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Coffee grinders are ideal for making deliciously fresh coffee. However, those fragrant beans leave an oily residue that, over time, becomes stale or rancid, affecting the coffee’s taste. When you ground spices, the same thing happens — and those oils can be very potent!
Cleaning the grinder is relatively simple and shouldn’t take up too much time. It’s not hard to learn how to clean a coffee grinder. Remember, a clean grinder means better-tasting coffee because it’s an investment in pleasure. Here are simple tips on how to clean a coffee grinder.
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How To Clean Coffee Grinder?
You should clean your coffee grinder once a week if you use it every day. If the beans’ oils are not extracted on a daily basis, they can go rancid and develop a foul odor and taste. And if you just use your grinder once in a while, you can clean it before storing it to extract the oils and keep it fresh and ready to use when you need it.
- Dismantle/ Unplug the Grinder
This should go without saying, but just in case: unplug your grinder before fiddling with it. You would be able to unscrew and separate the blades from the main grinding cavity if it’s a blade grinder. If you can’t get your grinder’s blades off, as I couldn’t, scroll down to the bottom section for cleaning tips.
Blade grinders are more difficult to disassemble than burr grinders. The majority of burrs, or gears, may be unhinged and pulled out of the cavity; most are secured with a screw or two. In any case, the task is to uninstall as much hardware as possible to allow for thorough cleaning of all nooks and crannies.
- Separate The Burrs
Just the pieces that are meant to come off that is. Don’t let yourself get swept away. Each grinder is special, so consult your owner’s manual to find out what your deal is. Typically, the hopper and upper grinding casing are removed – something that enables you to touch the burrs. This allows you to reach around corners and crevices to remove coffee dust and other debris.
- Strike It Down
When the grinder is clean of gears and blades, bang off as much residue as you can with a few hard taps on the countertop. To stop a hole in the side of your grinder, place a kitchen towel or a wood cutting board between the two surfaces.
- Scrub and Shake
Turn the grinder upside down and slap the sides. You might be shocked by how much comes out of it. Rep this process until absolutely nothing comes out. Now, using your soft cleaner, clean off all of the coffee grounds and dust that has accumulated on the interior of your grinder. This is where wooden toothpicks and cotton swabs come in handy: you want to get old grinds out of your burrs and other inside surfaces.
Pay close attention to the feeder tube, which is the chute that guides ground coffee down into the ground drawer. You can use the cotton end to scrub down the sides of the channel, and you can bend the stalk to get into tight positions, making the cotton swab your best friend in this situation.
- Wipe It Off
This move seems to be easy, but if you’ve ever done it, you know it’s not. Coffee dust is like magnetic: it sticks to everything, and it’s difficult to avoid looking for a wet cloth to help remove it. Do not attempt it! The smallest amount of moisture (even humidity!) will finally grind those gears—and your caffeinated mornings—to a halt. Instead, use dry cloths that are almost as “magnetic,” such as microfiber cloths. The finer the fabric, the better; I used some old eyeglasses cloths, which worked well.
- Detail The Work
Your microfiber fabric would be unable to reach into the crevices, which are essential for a thorough cleaning. You could use Q-tips or toothpicks, but a coffee grinder cleaning brush exists and is much more civilized.
- Suck It Up
When the grinder is disassembled, use a brush or a wooden toothpick to clear off all of the grounds and polish the teeth, screws, and all other accessible areas. Cotton swabs may also be used to get into crevices and channels where a versatile tool is needed.
You should cut the upper burr, depending on the model, and really get in there and vacuum out the dust from the nooks and crannies. Then strike the lower burr with the same technique.
After that, use the hose extension to your vacuum cleaner to sweep up the little tiny debris. If you have tiny parts, such as screws, set aside, be careful because they can quickly get drawn into your vacuum, which is a hassle.
- Replace It
Wipe clean the hopper and grinds the bin before putting it back together to make sure there is no sticky buildup. The bean and ground coffee containers may or may not be dishwasher resistant, depending on your grinder.
A little baking soda on a wet paper towel scrubs away excess coffee oils and any dust clinging to the bean jar and other plastic pieces, leaving them sparkling as fresh.
How Often Should Your Often Grinder Be Cleaned?
Cleaning a coffee grinder is a personal choice, but for the average citizen, a quick clean once a week is sufficient.
Every couple of weeks, give your burr coffee grinder a deeper clean to keep it in good condition and working smoothly.
Why Is It Necessary to Clean Your Coffee Grinder?
Yes, you can disinfect your coffee grinder on a regular basis, if possible. Old coffee oils and residue will mute or muck up the flavour of your freshly ground coffee beans, sabotaging your fantasies of the ultimate pour-over.
Is It Possible To Wash Coffee Grinder In The Dishwasher?
Sections of the grinder will normally be washed in the dishwasher. The bean hopper and grind drawer are generally safe to put in the top rack of a dishwasher but double-check with your grinder’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to be sure. Also, never put any electronic parts or steel burrs in the dishwasher.
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Conclusion
Then, what are your thoughts? Do you have everything you need to clean your grinder? It’s not that complicated – just how much time you bring in is entirely up to you. Know that a clean grinder improves the flavor of your coffee and extends the life of your grinder. And you’ll need a clean machine if you’re going to get out of your comfort zone and make some creative, sassy coffee drinks.
If you’ve mastered these minor tasks, keeping your grinder in good working order should be easy, with weekly attention to the major problem areas. Remove the hopper and chamber once a week and wash them with soap and warm water, scrubbing the burrs with a toothbrush and paper towel.