Baratza Forté AP, Forté BG - Coffee Grinder Manual
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Baratza Forté AP, Forté BG - Coffee Grinder Manual

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Contents
Baratza Forté AP, Forté BG - Coffee Grinder Manual

INTRODUCTION

This durable, user-friendly machine is ready to find its spot in the slow bar in a café or on your kitchen counter.
The Forté is a compact, weight-based or time-based commercial-grade grinder dedicated to grinding for a wide range of brew methods. The Forté incorporates many features that accommodate both commercial and professional-level home use including an all-metal construction, small footprint, intuitive touch control panel, an accurate built-in scale, and consistent macro and micro adjustments. The Forté is built to last thanks to its aluminum grind chamber; a sturdy, reinforced drive belt; and a powerful DC motor with a long duty cycle.
Note: This manual is for both the Forté AP and the Forté BG. Most instructions apply to both models, but it will be called out when information is model-specific.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Keep these instructions for future reference. Read the information below very carefully as it contains important safety information for use of this appliance.
shock hazardUse only with AC current and the correct voltage. See the label on the base of the grinder to determine the correct voltage.
warning Only clean the grinder housing with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Do not immerse the grinder, plug or cord in water or any other liquid.
warning Baratza will not accept any liability for damage, injury, or warranty if the grinder is used other than for its intended purpose (i.e. grinding roasted whole coffee beans) or is improperly operated or repaired.
shock hazard Do not operate the grinder with a damaged cord or plug. If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
warning Keep the appliance and its cord out of reach of children aged less than 8 years.
warning Do not leave your grinder unattended while turned ON.
warning This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved. ! Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
shock hazard Always unplug the grinder from the electrical supply before assembling, disassembling or cleaning. To unplug, grasp plug and remove from the outlet. Never pull on the cord.


ALWAYS unplug the electrical supply cord prior to cleaning the grinder.

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

  1. Hopper Lid
  2. Bean Hopper
  3. Bean Shut-Off Knob
  4. Upper Burr Carrier
  5. Burrs*
  6. Micro Adjustment Lever Knob
  7. Macro Adjustment Lever Knob
  1. Grounds Bin
  2. Scale Platform
  3. Grind Adjustment Buttons
  4. Start & Stop Buttons
  5. Weight Mode
  6. Time Mode
  7. Manual Mode
  8. Grind Presets
  9. Burr Calibration Tool
  10. Burr Removal Tool
  11. PortaHolder (Forté AP Only)
    *Ceramic Burrs (Forté AP) or Steel Burrs (Forté BG)

GRINDER SETUP

  1. Place the grinder on a stable, level surface.
  2. Hand wash the hopper lid (1), hopper (2), and grounds bin (8) with warm, soapy water. Let air dry or dry with a soft cloth. Do not wash any other parts in water as it may result in cosmetic damage.
  3. Install the hopper:
    1. With the hopper upright and the bean shut-off knob (3) pointing toward the rear left of the grinder, place the hopper on top of the grinder and find the point where it settles into place.
    2. Push down and rotate the hopper clockwise to lock the hopper into place. The shut-off knob should be centered behind the hopper.
    3. The grinder will not start without the hopper fully locked into place.
  4. Install the grounds bin, hold the bin by the tab on the front and carefully slide it onto the scale platform (9). The bin should settle into place and sit evenly on the scale platform. If the bin is touching any other part of the grinder, there may be interference with the scale.
  5. If using the PortaHolder (18) with the Forté AP:
    1. The PortaHolder will come installed in the Forté AP grinder. To remove it, pull firmly straight out of the grinder.
    2. The weight function is not usable with the PortaHolder installed as it covers the scale platform.
    3. If the PortaHolder needs adjustment to properly hold the portafilter, remove the PortaHolder, loosen the two screws on the back, adjust the arms' position, then tighten the screws gently.
  6. Plug in the grinder. The display should illuminate and go through its startup process.
  7. Use the micro adjustment (6) and macro adjustment (7) lever knobs to set the grind setting. The grinder must either be empty of coffee or must be grinding while adjusting the grind size to avoid damage to the unit.
  8. Add coffee beans to the hopper. Rotate the bean shut-off knob so that 'OPEN' is facing up, allowing coffee to enter the grinder.
  9. Use the touch screen to select weight mode (12), time mode (13), or manual mode (14), then use the start and stop buttons (11) to start and stop grinding. The start button can also be pressed during operation to pause grinding. More information regarding the various operation modes can be found in the next section in this manual.
  10. After three minutes of inactivity, the display will enter sleep mode. Tap the screen to wake the grinder.

