Gaggia Brera: Grinder Cleaning and Replacement

The most common cause for any grinder issue is buildup in the chamber, burrs, or chute. This buildup causes less beans to enter the grinder allowing a faster rotation of the burrs which then triggers the "No Beans" alert. It's very important for this reason to make sure you are using non-oily beans in any super-automatic espresso machine.

Top Lights Error, No Beans Error, and other Grinder Issues

If the buildup is not too severe, you can do this with a vacuum and a small brush. It may help to wait until the hopper is empty if possible. Urnex SuperGrindz Super-Automatic Grinder Cleaner is also great for preventative maintenance on a new machine or after cleaning to avoid running into cases of heavy buildup that can not be cleaned using these basic cleaning methods. If you find that the buildup is too severe to be cleaned using these basic methods, or if you'd just prefer to be a bit more thorough, the video below will show you how to remove the grinder assembly from the machine for cleaning.

Cleaning, Calibrating or Replacing the Grinder

No Beans Error

• The error may still display after the cleaning
• Error should decrease in frequency until ultimately resolving
• May take up to 20 successful extractions for error to resolve
• Shots do not need to be run consecutively, keep setting coarse
• One notch finer as the grinder runs is the recommended grinder adjustment method after issue resolves
• Grinder replacement WILL NOT resolve the issue if the cleaning does not work
• For the No Beans Error specifically, see our article on the Firmware Update.

If you go through the cleaning and recalibration process and are still getting an error or having grinder issues, the next step will be to try replacing the grinder at home using the above cleaning video. The grinder assembly has some parts like the burrs and brushes that will wear down over time. A grinder with dull burrs or brushes could behave in much the same manner as a grinder with buildup. Please be advised that we cannot guarantee replacing the grinder assembly will resolve an error with your machine and parts are not returnable. Replacing the grinder will not permanently resolve a no beans error, but may resolve a top lights error.

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It’s also worth noting that the clear dome piece in the bean hopper is designed to vibrate to help encourage beans towards the grinder as the grinder is running. If the piece is overtightened, has melted and fused in place, or is otherwise damaged, it may be acting as more of a barricade. The machine will operate just fine without it in place, but it is recommended to be intact and in place as it prevents you from being able to reach into the grinder as it runs. If that doesn't resolve the problem, or if you'd just prefer to be more thorough, I'd recommend opening up the grinder for cleaning.

Associated Parts:

• Gaggia Brera Shoppable Parts Diagram
• Complete Grinder Assembly 120V
• Urnex SuperGrindz Super-Automatic Grinder Cleaner
• Pallo Coffeetool Brush
• Transparent Finger Guard for Brera Hopper
• Finger Guard Screw (M4X16)
• Brass Bushing (for Finger Guard Screw)