mjackson ♦ It could be a few things. It may be that the grinder gets stuck in between settings. Take and rotate the grind adjustment to you feel it catch at the number you want to be at. I t may also be as you discovered a cleaning issue that would be more likely if you are using a dark or oily bean. The humidity will affect the grind and you may have to adjust it based on changed shot times. I do not think any damage was done. Here are some detailed cleaning instructions as well.

Rancilio Rocky SS Grinder Cleaning and Calibration
Applies to: Rocky Doser, Rocky Doserless

For your safety, please read through all of these directions before beginning.
ALWAYS UNPLUG THE MACHINE BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANYTHING!

Tools Required
1. Flat-Head Screwdriver
Dis-assembly and Cleaning
2. Empty both the bean hopper and the ground coffee dispenser.
3. Locate and remove the 3 chrome flat-head screws at the bottom of the bean hopper.
4. Lift the bean hopper out the machine.
5. Removing the hopper will expose the large round brass top burr plate. Rotate it counter-clockwise until the plate is out. This will provide access to the grinding chamber.
6. Thoroughly clean the grinding chamber. This includes all of the threads, both on the top burr plate and the matching threads on the wall of the grinding chamber. Clean the burrs as well. A group brush or firm tooth brush does a good job cleaning the parts and threads in the grinding chamber. Be sure to clear the chute between the grinding chamber and the ground coffee dispenser as well. Use a vacuum to help get all of the nooks and crannies in the grinder completely clean.
Calibration and Re-Assembly
1. Replace the burr plate by turning it clockwise until snug but not too tight.
2. Making sure that the machine is off, plug the machine in.
3. Find “absolute zero" on your grinder. Proper calibration of the Rocky SS grinder depends on finding absolute zero. This is the point at which the burrs first touch while spinning. It is also the point at which the Rocky SS is grinding the coffee as finely as possible. (Similar in texture to powdered sugar) The sound of the burrs touching while spinning is unmistakable. It’s a high pitched metallic “chirp” plainly audible over the sound of the Rocky SS motor.
4. Turn the machine on very briefly (2-3 seconds). If the “chirp” of the burr plates is not heard, rotate the brass top burr plate either clockwise or counter-clockwise until absolute zero is located by the telltale “chirp.” If the grinder sounds like it is winding down when you turn it off, the top burr needs to be tighter. If the grinder sound immediately stops, you have reached the absolute zero point.
If you've tightened the plate as much as possible but can't make the burrs chirp, you may want to remove the plate and inspect both sets of threads for trapped grit. Even a small clump of ground coffee stuck in the wrong spot can stop you from reaching absolute zero.
5. Turn off and then unplug the machine.
6. Replace the bean hopper. The #1 or absolute zero setting should be facing front. Replace the 3 chrome flat-head screws.
7. Now turn the hopper to the number that you normally use for grinding coffee. (Note: Since you have recalibrated the grinder, the number you have been using may change slightly)
8. Pour a small amount of coffee beans into the hopper.
9. Plug in and test machine. If everything was re-assembled correctly, you've successfully cleaned and calibrated your grinder.

04-19-2012 9:47am |