Breaking in a New Espresso Grinder: Burr Seasoning and More Tips

Learn the basics of working with a new espresso grinder: Grinder do's and don'ts, breaking in and seasoning burrs, preventing and fixing grinder jams, cleaning a grinder manually and with Urnex Grindz, basics of dialing in grind size and more.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:34 Grinder Basics
2:34 Do's and Don'ts
3:50 Seasoning Burrs
5:50 Grinder Jams
6:55 Shots Too Fast or Slow
Related Videos
How to Dial In Grind Size for Espresso: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIC8aHdmZ9Nnedk
Review Ceado E5P, E6P and E5SD Grinders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anavZn1ql7mLqpI
Review Eureka Espresso Grinders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZfLkndvhLWkmpqGeview Ceado E37S Grinder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpaanYaendBnm8k
Products:
Urnex Grindz grinder cleaner: www.wholelattelove.com/products/urnex-grindz-grinder-cleaner-15-2oz-bottle
WHOLE LATTE LOVE Get expert advice on products to best fit your needs. Call the coffee experts at Whole Latte Love:585-924-7170Talk to our experts via chat or email: www.wholelattelove.com/contact-usWhole Latte Love on Social Media---------------------------------------------------------► Follow Whole Latte Love on Instagram: wholelattelove► Follow Whole Latte Love on Twitter: wholelattelove► Like Whole Latte Love on Facebook: WholeLatteLoveOnline/

[@StephenBoyd21]

Thanks Mark. A great intro to new grinders.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

You are very welcome! Marc

[@angelaainsworth1715]

Marc, we purchased the first generation Barratza Sette grinder from Whole Latte Love and the grinder went out. The Barratza people replaced the old part with a new part at no cost. Thank you for such wonderful customer service . We love you guys!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi AA, Thanks for the love! Baratza has excellent customer service! Marc

[@falcon81701]

This is why I paid more and bought the Eureka Specialita. I really wanted the Sette but seen too many examples of failure so didn't want to risk it.

[@wicklowjohn]

Great video Marc

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey WJ, Thanks 👍 Marc

[@WilliamBrown-oc7fp]

This guy is really good!! Good video

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey William, Thanks for the kind comment. That guy - Marc

[@gunayorbay]

Marc has been low-key educating a generation about coffee equipment. WLL is my go-to place for anything coffee.

[@ozpain1]

Was gifted some SSP Reds for my ceado and definitely need to break them in. My new zero point is now around the 2 setting!

[@Swimmingforlife.]

Great video Marc, just got a new Mazzer Lux D, nice grinder and easy to use, for me anyway, LOL. Kind regards from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Johnny

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey Johnny, Thanks for the comment! Regards from the US! Marc

[@Ricky310Rick]

I got the Ceado E6P and omg it was hell trying to adjust the grind setting. It was clumping a ton and still running too fast but also running too slow. Very frustrating but I think I got it now. I had no idea about the seasoning aspect until I spoke with WLL support. They told me about 11lbs of coffee should be sufficient to season the grinder. The programing is tricky too. If I set it for about 11 secs, it will dispense anywhere from 18g to 19g when pulling multiple shots in the same setting and time. Very variable so I'm happy I got the scale nearby to keep track. It's def a learning process trying to dial in and season the grinder all at the same time. I've got videos on my page of my inexperienced self trying to figure this out haha. Im getting better though!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hey RR, Thanks for the comment sharing your experience. As grinders season they will grind slightly more per second due to lubrication of components with coffee oils making things a bit more slippery. a 1g variation in dose weight cycle to cycle is what I expect with this grinder and is typical for other in this price range. For those who are very particular a scale is the way to go! Marc

[@alakazam482]

Hand grinder supremacy

[@DavidPetryk]

great video. my Ecm s64 auto clogs like crazy. I hope it improves as it seasons like you suggested grinders do in the vid.

[@4wolverines]

I have the same grinder. I bought it because it matched my synchronika. For a step less & as much money as it was, I’m not too impressed with it. I’m new to making espresso but I’m not sure about this grinder.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi David, Thanks for the comment. Seasoning should help. Clogs can happen if you get too fine. Do check/clean the SSC screen. Marc

[@rjejames28]

I just bought a niche grinder, I'm thinking maybe a pound at course grind then a pound at the grain of sand level grind should be a good start for seasoning.

