Rancilio Rocky Jams

by **sku** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:28 pm

Hi all. I'm a newbie here and I tried to find info on this problem but couldn't, so apologies if there is another post somewhere covering thiss.

I just bought a Rancilio package with a Rocky and Silvia. The Rocky seems to jam. The motor is still running, beans loaded, but no grounds coming out. If I smack it a few times it seems to continue but it does this a lot, which seems odd for a brand new machine. I'm grinding at 7, but I changed the grind (both coarser and finer) and it has the same problem.

Is this a general problem or likely a specific problem with my machine? Thanks for any feedback.

by HB on Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:32 pm

I owned a Rocky doserless and the coffee beans occasionally needed persuasion to keep moving, especially if they were oily. Some baristas reported using a chopstick to stir. Assuming the espresso is otherwise good, what you describe sounds like part of the Rocky/Silvia "charm" that has been copiously detailed online for years. In an effort to reduce returns, it's clogging proclivity is even called out by vendors like 1st-line:

1st-line wrote:This grinder was designed in Italy to use smaller and less oily beans. You can use large and/or oily beans with machine by removing the finger guard. However you might have issues with large and/or oily beans not feeding into the grinders properly or the machine making a mess.

<snip>

Please note as with all coffee grinders, it is very important to only change grind settings on Rocky coffee grinders when the unit is powered 'on' and the burrs are in motion. If you do not do this, the burrs will 'gunk' up and require cleaning by you every time this occurs. Changing the grind settings when the burrs are not in motion will render the grinder to only produce very coarse grinds or no grinds at all. If this result occurs, this will be considered operator error for lack of following directions, and will not be classified as a defective grinder - meaning this is not covered under warranty.

by **sku** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:51 pm

Thanks! Is the finger guard the thing that is in the bean container which covers the actual grinder? If so, can you just remove with a screwdriver or something?

by HB on Sat Dec 18, 2010 6:05 pm

You could remove it, but I managed with it in place. They don't call it "Rocky" for nothing.

by **sku** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 8:44 pm

Hmmm, I'm still within the 30 day return period from 1st-line. I wonder if I should get a Mazzer Mini. Big price increase from the Rocky though.

by **sweaner** on Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:38 am

How much more would the Baratza Vario be?

by **sku** on Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:05 am

About $100 more.

by **Aaron** on Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:04 pm

I had this problem quite often as well when I had a Rocky. It happens more often with oily beans. I removed the finger guard and the beans seemed to feed better, but obviously there is a safety reason that it is there. There is not too much you can do to drastically improve this feeding issue for the Rocky. If you can return it and don't mind a little more money for an upgrade, then go for it. If this is your price range then stick with it and try a lighter roasted bean and removing the finger guard.


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