If you’re like most coffee drinkers, you rely on your coffee grinder to produce the freshest cup of coffee every time.
But what do you do when it starts to get a little bit dirty? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to clean a coffee grinder in under 5 minutes – so it’s always ready to go!
Why You Should Clean Your Coffee Grinder
Your coffee grinder is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your kitchen – it’s what helps you produce a fresh and flavorful cup of coffee each morning.
But if it’s not cleaned regularly, it can start to build up oils and residue from the coffee beans, which can lead to a less than ideal cup of coffee.
Grinding coffee beans also produces a small amount of dust, which can settle into the grinder and impact the quality of your coffee.
So it’s important to clean your coffee grinder regularly – I like to do it every few weeks – to ensure that it’s always performing at its best.
Here are a few important reasons to keep your coffee grinder clean:
1. To ensure a fresh cup of coffee each time.
2. To prevent the build-up of oils and residue.
3. To keep the dust out.
4. To prolong the life of your grinder.
5. And, of course, to avoid any unwanted flavors in your coffee!
Important: Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to clean your coffee grinder, there’s one important thing to note: never use water to clean your electric coffee grinder.
Burr Grinder vs Blade Grinder: Cleaning
When it comes to grinders, there are two main types: burr grinders and blade grinders.
Both types need to be cleaned regularly, but the cleaning process is a little bit different for each. Let’s take a look at how to clean a burr grinder and a blade grinder.
How to Clean a Burr Grinder: Electric vs Manual
Burr grinders are considered the gold standard when it comes to coffee grinders – they produce a more consistent grind, which leads to a better cup overall.
But they can be a little bit more difficult to clean than blade grinders.
Cleaning an Electric Burr Grinder
If you have an electric burr grinder, the first thing you’ll want to do is unplug it and remove the bean hopper.
Then, use a brush to remove any ground coffee or debris from the grinder body and burrs. Be sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies – you don’t want anything left behind!
Remove the burrs from the grinder (if possible) and use a toothbrush or small brush to clean them. If your grinder doesn’t have removable burrs, you can skip this step.
Once the burrs are clean, reassemble the grinder and wipe down the outside with a damp cloth.
After that, you should run the grinder for a few seconds to make sure everything is clean and working properly.
Here are the steps to clean an electric burr grinder:
- Unplug the grinder and remove the bean hopper.
- Use a brush to remove any coffee grounds.
- Remove the inner and outer burr and clean them.
- Reassemble the grinder.
- Wipe down the outside with a damp cloth.
- Test the grinder by running it for a few seconds.
TIP: If your grinder is still not as clean as you’d like it to be, you can try using a small amount of vinegar or alcohol on a cloth to wipe it down.
Cleaning a Manual Burr Coffee Grinder
If you have a manual burr grinder, the process is easier since you don’t have to worry about electrical parts getting wet.
1. Unplug the grinder and remove any beans.
2. Take off the top burr by unscrewing it.
3. Use a brush to sweep out any coffee grinds from the inside of the grinder.
4. Wet a cloth with warm water and wipe down the inside of the grinder.
5. Dry the parts completely before reassembling and using them again.
Important: There are many grinder cleaning pellets and solutions available on the market. We recommend that you do not use any of these as they can damage your grinder. A simple brush and warm water are all you need to clean your manual grinder.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
How to Clean A Blade Grinder
If your grinder uses blades, then you will want to take it apart and clean the different parts separately. Start by taking off the top lid and removing the blades.
Be careful when handling the blades, as they are very sharp. Once the blades are removed, you can clean them with a brush to remove any coffee grounds.
Next, you will want to clean the inside of the grinder. Use a brush to remove any coffee grounds that are stuck to the sides. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe down the inside of the grinder.
After assembling your grinder, you will want to run it with white rice to remove any residual coffee grounds. Rice can absorb any leftover coffee oil and help keep your grinder clean.
Important: Do not use any harsh chemicals or detergents to clean your grinder. These can damage the blades and other parts of the grinder.
Differences Between Cleaning A Coffee And A Spice Grinder
For many of us, grinding coffee and spices is a daily ritual. Whether we’re whipping up a quick cup of joe or preparing a special meal, these aromatic ingredients bring flavor and fragrance to our lives.
But what’s the best way to clean a coffee or spice grinder? While the two types of grinders share some similarities, there are also some important differences to keep in mind.
When it comes to coffee grinders, it’s important to remove all the grounds before cleaning. A good way to do this is to use a soft brush to gently dislodge any stuck particles.
Once the grinder is free of coffee grounds, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth. When it comes to spice grinders, however, you don’t need to be as thorough.
A quick rinse with warm water is usually enough to remove any residual spices. Just be sure to dry the grinder completely before using it again.
Both coffee and spice grinders should be cleaned regularly to prevent build-up and ensure optimal performance. So whether you’re grinding coffee or spices, make sure to clean your grinder regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Clean an Old Coffee Grinder?
The best way to clean an old coffee grinder is to use a damp cloth. You can also use a toothbrush or other bristled brush to get into the nooks and crannies. Just be sure to unplug the grinder first, and be careful not to get water on the electrical parts.
How to Clean a Coffee Grinder After Grinding Spices?
The best way to clean a coffee grinder after grinding spices is to use rice. The grains will help remove the oils and residue left behind from the spices. Simply pour a small amount of rice into the grinder and grind it until it’s a fine powder. Then, wipe down the grinder with a damp cloth.
How to Clean a Coffee Grinder With Rice?
It’s easy to clean a coffee grinder with rice.
Just put a few cups of uncooked rice into the grinder and give it a good grind. The rice will absorb all the coffee oils and residue, leaving your grinder nice and clean.
How Often Do You Need to Clean a Coffee Grinder?
If you use your coffee grinder every day, then you should clean it every 2 weeks. However, if you only use it occasionally, then you can probably get away with cleaning it once a month.
Last Thoughts
Cleaning coffee grinders is important to keep them working properly and prevent build-up. Luckily, it’s easy to clean a coffee grinder in under 5 minutes with the right tools and techniques.
So next time your grinder starts to smell, make sure to give it a good cleaning. Your coffee will taste better and your grinder will last longer.
Happy grinding!
Harry
Harry is the founder of The Coffee Wave. He is an expert at grinding coffee and he drinks at least 5 cups of coffee a day! His mission is to make coffee grinding easy for everyone and each year he helps thousands of readers with grind size, types of grinders, and more.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
