Q: Is the warranty transferable?
A: No, the warranty is non-transferable. Like most consumer products, the warranty applies ONLY to the original buyer and for purchases directly from Niche. If you have questions, check with Niche before you buy. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: When did grinders start being shipped with the new double-wall grind cup?
A: February 2021. It's availble for purchase from Niche. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: When did grinders start being shipped with the NFC (Niche Flow Control) disk and what does it do?
A: February 2020. The NFC disk controls the number of beans entering the grind chamber and reduces popcorning. More info here. It's also availble for purchase from Niche. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: The bolt holding the NFC disk came loose. How do I tighten it?
A: Use a 10mm nut driver (or socket & handle) to tighten the bolt. To hold the burr, Niche recommends tightening the calibrating ring counter-clockwise as far as it goes. I use a wooden chopstick inserted in the NFC hole. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: My power cable is too short to reach an outlet. What do I do now?
A: First try pulling the cable out of the back of the NZ. It is coiled inside when it arrives. If that doesn't work, unscrew the base and you will be able to uncoil the cable to the correct length. [Jon Taylor]
Q: The red LED is always on, correct? Doesn't that waste power?
A: Yes. The grinder is designed to have the LED on whenever your grinder is connected to live mains power. Power consumption is almost nothing. [Jon Taylor]
Q: The power light on my Niche is on and the lid is closed, but it won’t grind. Why not?
A: The grinder has a safety mechanism which ensures the lid is closed before grinding. This involves closing the lid and a protrusion on the lid engaging with a button on the grinder. If the lid is not closed, the grinder will not start. Also, if the protrusion is missing or broken, the grinder will not start and you'll need to contact Niche for a replacement lid. [Jon Taylor]
Q: My wooden feet are spinning freely. Why's that?
A: The wooden legs are a design element without any function. They are mounted in a way they turn unobstructed. Rubber feet hold up the grinder. [Uli Kruse]
Q: Also, is the wooden grinder cup base supposed to be loose?
A: Yes, the grinder cup base is a separate piece of wood, so you can pick it up and dust it off. You’ll appreciate this design detail the first time you grind without the cup underneath. [Ben Osborne]
Q: How often should I clean my grinder, if I am making two coffees each day?
A: This depends on how compulsive you are. I suggest once a month, since it's so easy. But I have also gone 6 months without a cleaning. Frankly, some owners have never cleaned their grinders. Once burrs are seasoned, there is little (if no) retention, only a small amount of grinds that are exchanged with each grind. Niche has a cleaning video. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: Do I need to calibrate my grinder before using it?
A: You can, but it's not necessary. Usually, it comes calibrated from the Factory. Before calibrating, make sure your grinder is clean. And calibrate after each cleaning. Niche has a calibration video. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: Do I need to recalibrate my grinder after cleaning it?
A: Some do; some don't. Recalibrating will most likely change your grind settings. Here's how to avoid recalibration: When cleaning your calibrated Niche, just touch the silver funnel to unscrew the silver funnel. Don't touch the black calibration ring. Disassemble and clean. After putting everything back, tighten the silver funnel enough that your calibration ring marker ends up back at the calibration point. Don't touch the black calibration ring. From there, turn the silver funnel back to your previous grind setting and you will be exactly at the same spot as before. Nothing to recalibrate, no mess, and no new grind settings.
If you do recalibrate, the impact of new grind settings are often overrated. Even if grind settings change by a few numbers, it does not matter. Just record the new numbers. [Uli Kruse]
Q: Can I compare my "grind settings" to those used by others?
A: "Grind settings" depend on many factors and should only be used as a starting point. One often overlooked factor is “calibration,” which may vary from one machine to another. Niche calibration is inexact, since it relies on "tightness" and not a hard stop point. Calibration is dependent on how tightly you screw everything back together, how strong you are, how consistent you are when tightening, and how much your burrs have seasoned. Other important factors which affect grind settings include beans (source/roast/age), dose, and brew ratio (among others). The markings are a guide, nothing more! [Liam Geach]
Q: Are there alternative dosing cups to meet the requirements of 42/49/57mm and other size portafilters?
A: There is only one original 58mm dosing cup. But third party stainless steel cups and shot glasses available on shopping platforms will do the trick. Metal dosing cups have benefits over other materials as they tend to work more effectively against static. [Uli Kruse]
Q: What is the difference between exchange and retention?
A: Exchange is what is pushed out of the grinder during the next grind. It's what we want to avoid and why it's a good idea to tap/blow/conjol loose grinds out of a grinder right after you use it. You don't want stale grounds (from the last grind) in your fresh grounds (from your current grind). But I admit, I'm a bit compulsive about exchange, more than I probably need to be with the Niche. Retention is what is retained by the grinder. It doesn't affect anything, because it remains in the grinder. Personally, I view it as filling in the voids, so there is less exchange. As long as it doesn't make it into my fresh grounds, I don't care how much is there or what it looks like. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: I've read about adding water to beans before grinding to reduce static. What is that?
A: Some owners use RDT, which stands for Ross Droplet Technique. It's a method in which a spritz of water or droplets of water are applied to coffee beans before grinding to keep static down. First proposed by David Ross in a 2005 Alt.Coffee post.
Q: What does Niche say about using RDT? Will it harm my grinder?
A: NICHE RDT POLICY: a small amount of RDT in the cup is acceptable in dry climates or winter. Excessive droplets or over-spraying, including adding droplets or spraying when the beans are in the grinder, may cause the burrs to rust. If you have any questions or worries, please contact Niche directly.
Q: What is WDT?
A: Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT) is a distribution method for making espresso Using a fine needle or similar tool, stir the grounds in the portafilter. A funnel placed above the portafilter helps prevent spills. The stirring action breaks up any clumps and evens out the density of coffee within the puck. The result is reduced channelling, and higher, more even extractions. Read move about WDT here: Weiss Distribution Technique explanation - Barista Hustle
Q: The Niche manual says "Always disconnect the Niche Zero from the supply if it is left unattended..." Does that mean I need to unplug it after each use?
A: Not necessary, but some owners do. Repeated plugging and unplugging the grinder introduces more wear and tear on the cord and electrical outlet. On the other hand, unplugging it after each use creates a level of safety that children will not turn it on and no eletrical surge can damage it. Some owners use a smart plug to turn their grinders on and off. Personally, I leave my grinder plugged in when at home, but unplug it during extented absences and vacations. In the end, it's your choice. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: Where are Niche grinders made?
A: During the initial Indiegogo campaign, grinder parts were manufactured in China by WPM (Welhome) and shipped to the UK for assembly. Those machines were assembled in the Nicholson family dining room by the family, mostly James, and a friend. (I have one of those original machines.) After the initial units, all grinders have been manufactured and assembled in China and shipped to the UK for distribution. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Q: Are there any other authorized distributors for Niche grinders?
A: Yes, only one. WPM (Welhome), the Asian manufacturer, has a contract with Niche to rebrand their grinders and sell them in Asia. [Bruce Colglazier Pappas]
Created 14-Apr-2021 | updated 18-Jul-2021 | BCP