Built-in grinder on your espresso machine straining, buzzing, or fully stuck? A jammed grinder is usually clogged with oily grounds or a hard object among the beans, and clearing it is straightforward once you power down.
Here is why the grinder jams and how to free it.
This article will teach you:
- What jams a grinder
- Why oily beans are a problem
- How to clear it safely
- How to prevent jams
Why the Grinder Jams
- A small stone or debris among the beans.
- Oily dark-roast beans gumming the burrs.
- Packed grounds in the chute.
- A grind set too fine for the motor.
What You’ll Need
- A brush and vacuum
- Grinder cleaning tablets
- Your owner’s manual
Order the part with confidence
- Guaranteed to fit when you search by model number
- Same-day shipping on in-stock parts
- 365-day returns on any part
- Free tech support before and after you buy
How to Clear a Jammed Grinder
- Unplug it. Never clear a grinder with power connected.
- Empty the hopper. Remove beans and check for stones or debris.
- Clean the burrs. Brush and vacuum the burrs and chute clear.
- Coarsen slightly. Back the grind off a notch if it keeps stalling.
Pro Tip: Very oily dark-roast beans coat and clog burrs faster than any other cause. If you grind dark roasts, clean the burrs more often and consider a slightly coarser setting.
Didn't fix it? Ask a technician on the AppliancePartsPros forum.
Post your model number, the symptom, and what you've already tried. Appliance techs and experienced DIYers answer for free, usually the same day.
Ask the forum →80,000+ solved repair threads · no account needed to readWhen to Look a Little Deeper
Because grind quality affects the shot, it helps to check related issues, and reviewing shots with no crema, low pressure, or a machine that will not pump can reveal related faults.
When to Call a Pro
If the burrs are clear and free of debris but the grinder motor will not turn, the motor or gear has failed and needs service.
Related guides
Wrapping Up
A jammed grinder is usually debris or oil. Here’s the recap:
- Unplug before clearing.
- Empty the hopper and check for stones.
- Clean the burrs and chute.
- Coarsen the grind if it stalls.
Clear the burrs first, and the grinder usually frees up. You’ve got this.
When the test points to the part, shop coffee maker parts for your model and confirm the fit with the full model number before ordering.
Still stuck after this guide?
Two free options: post your model number and symptom on the forum, or search the model number in the shop to see every part that fits.
