Gaggia MDF - Cleaning, Calibrating and Burr Removal

In this video Jeetinder G. shows how to clean and calibrate the Gaggia MDF.
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[@hillar09]

Is rice a good replacement for Grinz?

[@Espressotec]

Thanks for the question! We never advise our customers to use rice to clean their grinders, as the grains can grind into a very fine powder that can then gum up and clog the burrs. Grindz and other grinder cleaning crystals are designed specifically to avoid this problem and leave you with nothing but clean burrs. Our philosophy is that nothing should go through a grinder except coffee and specifically designated cleaning supplies. If you have any other questions, please feel free to send them our way, either here or by emailing [e-mail]!

[@aatishbhatia3351]

I've been watching this video once or twice a year for the past nine years. It's perfect. Please don't ever take it down, I don't know how I'd clean my grinder without it!

[@murphyebass7837]

I've used this a few times cleaning my machine. Great instructions. Anyone with an mdf just do this. It makes a world of difference. I really need to do it more often.

[@hawkeyeted]

Picked up an MDF off eBay for $50 shipped. Followed these instructions, soaked the upper burr in Cafiza to dissolve the oils that had solidified, no works perfectly. Thanks!

[@joshlashells8303]

This was a huge help. Got our used grinder working like a champ again.

[@juanitag.8591]

Thank you! You saved me an expensive trip to the repairman after my grinder started making horrible noises. A small piece of hard plastic had fallen into the grinder. With the grinder open, I took the opportunity to clean it of all the built up oils and bean pieces. It sounds new.

[@ivanpagac7946]

very good video - good on timing and explanation and very good camera work - i can see everythig

[@AndrewSmithSeattle]

So helpful! Thanks for helping keep my old grinder out of a landfill. Only thing to add: the round “bumps” that sit under the top burr assembly that give it the clicking sound can fall out or get vacuumed out along with their springs underneath. Be careful not to lose these.

[@lgallagher]

😂 I just washed mine down the sink 🤬

[@ramonmichaud3004]

Just what i needed to recalibrate my very very old unit. Still works as good as new. Thanks

[@KenWallaceFilms]

Thanks so much for this. I juts bought a new Baratza, but my Gaggia is now my pour-over grinder. It was in desperate need of a cleaning but I had no idea how to take it apart. This worked perfectly--now it's good to grind again!

[@Espressotec]

That's awesome! So glad the video was helpful for you. Feel free to contact our service centre if you have any other questions!

[@rsparrow]

Thank you, have successfully calibrated my MDF and my espresso is much better!

[@tobyr21]

Thanks, you're instructions were just what i needed. -Toby

[@aatishbhatia3351]

Love this super clear explanation! Went through all the steps and it works great. Thanks! One thing I noticed is to be careful that the bean hopper is correctly aligned when screwing it back in.. turns out it's possible to screw it in a bit crooked (if you tighten one of the screws or nuts more than the other one). The other thing to be careful of is that if you turn the grinder upside down to clean it when it's open, the two stops (2 little plastic caps each on top of a spring) under the burr will fall off, so remove them first.

[@Michael_Stigall]

Thank you for the information! I serviced mine with no problems after following the instructions. I might add one note for the other viewers: after calibrating, I had to move my grinder setting up at least 1 step in general. The first shot I pulled with the same grind setting as usual and the same beans had my espresso maker bogging down, taking nearly a full minute to pull the shot.

[@curthawkinsvoiceover]

this is such a wonderful video! so easy to follow! thank you!!!

[@pierrechristen9025]

Hi, thank you, that's a great video! After a calibrate mine, which setting is recommended for an Italian coffee pot?

[@tonychurch6829]

Excellent video, thanks!

[@jimgaldos4272]

Thank you so much for making this!!

[@Espressotec]

Glad we could help

[@chrislewissd]

Great video! Thank you for making it! I just purchased one of these used and I am taking it apart to clean. Problem is there is quite a bit of caked on guides in this thing. Should I continue to just use tools to chip away at this mess, or can I soak the parts in vinegar and allow it to properly dry?

[@Espressotec]

Chris Lewis Could you explain what part you mean by the guides? For old coffee stuck in the grinder use a pick or brush to remove the excess coffee grounds. Also wipe the surfaces with a cloth to soak up the old coffee oils.

