CoffeeGeek - Espresso: Grinders - Espresso, (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

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(Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

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c8_h10_n4_o2
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Joined: 29 Mar 2008
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Espresso: Rancilio Silvia w/ Auber PID
Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Capresso...
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Posted Sat May 17, 2008, 4:59pm Subject: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

Just got my new Mazzer Mini, read the user manual in detail, set the thing up and tried adjusting the dial for coarseness ... and it is TIGHT !!! So here is my (possibly very dumb) question - is it supposed to be very tight ? Or am I doing something wrong (like missing a switch or lever I am supposed to press when turning the dial) ? All I did was - screw in the mini handle to one of the side screw holes on the dial, turned the grinder on, and tried turning the dial using the handle. I did not read about, nor did I see any switch or any lever that I needed to push (the Rocky that I was using before had a switch that I had to press in order to move the hopper to adjust coarseness). Is the Mazzer Mini supposed to have some such lever/switch that needs to be pressed while turning the dial ? Is the dial supposed to be very tight ? If so, how do people do fine adjustment by turning the dial a little at a time ? Whenever I try to do this, the dial does not move at first, then when I increase pressure a lot, it suddenly moved 2-3 markings at a time. I have always turned the grinder on before trying to turn the dial (per the instructions). Also, I always tried turning when there were no beans in the grinder. Lastly, the "zero point" for my grinder is just at about "5" ... is this common ? The set point sticker seems to be right on though, as mentioned in the coffeegeek first look article, and so far I am getting perfect grinds when the arrow points at 6'o clock. Thanks in advance for any feedback !

Marshall_S
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
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Espresso: Rancilio Silvia PID'd
Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Baratza...
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Posted Sat May 17, 2008, 5:19pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini grinding coarsenss (it is TIGH

Hi: Mine is clearly not as tight as yours. Unfortunately, I'm not mechanical and I don't know if this is normal to vary so much from one machine to the other. As far as how to use, you've got it right. You simply turn it on and turn the dial one way or the other. On mine, it has some resistance but it does not take a great deal of force to move it. Just to be safe, you might want to call someone from where you bought it and see what they say-

c8_h10_n4_o2
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 41
Location: CO
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia w/ Auber PID
Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Capresso...
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Sat May 17, 2008, 7:53pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini grinding coarsenss (it is TIGH

Thanks Marshall ! Glad to know I didn't miss anything critical. I will call the vendor on Monday ... their technical support was very good last time I spoke with them.

Keepitsimple
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Joined: 12 Sep 2006
Posts: 209
Location: UK
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Espresso: Reneka Techno
Grinder: Mazzer Mini-e

Posted Sat May 17, 2008, 11:40pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

I think they should be tight, but not stiff, if you can see what I mean - tight, meaning some resistance to movement, but that you can move it smoothly (with a bit of practice perhaps) - stiff, meaning that it will only move in jerks. The only time mine has been a problem is after unscrewing the burrs to clean it out, and getting somed grounds stuck in the threads (which are greased) The zero point in every one is at a different number. That's why they are individually calibrated and stickered at what the factory considers a good starting point for espresso grind. I suppose the numbers may have some use, but Ive never figured out what.

Bobenis
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Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 120
Location: Victoria, BC Canada
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Ascaso Dream & Gaggia...
Grinder: Mazzer Major
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Posted Sun May 18, 2008, 3:34pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

My Mazzer Major gets tight at times as well. The easiest way to move it is to turn the grinder on, while it is running you can spin the collar with little effort. That is how I do mine as I have several areas marked on my collar with black electrician's tape cut into a triangles so I know where I am spinning it to for different beans and grind types. :)

c8_h10_n4_o2
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 41
Location: CO
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia w/ Auber PID
Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Capresso...
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Sun May 18, 2008, 4:57pm
Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

Bobenis Said:

My Mazzer Major gets tight at times as well. The easiest way to move it is to turn the grinder on, while it is running you can spin the collar with little effort. That is how I do mine as I have several areas marked on my collar with black electrician's tape cut into a triangles so I know where I am spinning it to for different beans and grind types. :)

Posted May 18, 2008 link

Thanks ! Yes, I am always starting the grinder before turning the dial as well. I am guessing it is tight just because I *just* started using it (and was perhaps expcting it to be as loose as the Rocky - which is probably not realistic given the stepless-ness of the Mazzer). With a bit of use, it seems to slowly loosen up a bit (or may be I am getting better with practice :) )

scalla
Senior Member

Joined: 27 Feb 2008
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Location: Tucson, AZ, US
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Espresso: Silvia
Grinder: Mazzer Mini E, Rocky DL
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Posted Mon May 19, 2008, 8:04pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

Yep, mine is tight too. If the little handle was not there you would have a tough time turning it. Since it is designed to last forever I figure a little tightness is to be expected. I never did find my zero point. Not sure if I'm missing something or not. Right now I am getting nice pulls of Black Cat with it set right at 6. I never even noticed it ( just knew I was 5 small ticks finer than the sticker). That makes me wonder what the point of the sticker is if 6 is the right setting?

c8_h10_n4_o2
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 41
Location: CO
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia w/ Auber PID
Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Capresso...
Roaster: Behmor 1600

Posted Mon May 19, 2008, 8:56pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

Mark's review suggests that each grinder is individually dialed in such the with the black arrow pointing straight towards front, the grind should be perfect for a good pull; in my case, using the Intelligentsia Black Cat, if I pull this way, the grinds are too fine and it takes over a minute for a 2 oz shot. So I have it set to a few clicks on the coarser side (my arrow is around 6:30-7:00 o' clock position) and with this I am getting nice pulls.

Luca
Moderator

Joined: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 2,639
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Espresso: H: Maver W: FB-80
Grinder: H: Super Jolly W: Brasilia...
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Posted Mon May 19, 2008, 9:09pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

I'd try emptying the hopper, turning the grinder on and making large fine/coarse adjustments repeatedly. That might help to wear it in. The other thing that you could try is pulling it apart and cleaning out the threads. However, if it is hard to adjust the collar, it might be hard to put it back together. I guess that it's possible that there is too much grease or some teflon tape or something in the threads. Cheers, Luca

Pour Quality (My Blog): http://www.pourquality.blogspot.com/ I have left Veneziano Coffee to finish my degree. A big thank you for some amazing times, guys!

espressoperson
Senior Member

Joined: 9 Jul 2004
Posts: 114
Location: Philadelphia
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Olympia Cremina
Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Vac Pot: Cona
Drip: Press Pot
Roaster: Hottop

Posted Tue May 20, 2008, 6:13pm Subject: Re: (Newbie) Question about adjusting Mazzer Mini coarsenss dial (it is TIGHT !)

Get an extra collar pin and place it so there is one on each side of the grinder. It is so much easier to grab a pin in each hand and "steer" the collar to the exact location you want.

MichaelB

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