At times, it can feel like it’s you and your coffee grinder against the world. In the middle of a busy morning, the last thing you need is for your grinder to pack up on you mid-brew, which is why cleaning it regularly is so important.
In addition to keeping your machinery in great condition, there are several other reasons cleaning your coffee grinder is vital. Today, we’re getting into all of them as we explain the best way to clean your coffee grinder.
Why does cleaning your coffee grinder actually matter?
Every time you grind fresh beans, tiny particles and oils build up inside the chamber and burrs. It’s an occupational hazard of the grinding process, but unfortunately, this residue will go stale fairly quickly. Once it does, those old coffee grounds and oils will stick around, affecting the taste of every cup that comes after.
This is why you might notice that your coffee sometimes tastes a little… off, even though you swear you bought great beans.
A clean coffee grinder is the sign of an at-home barista who really cares about their coffee. Cleaning out your grinder gives you better flavour, more consistent grind size, and fewer mechanical issues over time. If you know how tough it is to find a great coffee grinder in Australia, then you know caring for the one you have is extremely worthwhile!
In short, giving your coffee grinder the occasional clean is one of the easiest and most rewarding maintenance tasks you can add to your monthly care rotation.
How often should you clean a coffee grinder?
The short answer here is that it depends on how much coffee you drink and how much maintenance you are willing to commit to. Here at La Marzocco Home, we like to think of coffee grinder cleaning on three different levels:
- Daily, where you quickly brush out loose grounds from between the burrs.
- Monthly, requiring a deeper clean (especially if you’re a fan of dark-roast beans).
Some people choose to use ‘grinder tablets’ for burr grinders to completely remove any build-up, but we usually find that in an at-home setting, some daily due diligence and a quick monthly clean will set you up beautifully.
An at-home coffee grinder in Australia simply doesn’t carry the same load that a commercial one might, so obsessive daily cleaning is much less important for the casual at-home coffee lover.
All of that said, if your grinder starts to sound louder than usual or clogs easily, then it’s probably overdue for a clean. If you’re not too keen on committing to all three levels of cleaning, it helps to simply pay attention to those signs and jump in for a clean if needed.
How to clean your coffee grinder (step-by-step)
You won’t need anything fancy to get this done. Most of the time, when you buy a coffee grinder in Australia, you’ll get everything you need to look after the grinder in the kit. When in doubt, stick to the basics: a soft brush, a microfiber cloth, and a vacuum with a narrow nozzle (for any really stubborn buildup).
Our Pico grinder shouldn’t be cleaned with water, and most other grinders should also be cleaned dry.
What to do:
- Unplug your grinder to keep your grinder (and your fingers) safe!
- Empty out any leftover beans, so you’re working with a clean slate.
- Undo the top burr to expose where most of the buildup hides (keep in mind that not all grinders can do this).
- Brush out the loose grounds from the burrs, chamber, chute, and any edges where coffee tends to settle.
- Reassemble and run a small batch of beans to clear away any leftover cleaning agents.
What not to do:
Your coffee grinder might be tough, but it’s certainly not indestructible. As you’re cleaning, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Don’t use water on the burrs unless the manual explicitly approves it.
- Don’t use rice in place of grinder tablets, no matter what the internet might suggest (as this can damage the burrs).
- Don’t scrub metal burrs with anything abrasive.
So, if you’ve been noticing that the quality of your coffee has gone down recently, you’re noticing bitter aftertastes, or your grinder is starting to give you issues, you know where to begin!
At the end of the day, cleaning your coffee grinder is a quick and simple way to elevate your coffee-making. It doesn’t take long, and it’s an easy way to do the roaster of your beans some justice.
Bring a taste of Italian heritage to your coffee-making practice.
At La Marzocco Home, we are proud to blend a long heritage of Italian espresso craft with modern engineering, so coffee lovers across the country can enjoy the perfect cup each morning.
Browse our range to find the perfect coffee grinder in Australia, complete with accessories to keep it clean and well-maintained.
