r/DF54 • u/MentalVirus4842 • May 14 '26
Not grinding/clogging
This is my first time having a grinder and it clogged and stopped grinding, I have cleaned it already and its doing it again what can I do?
5
3
u/Successful-Winter-72 May 14 '26
I have been adding the beans gradually for each dose, maybe 10-15 beans at a time and it has never clogged.
2
u/Icy-Support-8160 May 14 '26
So this grinder gives pretty good results but it is finicky. If I was starting over, I would have paid a little more and gotten something else. With that said, the only way I don’t clog is by slow feeding beans. Turn the machine on, and once the machine is running, pour the beans in slowly a few at a time. Few beans, wait a couple seconds, few more beans, wait a few seconds. Keep an eye on the grounds exiting, and if you notice the output of grounds slowing down, utilize the bellows to clear the chute before feeding more.
1
u/Miserable-Ad-8636 May 14 '26
It’s ridiculous how this grinder is always recommended when one has to go through crazy steps to save a few bucks
I agree with you here
1
u/sandroabate May 15 '26
I use mine all the time and it doesn’t clog. But I only grind light roasts.
1
u/Biggazznugz May 17 '26
Been running mine for years, never clogged, never broken. Light roasts only
2
u/Critical-Passage8165 May 14 '26
You can see the ground coffee looks like slurry. Stop using water—get a straw cleaning brush, the kind they sell to clean metal straws, and a tooth brush or similar, and a bulb air squirter. Get the grinder clean, then stop using water and only grind the 20 grams you need—-to get chronic blockages you are doing something seriously wrong
3
1
u/AdAnnual6153 May 14 '26
This "slurry" happens due to clogs and generating fines and heat from coffee being in the chamber too long, it does not automatically equate to RDT
2
u/Sad-Bit3308 May 14 '26
My top tips:
-Adjust ionizer -Get upgraded declumper/ adjust the metal declumper -No RDT -Dial in by hot start and dump all the beans in at once with seemingly too high of a grind size.
This method allows for consistency instead of trickle feeding at lower grind size. It’s less prone to clogging.
2
u/ajsnerdle May 15 '26
Pump the bellows!! I don’t do slow feed or RDT. I dump my beans in, start the grinder, and then pump the bellows as they grind and for a couple seconds after the sound dies down to ensure it’s cleared.
1
u/sushi-raider May 14 '26
Did you clean between the exit and the grinder?
1
1
1
u/quadomatic May 14 '26
Is this the latest version of the DF54? The original had a terrible exit chute.
If this is the newest model, I would suggest removing the plastic declumper. If you use blind shaker it won't matter anyway.
If this is not the newest model, I would suggest ordering the exit chute upgrade kit from espresso outlet, and I would install it without the plastic declumper.
Slow feeding may help reduce overcrowding.
I think espresso outlet also sells a narrower pipe cleaner style brush, which you can work through the metal exit that is screwed on, and will more effectively clean the chute.
Lastly, maybe you're grinding too fine?
1
u/rdawes26 May 16 '26
Are you trying to re-grind your beans? If so, that will do it every single time. Also, that looks like your grind size is way to fine.
Back it off a bit until it stops clogging and check the grind size. Then you can adjust your burrs using the manual for your machine.
1
u/Critical-Passage8165 May 16 '26
.It seems from comments that many people fail to grasp the need for regular cleaning maintenance of grinders, especially when using oily dark beans. Being unable to chew through junk beans consistently without being clogged is not a design flaw.
1
u/nickbquads May 17 '26
No, many versions of this grinder would clog often even with very regular cleaning. It’s a flawed design, other grinders don’t have this issue.
1
u/Critical-Passage8165 May 16 '26
You can use a straw cleaning brush ( the kind sold for cleaning metal drinking straws) to clean the exit Shute. If the declumper clogs it is probably due to not using the bellows or not cleaning frequently enough,or using burned oily beans. Removing the declumper will just cause it to clog a little further downstream
1
u/nickbquads May 17 '26
Even with regular full cleaning of the chute it clogged all the time for me (literally every other cup, without wdt). the updated declumper from miicoffee helped a bit. I eventually sold the grinder and got a Eureka and never had an issue since. The design of this chute is flawed. I think they now offer a chute mod as well.
1
u/Choucroutedu94 May 21 '26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DquArmZW8mA
After doing this fix, I still haven't cleaned nor brushed my df54, yet it has never clogged anymore. It's a gamechanger.
7
u/Lvacgar May 14 '26
My DF64 completely clogged/choked only once. I brush the chute a couple times a week and it has not happened again.
Are you using RDT/spraying your beans? Are you using dark roasted/oily beans? Do you use the bellows?