[@IsaacOLEG]

@@Espressotec as this is greasy I think mineral spirit may help . I used hot ultra sonic bath but not anyone have this ..( sodium Crystals may work to get rid of old gunk I think, rince well)

[@Espressotec]

@@IsaacOLEG Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

[@IsaacOLEG]

@@Espressotec sodium crystals are more or les the same as the pulycaff powder (some use only sodium crystals to backflush). I am not sure minéral spirit is so good (because it evaporates soon) but I changed the burrs on a gagglia MDF grinder. Some screws where stuck and the burr plates where glued by the old coffee gunk/oils. The efficiency was obtained with heat . I used a hot gun, but a hair gun should do it if you keep heating long enough. Regards Acids ( citric 30%, sulfamic10% lactic10%) , are good to clean the calcium from tanks and circuitry. If really blocked find some phosphoric acid it is stronger than the others (unlocked a pump with some) rince first with sodium carbonate to stop the acid reaction then clean water. Sodium Crystal's in hot water may clean the filters and the holder without need to brush. Rince well.

[@IsaacOLEG]

I noticed that if you use teflon tape so you can regulate eith half numbers, with the tape you get rid of any play between the burr holder and the tank support. But be cautious to use same number of turns everywhere. 2 thickness of tape where enough for my old model (80') . With the 2 spring loaded fingers I am not sure the parallelism is guaranteed between the burr plates. Anyway I did put teflon more than once,until the plate could turn without rubbing ( very lightly only in the end)

[@nicholas8479]

Thank you for the video. I think your burrs are too close. I would have zeroed at the step before or even the step before that. What is the torque specification for the center nut? There is a lot of coffee tar under the lower burr holder that I can't reach. I'm assuming you hold the motor still by placing some kind of tool in two of the lower burr mounting holes?

[@troyholt9728]

Thanks so much! Easy to follow!

[@ABHORRANCE831]

I was given this grinder, but it came loaded with some very rancid beans. I went through these steps, which were extremely helpful and easy to follow. I cleaned my pieces, and even soaked them in a Puly solution, dried, and reassembled. Unfortunately, the grinder STILL smells and tastes like 1+ year old rancid coffee. Any suggestions? Thank you!

[@TrentBurrows]

I steam cleaned the individual components bar the motor and washed the larger bits in bowl of hot water with detergent. It now looks brand new. They are very good machines and can be restored back to

[@uffa00001]

I would soak them in whisky, or pure 96% spirit. Alcohol dissolves fat by design.

[@tonychurch6829]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@cathyadele]

I don't know what I did wrong. I've followed your instructions before with no problems. Excellent instructions, btw! But the this time I'm not getting any "clicking sound" at all when I screw the upper burr holder back into position. I haven't tried removing the lower burr or anything else beyond what you demonstrate. I'm stumped. Thanks

[@dreich1000]

You more than likely didn't install the two caps and springs that sit in the metal housing. Look at around the 6:00 min. mark. You can see those caps sticking up one in front the other in back.

[@MiguelMartinez-eq1jz]

Aren't you damaging the burrs by allowing them to touch during calibration?

[@testolas]

I have a older Gaggia MDF grinder it does not have nuts that hold the bean hopper. I can see there are screws on the other side which I can not get to from the top. Does the hopper just screws off?

[@Espressotec]

Thanks for reaching out, Terrence! Take a look at this diagram: www.espressotec.com/gaggia-mdf-part-diagram.html We don't carry this grinder anymore but from what we remember and from a look at the diagram, it looks like there might be a securing screw... Try clearing it of beans and see if you can find it. Hopefully the diagram helps.

[@dreich1000]

There should be two screws. They are hidden by rubber caps. You need to pop them off with a small flat blade screwdriver.

[@pierrechristen9025]

I'm so upset, one of the two small brass screws just broke while mounting it back. Anyone knows where I can find a new one?

[@katlinaddessi6115]

I turned it over because I dropped a screw and two springs with what look like little bullets dropped out... did I break it?

[@gerryheynes5082]

I’m sure you’ve worked out how to put them back, but just in case someone else reads your comment and has the same issue, check out around 5:50 mark on the video and you’ll see them in shot. Put the spring in then the black cap and it will be fine. They are what produces the clicking as you set the grind. Regards, Gerry

[@delynkies9465]

How often do you recommend the manual clean? I use mine every day on 9 for espresso.

[@Espressotec]

Delyn Kies Every 6 to 12 months depending on usage. Or one could use Grindz every 3 to 6 months depending on usage

[@delynkies9465]

Espressotec Thank you. Very helpful.

[@NYCgoblue]

Thanks for the video. I used grindz to clean mine, but it left such a large amount of residue that I need to open the device to clean it out. I lifted off the protective rubber pieces hiding the screws inside the hopper, then unscrewed the screws and the hopper would not come off. Can you recommend what I do next?

[@Espressotec]

NYCgoblue I would ensure to use Grindz on a medium grind setting to ensure it doesn't clog for the future. Build-up of coffee grease has "glued" the hopper in place. You can use a rubber mallet to hammer the hopper upwards and out gently.

[@NYCgoblue]

Espressotec thank you! I'll give it a go.

