Hello everyone,

I occasionally use this as an easy clean of one tiny part of the grind path. I dial the SJ burrs down to their zero point (the chirping) for just a moment; all it takes is a quick touch. Once I return to my espresso (or, right now, Chemex) setting (or get within the ballpark), and once I have backed off of the zero setting, I no longer hear the lighter chirp (not the burrs touching, just the squeak from a few remaining particles gumming up the grind path a bit) until the next time I grind.

(I am realizing now that this method is more feasible for a drip or french press grind where the grind setting accuracy is not as critical.)

Is this a method that anyone uses to clean out that space (between burr disassemblies)?

Note: "Don't be lazy and just take the burrs apart" is an acceptable, even encouraged, response to this post.

consider Grindz

also consider rice and minute rice then take the plastic top off and brush out.

run a few beans through just before your next brew or shot

The burrs only touch at their outer ring. If I remember correctly, this is about the only place in the grind chamber where there is no dirt or compacted grinds. So I don't think the system does any cleaning at all.

Just want to dig up this thread to ask a question about rice.

I'm buying my first espresso grinder, which is looking more and more like it'll be a refurbished Baratza Maestro. I live in an apartment with other people, and one of my roommates seems interested in grinding different coffee in the grinder, which I'm not wild about as it'll be a different roast than mine, will be for a French press, and might be decaf every now and then. I've heard, though, that rice can clean out a grinder. If we're diligent about running a handful of rice through the grinder before and after each grind, would we be able to use the grinder effectively for these different grinds/roasts? Would flavor suffer? If so, how much?

Thanks!

If your grinder leaves coffee grounds behind it will leave rice/Grindz behind also so whats the point? Use a decent vacuum to clean out the throat/inner burr area & chute when changing coffees or to remove stale grinds. Once a month break it down & give it a thorough cleaning.

Ah, good point. Do you just use the hose from a normal vacuum cleaner? I suppose a dustbuster wouldn't work quite as well...

Thanks again

applky wrote:Ah, good point. Do you just use the hose from a normal vacuum cleaner? I suppose a dustbuster wouldn't work quite as well...

Thanks again

I use our household Meile set on the highest setting. It's strong enough to suck the grounds out that get packed in under the burrs on my Majors.

JohnB. wrote:If your grinder leaves coffee grounds behind it will leave rice/Grindz behind also so whats the point? Use a decent vacuum to clean out the throat/inner burr area & chute when changing coffees or to remove stale grinds. Once a month break it down & give it a thorough cleaning.

Well, rice and Grindz are oil free, so they shouldn't stick as bad as coffee, but you still have a point.