Cleaning Rocky

[csutak40]

OK, after my successful efforts at backflushing, got all excited and decided to give Rocky a spring clean as well. I have been sort of cleaning it daily, but I hadn’t taken it apart before.

Firstly, I think I should tell you that when I first got it, I attempted to follow the directions on http://groups.google.com/group/alt.c...abad357b9c0312 to set the zero point. Couldn’t do it. When I attempted to turn the adjustment, it got stuck at a certain point. On some further reading, I found that there is a screw in it somewhere that needs to be permanently removed. As I couldn’t find it, I decided to “think about it tomorrow”. :P So, tomorrow has arrived. ;D

I managed to take it apart, removed the three screws and the hopper. Discovered a long screw underneath, which I presume is the screw that’s meant to be permanently removed. At least, I hope it is, because I have no idea where it came out of. I only noticed it after I removed the hopper.

I am following the instructions on how to clean it on http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/cleanrocky . . Mine is different in that it is doserless. The next step, after removing the three screws and the hopper (after cleaning that bit, which Ive done) is meant to be: “remove the top 1lb burr plate and brass holder. Give it a BIG TIME scrubbing with your brush, bristle brush (toothbrush), can of compressed air, all away from the Rocky (I do it outside).”

I can’t budge it. I am not game to be too rough with it, but it seems like it is attached with something, but I can’t see any more screws that need undoing. So, am I doing something wrong?

I’m annoyed at myself for starting this; about to do a course, I’m sure I will be shown how to do it properly! Anyway, now that it is in pieces, what do I do? Is it OK to leave that long screw out of it from underneath? Also, there is a chip on the burr plate (that I definitely didn’t cause) should I worry about that?[img][/img]

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

There is another picture that somehow got missed on the previous post. I hope you can see the chip on the rim

[luca]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Hi Judy,

Which course are you going to do? Id be surprised if any course could cover dismantling specific grinders; maybe just a general overview of cleaning grinders, but I doubt that intro courses have much time for actually dismantling one ...

I cant quite remember what the long screw inside my rocky does, but I vaguely remember thinking that it was kinda superfluous last time I saw it.

I think that you might find that the burr carrier is just plain stiff. I know that when I screw mine in its always stiff at some points. One way to get more leverage is to screw the hopper in and turn the hopper, holding the adjustment tab down when you do so ... actually, I think that that might be where the long screw comes in; I think that it might prevent you from removing the hopper and burr carrier.

(Too lazy to open my Rocky up for you; its all teflon taped up and cleaned out with urnex grindz - humming along quite nicely, thankyou very much)

I cant really make out a chip in the photo ... unless its that discolouration on the furthest side of the throat of the burr carrier. If so, it is of absolutely no consequence. In fact, unless the chip is actually on the blades, I very much doubt that it is significant. Rockys are pretty shoddy as far as fit and finish goes.

From memory, theres a how to on cleaning a dosered rocky, complete with a picture walkthrough, in the resources section of coffeegeek.

Cheers,

Luca

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Which course are you going to do?

Advanced espresso

I cant quite remember what the long screw inside my rocky does, but I vaguely remember thinking that it was kinda superfluous last time I saw it.

It think its meant to stop you from changing the zero point.

I think that you might find that the burr carrier is just plain stiff.  I know that when I screw mine in its always stiff at some points.

Well, that was the problem, I was trying to pull it off, didnt realise it unscrewed  :-[

(Too lazy to open my Rocky up for you; its all teflon taped up and cleaned out with urnex grindz - humming along quite nicely, thankyou very much)

Please explain  ;D  Teflon taped up how?  what is "urnex grindz "?

(I cant really make out a chip in the photo ... unless its that discolouration on the furthest side of the throat of the burr carrier.

 

Thats the one  :

From memory, theres a how to on cleaning a dosered rocky, complete with a picture walkthrough, in the resourcessection of coffeegeek.

