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Overview of the Smart Grinder Pro's capabilities, including burrs, brew methods, and grind adjustment.
Instructions for initial setup, including cleaning and connecting the appliance.
Guide on how to align, insert, lock, and remove the bean hopper.
Detailed steps for grinding coffee for espresso, including cradle selection and shot/cup settings.
Instructions for grinding coffee directly into the grinds container or a coffee filter.
Explanation of hands-free grinding that stops automatically when the preset amount is dispensed.
How to pause and resume the grinding operation for settling coffee in the portafilter.
Manually controlling grind duration by pressing and holding buttons or the portafilter.
How to program custom grind times into the LCD display for specific shots or cups.
Modifying preset SHOTS|CUPS amounts by adjusting grind time using the GRIND AMOUNT dial.
Guide on extending grind range with the adjustable upper burr for optimal extraction.
Steps for emptying beans, washing parts, polishing exterior, and proper storage.
Procedure for regularly cleaning conical burrs to ensure consistent grinding results.
Guidance on using fresh beans, proper storage, and grinding immediately before brewing.
Step-by-step instructions for brewing a great cup of plunger coffee.
Overview of the Smart Grinder Pro's capabilities, including burrs, brew methods, and grind adjustment.
Instructions for initial setup, including cleaning and connecting the appliance.
Guide on how to align, insert, lock, and remove the bean hopper.
Detailed steps for grinding coffee for espresso, including cradle selection and shot/cup settings.
Instructions for grinding coffee directly into the grinds container or a coffee filter.
Explanation of hands-free grinding that stops automatically when the preset amount is dispensed.
How to pause and resume the grinding operation for settling coffee in the portafilter.
Manually controlling grind duration by pressing and holding buttons or the portafilter.
How to program custom grind times into the LCD display for specific shots or cups.
Modifying preset SHOTS|CUPS amounts by adjusting grind time using the GRIND AMOUNT dial.
Guide on extending grind range with the adjustable upper burr for optimal extraction.
Steps for emptying beans, washing parts, polishing exterior, and proper storage.
Procedure for regularly cleaning conical burrs to ensure consistent grinding results.
Guidance on using fresh beans, proper storage, and grinding immediately before brewing.
Step-by-step instructions for brewing a great cup of plunger coffee.
The Breville Smart Grinder™ Pro (BCG820) is a precision coffee grinder designed to prepare whole bean coffee for a wide range of brewing methods, from fine espresso to coarse plunger coffee. It features conical burrs that maximize particle size for full flavor potential, ensuring optimal extraction for any coffee type.
The Smart Grinder™ Pro offers a comprehensive grinding experience with intuitive controls and automated features. Users can select the desired amount of ground coffee in either "Shots" for espresso or "Cups" for other brewing methods, using a dedicated SHOTS|CUPS button. The grind amount (dose) for each brew method is controlled by a digital timer, which can be adjusted by turning the GRIND AMOUNT|PROGRAM dial. This dial allows for fine-tuning the grinding time, increasing or decreasing the dose by 0.2-second increments. Once a desired custom dose is set, it can be programmed by pressing and holding the PROGRAM button, which will be confirmed by two beeps. This programming applies only to the currently displayed shot or cup setting, leaving other settings unchanged.
The grinder features 60 custom grind settings, ranging from espresso to plunger, accessible via the GRIND SIZE dial. Each brew method (Espresso, Percolator, Filter, Plunger) has a specific range of grind size settings tailored for optimum extraction. For espresso, a starting point of grind size 12 is recommended, with adjustments made to the Coarser or Finer settings in conjunction with the Grind Amount to achieve the correct flow rate. A single shot of espresso is traditionally defined as ~30ml in 30 seconds, and a double shot as ~60ml in 30 seconds. If the Grind Size dial feels tight, pressing the START|PAUSE|CANCEL button while turning the dial can help release trapped coffee grounds.
The Smart Grinder™ Pro supports grinding directly into a portafilter, the included grinds container, or a drip coffee filter basket. For portafilters, the appropriate cradle (50-54mm or 58mm) is inserted, and the portafilter is pushed into the cradle. For grinding into the grinds container or a coffee filter, the portafilter cradle is removed by sliding it out from under the grind outlet, and the container (with its cap open) or filter is placed directly underneath.
The grinder offers both automatic and manual grinding modes. In automatic mode, the grinder dispenses a preset amount of coffee and stops automatically. This can be activated by a 'Press & Release' action on either the START|PAUSE|CANCEL button or by pushing the portafilter handle against the PORTAFILTER ACTIVATION SWITCH. Manual grinding provides complete control over the dispensed amount; users 'Press & Hold' either the START|PAUSE|CANCEL button or the PORTAFILTER SWITCH for as long as needed, and grinding stops upon release.
A pause function allows users to temporarily stop grinding for up to 10 seconds, useful for collapsing or settling coffee in the portafilter before resuming to complete the dose. This is activated by pressing the START|PAUSE|CANCEL button once to start, and again to pause. A third press within the 10-second window resumes grinding.
The bean hopper has a 450g capacity and features an air-tight seal to maximize bean freshness. It also includes a locking system for easy removal and transfer of beans to a storage container. The hopper is aligned and locked into position by turning it 90 degrees clockwise. For safety, if the bean hopper is not correctly locked, a 'PLEASE LOCK HOPPER' message will appear on the LCD screen, disabling grinder operation.
The grinder is equipped with an automatic thermal safety shut-off to protect the motor from overheating, and a power-saving/sleep mode that powers down the unit to standby after 5 minutes of non-use. The machine can be reactivated by pressing any button on the control panel.
For optimal coffee quality, the manual emphasizes using freshly roasted coffee beans (5-20 days after the 'roasted on' date), storing them in a dark, cool, dry, and vacuum-sealed container, and grinding beans immediately before brewing to preserve flavor and aroma. It also suggests running the grinder empty for 2 seconds before each use to purge any residual coffee and ensure maximum freshness.
The Smart Grinder™ Pro also features an adjustable upper burr, allowing users to extend the grind range for specific coffee types that may require a wider range for ideal extraction. This adjustment involves unlocking and removing the hopper, releasing beans, removing the upper burr, adjusting its number setting (coarser or finer), and then reassembling. Only one adjustment is recommended at a time.
Regular cleaning is crucial for maintaining consistent grinding results, especially for espresso. The cleaning process involves emptying the bean hopper, grinding out any excess beans, and unplugging the power cord. The hopper, grinds container, lid, and portafilter cradles should be washed in warm soapy water, rinsed, and thoroughly dried. The exterior of the grinder can be wiped with a soft, damp cloth. It is explicitly stated not to use alkaline or abrasive cleaning agents, steel wool, or scouring pads, as these can damage the surface, and that grinder parts or accessories should not be cleaned in a dishwasher.
Cleaning the conical burrs involves unlocking and removing the bean hopper, then removing the upper burr. Both the upper and lower burrs, as well as the grind outlet, should be cleaned using the provided conical burr cleaning brush. After cleaning, the burrs should be thoroughly dried before reassembly. If moisture clogs the grinder, a hairdryer can be used to blow air into the grinder inlet to dry the burrs. The manual also advises inspecting the burrs and bean hopper for any blockages or foreign items if the motor operates with a loud 'racket' noise or if no ground coffee is dispensed.
General| Model | BCG820 |
|---|---|
| Category | Coffee Grinder |
| Brand | Breville |
| Grind Settings | 60 |
| Burr Type | Stainless Steel Conical Burrs |
| Power | 165 Watts |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Color | Silver |
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