When you buy a beautiful piece of machinery, you take care of it so it continues to perform at the highest level. This rule can definitely be applied to all of the equipment that you use to add a delicious espresso to your day—including home espresso grinders. Taking care of your grinder is imperative if you want to enjoy consistently smooth, rich coffee whenever you pour a cup.
Starting with the right grinder is an essential element towards a professional-level pour and if you have had good advice, you will have a burr grinder perched on your countertop. A quality burr grinder will produce a precise grind without overheating the beans, which is a vital component in the pursuit of perfection.
So, how do you properly maintain your espresso grinder for long-term use? Do you need specialist equipment? Is it time-consuming? These are a couple of the questions we will answer here. We will share some tips for cleaning your grinder, which is a crucial part of maintenance, and we will highlight some tools that you should keep handy to ensure you always get the coffee you want.
Read on to explore our easy guide to keeping your grinder in great condition.
How Do I Clean My Coffee Grinder?
Taking care of espresso grinders begins with looking after the little things. Your burr grinder, while robust, is a finely calibrated piece of machinery, and it deals with tens of thousands of tiny particles of coffee every time you use it, so it pays to be vigilant about tidying up after each use, using a designated product recommended by your supplier on a regular basis, and taking apart your grinder for a thorough clean every four to six weeks.
Benefits of a Clean Grinder
Alongside increased longevity from a mechanical point of view, when your grinder is cleaned and maintained properly, your coffee will taste better. Your grinder collects oily residue, or ‘lipids’ that are created during the roasting process. When the roasted beans pass through the burrs, if this oily residue is left to build up, you may begin to notice a stale or rancid taste if you leave it too long between services.
Oily residue and old grounds that have managed to work their way inside the mechanism need to be cleared, or they will clog or slow down the burrs as they attempt to grind your coffee. Consistency is key to a great grind, so you want all the moving parts on your burrs to be clean and clear.
Protect Your Flavour Profile
This holds true for the whole grinder. Letting old grinds accumulate in your hopper chute will likely result in the old grinds being caught up with your new grind, sullying the flavour profile of your lovely freshly roasted beans. You may also experience clumping, where your grind loses its fluffy, even distribution in the basket, leading to both over and under-extraction – the enemy of flavour! Your chute can also block to the point where the grinder is labouring, which can affect the output and grind speed and even burn out your motor.
An Easy 3-Step Cleaning Process
To avoid compromising the quality of your coffee and avoid unnecessary repairs, you can follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Soft Brushing
Every time you grind some beans, take a soft brush and clear any grinds that didn’t make it into the dose from around the chute and anywhere else you can see them gathering. Wipe the exterior of your grinder down with a slightly damp, soft cloth after every use.
Step 2: Cleaning the Hopper
Choose a moment when your hopper is empty, remove it and brush it out. Use a hot, very slightly damp cloth to remove any oily residue that is beginning to settle. Look down into the burrs which sit under the hopper and use your brush to remove any grinds or stray beans that have collected. Make sure that you allow the hopper to dry thoroughly before you use it again.
Step 3: Clean the Burrs
To clean your burrs, you can run a dedicated coffee grinder cleaner through, make sure the grinder is clear of beans and grind first. These are coffee bean-shaped tablets that are all-natural, food safe and gluten-free. You could also take the burrs out and clean them manually. However, we don’t recommend this unless you have extensive experience or expertise. You can ask for help here.
Start with the Right Grinder
For exceptional espresso, you must, of course, start with the right grinder. If you are ready to shop for the perfect companion for your benchtop espresso machine, we can help.
Shop the La Marzocco Range
At La Marzocco, we believe in quality, not quantity. Our carefully curated range of at-home coffee grinders is compact and stylish, with two elegant options available to purchase online now at a great price. Browse the perfectly petite La Marzocco Pico and the small but powerful Mazzer Mini Electric B to experience the divine grind at your place.
We have a friendly service team you can book to visit you on-site for all your maintenance requirements, and our La Marzocco Home support team is available from 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday, for a call to chat about any issues you are having with your machine or grinder.