GRINDER OPERATION

ADJUSTING THE GRIND SETTING:
The Forté has two grind adjustment levers that are used to select a grind setting: the micro adjustment lever knob (6) to the left of the display, and the macro adjustment lever knob (7) to the right. The macro adjustment is used to make large changes to the grind setting, while the micro adjustment is used for making small adjustments to fine-tune the grind setting. Moving either knob up will result in a finer grind, while moving either knob down will result in a coarser grind. When making a grind adjustment with coffee in the grinder, the motor must be running to ensure longevity of the unit.
From the factory, the burrs (5) will audibly contact each other around setting 2K. The grinder is calibrated for the burrs to touch at this point, and it will not damage them to grind at their contact point or finer if coffee is being ground. However, running the grinder without coffee while the burrs are touching for extended periods of time will reduce the lifespan of the burrs.

CHOOSING A GRIND SETTING:
The settings shown in the table below should be used as a general starting point. The actual grind size needed for a particular brew method will vary depending on many factors, such as: degree of roast (light vs. dark), freshness of coffee, environmental humidity, coffee variety, oil content, etc. Brewing practice, personal preference, and brew recipe requirements will ultimately determine which setting is needed.

Espresso AeroPress Hario V60 Automatic Brewer Chemex French Press
2K 4M 6M 7M 8M 10M

Some recipes use visual descriptions to describe the grind size required, such as "ground to the consistency of kosher salt." To visually determine the necessary grind setting:

  1. Set the grind setting to the recommendation in the chart above closest to the brew method being used.
  2. Press the manual mode (14) button.
  3. Use the start and stop buttons (11) to grind a small amount of coffee and check visually.
  4. If the grind size is close to what is desired, use the micro adjustment knob to fine-tune the grind size. If the grind size needs a large adjustment, keep the micro adjustment knob near the middle of the range and adjust the macro adjustment knob to a new position.

WEIGHT-BASED OPERATION:
With its built-in scale, the Forté can dose coffee accurately, down to a tenth of a gram, from a minimum of 5.0g and a maximum of 120.0g. When in weight mode, the Forté can either grind to a preset grind weight before automatically stopping, or the display can be used to double-check a pre-weighed dose by grinding in manual mode. To grind in weight mode:

  1. Place the grounds bin (8) onto the scale platform (9). Ensure that the bin is resting level on the scale platform and is not contacting the body of the grinder.
  2. Press the weight mode (12) icon on the screen. It will be outlined when activated.
  3. Press one of the grind preset buttons (15) to select the preprogrammed weight that the grinder will grind to or use the grind adjustment buttons (10) to grind to a specified weight without changing a preset.
  4. Press the start button (11) to begin grinding. The grinder will automatically stop once the target weight is reached. The start button can be pressed again during operation to pause and resume grinding. If the stop button is pressed, grinding will cease, and the display will show the original target weight.

Taring the Scale: In order to reset the scale to zero, the scale must be tared. This can be done by pressing and holding the weight button until the display flashes. If the scale needs to be tared due to a change in weight on it, the weight icon will begin to flash. Press it to tare the scale.
To grind continuously with a real-time weight readout on the display, press the manual mode button (14) while in weight mode. Then, use the start button (11) to begin and pause grinding, and the stop button to cease grinding.

TIME-BASED GRINDING OPERATION:
To grind a pre-portioned dose of coffee, grinding volumetrically, or grinding using the PortaHolder (18, AP), the Forté is equipped with a timer function. The timer can be adjusted by a tenth of a second from a minimum of 0.1 seconds to a maximum of 60.0 seconds. When in time mode, the Forté can either grind for a preset amount of time or grind continuously as the timer counts up. To grind in time mode:

  1. Place either the grounds bin (8) or PortaHolder (18, Forté AP) onto the scale platform (9).
  2. Press the time mode (13) icon on the screen. It will be outlined when activated.
  3. Press one of the grind preset buttons (15) to select the preprogrammed time that the grinder will grind for or use the grind adjustment buttons (10) to grind for a specified time without changing a preset.
  4. Press the start button (11) to begin grinding. The grinder will automatically stop once the target time is reached. The start button can be pressed again during operation to pause and resume grinding. If the stop button is pressed, grinding will cease, and the display will show the original target time.

