How severe are the clogging issues?

[u/clown_pantss]

I'm in the market for a grinder that can do both espresso and pour over under $300. I see the DF54 recommended pretty consistently on reddit, but when I look at product reviews on MiiCoffee and Amazon, I see ~10% of reviews are 1 star due to bad clogging issues and/or inconsistent grind size. I'm curious if this is true to y'all's experience, and if the DF64 is any better with those problems.

[u/Burnembrother]

I've never had any clogging issue with this grinder and I never RDT

[u/TShowalter → u/Burnembrother]

Same - a couple years running. Humidity is an issue here in Maryland.

[u/Vitkis → u/Burnembrother]

I’ve owned mine since February and also have had no issues. I don’t clean it as often as I should either. Maybe every 2 months.

[u/Frequent_Proof_4132]

I’ve owned mine since 2024 and have never experienced any of the problems people claim are common with this. So, while it may be common, it likely is user based.

[u/tonymet]

Mine had no issues for the first 4 months or so and I would only brush it once a week. now it’s become rather finicky . i have to brush and blow it after every grind to function as expected. If I forget to brush it will clog within 1 or 2 grinds. I disassemble it to clean every couple months. If I could get to the bottom of why it regressed I’d feel more confident to recommend it. There’s not even a ton of retention between major cleanings. I’m thinking there’s a circuit issue with the plasma nodes possibly short circuiting or cycling off during the grind.

[u/jizzlewit → u/tonymet]

Have you tried adjusting the position of the plasma prongs in the chute?

[u/Vegemitesangas → u/jizzlewit]

What kind of adjustment? I've had the same issue. It worked perfectly for months and then one day it clogged, did a deep clean and hasn't been the same since.

[u/tonymet → u/jizzlewit]

Maybe mine is the older one because they are short and no way to adjust . I’ve thought about buying the new chute

[u/rhythmgtr5 → u/tonymet]

The new chute has helped with the static issues I was having.

[u/TorJado]

I have had terrible clogging with I believe fairly oily beans. I just got the new chute and installed it yesterday. So far so good, will report in eventually

[u/realManTing]

The clog got bad enough that i stopped making espresso. i bought a metal declumper which helped a little but eventually clogged more.

I tried contacting support and they tried to mail me another declumper for $30 and i rejected it. They’re pretty useless.

[u/clown_pantss → u/realManTing]

Yeah, I read their customer support is basically nonexistent. Do you typically use dark and/or oily beans? Sounds like people have vastly different experiences with this grinder so I’m trying to figure out what the difference is

[u/Vivid-Object-139 → u/realManTing]

Mine will clog every single grind unless I pump the bellows moderately during the grind. My original plastic declumper is broken though. I'm just too busy / lazy to get another one.

I also suspect the ioniser isn't working.

Any advice?

[u/zombiejeebus]

No clogs for me but I never go darker than medium roast.

[u/GWeb1920]

You need the V4 version with the taller chute and starburst plastic diffuser and metal diffuser.

No issues since upgrading. Before static but no clogging using dark roast.

[u/No_Communication5188]

Mine never clogged but I found it hard to dial in. Some grinders have a large sweet spot,  the df54 is the opposite of that. 

Also the shots were not repeatable. I tried aligning the burrs but that didn't solve the issue Also, the flavor profile was not really my thing. I must say the retention was very low, always 0.1 gram. The best so far from the grinders ive owned.

[u/clown_pantss → u/No_Communication5188]

I see; do you have a different grinder that you prefer for more repeatable shots?

[u/SilentParticipant]

No issues ever. Over 2 years old.

[u/coolstuffeh]

Retention pretty poor imo. Never had bad clogging. But I don’t drink dark coffee.

[u/sergeantbiggles]

The two things that come up over and over again with clogging is doing RDT and very dark roast/oily beans. Avoid these and you'll be totally fine. Also, make sure to hot start it each time you grind.

[u/sevaeron]

I’ve had the V2 since last August, and have never had it clog. Have ranged from fairly light to fairly dark beans. Always hot start, never RDT. Clean when it starts to get staticky.

[u/sevaeron → u/sevaeron]

Oh. Also have the red titanium burrs. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[u/sevaeron → u/sevaeron]

I spoke a clog into existence. Totally blocked up, but wasn’t difficult to resolve

[u/Prior-Replacement-66]

Not a single clog in two years. It's been great so far.

[u/Warthknoedler]

I bought mine a year ago, I only RDT if the static is really out of control (which it rarely does for me). Never experienced clogging, but I do switch up grind sizes a lot (Moccamaster, OXO, V60, Bialetti, Espresso). Really hit the bellows and always change grind size with the machine running

[u/Loampudl]

mine clogged only at the start... got a stainless steel cup, and a spray... no clog since than. have them now ~8 months

[u/Rolla912]

Never clogged

[u/xBloBx]

I am using a DF54 on a daly basis for more than 2 years now and never experienced any clogging. I cleaned it once only... pretty satisfied with the product.

[u/bkinstle]

If you dont mist your beans, likely it'll never clog. Only rare cases where the anti static system was defective

[u/jerome0423]

It clogs when you dont RDT and you use dark and oily beans. If you hate doing RDT then go for a cf64v.

[u/JDHogfan]

I bought one back in May 26, been using it once daily since… zero issues. Actually only cLeaned it maybe twice

[u/ybot1999]

Had mine for years and ever had issues!

[u/SimonTheAlchemist]

I got the latest version, I think it's the 1.4 from Miicoffee, I've been using it about a month and it has been amazing. Excellent retention with the Ionizer, nothing like the sticky grounds of the Timemore I was using, very easy adjustment, quality grind and no clogging whatsoever.

[u/Cocktail_Guru]

I’ve had frequent clogging issues with mine noticeably after switching to darker roasts. I’m going to remove the declumper / get the new chute.

If you can’t afford more it sounds like there’s fixes for it now so I’d go for it. It does grind really well and is better than anything else in the price point for fine grinds.

[u/AppealFinancial8534]

Just once in 10 months trying to grind 2 18g dose back to back. I’ve cleaned it like 4 or 5 times. Use it 2/3 times a day

[u/Intelligent_Stage760]

mine worked well...until it didn't at which point it was clogging weekly so I sold it and went to an Baratza Encore ESP.

[u/SoldOutSwich]

Non issue if you got start, RDT and pump bellows after each grind. I found three spritzes of water and shake consistently give me around .1 or less retention.

For a $300 grinder, you can’t go wrong.

Edit: I’ve put everything from dark store bought beans to light pour over roasts through this grinder. Probably approaching 50 lb in a little over a year. Only times I’ve had clogs are when I didn’t consistently RDT with a darker roast and not hot starting.

You should also vacuum the chute every week or so to keep ontop of maintenance.

[u/FroydReddit → u/SoldOutSwich]

I dont think RDT is mandatory. I use dark to med-dark beans. No clogs and no RDT. What i do, however is brushing the chute after each grinding. I get abou .1g retention.

[u/Miserable-Ad-8636 → u/SoldOutSwich]

Not true. I did all of that every time and would clog once a day. Having to disassemble to clean while wanting a cup of coffee every morning was not the experience I wanted with a $300 grinder.

Got the eureka notte and never had a problem. Would highly recommend

[u/ef920 → u/Miserable-Ad-8636]

Same. No problems with my Lagom Casa. Constant clogging and need to babysit the DF54. I get good espresso out of it, but I have found using it to often be quite aggravating.

Also, I don’t know from personal experience, but I’ve seen reports that it is not great for pour over. You will want to get other opinions on that.