Any tips on using a Simonelli Grinta grinder?

[espressoheadyvr]

Hi

Recently got a used grinta but somewhat clueless on how to use and adjust it...

Anyone have tips on using a Simonelli Grinta grinder? what's the plastic dohickey on the side for? i tried grinding beans but the top half just slipped and moved around; is there a trick to locking it in? simonelli website not helpful..

[DavidMLewis]

Well, I think your questions are related. The plastic doohicky on the side about which you're asking is supposed to be the stepped adjustment release; you press it down to release so you can move the top. If the top turns, i.e. the adjustment changes, when you try to grind, my guess is that the spring under the release is missing or shot. I modified mine to make it stepless, but you should probably get it working in stock form before you mess with it. Unscrew the top all the way and look for the spring under the release. While it's open, clean it thoroughly. The Grinta has heavy white grease in the burr carrier threads, sealed with an O-ring from the burrs themselves. I usually clean it out with a pipe cleaner and isopropanol, and use LubriPlate PureTAC to replace it, that being a good food-grade heavy white grease.

Best,
David

[espressoheadyvr]

Thank you David.

It appears I have no spring - which makes sense now.

By the way; any recommended settings for espresso? I notice if I screw the top half in all the way it sets on the number "1" and if I turn on the machine I hear the burrs grinding together...is that bad?

Is there a number setting you can you use?

[DavidMLewis]

There's never a "number" setting for any grinder, since it depends on the individual burr set among other things. The zero is the point at which the burrs start to touch, although you have a little flexibility with a flat-burr grinder, since the cutting edges aren't what touch. With coffees that don't contain aged or monsooned beans (which take a much finer grind), I'd start for espresso maybe three clicks above that point. With a new grinder like this, you might want to start with a pound of coffee you don't care that much about, or you might just decide not to worry about it; it's unlikely to take you more than half a dozen shots to dial it in in any case.

Best,
David