I was just cleaning my niche today and thinking that the burrs (Mazzer 0191C) felt a little dull.

But I’m no expert on how they should feel and my understanding is that they should be rated for about 750Kg of coffee, which I am nowhere near despite my best efforts.

Is my understanding correct, and how much might you derate this figure for slightly lighter beans such as some of Djangos?

It did choke on a few occasions, a few weeks ago on one particular Django bean, which I put down to being a particularly large or hard set of beans. But now am I wondering if this is a symptom of the burrs needing to be replaced.

Are there any other symptoms I should be looking out for, or should I jusst assume they’l be good for at least 500Kg of beans in the absence of accidental damage?

    rivergo1d thinking that the burrs (Mazzer 0191C) felt a little dull

    How can you tell?

    rivergo1d much might you derate this figure for slightly lighter beans such as some of Djangos?

    I wouldn’t say Django is a lighter bean to the point that it would have an impact on the life of the burrs.

      It was only an impression as I ran my thumb along them. Very subjective and I wouldn’t know really.

      It sounds like they should theoretically be a long way off needing to be replaced if the rated Kg throughout is a reliable metric

        rivergo1d - I’d say so. Unless you find yourself grinding finer and finer and getting very inconsistency shots, I wouldn’t worry about it. Had mine for 5.5 years and is still (with the new owner) going strong!

        I doubt you make as much coffee as me and I wouldn’t even think about burr replacement until 15+ years.. It’s only been out 8 years ish,…so ask again in 7 years. 😁

        MediumRoastSteam some of the Django Insight light roasts recently have stalled my Niche. Only time that’s ever happened in years of different roasters across medium/light roasts.

          simonc That’s surprising, here’s a little test you can do. Connect a power meter to the grinder and when you are grinding those beans, see how many watts its pulling.

            Main thing I have noticed with burr wear was slower rate of grinding. All said and done I have yet to wear any out to the point of feeling the need of absolutely having to replace them.

            If you don’t notice any real change in speed/delivery rate or see/feel any rolled over/blunt edges the burrs are likely totally fine. Hilarious that some spend time trying to season burrs, then think there is some magical lifespan and instantly they need to be swapped out. In that case the usefulness is a fairly small window for those going that anal retentive route. Not saying you specifically, just read around at all of the FOMOR on burrs.

            DavecUK the last and current ones were fine from them, and the Niche is now at a friends as fully on the KOPI Deva now so can’t test.
            They were very light roast and when I tried on a friends Sage on holiday I couldn’t get it to do more than a bean at a time.
            2 different kg bags from them had it, with a couple of normal ones in between. Only times ever happened and was consistent through the bag. Had to slow pour the bean into the niche. 6-8g a time. Otherwise found myself having to take the burrs apart to free them.
            The beans were roast for filter but “good for espresso using light roast parameters”.

              DavecUK the last and current ones were fine from them, and the Niche is now at a friends as fully on the KOPI Deva now so can’t test.
              They were very light roast and when I tried on a friends Sage on holiday I couldn’t get it to do more than a bean at a time.
              2 different kg bags from them had it, with a couple of normal ones in between. Only times ever happened and was consistent through the bag. Had to slow pour the bean into the niche. 6-8g a time. Otherwise found myself having to take the burrs apart to free them.
              The beans were roast for filter but “good for espresso using light roast parameters”.

              simonc

              It wasn’t that bad for me, it just jammed then a quick off/on sorted it.

              I can’t say for sure but reckon by the approximate date that it was either El Salvador Los Nubes, or Rwande Gitwe.