Adjusting the upper burr on your Breville grinder is a key step to fine-tuning your grind size for optimal coffee extraction, especially for different brew methods or when your grinder's external settings aren't sufficient. This internal adjustment changes the grind range of your machine, allowing for finer grinds suitable for espresso or coarser grinds for French press.
Understanding the Grind Adjustment Process
Breville grinders typically have two layers of grind adjustment:
- External Adjustment: The primary grind setting dial located on the front or side of the grinder, which you use daily.
- Internal (Upper Burr) Adjustment: A more precise, internal adjustment made by rotating the upper burr itself. This sets the overall range for your external dial.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting the Upper Burr
To adjust the upper burr, you'll need to access the grinding chamber and manipulate the burr directly. Follow these steps carefully:
1. Prepare Your Grinder
- Empty the Bean Hopper: Remove all coffee beans from the hopper.
- Remove the Hopper: Detach the bean hopper from the top of the grinder. This usually involves twisting it counter-clockwise and lifting it off.
2. Access the Upper Burr
- Locate the Handle: Once the hopper is removed, you will see the upper conical burr. It often has a small metal handle or wire loop on top designed for easy removal.
- Remove the Upper Burr: Gently lift the upper burr straight up and out of the grinder.
3. Adjust the Grind Setting
- Identify the Adjustment Ring: On the underside or side of the upper burr, you will find a numbered ring or collar. These numbers typically range from 1 (finest) to higher numbers (coarsest).
- Rotate to Adjust:
- For Finer Grind: Rotate the adjustment ring towards a lower number (e.g., from 6 to 4). This narrows the gap between the burrs, resulting in a finer grind.
- For Coarser Grind: Rotate the adjustment ring towards a higher number (e.g., from 6 to 8). This widens the gap, producing a coarser grind.
- Make Small Changes: It's recommended to adjust one or two numbers at a time, test the grind, and then adjust further if needed.
4. Reassemble the Grinder
Once you have set the desired internal grind adjustment, it's crucial to reassemble the grinder correctly to ensure optimal performance and safety.
- Reinsert the Upper Burr: Carefully place the upper burr back into its designated slot in the grinder. Ensure it sits firmly and correctly.
- Secure the Burr: As part of reassembly, you will need to reattach the handle. This component is vital as it locks the burr in place, preventing movement during grinding. According to the reference, for proper reassembly, you'll want to twist the burr clockwise as you place and secure it. This ensures it's correctly seated before locking.
- Reattach the Bean Hopper: Place the bean hopper back onto the grinder, aligning it properly, and then twist it clockwise until it locks securely into position. This often acts as an additional mechanism to secure the upper burr.
5. Test and Fine-Tune
- Grind Test: Add a small amount of coffee beans to the hopper and perform a test grind.
- Evaluate Grind Size: Assess the texture of the ground coffee. Is it too fine, too coarse, or just right for your brewing method?
- External Dial Adjustment: Now, use your grinder's external grind setting dial to make minor adjustments within the new range you've set with the upper burr.
By following these steps, you can precisely adjust your Breville grinder's internal settings, ensuring you achieve the perfect grind for your coffee.