Thatt s the one I was following.  Thats the one that said: "remove the top 1lb burr plate and brass holder." not unscrew  

I was also trying to follow the CoffeeKids instructions http://groups.google.com/group/alt.c...abad357b9c0312 on how to set the zero point.    He says "Turn it on. Keep everything else VERY quiet - the Rocky is extremely
quiet without any beans - one of the perks of a high end grinder. "  Mine definitely isnt quiet.  I have no idea what it sounded like before I dismantled it, but am now worried that I didnt re-assembled it correctly.  How do I check?  (I did leave the long screw out, not even sure exactly where it fits.

[Dimal]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Hi Judy,

Also, there is a chip on the burr plate (that I definitely didnt cause) should I worry about that?

From what I can make out of it from the photo, it looks like it could be an accidental machining while the rest of the carrier was being machined, and like Luca, I dont think its anything to worry about.

Re: the long screw.... It beats me where this comes from as mine didnt have one at all (same Rocky as yours, a Doserless). However, the Lux I owned before the Rocky had a longer screw fitted into one of the grind step indexing holes to prevent you setting the grind so fine that the burrs started to grind against each other . If its intended for this purpose, then it might be a good idea to try and find where it came from and refit it.... just as a matter of safety for Rocky .

Cheers,
Mal.

[lochness]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Please explain ;D Teflon taped up how? what is "urnex grindz "?

Im not sure what teflon taping refers to, but here is a link to a short video (1.4MB) I came across a while ago that demonstrates the Grindz in use.
http://tinyurl.com/omajt

From best I can tell these are they, available from CoffeeParts. http://www.coffeeparts.com/accessories/cleaner.html

Expensive for two doses but they seem effective.

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Please explain  ;D  Teflon taped up how?  what is "urnex grindz "?

Im not sure what teflon taping refers to,  but here is a link to a short video (1.4MB) I came across a while ago that demonstrates the Grindz in use.
http://tinyurl.com/omajt

From best I can tell these are they, available from CoffeeParts.   http://www.coffeeparts.com/accessories/cleaner.html

Expensive for two doses but they seem effective.

Funny thing is I have asked about these ages ago, no one here knew it or used it.  Mind you, not sure if its the same thing, they are  Grinder Cleaning Tablets, not Grindz.  Obviously they would do the same thing though.  

I now wish I had used them, instead of dismantling my Rocky    I have a feeling I stuffed it up, no idea how to fix it.  I ground some coffee this morning.  Didnt sound right.  There is a "sound" that wasnt there before when it is stopping.  Then, about when I got  the filter about 3/4 full, it stopped grinding.  I wasnt game to experiment any further, in case I do some real damage (if I hadnt already)  The grind itself was OK, until it stopped grinding.  The machine didnt stop, it just stopped producing coffee

Any ideas anyone, what could be wrong  

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Hi Judy,

Re: the long screw.... It beats me where this comes from as mine didnt have one at all (same Rocky as yours, a Doserless). However, the Lux I owned before the Rocky had a longer screw fitted into one of the grind step indexing holes to prevent you setting the grind so fine that the burrs started to grind against each other . If its intended for this purpose, then it might be a good idea to try and find where it came from and refit it.... just as a matter of safety for Rocky .

Well, from what I read, that screw is (as you say) to stop you grinding the burrs. They say that the only disadvantage of having it off is that it lets the hopper move quickly unless you hold on to it, while adjusting it.

I suppose I sould figure out where it came from, and as it looks as though I will have to take it apart again, I may do so

[Dimal]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Also Judy,

As far as cleaning out the Rocky on a regular basis is concerned, all you need to do is adjust the grind to a very coarse setting ~30+, add about a quarter of a cup of uncooked rice, place a container under the spout and let er rip.

If you do this about once per month, and a vacuum clean about once every six months... your Rocky will stay as clean as a whistle for all of its long life ;D,

Cheers,
Mal.