[@tommyfender1968]

how often does this grinder need to be maintained. I have never cleaned mine.. I have owned it for roughly 3 or 4 months

[@Espressotec]

Thanks for the question! We recommend vacuuming out the hopper and burrs, then running a tablespoon or two of Grindz (pellet-shaped detergent: bit.ly/2GNMPR1) every 3-4 months to alleviate oil build-up. The hopper will need to be removed and cleaned manually with paper towel - make sure there is absolutely no moisture inside when you put it back. We also suggest using a grinder brush (we offer a few varieties in our web store) to sweep away any dust or grounds from the chute and burrs. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to [e-mail]!

[@federicopick7130]

Gracias! Very helpfull!. What about "false chirp"?. Im confused. Regards!

[@Espressotec]

Federico Pick Not sure where you heard the false chirp from, could you elaborate?

[@federicopick7130]

Espressotec Hi, in the calibration manual of the MDF says: Sometimes a false “chirp” can be heard. Another way to ensure that the burrs are at absolute zero is to listen for the sound after you switch the grinder off. It the motor sounds like it is winding down, then the burrs are still freely spinning. If the motor stops immediately, then the burrs are touching. The false chirp may be heard when the engine is running or when this off? Thanks!!

[@Espressotec]

Federico Pick That is when the burrs are almost touching. Due to a slight wobble during rotation the burrs will touch here and there but this is not your zero spot. Set it such that the burrs make contact and stop when the power is cut.

[@flashgordonmd]

thanks! where's your shop?

[@Espressotec]

just on 1015 Clark Drive in Vancouver, BC, Canada

[@fnjafri1981]

i was cleaning using this video and these two rubber caps with springs came out of mdf, not sure from where. would you know how i would remedy this?

[@dreich1000]

Farrukh Jafri Those rubber caps and springs sit between the upper and lower burrs. They provide the steps when adjusting the grind size. You're probably not getting the clicking sound when rotating the hopper. You need to remove the hopper and upper burr, then drop the springs (first) and the caps into the holes provided. Put the hopper and upper burr back, then calibrate the grinder as shown in the video.Take a look at the 5:40 mark in the video. You an clearly see the two caps sticking up from the metal housing, one in front and the other in back.

[@chrishall7915]

Is it really necessary to have the burrs starting to touch when recalibrating it? (8:15) That must surely cause damage ...

[@Leo-wm7cd]

I think you may count the clicks, but just a little touch of the burs are no problem( from my expierence) PS: I just hear the noise a little, I spin the hopper very carefully and I do it with one hand on the off button so it touch for a very short time

[@IsaacOLEG]

@@Leo-wm7cd you can turn it with a thin tool from the opening where the coffee goes out, then no need to check with the motor first.

[@IsaacOLEG]

If you push on one side of the tank and there is some play the regulation is not good.

[@philwhite5489]

I can't get those plastic caps off the top of the screws in the hopper, even though I'm using a pick as shown. Maybe I have an older version of the MDF that doesn't have them? Any ideas anyone? I'd appreciate a little help.

[@Espressotec]

Sorry to hear you're having difficulty! The screws are designed to be removed; it could be that there is coffee residue built up that is interfering with the threading. Take a look and see if there's a build-up that can be brushed away, give the area as good a cleaning as you can, then try again. Let us know if you need any further assistance!

[@philwhite5489]

@@Espressotec I finally got the caps off by inserting the pick into the top of the rubber - it wouldn't work coming in from either side. Following your instructions in the video, I successfully replaced the burrs, gave the MDF a thorough cleaning, and then reset to absolute zero. It wasn't grinding anywhere near fine enough for espresso, but now on #4 I'm getting a perfectly consistent shot again. Thanks for sharing this video for free - a great resource.

[@aznoubi]

Hi, changed the motor and reassembling it I somehow can't get the lower burr to rotate. Motor and gold lock nut are rotating, but not the burr... I tighten it as much as possible... What can be wrong?

[@konstantinostomadakis6571]

Do these burrs need change and if so how often?

[@Espressotec]

Thanks for the question! This can vary depending on the age of the grinder and the volumes it grinds everyday. The best way to test is to actually feel the burrs (CAREFULLY) to see if they've dulled. They should feel sharp when gently touched, like a chef's knife.

[@MrMohammedmtb]

Guys . I have gaggia mdf vintage orange i don't know how to take off the bean hopper

[@leahdarlow4686]

Did u find out how to do it? I’m also trying

[@Fiy144]

Can i clean it with water?

[@Espressotec]

Water wouldn't be wise as you would have to ensure it is fully dry before assembling and it wouldn't clean the bean oils out.

[@mortenwiversen]

My beanhopper wont go straight up. Its stuck. Im affraid to break it... Any ideas?

[@ironmantooltime]

Let's see if that gets my grind fine enough 👍