Ernie1

Thanks.

I bought a separate hand grinder which I intend to use for anything other than espresso, as my understanding is although this can do all sorts of grinds, changing from a finer grind to a coarser grind isn’t as simple as in the Niche. You do have to faff a little bit, which isn’t ideal.

The dial in the right pops off (magnetically attached), then there is an allen screw which needs to be unscrewed. Then the underlying dial needs to be popped out, rotated 180 degrees (which way depends if you want to go finer or coarser), then reassembled.

      DrForinor

      Blimey, sounds like a faff indeed.

      Still, as you say, no issue if you’re using a secondary grinder also (which is what I’m also doing).

      Definitely one of the best looking grinders out there. Still love the aperture style opening when you twist the little hopper bit.

          Ernie1

          It’s a proper cool little grinder for sure! I just hope that it wasn’t a mistake for me (opting for a flat as opposed to conical).

            I’m biased but the speed and flavour of a flat will always win for me, although I’ve not tried any of the high-end conicals.

            Given @tompoland’s experience with grinders, if his comments are anything to go by you’ll probably be very pleased with your choice!

              Ernie1

              It was actually Tom’s input, video and review that persuaded me to buy it 😅😁

                DrForinor The dial in the right pops off (magnetically attached), then there is an allen screw which needs to be unscrewed. Then the underlying dial needs to be popped out, rotated 180 degrees (which way depends if you want to go finer or coarser), then reassembled.

                There is a work around. Take the hopper off, take off the top/front panels and simply remove the grub screw. The will put an end to the faffing around. I have done that on both of the Moca SDs and you can then dial in from espresso to filter as easily as the Niche.

                This comment on the issue was in the manufacturers right of reply at the end of my review which can be found in the Knowledge Base tab:

                The grubscrew and resulting adjustment that threw you towards the user manual, is a prerequisite for our TÜV certifications. To make the quite technical story short: It’s to ensure that nobody can turn the burrs on top of each other by accident.

                    tompoland

                    Any chance you have a diagram/picture of this grub screw? Or is it obvious?

                    How does it affect warranty?

                        DrForinor f we count the smallest dot as “zero”, what sort of range have you been finding for your coffee? Just as a rough guide?

                        I should have said first of all “congratulations”. I still think that the Moca SD is the worlds best kept grinder secret. Its a stunning little beast and the Ditting burrs are at the core of why the espresso is so perfect for my taste buds.

                        See if this pic helps but essentially, I go to zero (touch point) and come back roughly two dots for my espresso.

                            tompoland

                            Thank you. I’m truly excited to try coffee from this.

                            Brilliant, I’ll try that, thanks.

                              tompoland There is a work around. Take the hopper off, take off the top/front panels and simply remove the grub screw.

                              Is there a guide to taking the panels off? When I take the hopper off, I see 2 non standard (security?) screws, but nothing else.

                                  DrForinor sorry no pic but yes it should be obvious.

                                  It should not affect the warranty if the issue is unrelated. But I guess if you jam the burrs together and then run it for hours then that might be a problem 😀

                                  Manufacturers expect grinders to be opened up, unlike say laptops or phones.

                                  Olympia have a top class reputation for durability but also for refraining from finding ways to dishonour their guarantees. If in doubt send Olymia an email.

                                    DrForinor sorry I can’t I specific. It was a while ago that I removed the grub screw. But I do recall that I removed the dial adjustment knob, hopper and portafilter forks had then had the grinder on its back and removed the screws underneath the chute.

                                        Managed to choke it, so had to take it apart 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

                                        mine only choked when I misted the beans. also, if it chokes, normally opening the dial to a very coarse setting and starting the grinder will clear it. but at least you can get rid of that pesky grubb screw.

                                        @tompoland Sorry I mean to pester you but you have knowledge about this grinder.

                                        I have removed the grubb screw but very hesitant/apprehensive as to how “tight” to push it.

                                        In this video, I have the dial set from the 1st dot (the smallest dot being zero, then the half then 1). At this setting, using a medium-ish roast blend, I got a 1 to 2.3 ratio in 19 seconds, which obviously means I can go finer. I got almost taste the notes, but there was a little sourness present.

                                        But when I adjust the dial finer, getting to about half the audible note changes (almost as if the burrs might be touching?). I’ve then switched it off, and you can see how far tighter I can actually go.

                                        Any guidance, please? The change in audible note, are the burrs doing anything crazy?

                                          Always happy to help (you are not pestering at all).

                                          To my ears all sounds fine. I can’t detect burrs touching.

                                          Its hard, if not impossible, to damage the burrs teeth as such because other than the flat surface of each burr, the teeth won’t come into contact with each other. Jamming them is a possibility but your safety margin for that is using beans and grinding no finer than you need to for your desired espresso.

                                          If you hear a “chirping” when running the grinder then the burrs are getting close so dont dial them so they are any closer, just use that as the point of limitation.

                                          In the video it sounds like they are close but I"d be comfortable with grinding and confirming that it’s fine enough for the espresso you are making. I think you are good to go with the world’s best kept grinding secret.

                                            tompoland

                                            Thank you.

                                            Since the video, I’ve fed through some old beans (I wasn’t going to use them so I thought I’d use them to season the burrs - is that still a thing?).

                                            After going through 500g of stale beans, I’m able to go another full dot finer than what I have shown in the video. So I’m thinking I can adjust the “zero point” to be a little finer, and after your information, I’m more comfortable in doing so.

                                            I have emailed Olympia also, explaining that I’ve taken the grubb screw out, and asking the best way to determine Point Zero without causing harm to the burrs. I’ll update the thread when I hear from them.

                                            Thanks again 😊

                                                DrForinor season the burrs - is that still a thing?).

                                                Definitely a thing.

                                                While they are seasoning the grind setting changes a bit with the Moca. No biggie. Some grinders (e.g. Livi and Honne) need up to 10kg through before they settle down and resemble anything that’s predictable but not the Moca (or Niche). But the flavor will improve over the first 10kg or so. 500g to kick off is enough. Bring on the good beans!

                                                I’m delighted that you took the plunge and bought a Moca.