Diagnosis
A screech means the burr grinder's mechanism is jammed, usually by a rock-like debris or an overly hardened coffee bean fragment. The motor is straining.
How to Fix It
Stop using it and clear the jam.
- Unplug the machine. Remove the coffee bean hopper by lifting it straight up.
- Locate the top burr (the cone-shaped piece) inside the grinder chamber. Grasp it firmly and rotate it counter-clockwise to unlock and lift it out.
- Use a small brush or dry cloth to wipe out all grounds from the chamber and the burrs. Inspect for any foreign objects.
- Re-seat the top burr by aligning the red dot on the burr with the unlock symbol, then turn clockwise until it clicks/locks.
- Replace the hopper and plug in. Run the grinder briefly without beans to test.
If That Didn't Work
If the noise persists with no beans, the burr might be damaged or the grinder motor bearings are failing. You'll need to contact Cuisinart for service.
Heads Up
Never try to force beans through a noisy grinder. You can permanently damage the drive shaft. Always unplug before cleaning the burrs.