auto repair or a body shop.

For a slightly less effective but considerably less messy alternative/preview to the compressed air method, make a quick pass with the nozzle of a regular vacuum cleaner or shop vac first. It'll suck out the loose bits and make everything else easier to see.

Have fun.

Oh, and not to sound like a pansy... but consider wearing latex or rubber gloves when handling the really cruddy bits. Those rancid coffee oils get under your nails and soak into your skin and SMELL AWFUL for hours... even after a thorough scrubbing. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Notblueatall on June 23, 2009 at 2:18pm

No worries...I've been wearing gloves a lot lately. We just painted it last weekend, bought and assembled some furniture this weekend. Still looking for reasonably priced chairs and table tops though. So much to do! =0)

Brady said:

Bob Von Kaenel said:

The best tool I've found for cleaning used grinders is compressed air. If you have access to an air compressor just use a trigger or button operated air hose nozzel and you can blow away 99% of the crud, leaving much less work for your brushes and damp towels. You'll still want to take the doser off and disassemble the parts for a good wash in the sink with dish soap, but it's not TOO hard to do. Just look it over carefully, take some picts, and remember how it came apart so you can reassemble it. And yes, make sure everything is perfectly dry before reassembly. If you're at-all handy with tools it will be fine. Grinders are not terribly complicated. Once you get it apart it will be more obvious how things work in there.

NOTE: You'll want to use the compressed air method outdoors and use eye protection. Crud will fly everywhere. I have a compressor in my garage at home and it's easy to run the hose outside on the driveway for this. If you don't have a compressor you might know a car guy who has one, or maybe someone who works at an auto repair or a body shop.

For a slightly less effective but considerably less messy alternative/preview to the compressed air method, make a quick pass with the nozzle of a regular vacuum cleaner or shop vac first. It'll suck out the loose bits and make everything else easier to see.

Have fun.

Oh, and not to sound like a pansy... but consider wearing latex or rubber gloves when handling the really cruddy bits. Those rancid coffee oils get under your nails and soak into your skin and SMELL AWFUL for hours... even after a thorough scrubbing. Good luck!

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