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Grrrrr, I hate my laptop.  Just finished this post, clicked on “post” it lost the connection, hence the entire post.  Now, to try to remember what I wrote.  >

Somebody up there doesn’t like me!  I have tried to send this three times (saved it to word the third time around, luckily) and my laptop kept losing its connection.  I have now logged on to the PC, just to send this.   >

Funny, never heard of the rice thing until today.  Saw a mention of it during my search for a solution to my present problem.  Glad you explained how to use it, the web page I saw didnt.  ;D  So, I gather, the rice does the same thing as the Grindz does?  If I ever manage to get poor Rocky back together again, I certainly will think twice before taking it apart again!  :  Do you take it apart for vacuuming?

Meanwhile, Im hoping someone is a night-owl like me and is reading this, otherwise I cant have my morning coffee  
 
Took it apart again, started re-reading CoffeeGeeks instructions.  There is this paragraph that the more I read it the more Im not sure:

Once cleaned, clean out your doser well, and reasemble the vanes and plate. Screw your top burr back in, turn it until you feel resistance, then turn it back a couple of revolutions. Plug Rocky in, turn it on and gently turn your burr until you hear a whisper of the burrs touch (watch your fingers). This is your zero point. Note the screw position.

I must be really dense, but...  When "turning it gently" do I press down the adjusting lever?  Does  "turning it on" mean have the power on, or press the grinder button?  With the grinder button on, it certainly isnt whisper quiet!

When I did it yesterday, I pressed the grinder button when I did it (and didnt press the adjusting lever)

I obviously did something wrong yesterday, so I want to make sure I understand it correctly.  It is sitting here all in pieces, and its going to stay like that until I figure out what I did wrong.  Might have to get up early enough to give myself time to go up the street for my morning coffee  

The long screw, btw, screws in under the hopper, next to one of the three screws (at about 73).  What I still cant figure out is where exactly the end goes in the bottom.

[fatboy_1999]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Judy,

The top and bottom burrs screw together.
Bottom burr stays still, top one moves.
The instructions refer to the belief that you will have unscrewed comletely to clean and are now re-assembleing.

Power should be off for all of this part.
Screw the top burr back into the bottom burr and continue to screw until you feel the resistance.

Then move it back a bit.

No, the lever does not need to be pushed.

Now, re-connect power.
MAKING SURE that the burrs are not touching, and keeping appendages very clear, you turn the grinder on. It should just hum as it would when you finish the beans in the hopper.

GENTLY tighten the top burr until you hear/feel the slightest noise or resistance. That is zero point .

Hope that helps you.

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Judy,

The top and bottom burrs screw together.
Bottom burr stays still, top one moves.
The instructions refer to the belief that you will have unscrewed comletely to clean and are now re-assembleing.

Power should be off for all of this part.
Screw the top burr back into the bottom burr and continue to screw until you feel the resistance.

Then move it back a bit.

So far, so good  :P

Now, re-connect power.
MAKING SURE that the burrs are not touching, and keeping appendages very clear, you turn the grinder on. It should just hum as it would when you finish the beans in the hopper.

GENTLY tighten the top burr until you hear/feel the slightest noise or resistance. That is zero point .

Hope that helps you.

Which AFIK is exatly what I thought I did the first time around.  The noise, btw, is definitely lounder than a hum.  When I put coffee in, it didnt sound right.  Mainly it didnt sound right when I stopped grinding - sounded as though something was touching something.  Then, it stopped producing coffee when the basket was about 3/4 full.  Grinder was still moving, but no coffee was coming out.  Thats when I panicked and turned it off.

I have now taken it apart again, cant see anything wrong.  I have just decided to take it down to the shop Ive bought it from.  He will either say "you did what?" :exclamation and tell me that this killed the warranty and I will have to pay for the "repair", or hell be nice and have a look at it for me.  The Rocky manual doesnt even mention cleaning, so obviously you arent EVER meant to clean it.  

