Niche Zero grind consistency issue - is this normal?

Grinders are one of the keys to exceptional espresso. Discuss them here.
Chalky
Posts: 34
Joined: 11 years ago

#1: Post by Chalky »

I've had a little more than a year with my niche and after my last cleaning of the grinder I noticed that I had to grind about 4 steps finer than before with the same coffee for espresso. Shots have been a little hit and miss and I wasn't sure why until I recently started using an aeropress for americano style coffee. It seems that theres a large variance in particle sizes that the grinder is producing, with the larger particles floating up to the top before compressing with the aeropress - you can see how the density of the particles is significantly different from the top vs bottom half.





I thought this might be misalignment that could have been caused by cross-threading the adjustment dial when reassembling the grinder but it's always been very smooth and threads on very naturally, I can't for the life of me figure out what's causing this issue.

While re-seating the burrs carrier I noticed it has some play/wiggle room where it could possibly shift/tilt while operating. The burrs themselves look perfect without appearance of any wear or damage and I was wondering if this could be a possible cause for the uneven grind distribution.

I know fines are always expected but I dont think the particle sizes should be nearly 50/50 between large and small like this...

Abecker
Posts: 238
Joined: 6 years ago

#2: Post by Abecker »

I noticed similar play in the burrs, but after talking to Niche they said it was by design and wouldn't cause issues with the grind. I considered that there is the possibility that it could be off center and cause a mix of finer and coarser grinds.

Chalky (original poster)
Posts: 34
Joined: 11 years ago

#3: Post by Chalky (original poster) »

I'm still kinda stumped on why after my first thorough cleaning the grind setting had to jump 4-5 marks finer with the same roast to get back to 25sec shot time. I ignored it for the longest time but when I recently starting making aero press coffees, the pucks jumped out at me as very odd.

thirdcrackfourthwave
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#4: Post by thirdcrackfourthwave »

Is the bolt tight enough?

Chalky (original poster)
Posts: 34
Joined: 11 years ago

#5: Post by Chalky (original poster) replying to thirdcrackfourthwave »

Yes, plenty tight with the NFC disk. I don't think the bolt affects alignment much though either.

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MB
Posts: 792
Joined: 10 years ago

#6: Post by MB »

Did you loose a spring or two?
(Extras in the base.)
LMWDP #472

Chalky (original poster)
Posts: 34
Joined: 11 years ago

#7: Post by Chalky (original poster) »

Any chance this could be caused by the blend I'm using? It's not SO. Are some beans harder than others and possibly coming through the grinder coarser?

Chalky (original poster)
Posts: 34
Joined: 11 years ago

#8: Post by Chalky (original poster) »

MB wrote:Did you loose a spring or two?
Har har, NO! :P

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MB
Posts: 792
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#9: Post by MB »

Not joking. There are two springs that are exposed when cleaning that can easily come out.
LMWDP #472

Chalky (original poster)
Posts: 34
Joined: 11 years ago

#10: Post by Chalky (original poster) replying to MB »

Sorry, I thought you were teasing. I removed the springs carefully before blasting their holders out with compressed air and re-seating both of them.

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