To grind continuously with a timer on the display, press the manual mode button (14) while in time mode. Then, use the start button (11) to begin and pause grinding, and the stop button to cease grinding.

ADJUSTING A PRESET:
The Forté is equipped with three programmable presets for both weight (1=15g, 2=30g, 3=60g) and time (1=10s, 2=15s, 3=30s). To overwrite and save a new preset, follow the instructions below:

  1. Press either the weight mode (12) or time mode respectively.
  2. Use the grind adjustment buttons (10) to adjust the weight (in grams) or time (in seconds) to the desired amount.
  3. Press and hold a grind preset button (15) until the display flashes once to save the amount to that preset.

These presets will be saved even if the grinder is unplugged.

TROUBLESHOOTING ERROR CODES

The following codes may appear on the display to indicate that there is an operation error.
Err 001: Indicates that the weight on the scale is above the desired target weight. The display will alternate between flashing ERR/001 and the weight mode button (12).

  • If there is already ground coffee in the grounds bin above the target weight, or if the scale is tared before placing the grounds bin on the grinder, this error will occur.
  • This error can be cleared by pressing the weight mode button to tare the scale, or by emptying the grounds bin.

Err 002: Indicates that the load cell has not seen a substantial increase in weight in a few seconds during grinding.

  • This may indicate that either coffee is not being ground, or that coffee is being ground more slowly than expected.
  • Ensure that the bean hopper (2) is rotated into place clockwise to engage the top interlock switch and that the bean shut-off knob (3) is in the open position.
  • If the hopper is in place and open, the motor is engaging, but no coffee is being ground, a clog may have formed. Please check the Troubleshooting page on Baratza.com for information on clearing clogs.
  • Some different varieties and roasts of coffees may grind more slowly than others. If this seems to be the case, this error can be cleared by pressing the start button, and then grinding can be resumed by pressing the start button again.

Err 003: Indicates that the scale is registering a weight value that exceeds the maximum load.

  • This most likely means the grounds bin is jammed on top of the scale platform (9), or there is excessive weight placed on the scale platform.
  • Remove the bin from the scale and replace it, ensuring that it rests evenly on the scale platform and does not contact other parts of the grinder. The error will clear automatically.

Err 004: Indicates that the display is not receiving signal from the scale.

  • This likely means that there is damage to the loadcell or that the loadcell wire is unplugged internally.
  • Please contact Baratza Support for further troubleshooting steps and solutions.

CALIBRATION

Though the Forté's burrs and scale come calibrated to a high specification, they may need adjustments over time to meet user grinding expectations.

BURR CALIBRATION:
The Forté factory calibration will accommodate a wide range of brew methods. However, if the Forté is unable to grind finely enough or coarsely enough for a particular brew method at the finest and coarsest settings, respectively, follow the instructions below to recalibrate to factory settings, then adjust to fit the grind parameters.
BURR CALIBRATION

  1. Empty all beans from the grinder by setting the bean shut-off knob (3) to the 'CLOSED' position and grinding the remaining beans.
  2. Remove the grounds bin (8) or PortaHolder (18, AP) from the scale platform (9).
  3. Press the time mode (13) button, then the manual button (14) to put the grinder in timed manual mode.
  4. Lower the micro adjustment (6) and macro adjustment (7) lever knobs all the way to the bottom of the range.
  5. Insert the burr calibration tool (16) into the round calibration port, behind the discharge chute, until the tool settles into the head of the calibration screw inside.
  6. Press the start button (11) to run the motor.
  7. With the motor running, move the macro lever up to setting 2, step by step, or until burr contact is heard, whichever comes first. If no burr contact is heard, move the micro lever up to setting Q, or until burr contact is heard, whichever comes first.
  8. If the grind setting is set to 2Q and the burrs are not in contact, use the calibration tool to turn the calibration screw toward the finer direction (as indicated on the tool) until a change in motor pitch is heard. This will move the burrs back to factory calibration.
  9. If the burrs make contact prior to reaching setting 2Q:
    1. Use the calibration tool to loosen the calibration screw slightly (in the opposite direction indicated on the tool), thus coarsening the calibration.
    2. Move the macro lever up to setting 2, then the micro lever to Q. If burr contact is heard before reaching this setting, the calibration screw may need to be loosened further.
  1. If grinding at the coarsest setting does not yield coarse enough grinds, the calibration can be set to a finer point, up to 1A. If grinding at the finest setting does not yield fine enough grinds, the calibration can be set to a coarser point, down to 3Z. It is not recommended to calibrate outside these parameters.

