How to Clean a Coffee Grinder

Although coffee grinders help you make delicious coffee, frequent use can lead to residue buildup that negatively affects the taste. If you want the best cup of coffee possible, this guide on how to clean a coffee grinder gives instructions for both blade and burr grinders so you can maintain your unit and improve its performance.

Supplies

Warm Water

Mild Detergent

Cleaning Cloths

Soft-Bristle Grinder Brush, such as this Quality Espresso brush, or a Soft Toothbrush

Paper Towels

Coffee Beans

Coffee Grinder Cleaner (Tablets)

Small Screwdriver

Safety Gloves

Trash Can (For disposing of pulverized cleaning tablets)

Small Vacuum Cleaner (For cleaning the grinder interior, if necessary)

If used every day, a coffee grinder should be cleaned once a week; if only used occasionally, the unit should be cleaned before storage. Although some sources suggest using rice to clean your grinder, it’s best to use cleaning tablets since using rice may invalidate the warranty.

Cleaning a Blade Grinder

Take care when opening your unit as the sharp blades can cut your fingers. You may want to consider wearing gloves for added protection.

Emptying the Unit

• Step 1. Pour cleaning tablets into the hopper - Open the hopper and add the recommended amount of grinder cleaning tablets according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• Step 2. Grind the tablets - Turn on the grinder and run it until the tablets are pulverized into a fine powder.
• Step 3. Turn off the grinder - Once the tablets are pulverized, power down the unit.
• Step 4. Unplug the unit - Disconnect the power cord from the outlet before opening the hopper in order to avoid electrical hazards.
• Step 5. Empty the grinder - Open the hopper and dump the ground tablets into the trash.

Cleaning the Grinder

• Step 1. Clean the inside of the grinder - Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean the hopper. Be careful when cleaning the blades so you don’t cut your fingers.
• Step 2. Wash the exterior - Wash the grinder exterior with warm water and a soft cloth.
• Step 3. Dry the grinder - Wipe away any remaining moisture inside and outside the unit with a clean cloth.

Resuming Normal Operation

• Step 1. Close the hopper - Once the unit is dry, close the hopper.
• Step 2. Restore power - Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
• Step 3. Clear out the cleaning tablet powder - Remove any remaining dust from the cleaning tablets by using your unit to grind some beans. Since coffee brewed with these grounds may have an odd taste, discard the grounds.
• Step 4. Use the unit normally - Once any residue from the cleaning tablets has been removed, resume normal operation of the grinder.

Cleaning a Burr Grinder

The burrs can rust easily, so avoid washing them with water.

Preparing the Unit For Cleaning

• Step 1. Run cleaning tablets through the grinder - Add cleaning tablets to the grinder and then run the unit until the tablets are crushed into powder. Use the amount of cleaning tablets recommended on the package.
• Step 2. Turn off and unplug the unit - Once the cleaning tablets are pulverized, turn off the unit and unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
• Step 3. Empty the grinder - Shake out the pulverized tablets, coffee grounds and other debris inside the unit. Tapping the grinder lightly can help loosen residues stuck in the unit. To make cleanup easy, shake the unit over paper towels or a trash can.
• Step 4. Disassemble the grinder - Take off the hopper, bin and any other removable parts, except for the burrs: you will remove the burrs later.

Washing the Grinder Parts

• Step 1. Clean the removable parts - Wash the disassembled parts with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.
• Step 2. Rinse the parts - Wash away any remaining soap suds or other residues with clean, warm water.
• Step 3. Dry the parts - Use a clean cloth to wipe away any remaining moisture, then set the hopper, bin and any other parts aside.

Cleaning the Burrs & Grinder Body

• Step 1. Take out the burrs - Remove the burrs from the unit, using a screwdriver if necessary.
• Step 2. Brush the burrs - Brush off any coffee grounds that are stuck to the burrs with a toothbrush or soft-bristle grinder brush. Doing this over paper towels or a trash can will make cleanup easier.
• Step 3. Wipe the burrs - Then, use a soft cloth to wipe away any oils on the burrs. As mentioned above, don’t use soap and water to clean the burrs since this can lead to rusting.
• Step 4. Clean the grinder interior - Now that the interior is more easily accessible, shake or tap the machine again to dislodge any remaining debris. If necessary, use a small vacuum to suck out any remaining coffee grounds or other residues.
• Step 5. Clean the grinder exterior - Use a damp cloth to wipe away any coffee grounds or dust particles from the outside surfaces of the unit.
• Step 6. Dry the exterior - Wipe away any remaining moisture with a clean, soft cloth.

Using the Grinder Normally

• Step 1. Reinstall the burrs - Return the clean burrs to the grinder.
• Step 2. Return the disassembled parts - Reinstall the hopper, bin and other removable parts.
• Step 3. Restore power to the unit - Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
• Step 4. Flush out the cleaning tablet powder - Remove any remaining pulverized cleaning tablets by using your unit to grind some coffee beans. Since the cleaning tablet powder may affect the taste of coffee brewed with these grounds, discard the grounds.
• Step 5. Use the grinder normally - Once all the cleaning tab powder is cleared out, resume normal operation of the unit.

If having a clean kitchen is important to you, our tips on cleaning appliances at home article has a lot of useful information.

Please contact a local service company who can help with these specific units and all your home appliance needs.