Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[DavidW1960]

I bet there are grinds in the grinder from the night before affecting the first shot. It happens with my grinder too.

[Pete39]

I've noticed a bit of variation too - I think its inherent in the machine. Sometimes its pretty stable, sometime not. I tried running it empty and timing - pretty good. But i did notice it tends to speed up over the time it takes to grind one shot, going on the sound of the motor. If you do two or three in a row, it seems to approach a pretty steady speed. So I think there might be a "warm-up" factor, but haven't done any extensive tests.

Pete

[Khanuen]

I found the first few times I used my grinder it massively underdosed but now seems to be much better. Maybe some of the parts needed to wear in a bit? One thing I'm still noticing is that it's hard to switch between 1 and 2 shot mode. I had it set up perfectly for my double shot then in the afternoon today thought I'd have a single and it was way underdosed.. I'm a total noob at this so maybe it's an unrealistic expectation to be able to switch between 1 and 2 shots and have it work correctly without modifying the other grind settings?

[DuaneDibbley]

First go on the Silvia choked it today! Which I like to see - means I have leeway and some adjustment left

Second attempt after dropping one whole marking coarser flowed nicely. Haven't put a time to it yet, though.

Should I be concerned about the beans left in the top of the burr set which don't get used?

[WiredArabica]

One thing I'm still noticing is that it's hard to switch between 1 and 2 shot mode. I had it set up perfectly for my double shot then in the afternoon today thought I'd have a single and it was way underdosed..

Most singles aren't half a double, more like 2/3. I find it easier to dose by eye than rely on a timer, though that can be a little wasteful on coffee especially in the beginning.
If you're using the double basket the majority of the time then the simplest method is to just use the double and run one side into the drip tray (or ice cube tray for iced coffee).

[Khanuen]

Ok thanks for that. So far I've found it easier with the double basket and it seems to be a bit more forgiving. I've tried judging my dosing on my single basket by eye but it either clogs or runs too fast and it's annoying finding the sweet spot. Ice cube tray is a brilliant idea. Up until now I've been trying to get other family members to drink the spare coffee but they aren't always keen

[WiredArabica]

Yes the double is much more forgiving than the single.
Easiest way to use the single on the occasions it's needed is to leave your grind setting as for the double and adjust the dose downwards for the single:

• Slightly overfill the single basket
• Tap twice to settle
• Level the grounds using a saucer (usually done with the doser lid on a commercial grinder) - this results in a pronounced concave bed in the single basket
• Tamp lightly - just rest the tamper on the grounds and press with fingertips.
• Lock & load, pull the shot - you'll find the flow rate is pretty well right, just stop the shot based on colour but it'll be somewhere ~25ml. But if it were too slow, use a larger saucer to level or vice versa...

This will give a different extraction ratio to the double and consequently have a slightly different flavour profile in the cup but you'll likely find it ok. The concave bed of coffee means the outside gets tamped harder than the centre, but it's generally accepted as a good compromise.

[Melbroaster]

When I had mine, I didn't worry about using the dose settings, and actually stopped using the factory baskets after a couple of weeks and moved onto VST. Big difference. No matter what I did, the factory baskets left the puck stuck on the shower-screen.

[prydey]

after months of waiting for a decent price to pop up somewhere, i've finally joined the BCG800 club. fathers day sale at goodguys for $191. happy with that. used it already and already i'm very happy with it compared to my sunbeam 0480. using it with the em6910 and def no shims required. first trial was with the grind setting about 20 (under the end of word 'espresso') and it choked my machine, so back to under the 's' and its pretty good. dose up 1 notch and 2nd trial was almost spot on. very happy.

[freddy123]

Gents,

Can anyone tell me the name of the Breville rep that is not Phil Mcnight? I had a pm or two in the old board but it didin't seem to come accross.

Thanks

[DavidW1960]

Dave from Breville - username Chopper18

[freddy123]

thanks for that!!

[Ramshackle]

Where is the batch code? I've looked all around the grinder and can't find it. The bottom of the grinder has contact numbers for service, wattage, etc., but no code. Took off the plate on the front side of the grinder, but again service phone numbers, etc. Still no batch code.

[WiredArabica]

Where is the batch code? I've looked all around the grinder and can't find it. The bottom of the grinder has contact numbers for service, wattage, etc., but no code. Took off the plate on the front side of the grinder, but again service phone numbers, etc. Still no batch code.

Welcome to CS.
Its below the model number on the base of the unit but stamped into the label rather than printed, so you have to look quite close.

[Ramshackle]

Got it. You are right about it being hard to see. Thanks.