Grinder Issues

Each grinder may come with their separate challenges, and in this article we will cover the common practices to avoid, and troubleshooting tips when issues arise.

A Jammed Grinder

A jammed grinder can occur when certain conditions are in place. It's important to clean your grinder to the manufacturers specifications. If a grinder remains unclean for long enough, coffee oils and grounds can build up in your grinder, and lead to jammed burrs.

In any case a jam occurs, follow the manufacturers directions to disassemble and clean your grinder. Always make sure your grinder is unplugged if you're performing any sort of maintenance. Most grinders come with cleaning tools such as brushes to help remove coffee grounds during the cleaning and disassembly process, and operation manuals to guide you through the process. Do not expose your grinder's burrs to water, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer. Some burrs can develop rust if exposed to water while cleaning.

Another tip to prevent your grinder from jamming, especially if you plan to grind single doses, is to ensure your grinder's hopper is clear and the burrs are running before adding the coffee beans. Turning the grinder on first will ensure no beans get stuck between the burrs. In rare cases, coffee may come with extra surprises like rocks or other fun items that your grinder won't like. Single dosing allows you to quickly look at the beans before committing them to the grinder's hopper. 

We understand the desire to fill your hopper with coffee to grind on demand. That being said, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to dosing the coffee beans before you make your morning brew. The pros include:

• Keeping your beans in a sealed vessel will ensure freshness, including if kept away from light

• The coffee beans won't be making constant contact with your grinder's surfaces, such as the hopper, which will prevent further buildup
• You can start the burrs before adding the beans to help prevent jamming

Coffee Doesn't Taste Good

If you have troubleshooted coffee type, coffee-to-water ratio, and grind size, but the coffee still isn't tasting optimal, there's another step to consider. It's important to clean your grinder periodically to ensure there are not any old coffee grounds or oils left present in the burrs and mechanism. If coffee oils or grounds are allowed to sit for a while, they can become stale or rancid, and these flavors can make their way into your morning brew. Dark roasts specifically will allow more buildup of coffee oils inside your machine. If you like dark roasts, maintaining a tight and possibly more frequent cleaning schedule can be imperative.

It's also a good idea to "purge" your grinder periodically. If you're changing coffees or grind sizes, it doesn't hurt to put a gram or two of coffee beans through the grinder before grinding the dose for your next brew. This will prime the dose to have consistent grinds and the flavor profile associated with the new coffee.

Online PDF Manuals for Grinders Sold on Ratiocoffee.com

• Baratza Encore
• Baratza Virtuoso +
• Baratza Encore ESP Pro
• Baratza Forte BG
• Fellow Ode Gen 2
  • Get to Know You Guide
  • Safety/Maintenance
• Fellow Opus 2
  • Get to Know You Guide
  • Safety/Maintenance