How to Fix a Coffee Grinder

Coffee grinders have single-speed switches that can easily become clogged with coffee grounds. They also have problems with dull blades and overheated motors from use. Follow these steps to fix a coffee grinder.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Toothpicks
• Light-weight machine oil

1. Unplug your coffee grinder and remove the screws underneath the unit to free the baseplate.

2. Check the power cord. Make sure your power cord appears to be in good working order. Any scrapes or problems with your power cord can cause coffee grinders to not work properly.

3. Check the brushes on the motor. Look to see if they appear to be worn or damaged. If they are, you should replace the brushes.

4. Take apart the grinder part of your coffee grinder, if it appears your motor shaft is frozen in one place. Clean the shaft and lubricate it with one or two drops of a lightweight machine oil at each bearing point. Move the shaft around several times to distribute the oil.

5. Brush all coffee grounds out from the switches of your coffee grinder. If your grinder runs intermittently or doesn't seem to stop when you want it to, chances are you have coffee grounds clogging your switches. Use a toothpick to push out any coffee grounds from your switches. If you find grounds inside your grinder itself, chances are you have a faulty seal and you should replace the seal.

6. Push your motor shaft back and forth. If your motor shaft moves, your bearing is bad and your grinder needs to be replaced.

7. Check the blades on your grinder, if your grinder tends to vibrate. If one of your blades is bent, you need to replace the blades.