SCALE CALIBRATION:
If the amount of ground coffee yielded in weight mode does not match expectations, the scale may need to be recalibrated. A 200g weight is needed or, if another scale is available, a makeshift weight can be made by filling the grounds bin with something small like coffee beans to equal a total weight of 200g, including the weight of the grounds bin. Once a weight is acquired, follow the instructions below.

  1. Remove the grounds bin (8) or PortaHolder (18, AP) from the scale platform (9). Ensure that the scale platform is clear of any debris, and that the screws on top are tightened so that the platform does not shift.
  2. Unplug the grinder. Plug it back in and hold grind presets (15) 1 and 2 while the grinder is booting up. A three-digit number should be displayed.
  3. Press the manual mode button (14), and 'CAL' should flash on the screen before displaying '200g.'
  4. Place the 200g weight on the scale. 'PASS' will flash on the screen, then '000.'
  5. Unplug and plug in the grinder again to save the calibration.

WEIGHT OFFSET PROGRAMMING:
If the grinder consistently overshoots or undershoots the target weight, the offset may need to be adjusted. This is most likely to occur if the original burrs have been swapped out for burrs of another material. Follow the instructions below to adjust the weight offset:

  1. Unplug the grinder. Plug it back in and hold the stop (11) and weight mode (12) icons while the grinder is booting up.
  2. Use the grind adjustment buttons (10) to adjust the offset in tenths of a second.

CARE & CLEANING

Routinely cleaning the grinder is important to ensure that it performs as intended. With standard home use, the grinder should be cleaned at least once per month. If darker roasted coffee, oily coffee, or flavored coffee (which has had essential oils added) is being used, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.


Do not put the bean hopper, hopper lid, or grounds bin in the dishwasher. Hand wash only. Do not immerse the grinder housing in water. Do NOT wash the burrs with water.

REMOVING THE HOPPER:

  1. Ensure the bean shut-off knob (3) on the hopper (2) is in the closed position. The side of the shut-off knob that says 'CLOSED' should be facing up.
  2. Grind the remaining beans in the grinder.
  3. Grip the hopper and rotate it counterclockwise to unlock it.
  4. Lift the hopper up and off the grinder.

CLEANING THE HOPPER AND GROUNDS BIN:

  1. Empty the hopper and the grounds bin (8) of coffee.
  2. Wash the hopper and grounds bin in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge or cloth. If necessary, rinse. The parts can be dried with a clean, dry cloth or set aside to air dry.

CLEANING THE BURRS AND GRIND CHAMBER:
To manually clean the burrs (5) and the grind chamber, the upper burr carrier (4) will need to be removed from the grinder.

  1. Place the included burr removal tool (17) on the upper burr carrier so that the notches on the tool interlock with the wings on the upper burr carrier.
  2. Rotate the burr removal tool clockwise to unscrew the upper burr carrier from the grind chamber. If needed, grip the tool with pliers for additional leverage.
  3. Once the upper burr carrier is unscrewed completely, lift it up and remove it from the grinder.

Upper burr carrier and upper burr cleaning:

  1. With the upper burr carrier in one hand, use a non-metal, bristle brush such as a toothbrush to clean around the burr carrier and on the surface of the upper burr.
  2. For a deeper clean of the upper burr carrier, use a small flat-head screwdriver to remove the screws holding the burr in the burr carrier. Set the screws and burr aside and use a non-metal, bristle brush to clean the rest of the upper burr carrier as well as the back of the burr. Once all coffee residue is removed from the burr and carrier, use the screwdriver to reinstall the screws and burr. Take care not to overtighten the screws during reinstallation.

