Having just read the post re: cleaning Mazzer, I did a search for tips on cleaning the Cimbali Jr and did not find much. Maybe you can help. I upgraded from a Rocky doserless this Spring and got a new Cimbali Jr. from the CG buy and sell forum. Works beautifully. I grind about one pound per week for espresso drinks at home, so maybe 40 lbs through the grinder since new. Per other suggestions, I have been running Uncle Ben's rice through the machine about once a month. Recently ordered Grindz and will use that from here on out. Question, what else should I be doing? Thanks

When I got my used Cimbali Jr grinder, I tore it down completely removing all the outer sheet metal and cleaned it up and put it back together. I did not go so far as to remove the doser completely, but I did remove the doser top and vanes. Removing the body sheet metal was a bit disconcerting as it took a great deal of force to back the lower screws out of the cast frame. I thought I was going to round off some screws. The doser top also wasn't too much fun so I would avoid that as well.

Now for regular maintenance, the above isn't necessary. I just wanted it like new before I used it.

So this is what I would do:

Unplug machine
Remove hopper, via 2-4 screws inside the hopper.
Wash and dry hopper.
Once you have the hopper off, if I recall you will see the top black trim ring and the worm drive mechanism. I know I removed the trim ring, but you may not need to, I can't recall.
Remove a few screws that hold the grind adjustment ring to the top burr carrier, remove the grind adjustment ring. If I recall this has two parts, an inner and outer ring, make note of their orientation.
Thread out the top burr carrier (big brass body), you will clean this up in a minute.
Now you will see the bottom burrs that are attached to the motor shaft. You probably see lots of coffee grinds/beans and build up.
I removed the bottom burrs to clean them and to clean under them in the grind chamber. I used one screw driver to stabilize the bottom burr holder to stop it from spinning, and another to back out the screws holding the bottom burr.

Clean things up with a whatever you feel appropriate, grinder brush, nylon or brass bristle brush, vacuum, moist paper towels, you get the idea. I did not remove the top burr from the top burr carrier, I felt I could get them plenty clean as they were. I washed the bottom burr set so that it would install without any grinds under it.

While you have it this far apart, I would brush and vacuum out the grind chamber chute.

Put it back together, the only step you need to take caution with here is to find the zero point and reinstall the grind adjustment ring such that the numbers are oriented properly at zero.... you can only get so close to zero, mine is about dead on. If you seem like you are way off from where you were check your reassembly.

Here are some internal pics so you can see what you are about to get into:

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1163663883

Jeff: Thanks, especially for the pics. I think I will dive in this weekend. Pat

I got my Cimbali during the HB birthday bash. Here are a few photos with the covers off

Could any one tell me how to clean the chute of Cimbali Jr. grinder without take it apart? Unlike the chute of SJ which I can just use brush to clean directly, Cimbali Jr. has a piece plastic plate right in front of the chute which kinda blocks the way to reach out to the chute. Please share your experience or any tips. Thanks!

Yen-Chen

A small bottle brush bent to angle the tip works nicely

I removed that plastic tab (with a Dremel tool) and installed a replacement for it on the actual lid (I hot-melt glued a flap that is actually a bit bigger in surface area than the tab was). This blocks any flying coffee from scattering throughout the hopper, then, when you remove the lid, it goes with it and out of the way. One additional benefit of this design is that it gives you complete access (I use my finger) to the underside of the area where that tab used to be. If you run your finger along this underside, you'll see that a fair amount of coffee sticks up there.

As far as cleaning out the chute, I use a curved piece of plastic (actually one side of a hair clip... it's thin and long enough to be able to reach inside there and scoop out any coffee from the chute - just be sure that the motor has wound down to a stop.

I used to have a Junior and ultimately upgraded to a Max-Hybrid - which I prefer in many ways, two being that less coffee remains in the exit chute, and the motor winds down almost immediately (whereas the Junior takes its sweet time).

cafeIKE wrote:A small bottle brush bent to angle the tip works nicely

Thanks! Quick and simple! My bottle brush is just too big... need to find a small one soon...

RAS wrote:I removed that plastic tab (with a Dremel tool) and installed a replacement for it on the actual lid (I hot-melt glued a flap that is actually a bit bigger in surface area than the tab was). This blocks any flying coffee from scattering throughout the hopper, then, when you remove the lid, it goes with it and out of the way. One additional benefit of this design is that it gives you complete access (I use my finger) to the underside of the area where that tab used to be. If you run your finger along this underside, you'll see that a fair amount of coffee sticks up there.

Hi This is excellent. Moving the tab away and attaching it to the lid is just smart. I definitely want to do it if I have the proper tools. Could you please share some pictures? Thanks!

RAS wrote:I removed that plastic tab (with a Dremel tool) and installed a replacement for it on the actual lid (I hot-melt glued a flap that is actually a bit bigger in surface area than the tab was). This blocks any flying coffee from scattering throughout the hopper, then, when you remove the lid, it goes with it and out of the way.

Very clever!