[@ruano1642]

Marc, thank you for everything❤️ I got now the Ceado E37S, i love this grinder, so thankfull to have it. Now i noted that, there is some channeling, is this normal with a new grinder? I bought also a Profitec Pro 700 and im very happy, i wanted to ask you if you and the team may can make a video about temperature during brewing or tell me how accurate the pro 700 is and if it is normal after steaming, that it makes some sparkle noise inside the machine? Thanks for helping and thanks for the recommendation for this machines. Stay blessed❤️🙏

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi YL, Thanks for the comment. The E37S is an excellent grinder... huge burrs, quiet, powerful, precise adjustment and excellent waterfall distribution into portafilters. I've done Scace brew temp testing of the Pro 700 in the past and it's very accurate. Not sure about the "sparkle" noise. I'd have to hear that. Marc

[@ruano1642]

@@Wholelattelovepage thanks for the answer Marc, i realized that it was my fault the channeling, now i need to work more accurate while i am dialing in because with the specialita from eureka which is a super grinder, i had not to work as good as now i think, but the ceado e37s can get more out of the bean, i am happy to be able to drink now these super quality espressos. I can recommend the e37s its a masterpiece in everything :D and to the Pro 700, for me its a super machine, everything is fine, i was just wondering if this is normal with this noise because it happens sometimes, that it sounds like water is falling into a grill haha, but maybe its new to me as a beginner. BR Yosuah

[@lelandtebo9016]

This guy just kinda has that radio voice… really good don’t know if they hired this guy but he has that voice that you would expect of someone that was hired.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi LT, Guy with voice speaking here... Yes they hired me full-time about 11 years ago. Not for the voice - wasn't even a consideration. Hired for the passion for coffee! Marc

[@judithstowell7998]

I have a Eureka Mignon Specialita and I use a very dark Sumatra. Ok do love it. Currently, I use a Nanotech basket in a Brezzara naked portafilter. My portafilter takes 18 to 18.5 grams of ground coffee. My 2 shot espresso generally runs 20 - 22 seconds. Should I try getting a finer grind??

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Judith, Thanks for the question. In the end always let taste be your guide. 20-22 is a little short on timing - especially if that's from pump on and not first drip. General guide is 20-30 seconds from first drip. I'd try a slightly finer grind to get a 25 second extraction from 1st drip and see if you prefer the taste. Marc

[@TunesByTanzil]

Thanks always for the great tips. Just bought a Mignon Silenzio today! Looking good Mark, new glasses? Have you been working out mate?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Tanzil, You are welcome. Yes on the new glasses. It's cycling season so the winter weight is coming off. Thanks for noticing! Marc

[@tonler1]

Hello Mark, thanks for the video. I’m really new in the espresso world. I just got my F64 Pro yesterday, I have put about 1kg of cheap beans for it to season the blades. I know 1kg is not enough to season the blades. But I still get lots of clumps out the grinder. Is it common for new grinders to get some clumps? Thanks.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Tony, It's not uncommon to get some clumps and they should reduce with time as coffee oils coat the internals. Grinding speed in grams per second will increase as well. Bean type and ambient conditions can play a roll. Dark oily beans tend to clump more and you can get more clumping in humid environments. Marc

[@Kats072307]

Hi Mark. I own the Ceado E6P. What I have noticed, is that with light roast coffee beans, the more I grind coffee (and the hopper slowly empties), the dose changes. And while making my espresso on my Silvia, I get more coffee out, than before with the hopper containing more beans. While with dark roast coffee beans, the dose doesn't change, no matter if hopper is full or almost empty. It seems that with dark roast beans, it grinds much more consistent than light. Is that normal? Any tip on how to treat light / medium roast coffee beans?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi K, Thanks for the question. So lighter roast beans (especially specialty grade) tend to be denser and harder than darker roast. I believe the down force of more beans in the hopper helps the denser beans feed more consistently to the burrs. So when less beans in the hopper one is more likely to get variations in feed rate. I believe dark roast feeds more evenly as the leading edges of the burrs have an easier time "grabbing" the softer beans. This is normal. Tips are: 1. Keep more beans in the hopper. 2. Know you'll likely need to bump your dose when there are fewer beans in the hopper. Marc

[@MI5Hellsent]

Great tips! I hadn't thought about having the grinder grinding whilst going finer but it makes so much sense now!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Glad it was helpful! Marc

[@Ricky310Rick]

Hi Marc, my E6P doesn't have the screw on the side of the dial but it doesn't go past 6 even though its supposed to turn to 8. Where else could this screw be?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi RR, Should have mentioned in the video some Ceado models have that set screw on the top of the grind adjustment collar. If you see 3 screws on top it's the one furthest out from the center. Marc

[@NielsLieman]

Hi Marc. I got an older ceado e37s. Do you think it would be possible to replace the top adjustment mechanism in order to have a turning knob to adjust grind settings instead of a sliding one?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi Niels, Thanks for the question. The Quick Set Gear Upgrade Kit is compatible with Ceado E37S grinders with serial numbers beginning with F, G, or H. Upgrade available here: www.wholelattelove.com/products/ceado-quick-set-gear-upgrade-kit Marc

[@NielsLieman]

@@Wholelattelovepage The serial number begins with an F, so this looks like a great upgrade for my grinder. Thank you very much for your help!

[@JleeOG]

I have been using my Silenzio for about a year, and it recently jammed. I opened it to clean the burrs and there was something like a coffee “cake” accumulated inside. I cleaned it, but now it is prone to jamming. Have I broken something in it? It is jamming daily. Help please.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi J, Weird that it would be jamming after cleaning. I would think it would be less likely after removing the coffee cake! Think it's unlikely you broke something so long as your top burr is mounted properly which is hard to get wrong. I would back off to a coarser grind and work your way down to a finer grind. Marc

[@mohammedhussein8173]

Hi Marc hope you fin. I have a question, in fact it's an issue with my new baristapro nanotech 20g basket, the shot is disaster (chanaling, fast, terrible), compare to previous vst 18g with the same grind setting and dose and equipment)( ceado e6p grinder and rancilio silvia machine). Even I tried to make the grind finer, but the same disaster).??!!

