Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[Gremlin]

I Rang Breville this morning, spoke to a very helpful CSR (Joanna) and she's put a shim kit in the post to me today, hopefully that will sort out Grinder #1

[bigbully]

Gee, some of you guys are getting great deals on these grinders. what was the advertised price at HN? here in SA, good guys and harvey norman both have them for $299. good guys will go to $215. i guess you just have to be in the right spot at the right time, or have much better negotiation skills than me.

i also have a em6910 (got that for $575 from good guys, still advt for $699 currently), so am keen to read more about people's experience with this combo. does the grinder need shimming when paired with em6910 or is it a bit 'lucky dip' at the moment. bit hard to establish some sort of pattern at the moment. some adding shims, some not.

In gold coast harvey was ad $ 199 & g guys $ 179

[Heisenberg]

In gold coast harvey was ad $ 199 & g guys $ 179

Just ensure that the batch code stamped into the bottom of the grinder is 1102 or higher, cos they might be trying to get rid of old stock. Either way, the shim kit will fix it, but it is a shit load easier if you don't have to.

So, 1102 or higher = grind problem solved... 1102 or lower = you'll need a shim kit. (except in the case of Gremlin who got a weird one maybe.. 0

[dski]

In gold coast harvey was ad $ 199 & g guys $ 179

I wouldn't say that's a hard and fast rule. Also depends on how fine you need your grind.

[chrisl]

i also have a em6910 (got that for $575 from good guys, still advt for $699 currently), so am keen to read more about people's experience with this combo. does the grinder need shimming when paired with em6910 or is it a bit 'lucky dip' at the moment. bit hard to establish some sort of pattern at the moment. some adding shims, some not.

I have the 6910 with the Smart Grinder (now use the EM480 at work), and it took a few weeks to get it right.

I added 2 shims, but still had to wind it up to the finest setting - just managed OK shots.

I changed beans (there is a roaster at the Newton Target Square in Adelaide, and I like his Guatemala Antigua beans), and all of a sudden had to change the setting about 4 clicks to the left.

It's now 30ml in 30 seconds, almost every shot, and sweet as :-)

[prydey]

good to know. cheers. still on the hunt for one at the right price though. best i've negotiated so far is $210 @ HN Noarlunga.

[Heisenberg]

I have the 6910 with the Smart Grinder (now use the EM480 at work), and it took a few weeks to get it right.

I added 2 shims, but still had to wind it up to the finest setting - just managed OK shots.

I changed beans (there is a roaster at the Newton Target Square in Adelaide, and I like his Guatemala Antigua beans), and all of a sudden had to change the setting about 4 clicks to the left.

It's now 30ml in 30 seconds, almost every shot, and sweet as :-)

yeh mate... Too often we forget about bean age/roast.... Generally, a darker roast requires finer grind as it is generally a bit more oily and thus a lighter roast requires a coarser grind.... All just general rules of course, but rules to live by nonetheless.

BTW, I LOVE my smart grinder. It compliments my machine perfectly and has room to burn... GREAT value product.

[NakiChap]

yeh mate... Too often we forget about bean age/roast.... Generally, a darker roast requires finer grind as it is generally a bit more oily and thus a lighter roast requires a coarser grind.... All just general rules of course, but rules to live by nonetheless.

BTW, I LOVE my smart grinder. It compliments my machine perfectly and has room to burn... GREAT value product.

I Think you will fnd a darker roast will need a coarser grind than a light roast,I find with a lighter roast I will need to fine up the grind.

[Heisenberg]

I Think you will fnd a darker roast will need a coarser grind than a light roast,I find with a lighter roast I will need to fine up the grind.

Not sure that is true? I could be wrong, but in my experience the theory i put forward holds true.....

[shapeshifter]

I haven't read the whole thread as I really had no need, my SG worked straight out of the box.

My process of cleaning was to pull out the top burr clean it all, clean the bottom burr but leaving it in. I finally thought I should give it a thorough clean so I removed the bottom burr to vacuum everything thinking that it would be easier to get to the grinds underneath it, dur, now what I've found is that it no longer grinds the way it used to and I've had to order the shim kit.

I've tried putting the spring washer in the other way around and that didn't work help

Has anyone else found the same?

[muppet_man67]

Not sure that is true? I could be wrong, but in my experience the theory i put forward holds true.....

Correct, as a general rule roasting darker degrades the bean structure further, making the bean softer and hence needing a finer grind setting. Its not really to do with the fact that the bean is oily although that is a sign that the cellular structure of the beans has been stressed.

You will also find that high grown coffee will require a courser grind then low grown coffee as the higher altitudes harden the beans. This is a likely reason for the Guatemalan needing a courser grind.

[greg-g]

I haven't read the whole thread as I really had no need, my SG worked straight out of the box.

My process of cleaning was to pull out the top burr clean it all, clean the bottom burr but leaving it in. I finally thought I should give it a thorough clean so I removed the bottom burr to vacuum everything thinking that it would be easier to get to the grinds underneath it, dur, now what I've found is that it no longer grinds the way it used to and I've had to order the shim kit.

I've tried putting the spring washer in the other way around and that didn't work help

Has anyone else found the same?

That sounds very familiar.
About a week ago I decided my grinder needed a good clean, I was aware of the shims, but had no idea where they were, how big they are, or where they should have been.
After a good shake and a bit of compressed air the grinder was very clean but the grinds were way to coarse. I had a really good search but couldn't find them.
Luckily the good people at Breville don't ask too many questions when ordering a shim kit, one large and medium shim latter all is now well again.
As a matter of interest the shims are really small with an OD of 10mm and ID of 8mm. They sit on-top of the shaft under the bottom burr.
I had a good look through the various posts and couldn't find any posts about anyone loosing their's, or what size they are.

[dski]

That sounds very familiar.
About a week ago I decided my grinder needed a good clean, I was aware of the shims, but had no idea where they were, how big they are, or where they should have been.

I admit I sucked the shims up with the vaccuum cleaner on one occaision when I forgot that they were there... Managed to fish them out of the bagless thingy.

[shapeshifter]

LOL there were definitely no shims, I have dealt with shims with the sunbeam grinders, granted I did lose the spring washer down the sink but I pulled the piping apart, which was bone dry as I had only just got home from work and got it out

Doesn't matter anyway, the shim kit is on it's way and I'll back to grinding normally shortly.

[georgepleong]

Just bought a BSG in the Sales, with the various changes (or alleged changes) to this product since its release i need some clarification on where along the line mine is.
i have not used the BSG yet so i cannot tell whether it grinds fine enough for my needs i would still like to know if my burrs are sitting on no shims, factory installed shims or i have the alleged new set of burrs that doesn't need shims? i cannot seem to find a Serial Number other than the numbers 1213 stamped in the bottom.
In reality whats my best bet, should i take it back and get a slow-cooker and save up for something else?