How to Clean a Coffee Grinder to Achieve Great Tasting Coffee 

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Whether you use a French press or a drip coffee maker, I think we can agree that the perfect cup is made from freshly ground coffee beans. As soon as the bean’s shell breaks open, the oils inside that provide the flavor and aroma begin to disappear. 

This is why grinding coffee beans at home using a good grinder ensures that more of their flavor is retained. 

Most of us tend to use electric grinders, although you can still get ones that allow you to grind the coffee beans by hand. But whatever kind of grinder you have, it will need to be cleaned out on a regular basis. 

No matter what kind of grinder you use when grinding beans to make coffee you’ll need to clean it regularly.

How Often Should A Blade Grinder Be Cleaned?

If you use yours daily, you should give it a quick clean once a week. If not, the oils released by the beans will become rancid, affecting the flavor and aroma of the coffee. 

Even if you are only using yours a couple of times a week, you still need to give it extra attention at least once a week.

Ideally, if you can, you should clean it after every use so any oil released from the beans is removed and will reduce the risk of you having to try and clean out a clogged grinder.

How To Clean Your Coffee Grinder

When it comes to the basic grinder cleaning procedures, the following are recommended:

• Microfiber towel 
• One stiff-bristled bottle brush
• Non-abrasive sponge
• A quarter cup of rice (uncooked)
• Some dishwashing liquid 
• Coffee grinder cleaning tablets (optional)
• A bowl into which you can put warm water

How to Clean Grinder With Fitted Blades 

If your blade grinder’s manual has cleaning instructions, you should always follow the instructions for your specific grinder. Not doing so can sometimes void the warranty.

Step 1 – Remove Any Oil Residue 

Use a microfiber cloth or damp paper towel to remove coffee oils and residue from the blades and inside the chamber of the coffee grinder. 

WARNING: Please be careful when wiping the blades as they are extremely sharp.

Step 2 – Place Uncooked Rice or Cleaning Tablet in the Grinder

Pour dry uncooked rice or cleaning tablet into the grinder’s hopper. If you’re using a cleaning tablet, the box packaging should tell you how many tablets to place inside the grinder. 

TIP: I have also used a piece of bread instead of rice, perfect for using up those heels that nobody wants.

Step 3 – Run Your Grinder 

Turn it on and let it run until the rice or coffee grinder tablets have turned into a fine powder. 

Step 4 – Turn the Grinder Off 

As soon as the rice or tablets have become a fine powder, turn the grinder off and unplug it from the main supply. 

Step 5 – Empty the Grinder 

Simply turn the grinder upside down and throw the pulverized rice or tablets into the trash can. It’s vital that you give your grinder a few taps on the side, as this will help loosen any powder trapped inside the grinder hopper. 

Using a brush can help remove any powder inside the hopper more efficiently. 

Step 6 – Wipe Clean 

Take a damp microfiber towel immersed in hot water with a few drops of dishwasher liquid to wipe around the inside of the grinder’s hopper. Take extra care when you are wiping around the blades. 

After rinsing out the damp towel, use it to clean the exterior of your entire grinder, as this will help to remove any grime or fingerprints from its surface. 

You can also take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe all the outside surfaces to remove any soap residue. 

Steps for Deep Cleaning a Burr Coffee Grinder 

If your burr grinder’s manual has cleaning instructions, you should always follow the instructions for your specific grinder. Not doing so can sometimes void the warranty.

These types of grinders are a little more complicated to clean. Before starting the grinder cleaning process, you need to take the machine apart. 

It’s important with these types of machines that you always refer back to the manual provided regarding the instructions for cleaning them.  

Step 1 – Turn the Grinder On 

Turn it on and let it run for around 10 to 15 seconds. This will help pulverize any bits of coffee beans that have become caught between the burr blades.

After doing this, turn it off and unplug it from the main power supply. 

Step 2 – Remove and Wash Certain Components

Before carrying out this step, you must look at the manual that came with it to tell you which parts you can remove. 

After removing the appropriate components, wash them in a bowl of hot soapy water using a non-abrasive sponge. Then, rinse each part in hot water before wiping them with a dry cloth. 

Step 3 – Remove the Burr and Clean It 

Remove either the conical burr or flat burr disks from inside the grinder. You may need to use a screwdriver to carry this out. Once removed, take the stiff-bristled brush and use it to loosen and remove any coffee grounds stuck on their surface. 

Then take a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the burrs in your dirty grinder. This will also help to remove any stale grounds and oils from their surface. 

Note: You should never wash the burrs from these types of grinders in soap and water. If you do, then they could start to rust. 

Step 4 – Reassemble Your Grinder 

As soon as each component is thoroughly clean and dry, you can reassemble the grinder and start grinding coffee once more. 

Bottom Line 

Knowing how to clean grinder appliances is essential for getting the most flavor and aroma out of your coffee bean. Plus, it will also help keep your grinder in optimal condition, which extends its life.

There are many models of grinders, but I hope I have provided a general overview on cleaning a grinder.