Breville BCG800 Smart Grinder

[sparky61]

So I got my shim kit today, started by installing 1x1.0mm and 1x0.4mm as recommended. Still was pouring too fast so installed the other 0.4mm, didn't seem to make much difference so I installed the last 0.2mm.
Coffee is still pouring too fast so am starting to think could be an issue with my grinder.. I can go all the way to fine with all the shims installed without the burrs touching so sounds like something isn't right..
Guess I'll see what Breville say, can't wait till I can finally get this thing setup correctly.

[tanethomas]

Hope you installed the shims under the bottom burr.

[sparky61]

Hope you installed the shims under the bottom burr.

Haha yeah, I may be deprived of caffeine but still have some wits about me

[Keggy]

I've had a brand new BCG800 for just over week. So a day ago I was grinding some beans and all of a sudden it got jammed. Removed the hopper and the top burr and cleaned everything out (couldn't find a foreign object). After that it started making a ratchet sound with no beans and would jam and squeal with beans. Looked over the net and other than cleaning again (removing the bottom burr this time), bought some other beans just in case it was the beans (too hard,etc).
In the end went to Myer and got it replaced and that one is working with the same beans.

So am a bit worried as it only lasted a week (average 2 grindings a day) but sharing my experience.

[STS]

Hi, First post here, have been reading for years but this SG is giving us so much grief I felt I had to ask!

Basically we use single shot in our BES900 but find it impossible to get a consistent dose from the grinder. We set the dose 3 bars left from centre and its a 20 second shot, move it one bar further (4) and its a 60 second shot! My wife is going mental so would appreciate any advice! Occasionally we get the perfect 37sec extraction but usually have no idea why it is so inconsistent. This is using same fresh beans.

I dont feel the grind is to coarse, only bought the grinder in Nov 2013. I assume it has the updated design?

cheers

Are you only putting enough for a single shot in the hopper, rather than leaving a quantity of beans in there? If you weigh out a quantity of beans and only grind that amount to put into the basket you maybe up against 2 separate issues.

Firstly the beans will bounce around as they go through the burrs without the weight of the additional beans in the hopper pushing them down, this will make it almost impossible to get a consistent grind and extraction.

Secondly the smart grinder will retain about 1.5-2.0 gm of coffee from the previous grind. If you don't purge and discard this you will end up with a mix of fresh and stale coffee in your basket which could also effect the consistency of your shot.

Sean

[lairdy28]

Unfortunately my BCG800 motor has also started to slip. I've always kept it clean inside, being extra thorough since slipping started, but it has gotten worse to a point it now no longer grinds (constant slip)
Mine is about 2 years and 6 months old, performing duties of around 5 aeropress grindings per week - so definitely not demanding or excessive.

There seems to have been quite a few posts about this topic, but most being replaced under warranty. However what I am chasing is information on what the fix would likely cost and what is involved for an out of warranty machine.

Breville have kindly offered a new machine at a reduction from RRP as a good will gesture, but I am unlikely to take up this offer as the money would be better spent on a different machine IMO. Having said that i'd still happily opt to repair the current machine if it could be done around the $50 mark, as I don't want a forced upgrade if i can help it - hence my query if anyone knew what replacement parts were involved for a guaranteed fix to this slipping problem.

I'm in the same boat , took it to the repair agent and he said the clutch was slipping and it's too expensive to repair . I said its only just gone three years old .....he replied "you should be happy something these days lasted 3 years !' Anyways .... Not sure which direction to head grinder wise .... Really happy with the dual boiler and have been producing great coffee with it and the grinder (shim kit fitted)

What are others doing ? Buying another one or getting a more commercial grinder .Any suggestions ? (Noise is a consideration for me with young kids )

Cheers !

Craig

[TC]

I'd head in the direction of Australian Consumer law. It may well disagree with the tech's opinion...

[Azza]

Just a heads up to anyone considering this grinder - hey and it's my first post!

Just received my Smart Grinder today as an upgrade to my Breville BCG450. The BCG450 was able to grind fine enough after a simple mod, but I discovered what I was missing out on in grind quality when I tried some shots from my hand grinder (Porlex Mini). The difference was huge, so I decided to upgrade to the Smart Grinder.

Unfortunately at the finest setting it is just slightly to course for some of my fresh beans, OK for others. Getting a 16-20 second pour at the finest setting with BB Peru Roasted 2 days ago. One minute on the phone to Breville and a set of shims are in the mail, excellent service.

Despite the course grind the improvement in taste is amazing, I'm a convert now on the importance of grind quality.

Aaron

[DesigningByCoffee]

Welcome, and great to hear you're enjoying the new grinder Azza. In the end, it's the flavour that matters!
Cheers Matt

[PeterHill]

I've had some trouble getting the grind fine enough to pull a good extraction on my BCG800. Has anyone else had a similar issue? and how have you overcome it?

[Barry_Duncan]

Peter,

Welcome to CoffeeSnobs.

Many of us have had that problem. Phone Breville and the will send you out a shim kit for free.

Place one or two shims below the bottom burr. Take note the nut holding the burr is on a left hand thread so undo it clockwise.

Barry

[gunta]

I got my 800 middle of last year ,thought those models didn't need shims anymore and it was fine with the Breville baskets , but
going to a VST it just wouldn't grind fine enough .One shim fixed that .I'm grinding at 4-5 bars off the fine end now .
Wouldn't it be great if there were little numbers instead of just bars ?

[Shaz71]

Just bought this grinder after so much research and a call to Breville before purchase. I tried to grind on the finest and it jammed up. Followed cleaning instructions tried gain same thing so set on 11 which it says Is the start of espresso size. The grinder worked fine although to much coffee was dispensed . Coffee was fast out but tasted fine ,puck was quite dry and knocked out easy. So each future cup made I adjusted settings with my fresh roasted beans until I found perfection on number 25 the finest without shim kit. Had to adjust more less switch to two bars on the less side. Resulted in a perfect pour the puck is defiantly wetter ground on fine but pour time was good in optimum range.
On a ad note I'm drinking way too much coffee.

[rigs]

It's been ages since I asked about where to get the shim kit, and finally I will be visiting Australia in a foreseeable future. Yaaaay!
So I emailed Breville, requesting the shim kit. Guess what - they instantly told me off
They said they don't send stuff overseas (I guess they missed the part where I asked them to have it sent to my Sydney-sider sister). I replied to explain that my SmartGrinder was bought in HN in Sydney. It's been a few hours, but I haven't received a reply. I hope they will still send me the shim kit.

[pokerstar]

Hi guys. Is this grinder good enough for my saeco via Venezia? I know a lot of ppl say it's not sufficient for home espresso but I don't think I'll ever get to that sort of enthusiast level ie someone who buys a $2000+ espresso machine or who adjusts their grind depending on the humidity. Although I respect that level of commitment I don't think I'll ever have the money or passion for coffee to go to those levels. I just want a decent coffee through my saeco and it would also be nice if it was also suitable for when/if I ever upgrade to a better machine, perhaps a dual boiler. So something with a bit of room to move.

Cheers.