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi MH, A couple of thoughts. Likely more headroom in your 20g vs. the 18g basket which may be part of the issue. Silvia is prone to flash boiling (you probably know this) depending on where the boiler is in its heating cycle. Maybe blowing more steam in a larger headspace is causing trouble. The BPN and VST baskets are similar in being better than stock but hole patterns/sizes may be different so grind size adjustment is likely needed. Beyond that many other variables which may cause channeling. Marc

[@mohammedhussein8173]

@@Wholelattelovepage thanks it was helpful thoughts.

[@chaosrex5702]

Ironic, if this video had been available when I got my Ceado grinder from you guys back in January of 2021, I probably wouldn't have returned it.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi CR, Well that's a bummer - the more you know! Marc

[@livingavision]

Hi Marc. I’ve got a new DF64 with the stock titanium burrs. In a normal 16-18g basket I can only get 12.5g in there for a proper shot extraction. Could this be due to needing to season the burrs?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi P-W G, Probably not. Seasoning generally refers to the burrs (and grinding chamber) being coated by oils from the beans. The main change from seasoning is a slight increase in grams ground per second. Keep in mind filter basket ratings are more guides than actual capacity. Grind the same weight of light and dark roasted beans and the volume can be drastically different. Dark roasts are not as dense as light roasts so they produce a higher volume in your filter basket. Marc

[@livingavision]

@@Wholelattelovepage Thanks. I’ve used an older Macap m5d and a used Breville grinder with these baskets. I could get 18g in with those. With the new DF64, the grind for a good shot only gets me 12.5g in the basket. Same flow rate but way different dosage. Hence I was wondering if it had to do with breaking in the burrs. (I have ensured they’re aligned / calibrated).

[@livingavision]

@@Wholelattelovepage apologies. My scale was set incorrectly and giving me wrong readings. All is well actually :)

[@Wholelattelovepage]

@@livingavision NP! Marc

[@rachelhowery2466]

Hi Mark, question for you. I can’t find an answer anywhere. How often should you replace grinder Burrs? We have a Super Jolly grinder in our coffee shop and I have been searching and searching for answers with now luck.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi rh, Thanks for the question. Standard steel burrs should be replaced after ~800kg of grinding. I wish manufacturers were more open with this information! Ceado is a manufacturer that is sharing these burr lifespans: Low Alloy Steel: 800kg Alloy Steel: 1500kg High-Alloy Steel: 2500kg Coated burrs: Titanium: 2500kg+ Red speed: 2500kg++ DLC: 2500kg+++ Hope that helps! Marc

[@yvettefleisch1361]

Love all WLL videos! Have had my Eureka Mignon Facile for about 2 months now. I don't keep the beans in the hopper because I'm concerned about freshness. We have more windows than walls and keep the temperature in the kitchen around 77 F so the beans stay in an airtight container in the dark pantry and we just single dose grind. However, I've recently read that the lack of weight affects the grind size on the Eureka. What are your thoughts? And what do you think about those bellows modifications that supposedly clear the chute you can find on Etsy for single dosing?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi YF, Thanks for the comment and question. With the higher temp and all the light you are better off not storing beans in hopper. Beans in hopper to improve feed of beans to the burrs and result in more consistent grind output rate. If single dose grinding you can expect some internal retention of ground coffee. I've found starting and stopping the grinder a couple of times after all beans appear to have been ground can get a little more coffee out. I have not tried third party bellows to help clear the grinder but many purpose built single dosing grinders do use them so it might help. Marc

[@CorrupteddSanity]

Any update on the defective Eureka Helios models?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi h, Not sure what you are referring to. Marc

[@CorrupteddSanity]

@@Wholelattelovepage eureka helios grinders. Defective clump crusher.

[@sandyd4271]

Hi Marc! Sorry I’m late! 😅

[@Wholelattelovepage]

All good - new you'd arrive at some point. Better late than never! Marc

[@RiseUP869]

wao...I want to know the name of every parts of espresso machine ? can you help me for that ???

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Hi PA, For sure! Let's start inside the machines with a look at 4 different boiler types, their parts and how they function. This video includes cutaway models of the boilers so you can better understand how they work: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYbcqKKIqJmgm7s Marc

[@RiseUP869]

may I know the name of every barista tools ?? any pdf file ??

[@akokada973]

Hope u guys use all that coffee.

[@Wholelattelovepage]

We drink all the coffee!

[@sethde10]

Why did you steal James’ thumbnail style?

[@Wholelattelovepage]

Lol! Hey Seth, Text over a color bar (James uses black by the way) over a photo is incredibly common for thumbnails. We round the corners of the text box. He does not. Marc