Rancilio Rocky

The Gaggia MDF is an electric burr grinder.

Gaggia MDF
Manufacturer: Gaggia
Model Name: MDF
Type: Burr Grinder

Machine Description

The Rancilio Rocky is a home coffee bean grinder that uses commercial quality burrs. The machine is available in a doser and doserless version depending on the needs of the end user. The hopper is also made of tinted plastic to prevent light from affecting the freshness of the beans. The Rocky also utilizes the same high-power motor as Rancilio's commercial MD40 grinder.

Cleaning & Maintenance

{{Maintenance-Rancilio-Grinder}

Troubleshooting

Machine Not Powering On

1. First plug the machine into another outlet. Make sure the machine is the only device on the outlet, and that the outlet works with other appliances.
2. Try backing out the grind to a coarse setting. If the burrs are too close together they will not be able to move.
3. If the machine still is not working then there may be a loose wire, blown resistor, or tripped overload switch.
1. Remove the bottom cover of the grinder. If you have the 2008 version of the Rocky the bottom plate will be stainless steel. To remove the bottom cover simply unscrew the three screws with a Philips head screwdriver. The bottom cover will now lift off.
   

   Rancilio Rocky Bottom Cover
2. Check for any loose or disconnected wires, particularly near the switches. The capacitor will look slightly different on the older 2008 version of the Rocky, since it has a couple of additional parts.
   • 

     New Capacitor

   • 

     Old 2008 Rocky Capacitor

1. If you have the new style of capacitor there is no longer a overload switch or resistor. The update to the capacitor makes these parts superfluous. Check to see if you find any loose or disconnected wires and reconnect them to the appropriate terminals.
2. If you have the old style of capacitor first check to make sure there are no loose or disconnected wires, and reconnect them to the appropriate terminals if there are.
1. Next you will want to check to see if the overload switch has tripped. If the overload switch is tripped a small black plastic button will be popped out in the center. Press the button back into place to reset the overload switch.
   

   The overload switch is circled in red. The green arrow points to the button that will pop out when the overload switch is tripped.
2. If the machine is still not powering on then the resistor may be broken. The resistor is attached to the capacitor assembly. The resistor is listed as part 32 on p. 2 of the parts diagram. This resistor may need to be replaced if it has burned out.
   

   Resistor For 2008 Rocky
3. If the machine still will not power on then the machine will need to be repaired.
4. Once the machine is powering back on, reassemble the grinder and make sure the grind is set to the coarsest setting. Add beans back in and test the machine.
5. If the beans grind correctly on this setting slowly move the grind setting to the desired position. Only adjust the grind size while the grinder is running or you risk jamming the grinder or blowing out the resistor again.

Motor On But Beans Won't Grind

If you hear the motor activating but there is nothing being ground, then the burrs are blocked. Make sure not to use oily, caramelized, or flavored beans in the grinder if you are going to be using the grinder for an espresso grind. These types of beans have a lot of sticky residues that can cause jams. Damage caused by use of these beans is often not covered under warranty.

1. If the machine is set to a very fine grind, then the burrs may be touching each other. Back the machine off to the coarsest grind setting and see if it's able to grind.
2. If the machine is able to grind on this setting, then the burrs were most likely too close together, or the grinder was adjusted when it was off. Try moving the grind back down slowly while the grinder is running. Adjustments should only be made while the grinder is running to prevent jams. Do not set the grind too fine; if the grind is in the Turkish range, like baby powder, then it is set too fine and the machine could jam again.
3. If the machine is not able to grind on this setting, then there is a more serious jam. Please refer to the cleaning and maintenance icon above for instructions on burr cleaning and calibration. Once the grinder is cleaned and calibrated, it is important that the machine is set to a coarse grind before using it again. Setting the grind to a fine grind can cause it to jam again.

Grinds Coarse/Inconsistent

• If the machine is on a fine setting and the grinds are still coarse, or if the machine is producing grinds of all different sizes, then the grinder is out of calibration or needs to be cleaned. Please refer to the cleaning and maintenance icon above for instructions on burr cleaning and calibration.

• Oily, caramelized, or flavored beans can cake up on the burrs and push them out of calibration, so these beans should be avoided.
  • Additionally adjustments to the grind fineness should only be made while the grinder is running. Moving the burrs closer together for a fine grind will cause them to press against any bean fragments or grinds already in the grinder.
    • If the burrs are moving, those fragments get ground up and brushed aside.
    • If the burrs aren't moving, then they will press into those fragments and cause the burr to get pushed out of alignment.

• If the grinder is older, or if something was put through the grinder that is not meant to be put in it, the burrs may be worn out. If cleaning and calibrating the grinder is not resolving the behavior then it may be time to replace the burrs.

Dosing Lever Loose

If the the dosing chamber does not engage when you pull the lever, or the lever doesn't retract by itself when you pull it, then the spring may be loose or broken, or another part inside the dosing assembly is broken. These instructions will show you how to access the bottom portion of the dosing assembly to check for broken parts and make sure the spring is properly positioned:

Doser Spring Instructions

Specifications

Rocky Doserless
Basic Specs
Width:	5.25 in.
Height:	14 in.
Depth:	9.75 in.
Weight:	17 lbs.
Watts:	140
Volts:	120
Usage
Grind Selection:	All Grinds
Recommended Application:	Home
Components
Grinding Method:	Burr
Drive System:	Direct Drive
Burr Type:	Flat
Burr Material:	Stainless Steel
Burr Size:	50 mm.
Housing
Clearance Height For Portafilter:	3.25 in.
Built-In Tamper:	No
Housing Materials:	Stainless Steel
Bean Hopper Material:	Smoked Plastic
Removable Hopper:	Yes
Frame:	Aluminum
Capacity
Bean Hopper Capacity:	10.5 oz.
Dispensing
Dosing Options:	Doserless
Portafilter Compatibility:	All
Controls
Number Of Grind Settings:	40
Programmable Grinding:	No
Programmability Type:	Manual
Controls:	Push Button
Grind Setting Controls:	Stepped
Performance
Temp Grounded Coffee (4 oz.):	77 F°
Sound No Beans:	61 Db
Sound With Beans:	77 Db
RPM (Burrs):	1725
Details
Country Of Manufacture:	Italy
NSF Certified:	No

Rocky Doser
Basic Specs
Width:	4.5 in.
Height:	13.7 in.
Depth:	9.5 in.
Weight:	18 lbs.
Watts:	140
Volts:	120
Usage
Grind Selection:	All Grinds
Recommended Application:	Home/Commercial
Components
Grinding Method:	Burr
Drive System:	Direct Drive
Burr Type:	Flat
Burr Material:	Stainless Steel
Burr Size:	50 mm.
Housing
Clearance Height For Portafilter:	3.25 in.
Built-In Tamper:	No
Housing Materials:	Stainless Steel
Bean Hopper Material:	Smoked Plastic
Removable Hopper:	Yes
Dosing Chamber Material:	Smoked Plastic
Frame:	Aluminum
Capacity
Bean Hopper Capacity:	10.5 oz.
Doser Capactity:	10.5 oz.
Dispensing
Dosing Options:	Doser
Portafilter Compatibility:	All
Controls
Number Of Grind Settings:	40
Programmable Grinding:	No
Programmability Type:	Manual
Controls:	Push Button
Grind Setting Controls:	Stepped
Performance
Temp Grounded Coffee (4 oz.):	78 F°
Sound No Beans:	61 Db
Sound With Beans:	77 Db
RPM (Burrs):	1725
Details
Country Of Manufacture:	Italy
NSF Certified:	No