New Breville BCG820 "Smart Grinder Pro"

[level3ninja]

Another interesting thing is the espresso guage on my em7000 doesnt hold steady with grinds from the Breville, I'm not sure whether it's better early extraction from better grinding or my pump starting to fail. Hits the mark for about a shot then starts dropping off...

Sounds like your grind isn't fine enough

[hoybers]

Breville have told me to get it replaced again. Things are improved in my extraction by increasing my dose size a little, but I'm getting a nice mouthful of grit at the end, so I might grab a new basket, just in case I've stuffed it.
Thanks again.

[MichaelB]

I've tried it on another board and now direct into the wall. Its still humming away - its not as loud as the last one, but there's definitely something going on. It also has a high pitched whistle when the screen is on, like an old CRT monitor or tv (or your ears ringing after a night out). I'm now trying to convince my partner we need to spend on a Rocky and she is trying to get me back on a 480. Could be luck of the production line.

I was a happy owner of an 820 for almost 2 years until mine started making the clicking noise that apparently the 800s and 820s all do eventually. It was replaced under warranty, but the new one made a high-pitched whine/whistle when on standby. I took it back again, and the next one did the same. So did the third. I wonder if this is just how they are now. None of mine buzzed though...did all of yours squeal?

I now have my $200 back and I am looking for an alternative. I'd be pleased to hear that I was just unlucky with the 3 that I tried, as there's not much else even close to $200.

[thecafeninja]

Hi guys, I've had the 820 for about 6 months and have been really disappointed with it. I had one that I sent back as it was clumping a lot (no matter what type of beans I was using) and I was getting significant channelling. It then started to make a clicking noise so I swapped it for a new one. I've never been able to get a decent grind out of it - still clumping a lot. I ran some tests using my old sunbeam grinder against the smart grinder and I got better extraction out of the (9 year old) sunbeam every time. It's sitting on a grind size of 18 and finest grind setting on the internal setting inside the grinder. I was surprised that it shouldn't be lower but any less than about 16 the coffee machine just backs up (I have the Breville Dual boiler - bought them as a set) and the grinder starts clicking. I suppose my question is, is this normal for this grinder or should I be asking for a refund? I was going to sell it but don't feel right about selling it if it is in any way faulty. Any advice would be appreciated.

[level3ninja]

The 800/820 are clumpy grinders, there's no avoiding that. I haven't owned my 800 for about 4 years and my 820 hasn't been used for espresso for over 18 months, but I don't remember them clicking. I never had the adjust the inner burr setting either. Channeling will almost certainly be down to technique (distribution & tamping) rather than the grinder. I would think the Sunbeam works better because you're more used to it and your technique suits it better than the Breville. One thing to note with the 820 is that the weight of coffee you get out will vary quite a bit, so using scales to weigh the dose before tamping is a must.

[thecafeninja]

Nah, the channeling was a result of the first grinder. It was super clumpy. No channeling with the second but still clumpy. The grind from the Sunbeam is a totally different consistency no matter how fine the grind was set (with same beans) - no clumping. Anyway, I decided the breville was a piece of crap and went out and bought a Macap M2M. Sensational - no channeling, great results even with some crappy beans.

[javameister]

Is this grinder a good upgrade from EM0480? I am thinking about getting HX E61 espresso machine soon to upgrade from an old Cafe Crema. Do I really need to spend 1k on a grinder like the Eureka Atom or T64 Pro or can I get by with one of these (or even my existing grinder, but would like something less messy).

[prydey]

Is this grinder a good upgrade from EM0480? I am thinking about getting HX E61 espresso machine soon to upgrade from an old Cafe Crema. Do I really need to spend 1k on a grinder like the Eureka Atom or T64 Pro or can I get by with one of these (or even my existing grinder, but would like something less messy).

The Breville is a lot less messy than the em0480. That alone makes it worth it, however it is still a rather budget grinder in the scheme of things. I find it works fine for me but I only drink latte, and milk can mask some imperfection.

If you have the budget to afford something better, it's probably worth it.

[level3ninja]

There's not much point getting an E61 Hx and pairing it with a BCG820. If you don't want to do both at once do the grinder first, it makes a much bigger difference than the machine.

[Valvster]

If you have the budget to afford something better, it's probably worth it.[/QUOTE]

Or if you want to give one a try they are on BingLee evil bay for only $160 using the code PLEE15 at checkout.
I have a 7 yr old BCG800 shimmed to the max and it still puts out an acceptable grind for froffycoffee twice a day.
I'm ready to upgrade to a Vario or Eureka Specialita as I reckon the Breville dual boiler is probably at its half life
so it's easy to get a grinder upgrade pass the Minister for Finance rather than grinder & HX at the same time.

[Porca]

Hey Valvster, just tried that code, do you have another???

[level3ninja]

Those codes don't last long. They had a 20% off one over the Easter weekend but it doesn't work anymore either.

[Valvster]

Hey Valvster, just tried that code, do you have another???

Keep an eye on the Ozbargain site, BingLee seem to have 20% via their Ebay shop off several times a year but the codes only last a few days before expiry.

[Noomz]

I'm just about to push the order button for one here.

Ebay Code "P20MY" Which has knocked AU $38.00 off the price.

Total price from Myer - $152, Click and Collect.

[Noomz]

I'm just about to push the order button for one here.

Ebay Code "P20MY" Which has knocked AU $38.00 off the price.

Total price from Myer - $152, Click and Collect.

Hmm... May be suffering from some buyers regretti.

Clumpy as heck which I read, and unless it's a placebo effect, it feels like my porlex mini gives out a better grind consistency than this.

Ill give it a couple of weeks for the burrs to settle in, but may consider returning it.

Damn compulsive buys.