How to Clean a Wilbur Curtis Coffee Grinder
If you’ve ever wondered how to clean the inside of a coffee grinder and haven’t because you didn’t know how to get in between the burrs and down the chute, there’s no need to put it off any longer. We’ll teach you how to clean a Wilbur Curtis coffee grinder according to manufacturer guidelines. That way, the coffee shop and its devoted customers can enjoy an untainted cup of coffee free of old grounds.
This guide SHG and ILGD Wilbur Curtis coffee grinder models.
Supplies You’ll Need
- GRINDZ grinder cleaning tablets
- Dish detergent
- Cleaning buckets
- Soft cloths
- Brush
How Often Should You Clean Your Wilbur Curtis Coffee Grinder?
Wilbur Curtis recommends cleaning their coffee grinders as needed. But with all that bean dust, what exactly does that mean? Look out for these common signs of a dirty coffee grinder:
- Visible buildup of dust and oil
- Uneven grind size
- Dull or sticking burrs
- Grinder jams
- Unusual taste or odor
Wilbur Curtis also recommends cleaning the coffee grinder after using flavored coffee to eliminate the transfer of tastes and odors from batch to batch.
Cleaning a Wilbur Curtis Coffee Grinder
So you’ve determined that the coffee grinder could stand a rinse. That’s great, but we want to make sure to clean it in a way that doesn’t damage its appearance or function or void the manufacturer's warranty.
Learn how to clean a Wilbur Curtis coffee grinder like a professional barista in the steps below:
- Step 1. Unplug the unit – First, unplug the power cord from the outlet.
- Note: Never clean the Wilbur Curtis coffee grinder while the unit is plugged in, as this could result in electric shock, injury or even death.
- Step 2. Brush off the dispensing spout – Next use a soft-bristled brush or moistened cloth to wipe away the coffee grounds from the dispensing spout.
- Note: Be careful not to get any liquid into the grinder housing while cleaning.
- Step 3. Prepare the cleaning solution – In a small container, mix together a cleaning solution consisting of dishwashing detergent and warm water.
- Note: Do not use cleaning solutions that contain chlorine or corrosives, as this will corrode the finish and void the warranty.
- Step 4. Clean the exterior – Using the prepared cleaning solution, wipe down the exterior with a clean, soft cloth. Dry thoroughly.
- Step 5. Polish the stainless steel – To maintain the coffee grinder’s shiny finish, polish the exterior with an approved stainless steel cleaner.
- Step 6. Extract the coffee beans – Before you can clean the grinder, you must first remove any remaining coffee beans from the hopper.
- Step 7. Plug in and run the unit – Next place a small bin underneath the chute. You’ll need to plug and run the grinder until no beans are left in the housing.
- Step 8. Fill the hopper with cleaner tablets – Pour 2.5 ounces (75 grams) of GRINDZ grinder cleaning tablets into the hopper.
- Step 9. Run the grinder – Run the grinder until no grinding tablets are left in the hopper.
- Step 10. Refill the hopper – Refill the hopper with fresh, whole coffee beans.
- Step 11. Run the grinder – Turn on the grinder again for 35 seconds to flush out any residual cleaning chemicals.
Additional Resources
Routine cleaning can help prevent equipment corrosion and downtime but your coffee grinder isn’t the only piece of equipment that benefits from regular maintenance. Check out our vast digital library of Wilbur Curtis coffee grinder manuals and diagrams for more manufacturer-approved assistance.