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  • Rocky problems after cleaning

    Today after only 2 weeks of light use, my Rocky stopped working - it was humming but not able to grind.

    So I figured it was probably jammed....so I unscrewed the hopper to see what might be causing the blockage....I cleaned out everything from this angle but it still wouldnt work.

    So I unscrewed the shoot that aims the grinds into the portafiller (well thats the theory) and cleaning out some hardened grinds inside the machine (between the bur and the output) and that did the trick - all working again.

    Then I screwed back on the hopper and disaster - the grinds were course enough to sand the paint of my kitchen bench, even on zero.

    So I took the hopper off wondering what the hell i had done...finally after repeating this a few times i noticed that the brass coloured thing that the hopper attaches to wasnt screwed all the way down ....so i tightened this and I managed to get it working to the point where the grind was back to normal.

    The whole process seemed very random and I am not 100% convinced that the grind numbering is the same any more....

    There is nothing in the manual that covers anything like this.

    Anyone else experienced this?

  • #2
    Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

    Originally posted by 475C5D4A0B03010B330 link=1255773927/0#0 date=1255773927
    Today after only 2 weeks of light use, my Rocky stopped working - it was humming but not able to grind.

    So I figured it was probably jammed....so I unscrewed the hopper to see what might be causing the blockage....I cleaned out everything from this angle but it still wouldnt work.

    So I unscrewed the shoot that aims the grinds into the portafiller (well thats the theory) and cleaning out some hardened grinds inside the machine (between the bur and the output) and that did the trick - all working again.

    Then I screwed back on the hopper and disaster  - the grinds were course enough to sand the paint of my kitchen bench, even on zero.

    So I took the hopper off wondering what the hell i had done...finally after repeating this a few times i noticed that the brass coloured thing that the hopper attaches to wasnt screwed all the way down ....so i tightened this and I managed to get it working to the point where the grind was back to normal.

    The whole process seemed very random and I am not 100% convinced that the grind numbering is the same any more....

    There is nothing in the manual that covers anything like this.

    Anyone else experienced this?
    The rocky can be a little tricky and the numbers never mean much to me... Mine is on 20..

    Take ya time and take care.... Follow the instructions in the following link... http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/HowToRocky.html


    I also get it where on occasions every thing is running but no beans get down as they get stuck with a bit of crap and grime... Some slight extra pressure on the beans and all work again..

    With that in mind I modded my Rocky to allow the little mushroom to sit about another 5 - 8 mm higher... More freedom to shove the beans in

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

      I removed the finger guard. Now if you want to grind small quantities you can sit a tamper on top.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

        Originally posted by 123E2D2B363E3300123031343A265F0 link=1255773927/2#2 date=1255830534
        I removed the finger guard. Now if you want to grind small quantities you can sit a tamper on top.
        What do you mean "finger guard" ?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

          Originally posted by 514A4B5C1D15171D250 link=1255773927/3#3 date=1255853096
          What do you mean "finger guard" ?
          Inside the hopper, there is a piece of plastic that stops ya finger going into the burrs, like an upside down bowl in the rocky

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

            Originally posted by 0E0A2C3535302F3837590 link=1255773927/4#4 date=1255853405
            Inside the hopper, there is a piece of plastic that stops ya finger going into the burrs, like an upside down bowl in the rocky
            Ok, so how does this help things ?

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

              Originally posted by 0F20292B3C032F202F292B232B203A4E0 link=1255773927/1#1 date=1255774318
              I also get it where on occasions every thing is running but no beans get down as they get stuck with a bit of crap and grime... Some slight extra pressure on the beans and all work again..

              With that in mind I modded my Rocky to allow the little mushroom to sit about another 5 - 8 mm higher... More freedom to shove the beans inCheesy
              Originally posted by 032F3C3A272F2211032120252B374E0 link=1255773927/2#2 date=1255830534
              I removed the finger guard. Now if you want to grind small quantities you can sit a tamper on top.
              Originally posted by 3A212037767E7C764E0 link=1255773927/3#3 date=1255853096
              What do you mean "finger guard" ?
              Originally posted by 191D3B222227382F204E0 link=1255773927/4#4 date=1255853405
              Inside the hopper, there is a piece of plastic that stops ya finger going into the burrs, like an upside down bowl in the rocky
              Originally posted by 3A212037767E7C764E0 link=1255773927/5#5 date=1255853550
              Ok, so how does this help things ?
              You asked

              As per AMs post, he was identifying a problem that sometimes occurs with the rocky, and a possible solution

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                Have had a similar problem, hence my search that got me onto this thread. I have had my Rocky for about 3 weeks (2nd hand), and it did the whining-no-ground beans trick. After some conversation with her and a few choice words, gentle persuasion (a light tap) it performed again. But my coffee tastes bitter? I will go through the steps and see if it helps

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                  Rocky is a simple machine, give it a good clean following the instruction link provided by Angermanagement and all will be well, had mine 8 years, dismantle it and give it a thorough clean every few months, never a problem.
                  Oh, and get rid of the finger guard/mushroom thingy, about the only thing it does is impede the flow of beans and cause blockages, mine went a couple of weeks after I bought the machine, without the bit of plastic there it is also easier to see when the machine needs a good clean out (no the burrs wont eat yer fingers if yer dumb enough to try to stick em in there)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                    Originally posted by 564343505C52565A51505C390 link=1255773927/7#7 date=1258750282
                    Have had a similar problem, hence my search that got me onto this thread.  I have had my Rocky for about 3 weeks (2nd hand), and it did the whining-no-ground beans trick.  After some conversation with her and a few choice words, gentle persuasion (a light tap) it performed again.  But my coffee tastes bitter?  I will go through the steps and see if it helps
                    AND

                    Originally posted by 605C554D58390 link=1255773927/8#8 date=1258751458
                    give it a good clean following the instruction link provided by Angermanagement and all will be well
                    Dont forget in most cases the problem will be PEBGAF...

