See the User Manual for full programming instructions, menu options, cleaning, and troubleshooting. Please read through the entire setup guide before following along. If you have any questions, contact our team at Clive Coffee.
Step 1: Out of the box and onto the counter
Remove the grinder from its box and place it on a solid, level, water-resistant surface. Never place it on a hot surface.
Inspect the grinder for any damage. If you notice any, contact us immediately.
Choose a stable spot. The Exacto's integrated scale is sensitive to vibration, so avoid wobbly carts, and don't set it on top of a knock box drawer. An unstable base affects dosing accuracy.
Plug the grinder directly into a grounded outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip.
In the box, you will find the grinder, the 500g bean hopper with lid, the hopper safety screw, and the user manual.
Step 2: Install the bean hopper
Make sure the grinder is switched off and unplugged.
Set the bean hopper onto the hopper mount, lining up the hole in the hopper collar with the hole in the mount.
Thread in the included safety screw and tighten it. Always fasten the hopper with the safety screw. If the holes are not aligned, tightening the screw can damage the hopper.
Make sure the lock slide at the base of the hopper is closed, then fill the hopper with whole roasted coffee beans and replace the lid.
Step 3: Adjust the portafilter holder
The Exacto uses a two-part, tool-free portafilter holder. The holder also serves as the weighing platform for the integrated scale, so it is worth taking a minute to set it up correctly for your portafilter.
Set the lower fork. The lower fork slides up and down on its mounting plate. Position it so the portafilter spout rests on the fork with the basket sitting just below the grounds chute. This sets the distance between the portafilter and the chute.
Set the upper fork. Loosen the knob on the upper fork, slide it until it rests on the rim of your portafilter basket, and tighten the knob by hand. This holds the portafilter level at the correct height.
Check the chute. Slide your portafilter into the holder and confirm the grounds chute points into the center of the basket.
Go gently. The forks are connected to the load cell that measures your coffee's weight. Adjust them by hand without forcing, twisting, or leaning on them, and never use the holder to support your weight or other objects.
If you use more than one portafilter (for example, a spouted and a bottomless), check that each one sits level and centered. You may need to readjust the upper fork between them.
Step 4: Power on and get to know the display
Switch the grinder on using the On/Off switch, located just above where the power cord exits the grinder. On startup, the Exacto automatically tares its scale, so keep the portafilter holder empty while it powers up.
Open the hopper lock slide by pulling it outward.
The main screen shows:
Top: the selected dose button (I, II, or the three-line icon), with arrows on either side to switch between them.
Center: the programmed dose value, followed by G (grind by weight, in grams) or S (grind by time, in seconds). The portafilter icon beside it is the Auto Run button.
Bottom: the gear icon (menu), the current grind setting number with a burr icon, and the hand icon (manual grinding).
Emergency stop: the grinder can be stopped immediately using the On/Off switch.
Step 5: Grind your first dose by weight
The Exacto ships ready to grind by weight. If the dose value shows an S instead of a G, see "Switching between weight and time" in the User Manual.
Tap the arrows at the top of the screen to select a dose button.
Tap the dose value, then use the + and – buttons to set your target weight (for example, 18.0 g). Tap the exit icon in the lower left to return to the main screen.
Place your portafilter in the holder.
Tap the dose icon at the top of the screen to start grinding. The Exacto stops automatically when it reaches your target weight.
Wait for READY. When grinding ends, the screen turns green and shows READY. Leave the portafilter in place until you see it; this is when the grinder checks the result and self-adjusts for the next dose.
Remove the portafilter, distribute, tamp, and brew.
Discard the first few doses while you dial in, and expect the self-adjustment to settle in over your first several shots.
Step 6: Dialing in your grind
Adjust the grind with the large knob on the side of the grinder. Make adjustments while the grinder is running to prevent the burrs from jamming.
Turn the knob clockwise to grind finer (the number on the display gets smaller). Turn it counter-clockwise to grind coarser (the number gets larger).
The Exacto is stepless, so the number on the display is a reference point you can return to, not a fixed step. When dialing in espresso, make small adjustments and pull a shot between each change.
If coffee stops coming out of the chute, the setting may be too fine or the burrs may be jammed. Turn the knob counterclockwise to open the burrs and free the coffee.
For help dialing in, check out our article How to Dial In Your Espresso Grinder. For help pulling great shots, visit our Espresso 101 section.
Additional Resources
If you need help dialing in your grinder or pulling shots, check out the articles below or contact our team of coffee experts and technicians. Our phone consultations and post-purchase dial-in support are here to help you get the most out of your grinder.