Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[Thundergod]

Re: Breville Smart Grinder

ryjodal Ive owned the Sunbeam grinder and while I agree its good value at that price-point you also have to consider how long it will last.

The new Breville is also subject to the same comparison over time and $/year cost might declare a winner.

But included in the cost are also things like how easy to clean, how consistent a grind, how easy to adjust etc, etc, etc.

Each person weighs up their own needs and wants regarding features and cost and makes up their own mind.

In my case I decided quite quickly that the Sunbeam was too noisy, messy and difficult to clean so I replaced it with a 2nd hand Gaggia MDF.

Ive since sold the Sunbeam to a friend who was starting out and couldnt afford much; it will do him for now.

I hope to pop in to cuppacoffee for a demo so I can comment on the Breville from some experience.

[Ryjoda]

Re: Breville Smart Grinder

ryjodal Ive owned the Sunbeam grinder and while I agree its good value at that price-point you also have to consider how long it will last.

The new Breville is also subject to the same comparison over time and $/year cost might declare a winner.

But included in the cost are also things like how easy to clean, how consistent a grind, how easy to adjust etc, etc, etc.

Each person weighs up their own needs and wants regarding features and cost and makes up their own mind.

In my case I decided quite quickly that the Sunbeam was too noisy, messy and difficult to clean so I replaced it with a 2nd hand Gaggia MDF.

Ive since sold the Sunbeam to a friend who was starting out and couldnt afford much; it will do him for now.

I hope to pop in to cuppacoffee for a demo so I can comment on the Breville from some experience.

I agree completely.

The Rocky has a reputation for build quality and durability. If this is your priority in a grinder then it is probably a good choice. All things considered it is a better grinder than a em0480 hands down.

But it comes at a price. And it seems a few people are now considering other options that may present better value.

I am one of many who are waiting to see how the Breville Smart Grinder will perform/last given the test of time, as I currently am using a time tested noisy messy em0480.

[Chemistry1234]

Re: Breville Smart Grinder

I just bought a Breville Smart Grinder today and look forward to trying it out soon. Just have to wait till the 25th

[NewbieACT]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

I started this thread on behalf of my son in Melbourne and I get the impression that at the moment it appears not to be grinding fine enough;  is there a sponsor in the Melbourne area that he my be able to go to  for some technical information.  :-/

[cuppacoffee]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

I started this thread on behalf of my son in Melbourne and I get the impression that at the moment it appears not to be grinding fine enough;  is there a sponsor in the Melbourne area that he my be able to go to  for some technical information.  :-/

Chris from Talk Coffee is the only Sponsor in Melbourne that sell this grinder. If your son purchased from Talk Coffee then I know that Chris provides after sales support for all the products he sells.

If your son purchased elsewhere, then they are the people to approach.

Failing that, he can call Breville for support - their number is printed under the grind tray.

[herbie]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

PM Herbie. He is getting to know his BCG800 grinder at the moment and can probably tell you of his experiences along the way. We are getting a great result with our coffees. We use a variety of beans over the week. Some bought and some home roasted. (On behalf of Herbie who is out milking the cows at the moment.. the Missus. )

[Konerator]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Looks like the grinder doesnt create as much mess as most of the others.  Is this true?
Also, what is it like dosing straight into a 58cm portafilter?  Does a lot of the grinds end up on the bench?
Anyone using this grinder with a Silvia?
Thanks,
Dave.

[dsgfh]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Looks like the grinder doesnt create as much mess as most of the others.  Is this true?
Also, what is it like dosing straight into a 58cm portafilter?  Does a lot of the grinds end up on the bench?
Anyone using this grinder with a Silvia?
Thanks,
Dave.

The Grinder is extremely clean. I dosed into a 58mm portafilter & it left just a pinch of stray grounds on the removable tray (easy clean up). Youre more likely to end up with grinds on your bench if you tap to settle. My Mazzer Mini doser throws grinds everywhere. The breville is definitely more spouse friendly in this regard.

For what its worth, the grinder is living on my desk at work as my pour-over grinder. Not an environment Id want coffee grounds everywhere. Id never consider my mazzer living in the same spot.

[herbie]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

We will drink lots of coffee to that statement by dsgfh also. Very clean.
Herbie [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[>mcknightp]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Hi, Im Phil McKnight, Brevilles coffee specialist. Ive been following this thread since it started (among others!). Im posting here mainly in response to NewbieACTs post regarding his sons grinder not grinding fine enough. We have an extensive QC process during production, but from time to time things can get missed. We have developed a "shim kit" to fix problems such as this. Its very simple to install, you just need to remove the top burr, as you would for cleaning, then using a shifter or socket, remove the LEFT HAND thread acorn nut, remove the bottom burr, drop the 3 shims over the motor drive shaft & re-install the burrs in the reverse order of removal. These shim kits will be available in the future through our customer service centre so as baristas who have grinders, that after time, due to wear, no longer grind fine enough have a solution. Ill post here when these kits are being stocked. Meantime, if anyone out there has a BCG800 that they dont think grinds fine enough, drop me an email with your details & well pop a shim kit & instructions in the post.

Any other comments/questions welcome via posts here or email direct.

Cheers, Phil

phil.mcknight at breville dot com dot au

[A_M]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Hi, Im Phil McKnight, Brevilles coffee specialist. Ive been following this thread since it started (among others!). Im posting here mainly in response to NewbieACTs post regarding his sons grinder not grinding fine enough. We have an extensive QC process during production, but from time to time things can get missed. We have developed a "shim kit" to fix problems such as this. Its very simple to install, you just need to remove the top burr, as you would for cleaning, then using a shifter or socket, remove the LEFT HAND thread acorn nut, remove the bottom burr, drop the 3 shims over the motor drive shaft & re-install the burrs in the reverse order of removal. These shim kits will be available in the future through our customer service centre so as baristas who have grinders, that after time, due to wear, no longer grind fine enough have a solution. Ill post here when these kits are being stocked. Meantime, if anyone out there has a BCG800 that they dont think grinds fine enough, drop me an email with your details & well pop a shim kit & instructions in the post.

Any other comments/questions welcome via posts here or email direct.

Cheers, Phil

[edit] e-mail removed [/edit]

Great to see a manufacturer following and posting.

Interesting with the shim as Sunbeam did the same thing and it did resolve the issues.

As your profile has you e-mail, I would not put in in the post as bots and other scammers may capture it.

PS. It will be great to have your  comments on any number of things as time goes on.  A true value added service.

[emckissock]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

Interesting post about the shim kit. Would this also fit the bcg450? I realise it is probably a different motor, but perhaps the shaft and mount are compatible. Mine is already modified and warranty voided, but others may be interested in getting a fine grind while keeping warranty.

[>mcknightp]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

BCG450 Retro-fit: Ill strip one down & see whats involved & post the outcome.

Cheers, Phil

[oneaday]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

mod edit post removed. Please read and abide by site sales and posting policy >

[Thundergod]

Re: Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

We have an extensive QC process during production, but from time to time things can get missed. We have developed a "shim kit" to fix problems such as this.

What gets missed during QC that requires the development of a shim kit?