Calibrating Your Burr Grinder
Most grinders leave the factory with a factory zero that doesn't account for your specific burr wear or alignment. You only need to calibrate once every few months or after a deep cleaning to keep your grind size predictable.
Know your contact point
Clean the grinder burrs thoroughly before starting, as stray coffee oils or particles will throw off your sound detection.
- Small screwdriver or hex key
- Soft-bristled brush
- Microfiber cloth
What goes in.
- N/AEmpty, clean hopper
Listening for Chirp
The 'chirp' is the faint, metallic sound of the burrs just barely grazing each other. This is your true zero.
The method.
Clean the chamber
Remove the hopper and the top burr carrier. Brush away every particle of old grounds from both the top and bottom burrs.
Reassemble to near-touch
Reinstall the top carrier and turn it clockwise until you feel resistance. Do not force it.
Find the zero point
Plug in the grinder. Turn it on for one second at a time while slowly rotating the collar clockwise. Stop the moment you hear a high-pitched metallic ticking sound.
Set the reference
Once you hear the chirp, back the adjustment collar off counter-clockwise by about 10-20 degrees. This is your calibrated zero.
Lock the collar
If your grinder has a collar-locking screw, tighten it down so the dial reflects zero at this exact position.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Always adjust your grind finer while the motor is running to avoid jamming the burrs.
If your coffee tastes muddy or bitter even on the coarsest setting, your calibration may be too close to zero.
Perform this only when the machine is cool, as thermal expansion can change the burr spacing.
The ones that keep coming up.
Why does my grinder make a loud screeching noise?
You have gone too far past the zero point. Stop immediately and back the collar off counter-clockwise until the sound disappears.
How often should I calibrate?
Check it whenever you notice your dial settings no longer produce the same grind texture, usually after a heavy cleaning or several months of daily use.
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