                    What makes you think it is the grinder.... What else has changed or what have you not changed when/after moving to a Rocky ?

                    1: What was your previous grinder

                    2: What Coffee machine are you using ?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                      Well, how easy was that?! I followed the steps as per FRCN Espresso how to and everything is back to normal. Some lessons from my experience:
                      I presume it is the oils in the beans that form the greasy grundge that results in restrictions of bean feeder flow to the grinds, resulting in an erratic maybe hotter than normal grind. (my explanation for the bitterness tasted, as it is gone now). So clean that as best you can. Didnt want to try soap but a good scrub with a toothbrush got the majority of it off. Check for plastic pieces of the toothbrush- the grinds are sharp and slivers of the toothbrush may end up in your grinder and ultimately in your espresso.
                      When cleaning the hopper remove the finger guard- I shaked everything over the dustbin, and saw three screws disappear into last nights left overs- Could have been worse.
                      If possible clean the machine outside. There will be coffee dust all over. I havent got compressed air, so the close-your-eyes-and-blow method, worked but I had to clean up a considerable amount of potential lawn feed.
                      The flow of ground coffee after grinding can also be hampered by the oily greasy grundge, so remove the spout, the plastic guide and clean out the feed chamber.

                      A question- how do you know the burrs are worn? They looked sharp, but I can see some scuff marks on the cutting edge. I am also not sure what height they should be, to know if they are still ok?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                        Originally posted by 687D7D6E626C68646F6E62070 link=1255773927/7#7 date=1258750282
                        (a light tap) it performed again.
                        Indicates to me that the beans are jamming in the finger guard area, get rid of the guard.
                        Originally posted by 46696062754A66696660626A626973070 link=1255773927/1#1 date=1255774318
                        With that in mind I modded my Rocky to allow the little mushroom to sit about another 5 - 8 mm higher... More freedom to shove the beans in
                        Angermanagements mod would work just as well, my preference, for the reasons I explained in previous post, is to get rid of it altogether.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                          Hi AM

                          I upgraded to a Diadema Junior and Rocky, courtesy of one of the sponsors, 3 weeks ago. That was a step up from an AEG machine (similar to a Sunbeam that you can get at most department stores) and a Sunbeam grinder.
                          I havent changed much of late- Had a blend of Guatemala and Brazilian Bourbon that I made up a week ago. It is quite nice, but when the grinder started whirring, I found the coffee also tasted bitter. The again, I normal have milk, but with the wife being Lactose free have had to get used to Soy based Cappas in the morning- it could have been a new soy label she got.
                          Just had a shot and its beautiful, again. I am by no means a pro, but I can enjoy a good milk based drink after a few weeks of experience.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                            Originally posted by 7D68687B77797D717A7B77120 link=1255773927/10#10 date=1258753825
                            Well, how easy was that?!  I followed the steps as per FRCN Espresso how to and everything is back to normal.  Some lessons from my experience:
                            I presume it is the oils in the beans that form the greasy grundge that results in restrictions of bean feeder flow to the grinds, resulting in an erratic maybe hotter than normal grind.  (my explanation for the bitterness tasted, as it is gone now).  So clean that as best you can.  Didnt want to try soap but a good scrub with a toothbrush got the majority of it off.  Check for plastic pieces of the toothbrush- the grinds are sharp and slivers of the toothbrush may end up in your grinder and ultimately in your espresso.
                            When cleaning the hopper remove the finger guard- I shaked everything over the dustbin, and saw three screws disappear into last nights left overs-  Could have been worse.
                            If possible clean the machine outside.  There will be coffee dust all over.  I havent got compressed air, so the close-your-eyes-and-blow method, worked but I had to clean up a considerable amount of potential lawn feed.
                            The flow of ground coffee after grinding can also be hampered by the oily greasy grundge, so remove the spout, the plastic guide and clean out the feed chamber.

                            A question- how do you know the burrs are worn?  They looked sharp, but I can see some scuff marks on the cutting edge.  I am also not sure what height they should be, to know if they are still ok?
                            Good stuff Ozzie, once youve dismantled assembled it a couple of times its pretty straight forward.
                            Determining if the burrs are worn can be a little tricky, from memory theyre about $50 a set from Coffeeparts, as it is a 2nd hand machine, if you can afford it replace them, just a tip, when removing the screws from the old burrs make sure you use a good screwdriver of the correct size without rounded edges, the screws can be a little stubborn and you dont want to damage the slots.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Rocky problems after cleaning

                              Thanks for the advice John, and yes I thought it would be a good idea to get a new set of burrs- nothing as good as having something new to compare against.
                              Your comment pertaining tot a good screwdriver is also valid- how many people spend a lot of money on good equipment and when they have to service them use, inferior tools, and cant understand why things go wrong??

                              I am contemplating the finger guard mod- I am just not sure if its function is only to act as a guard- does it not assist with th flow of beans into the grinding burrs as well. If it is just for protection, then it can go, otherwise may need to increase the height.

                              Cheers

                              Comment

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