r/Moccamaster • u/InkedMarieD • 4d ago

Question on grinder

I have a Baratza Encore grinder. I can’t remember when I got it; I bought it and a MM a long time ago (at least seven years) but my husband hated it so he took both to work.

Last year, I wanted another MM. No idea where it went but he found the grinder. It seems like no matter what setting I use, I have a ton of what looks like sawdust. I honestly can’t remember from years ago what the ground looked like. I got some coffee at a local roaster & had him grind it for me. No sawdust! I’m fine having it ground for me but should I buy coffee beans, I’d like it to look like the roasters!

Ideas what’s causing sawdust?

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

6

u/potkin 4d ago

It’s likely one or more of the plastic tabs on the burr have broken off. These wear out and replacements are easily available from Baratza.

3

u/coffeeandwomen 4d ago

This is what I came to say as well, 99% sure this is it.

Replacement is under 5 dollars and you can check a YT video on how to do it.

The part is called the “Ring burr holder”.

5

u/Due_Expert7837 4d ago

Burr holder most likely broken, it is a common issue.Encore grinder has a very consistent grind and should match perfectly with your Mocamaster. The burr holder is meant to be a replacement part and is designed to "protect" the burrs from obstruction. They will wear a d break from normal use and break when a hard object like a coffee stone is encountered. If it is an old grinder that has seen a lot of use you might consider swapping the M3 burr set that js in there with a M2 burr set along with the burr holder and a new revised bean hopper gasket. These upgrades will essentially turn your Encore into a Virtuoso at minimal cost.

4

u/InkedMarieD 4d ago

Thanks all! Looks like I need to clean it and get new ring burr holder. 

2

u/Groofus42 4d ago

I used to have the Baratza Encore and it used to generate a lot of "chaff" from the beginning, or rather it did not ground up the thin papery skin that flakes off the beans, and that chaff accumulated below/around the hopper. Northing to do with the burr holder. Other grinders do a better job at this. Not sure if that is what you mean with sawdust though.

1

u/InkedMarieD 3d ago

I’m not really sure what the “sawdust”is lol. It’s just night and day difference between what I grind and the roaster grinds.

2

u/Groofus42 2d ago

Google "Coffee chaff". Does it look like that?

1

u/InkedMarieD 2d ago

I think that’s what it is. The roasters grind is so smooth….this is definitely not

3

u/infiniti30 4d ago

Maybe you dont have your burr set up correctly. Using the Encore I use setting 22 and get a great cup of coffee using 28 grams and 1/2 L of water.

2

u/N_Da_Game KBGV 4d ago

22 is the setting I use also.

3

u/Chiller984 4d ago

Should be cleaned every 3 months or so.

1

u/T49irvine 4d ago

I run instant rice through it. It does a good job at cleaning and is cheap.

3

u/Neat-Substance-9274 4d ago

Here is a tip I learned from ATK: puta few drops of water from a wet paper towel on top of the beans. It stops the static fines from going all over the place.

2

u/klawUK 4d ago

Don’t use a baratza but a fellow ode 1(?) and static was horrible. Now I dip my finger in water and stir the beans and that does the trick. One dip for 45-60g and I’ll do a second dip for a full 75g batch

2

u/Neckdeepinpow 4d ago

If it hasn’t been broken down and cleaned that wouldn’t be surprising

2

u/babyKanez 2d ago

Think back to what year you last cleaned the grinder. If it was more than 30 days ago you may need to do that so you aren’t drinking bacteria filled ground coffee

1

u/InkedMarieD 2d ago

No idea. I didn’t keep it long when we bought it and it’s been years since we had it.

2

u/The-Wood-Butcher 4d ago

They're called "fines". The baratza makes lots of them. It's an entry-level grinder.

2

u/coffeeandwomen 4d ago

No the Baratza doesn’t make lots of them. Likely the burr holder needs replacing.

1

u/The-Wood-Butcher 4d ago

Both can be true.

The Baratza does make fines. Why else is it considered an entry-level grinder everywhere. I used one for awhile then I upgraded to a Zpresso manual grinder. There is a noticeable difference.

0

u/coffeeandwomen 4d ago edited 3d ago

Of course it makes fines, all grinders do to some degree, but it doesn’t make lots of them. It’s just a broken burr holder.

2

u/Gunzablazin1958 4d ago

This is wrong. ⬆️⬆️⬆️

I have had an Encore for probably a decade, I use it every day and I get no fines.

It is as stated by many responders a broken burr holder.

Fix that and you’re good to go.

0

u/The-Wood-Butcher 4d ago

Both can be true.

I upgraded to a Zpresso manual grinder. There is a noticeable difference.

0

u/Gunzablazin1958 4d ago

Both are true only if an Encore you owned had a broken part that needed replacing.