PRODUCT RANGE

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

ORDER

TRADE FAIRS

CONTACT

SITE MAP

Troubleshooting ditting^® Coffee Grinders

Grinder cannot be switched on  -  Grinder is clogged up  - Clogged discharge tube 
  Uneven grinding -  Coffee grinds very slowly   
Metal noise after stopping the grinder -  3-Phase grinders

DO NOT take the grinder apart before reading the following:

1. Grinder cannot be switched on (red lamp does not come on):
   --Check whether the power cable is properly connected.
   --Check the circuit breaker under the base of the grinder towards the right rear by pressing it in. If the breaker had been kicked off, it will make a "click" noise when you push it in. You may have to press hard to engage. The newer 3 phase grinders have a rocker breaker switch on the lower right of the machine.
   --Try another electrical appliance in the same outlet to make sure there is power in the outlet (110volt grinders only).
   --If another electrical appliance plugged in the same outlet does not work, check the main circuit panel in the store.
   
2. Grinder is clogged up. (Red light comes on, motor hums, then you hear a "click and the red light goes out).:
   --Check to see if the discharge tube is clogged (See paragraph 3 for instructions).
   --Check for foreign matter in the grinding chamber. (See paragraph 4 for instructions).
   
3. Clogged discharge tube:
   --SWITCH OFF THE GRINDER and UNPLUG THE POWER CABLE

   Four basic problems cause clogging up of the grinder:

   1. Full coffee bag under the discharge tube blocking the exit of ground coffee.
   2. Worn grinding discs chewing on the beans and clogging up.
   3. Worn fins on the lower rotating plate making it unable to push out the ground coffee from the discharge tube.
   4. Dislodged transition tube inside the discharge housing blocking the flow of coffee.

As you perform the following steps, watch for clues as to the cause of your problem.

--Clear out all ground coffee packed in the discharge tube by inserting a wooden pencil in the opening. If the discharge tube is full of coffee, you obstructed the flow of ground coffee by having a bag smaller than the amount of coffee being ground. You might eliminate this problem by using a bigger coffee bag or by tapping on the bag while grinding the last 3rd of the beans.
--Do not lift the hopper (funnel) while it contains coffee beans.
--Remove coffee beans from the hopper using a vacuum cleaner, if necessary.
--Remove the 4 corner screws of the cover plate and remove it with the hopper.
--Dismantle the stationary disc flange by unfastening the 4 cheese head screws.
--Check whether the lower grinding disc (plate) is turning freely. (Use a socket wrench on the center bolt of the rotating disc to turn it easier). If the rotating disc does not turn freely, your problem is a frozen bearing or a bad felt seal around the rotating disc that needs to be changed. This could be caused by extended use of flavored coffee.
--As you turn the lower rotating plate, see if the fingers along its circumference are wiping all the coffee out of the exit hole. If a thickness of coffee is remaining against the outer wall of the grinding chamber more than the thickness of about 3 business cards, the rotating disc must be changed. (Accumulation of coffee on the wall of the housing will act as a brake on the motor).
--Clear the obstruction in the exit hole towards the discharge housing with a small screwdriver or pencil.
--If the discharge tube was not full, nor was the inside edge of the grinding chamber around the wipers, then the cause for the clogging up was due to a foreign particle between the grinding discs or worn out grinding discs. If you cannot find foreign matter and everything else looks good, you need to change the grinding discs. Grinding discs are sold in pairs. The first time you buy a new set and later return your old ones for exchange with a factory resharpened set, you save about 40%.

For reassembly instructions, see paragraph 5.

1. Foreign matter in the grinding chamber:
   --Set adjusting knob setting to number "9" and start-stop the grinder a few times. 50% of the time, the problem might clear itself out. If the grinder does not run, proceed as follows.
   --SWITCH OFF THE GRINDER AND UNPLUG THE POWER CABLE.
   --Remove all the coffee beans from the funnel, using a vacuum cleaner if necessary.
   --Remove the 4 corner screws of the cover plate and remove it with the funnel.
   --Unfasten the 4 cheese head screws and remove the stationary disc flange.
   Remove foreign  matter, if any, and vacuum. Inspect grinding discs for possible damage or wear.
   
2. Reassembling the coffee grinder:
   --Cleanliness is a must to get good uniform grind. All mating parts have to be very clean to get Turkish fine grind with your grinder. (Your grinder parts are precision machined. Coffee particles between parts would nullify the precision quality work). The circumference of the grinding chamber where the 4 cheese head screws attach, and the mating surface on the stationary disc flange (top flange) have to be shining clean.
   --Replace the stationary disc flange and the 4 cheese head screws and tighten.
   --Replace the cover with the plastic funnel.
   --Set the adjustment on #1 (Turkish grind) and grind 10-15 beans. The output should be very fine powder. If the output is not satisfactory, adjust the grinder as in paragraph 6.
   
3. Adjusting the grinder for proper grind (calibration):
   a--Start the grinder with no coffee in it.
   b--Turn the adjustment knob clockwise and set #1 in front of the red arrow.
   c--Loosen the center screw of the adjusting knob about 1/8 of an inch.
   d--Pull out the knob and, still in the pulled position, turn it counter-clockwise until #3 is in front of the red arrow.
   e--Release the knob so that it pulls itself towards the grinder; then turn the knob slowly towards the #1 until you hear metal scraping. If they don't touch, repeat from step "d."
   f--Turn the knob back one line counter-clockwise.
   g--Pull out the adjusting knob and, while in the pulled position, place the #1 against the red arrow and release. (The knob will engage with the internal gear).
   h--Position the aluminum cover on the adjusting knob to fit in the groove and tighten the screw.
   i--Grind 10-15 beans on the #1 setting. The output should be fine powder.
   1. IF the coffee is grainy, repeat from step "d". If it does not improve, replace the grinding discs.
   2. If the coffee comes out powder but slowly and in balls, the setting is too close. Repeat from step "d." If the coffee comes out too slowly, replace the grinding discs.
      
4. Uneven grinding or excessive dust particles:
   --Indication of badly worn grinding discs. Replace the discs.
   
5. Coffee grinds very slowly and the grinder housing heats up:
   --The discs are worn out and instead of grinding the beans, they are "chewing" them. Replace the grinding discs to return the quality back to your grinder and prolong the life of the motor.
   
6. Metal noise after stopping the grinder on #1 Turkish setting:
   --The discs are not adjusted properly. They are too close. Repeat paragraph 6.

CAUTION: IF COFFEE BEANS FALL OR HAD FALLEN INSIDE THE GRINDER, YOU MUST UNPLUG THE GRINDER, PLACE THE GRINDER ON THE TABLE ON ITS BACK (MAKING SURE NOT TO CRIMP THE POWER CABLE), OPEN THE BASE, AND VACUUM THE FALLEN BEANS AT THE BASE OF THE GRINDER. YOU NEED THE AIR FLOW TO KEEP THE  MOTOR COOL. ACCUMULATION OF BEANS AT THE BASE CAN RESTRICT AIR FLOW AND OVERHEAT THE MOTOR AND/OR CAUSE A FIRE.

PLEASE SEE 3 PHASE GRINDER TIPS FOR MODEL 1403.