Grind chamber, lower burr carrier, and lower burr cleaning:

  1. Use a non-metal, bristle brush such as a toothbrush to clean the grind chamber around the lower burr and the surface of the lower burr.
  2. For a deeper clean of the lower burr carrier, use a small flat-head screwdriver to remove the screws holding the burr in the burr carrier. Set the screws aside and lift the burr out of the burr carrier. Then, use a brush to clean the top of the lower burr carrier, the back of the burr, and the opening of the grounds exit chute. Once the cleaning is complete, use the screwdriver to reinstall the screws and burr. Take care not to overtighten the screws during reinstallation.

UPPER BURR CARRIER REINSTALLATION:

  1. Place the upper burr carrier on top of the grind chamber. It should sit level with the grind chamber and will not thread on properly if it is not level.
  2. Use the burr removal tool to rotate the upper burr carrier counterclockwise to carefully thread it into the grind chamber. Threading the upper burr carrier in to the grind chamber should be fluid with minimal resistance. If the upper burr carrier is difficult to rotate, rotate the upper burr carrier clockwise to free it from the threading, make sure it is level, that the threads on both the grind chamber and upper burr holder are free of ground coffee, and try again.

USE OF CLEANING TABLETS
Grinder cleaning tablets are designed to absorb coffee oil and reduce odors and should be considered supplementary to normal cleaning. Grinder cleaning tablets should be the only substance used to clean the internals of the grinder. Note that cleaning tablets do not take the place of the normal cleaning steps listed above and cannot be used to clear a clog. For grinder tablet cleaning:

  1. Remove all beans from the hopper and use the start button (11) to run the grinder to expel any remaining coffee.
  2. Adjust the grind setting to the coarsest setting and place the recommended amount of the chosen cleaning tablets into the empty bean hopper. Press the manual button (14) to place the grinder in manual mode.
  3. Insert the grounds bin, then press the start button. Grind all the tablets into the bin.
  4. Once complete, we recommend grinding approximately 30g of coffee (or the recommended amount in the cleaning tablet instructions) to remove any tablet residue.
  5. Discard the ground tablets/coffee.

WARRANTY & SERVICE

U.S. & CANADIAN WARRANTY INFORMATION
Limited Warranty for Baratza Grinders is 1 year from the original date of purchase. This warranty covers all defects in materials and workmanship (parts and labor) including free ground transportation to and from our repair facility within the US and Canada. This warranty does not apply to: improper use, lack of cleaning, abuse, normal wear and tear, lack of proper adjustment, foreign objects (stones, screws, etc.) in the beans, or uses outside the intended use of grinding whole roasted coffee beans (roasted beyond 1st crack). If the purchased grinder fails within one year, email support@baratza.com or call +1 425-641-1245 or toll free 877-701-2021. For additional warranty, support, or troubleshooting information, go to www.baratza.com.
Please note: Grinders that are purchased in the US or Canada and shipped or taken out of the country have a one-year warranty for parts only. If the grinder fails within one year of date of purchase, simply email us at support@baratza.com or call +1 425-641-1245. Please have the following information prior to contacting Baratza:

  1. Proof of date of purchase and
  2. Model and serial number (located on bottom of the grinder).
    A Baratza representative will respond to determine the problem and suggest a solution path. The customer is responsible for paying the freight charges and any duties and taxes for replacement parts that Baratza may send. The customer is also responsible to provide any labor required to repair the grinder.

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY INFORMATION
For all countries outside the US and Canada, the warranty, support and service is provided by the International Retailer the grinder was purchased from. If the grinder was purchased from a retailer outside of the country the customer resides in, the customer may be responsible for any shipping costs to service the grinder, and may need to pay for service.

PROOF OF PURCHASE & PRODUCT REGISTRATION
The grinder can be registered at www.baratza.com/registeryour-grinder. Registration will enable us to contact the registrant in the unlikely event of a product safety notification and assist us in complying with the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act. The serial number is located on the bottom of the grinder. Please keep the sales receipt that shows the date of purchase.

FOR REPAIRS OR QUESTIONS
Email: support@baratza.com
For Parts and Information go to: www.baratza.com
For Troubleshooting Help: www.baratza.com/troubleshooting

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References

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