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky



Well, just took it down to the shop Ive bought it from.  You DO NOT ever need to clean the insides of the Rocky, I was told.  But, said I, it was full of stuck on coffee, which would go rancid if you left it in.  No, it wouldnt he said, what you saw was what was left from your last grind, which would work its way out during the next grind, so it would never stay in there long enough to go rancid.  

He then said he will try to fix it.  Took it apart (I put it back together for its trip down to the car) asked me what else Ive taken off.  Told him I unscrewed the burr.  He did the same, then screwed it back on, then loosened it by two turns, but he didnt even attempt to set it to zero point, put it back together with 30 pointing to the front, while continuing to lecture me on never to take it apart (which I probably wont   - start using rice or tablets) Plugged it in, it sounded sicker than it did at home.  It is jammed, he announced.  So, poor Rocky is being sent to the doctors    He will next go to Moccopan next Wednesday, (should have taken it down yesterday ) may be ready the following Wednesday, or the one after that.    He also warned me that it may cost me some money.

So,  I had to buy some ground coffee  

I am still not convinced that it really needs a doctors visit, because I really dont think I did anything that could have killed it, but I have no choice  

I wonder if he has the same opinion on the ginders they use in the shop? (never needing a clean)

[Dimal]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Geez Judy,

This sure is turning into a bit of a saga .

By the way, I dont know of anyone who is serious about great coffee never cleaning out their grinder..... what a strange thing to say :-?. With taking it apart and re-assembling it a few times, it might be possible that some coffee cuttings may have worked their way into the motor and become jammed between the rotor and the stator, which causes the motor to hum very loudly, sounds a bit like a growl and the rotor to stop turning. I suppose this is possible but I wouldnt have thought that a few grains of coffee would do this..... Will have to wait and see I guess.

Re: vacuuming Rocky..... after doing the rice trick, I unplug Rocky from the power socket, just unscrew the top burr carrier with the coffee bin still attached, use one of those vacuum attachments with a small nozzle on the end and then get stuck into it where ever the nozzle will reach. This gets every last grain of coffee out that I can see and Im pretty fussy when it comes to cleaning out my coffee equipment .

Anyway Judy, I hope the problem with Rocky is only a small one and that you will be back in business ASAP, and not too much out of pocket either . All the best,

Mal.

[csutak40]

Re: Cleaning Rocky

Geez Judy,

This sure is turning into a bit of a saga .

Aint it  

By the way, I dont know of anyone who is serious about great coffee never cleaning out their grinder..... what a strange thing to say :-?.

I know, I presume he thinks his grinders are also self-cleaning.  BTW, I mentioned the rice to him, he nearly fainted.   ;D  He said, well, if you want to definitely kill your Rocky and void your warranty and pay hundreds for repairs....

With taking it apart and re-assembling it a few times, it might be possible that some coffee cuttings may have worked their way into the motor and become jammed between the rotor and the stator, which causes the motor to hum very loudly, sounds a bit like a growl and the rotor to stop turning. I suppose this is possible but I wouldnt have thought that a few grains of coffee would do this..... Will have to wait and see I guess.

I doubt that very much, I brushed and vacuumed, turned it upside down so I dont see how I could have missed a bean.  Not that I have any idea what a rotor or a stator is when theyre at home  ;D

Re: vacuuming Rocky..... after doing the rice trick, I unplug Rocky from the power socket, just unscrew the top burr carrier with the coffee bin still attached, use one of those vacuum attachments with a small nozzle on the end and then get stuck into it where ever the nozzle will reach. .

Well, now I wish Id have played some more with my already dead Rocky.  I did try to unscrew it with the hopper still attached once, but couldnt figure it out.  As I had other things to worry about, I gave up.

Anyway Judy, I hope the problem with Rocky is only a small one and that you will be back in business ASAP, and not too much out of pocket either . All the best,

Me too, Im going to hate having no grinder for weeks, regardless