Hacking the Cuisinart SupremeGrind for Espresso

The Cuisinart SupremeGrind is one of the least-expensive burr coffee grinders. In fact, it can be had refurbished on Amazon for under $20 (DBM-8 model), or twice that for the newer-but-nearly-indistinguishable CCM-16FR model. The major problem with the machine is that, even at its finest, it's unable to produce an espresso grind.

However, it's actually a rather trivial operation to shim up the stationary burr to shift the grind in a finer direction.

Don't get me wrong. If you've got a great espresso machine, don't skimp here: get a Jolly or a Rocky or something like that. But if you were considering a Gaggia, a Baratza, or other low-end espresso grinder, give this a whirl: once modified, it easily compares with that class of grinder.

Step 1: Remove the stationary burr.

Using a Phillips-head screwdriver, remove the three screws holding the stationary burr to the bean hopper outlet. With a bristle brush (I use cheap natural bristle artist's brushes from BigLots for such cleanup chores), clean both the burr and the hopper outlet of all grounds.

Comments

[studiogrynn]

I modded one of these a few years back using a different approach. I think I like your system better though. I removed the hopper and ground off the limiting tab. Opened the grinder and bypassed the cut off switch in the top. That allowed me to turn the hopper down past the factory limits and get a fine grind. Using a feeler gauge I ran the hopper down until I had just over .001 clearance between the plates. Used a sharpie to mark that spot on the top of the grinder so I would not adjust past it in the future. Then I could get down really fine for the espressos and keep the ultra coarse for the french press. Grinder eventually failed and I have since replaced it with a better unit. Served me well for several years and it was a great bargain for the $20 I spent at Sam's Club.

[hhmm89]

I tried this on my grinder, its a Black & Decker one, but the mechanism is the same and I must say sir, I FRIGGIN LOVE YOU!!!

[ivan_kz]

Great work! Thanks!!! Now, my grinder ultra-fine grind!

[Doc B.]

This is a great idea. If I may offer a more simple, if slightly more expensive procedure: Order some .020" precision shims part number 93574A188 18-8 SS Precision Bearing Spacing Shim .020" Thick, .123" ID, .178" OD from McMaster Carr. You have to buy a bag of 25 and it runs about $8 Remove the top burr, place one shim over each of the three screw holes and reinstall the burr and screws. This was done to a grinder that had been putting out a uneven grind, too coarse for espresso, three times daily for the past two years. At the two finest settings on this grinder the burrs now collide. At third finest setting it puts out a very nice even grind fine enough for Turkish coffee.

[scottangell]

I did some measurements that might be helpful. (All in inches) My burr was 1.5775 outside diameter and 1.0 inside diameter. Shim of 0.013 was minimum required and .0475 was way too much. There is a second safety switch on top of the burr grinder and if the shim is too thick it prevents that safety switch from engaging. About 10 layers of thick foil did the trick for me. I cut the interior foil out after mounting to the hopper with screws. Drill for screw holes can be 1/8 inch or #30 drill.

[scottangell]

I inspected the plastic screw holes at this step and found that 2 of 3 where cracked. Also my stationary burr showed a fair amount of wear. We have used this for three or for years. I beefed up the cracked areas with epoxy putty. Seems to be holding well now, but this old girl is on it's last legs.

[civilmonkey]

Thanks! I used cheap thin foil (it was all I had) and needed 14 shims. I guess one advantage with thin foil is that you can fine tune it. At 15 shims and the finest setting, the burrs touched, at 14 shims they don't touch so it's the finest my grinder will go.

[GABRIAL]

Great Hack. The aluminum foil shims work great. I am even able to grind for turkish coffee now. Thanks

[clepard]

one other suggestion for a ready made stand-off, spacer, is to use #4 or #6 washers... I suggest metal, so there would be no compression issues. You can pick up a pack at homedepot for $1.00 or you can order them online for $.02ea...Anyway, just place one under each screw, and continue these great instructions! By the way, thanks for these instructions!!!! Picture is of a #6 image, not to scale of course.

[Laral]

Hey clepard thanks for the great suggestion. I got so frustrated trying to cut out the many shims, even with a new scalpel blade, that I gave up, went to TrueValue, and got 3 #4 brass washers for $.13 each. Carefully installed them and it works like a charm. You have to be careful not to mesh the burrs. I just turn on the grinder without coffee in the hopper and turn the collar toward Fine until the buzzing sound just starts and then back it off a click or two. That's it. Now Coarse is the new Ultra-Fine. ;-) Even if you do mesh the burrs occasionally no harm done because the blades are recessed below the rim. Now I get an incredibly fine fluffy grind and a noticeably improved flavor from a machine I paid $11 for new at Sam's Club. Thanks sehrgut for pointing out that this could be so easily modded. I never would have thought of it.

[benjorgensen]

thats realy cool. i did the same thing myself with my black&decker.