The key is the phrase food safe or non toxic. That suggests that it is ingestible. When you use JoeGlo you must flush liberally with water to make sure there is no residue remaining. That is also part of the reason you pull a seasoning shot after backflushing and cleaning. It helps to insure the residue is washed out with the dish water.

assuming you rinse things, JoeGlo/Cafiza should be no problem -- i don't see any difference between cleaning a boiler and a grinder with them. You run the risk of ingestion from both.

True, but it's harder to rinse out the grinder's chamber than a boiler. Certainly I would not recommend sticking your grinder under a running faucet to clean it.

HB wrote:I wouldn't introduce anything into the grinder's chamber that's not edible.

OK, I'll qualify the above by adding "unless you can rinse thoroughly."

Baking Soda is a great idea. I have my hopper soaking in a baking soda bath right now. Will report tomorrow.

I'm not too concerned with the smell coming from the actual machine. I'm fairly sure that the smell will be gone within time.

I soaked the hopper in a baking soda solution for two consecutive nights and it seems to have done the trick. Only a faint smell is left, which I can live with.

Now just waiting for my tamper and things to get to me so I can pull my first shot.
Thanks for your suggestions