Do I need to empty all coffee beans from my burr grinder (Rocky) before setting to a finer grind? The literature does not mention this. Thanks!

No, you don't need to empty to hopper, but you do need to run the grinder as you tighten the setting. It can be a real pain with the doserless model.

In case it's not obvious, no need to run if you are going more coarse.

Reposted from MACAP M4 overheats/shuts off running empty:

HB wrote:Some vendor/manufacturer advise that you always run the grinder during an adjustment. Their concern is binding the motor by forcing the burrs together when the grinding chamber is full. Rather than explain the reasons behind their recommendations, they offer blanket statements, with the caveat that they'll void your warranty if you don't do as prescribed. I appreciate their predicament with a public that unknowingly does damage to new equipment and blames the reseller. However, to be clear:

• Grinder motors generate a lot of heat; they'll all overheat eventually, even if run empty
• Running the motor to the point that the thermal protector cuts off power is a bad thing
• How long it will take to overheat depends on the grinder. The owners manual may state the max on/min off time, it may not. I advise no more than 30 seconds on and a minimum of one minute off
• There is no risk of binding the burrs if the adjustment is coarser
• There is no risk of binding the burrs if the grind chamber is truly empty.

To answer your question more directly, you should empty the hopper and the grinding chamber if turning finer, unless of course you're willing to waste a bit of coffee by running it while adjusting. It is not necessary to empty the hopper and grinding chamber or run the motor if turning coarser. Very small adjustments either way can be done without emptying the hopper or grinding chamber, but there is a slight risk of the burrs binding and stalling the motor. Powering the motor without it spinning is a bad thing.

On slightly different but related topic; Do you think there is any danger restarting the motor after it has turned off but is still spinning (winding down)?

Endo wrote:On slightly different but related topic; Do you think there is any danger restarting the motor after it has turned off but is still spinning (winding down)?

I don't see why that would be a problem.

Let me describe my recent experience:

I bought a press pot and wanted to try it out, so I adjusted my Rocky from 12 to about 30. Later I went to adjust back to 12 and was met with some resistance so I stopped. I did not push it because I did not want to damage anything. Because of some other things happening in my family I had to leave it at that.

The next day my wife dumped the beans but still could not adjust to a finer grind. Later that day I tried grinding at 40 and the machine was not working. I don't believe the burrs were turning at all, and there was certainly no grinding occurring. With a sinking heart I disassembled the upper and lower burrs and cleaned them out with a brush, then put it all back together. In the process I noted that the lower burrs would sometimes turn smoothly, and were sometimes tight. I am sure it was not cross threaded. I turned until the burrs touched, then backed off a little bit and put the upper burrs back on. I then proceeded to grind and all seemed well. Finally, I adjusted to a lower grind setting and noticed that I felt the same smooth/rough pattern as I adjusted. This time I was more aggressive and got the setting to where I wanted it.

Hopefully you could follow my story. My question is, does it sound like something is wrong? Secondly, I am pretty sure the grind I got from a setting of "12" before will now be completely different since I moved things around. Does that sound about right?

Thanks again for your help. I am hoping to be able to use this grinder for both espresso and press without too much trouble.

Was the grinder running when you tried to adjust it to a finer setting? If not, you might have jammed the burrs with some leftover coffee. Taking it apart and cleaning it out should take care of the problem, unless you managed to seize the motor by trying to run the grinder when the burrs were jammed. Sounds like you didn't do any permanent damage though if you're able to get the grinder to work now.

The tightness while adjusting may also be from coffee grounds getting into the burr carrier threads. You need to get them as clean as possible when you disassmble the grinder, otherwise there can be resistance when they're put back together.

fizguy wrote:I am hoping to be able to use this grinder for both espresso and press without too much trouble.

Not a good idea. Press pot requires a different grind distribution than espresso. When you go from coarse to espresso there will be leftover coarse coffee in the grinder that will end up in your shot. Save up and get a dedicated press grinder. It will make your press coffee better and espresso making less frustrating.

cafeIKE wrote:Not a good idea. Press pot requires a different grind distribution than espresso. When you go from coarse to espresso there will be leftover coarse coffee in the grinder that will end up in your shot. Save up and get a dedicated press grinder. It will make your press coffee better and espresso making less frustrating.

My goodness this is an expensive hobby!

Please name an inexpensive hobby

Bird watching?

Looked at the cost of good glass lately
The missus' Swarovski's cost more than the Vibiemme Domobar Super HX and Macap MKX combined...

cafeIKE wrote:Not a good idea. Press pot requires a different grind distribution than espresso. When you go from coarse to espresso there will be leftover coarse coffee in the grinder that will end up in your shot. Save up and get a dedicated press grinder. It will make your press coffee better and espresso making less frustrating.

Balderdash! Rocky can be used quite safely and effectively back and forth between press and espresso or whatever, been doing it for over 8 years. With previously mentioned caveats of not adjusting finer with beans in hopper while grinder not running. However, that is not an issue for me since always only put beans in for particular brewing, whether it be a single shot or vac or press etc. Residual grinds isn't an issue either with click-clack for hopper bellows combined with brushing chute and of course doser aka grinds dispenser tape mod for clean sweep assisted by brushing.

That said if I had more counter space I would have a second grinder on the counter and Rocky would not be the primary espresso grinder.

I've had my rocky doserless lockup like mentioned when trying to go from press pot to espresso. I also think it was beans jamming up the motor.

After loosening the grind and getting all the beans out and readjusting, the motor was fine. Now I try to measure out per usage so I can adjust without beans in it. Like someone said, why risk having different finesses of grinds in whatever your making anyways.