Picture this: the sun streaming through your kitchen window, the tantalizing aroma of your favorite beans wafting through the air, and the promise of that first perfect sip. Before you dive into that blissful morning routine, though, you’ve got to grind those beautiful beans.

We’re here to tell you: If you’ve got a dirty grinder, you could be tainting the taste of your favorite roast.

We believe every roast deserves its moment to shine, so let’s talk about a crucial but often overlooked aspect of coffee craftsmanship—cleaning your grinder. It’s not just about appearances; it’s about preserving the essence of your favorite brew. So grab your cleaning gear and dive into our step-by-step guide to cleaning a coffee grinder!

• Owner’s manual: Don’t start the process of cleaning your grinder without your owner’s manual in hand. Not only will it tell you which elements of your grinder can be disassembled for cleaning, it’ll also give you a road map to get it put back together again—which is kind of important.
• Microfiber cloth: This is your go-to tool for wiping down the exterior, hopper, and grind bin.
• Grinder brush: This specialized brush helps reach tight spaces and remove grounds from burrs (for burr grinders). Some grinders might come with one, but you can also use a soft bottle brush if it doesn’t scratch the burrs.
• Compressed air (optional): This can be helpful for blasting out stubborn coffee particles, especially from hard-to-reach areas.
• Soft brush: If your grinder doesn’t come with a dedicated brush, a soft toothbrush can work for cleaning the burrs, blades, or other tight spaces. Just make sure it’s clean and dry.
• Pipe cleaners and toothpicks (optional): Like to really get into every nook and cranny? These household items can help—just make sure that you’re being careful so they don’t leave behind shards of wood or metal.
• Dish soap: This is only for cleaning the grind bin and the hopper—never use it on the burrs or blades, where moisture can lead to rust.

Once you’ve gathered your tools, you’re ready to dive in! Whether you’re cleaning a burr grinder or a blade grinder, our cleaning guide has you covered!

We believe in safety first! Whether you’re cleaning a blade grinder or a burr grinder, your appliance is designed to pulverize hard coffee beans, so let’s not take any chances! Before you start the process, turn off the grinder and unplug it to avoid any preventable accidents.

Before we get down to the deep clean, we want to eliminate all the extra, easy-to-remove grounds so that we can focus on the detailed cleaning. Give your grinder a gentle tap and shake over your trash can or, even better, your compost bin.

Consult your owner’s manual to figure out which parts of your grinder can be removed for cleaning. In some cases, it’ll just be the removable lid or bin, but many grinders are designed to allow you to separate the hopper, burrs/blades, grinding chamber, and bin for detailed cleaning.

Grab your brush and gently remove any coffee grounds clinging to the chamber, burrs, and blades. If you have a burr grinder, be sure to use your burr brush or bottle to clean between the burrs, not just the external surfaces. You can also use a can of compressed air to blast away stubborn bits. And if you’re really into the fine details, a toothpick or pipe cleaner can help you get into all the nooks and crannies of your burrs and hardware.

Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down all of the grinding components, the grind bin, and all the gaskets and seals. We want to clear away all of the fine grounds you’ve just loosened up. Some fastidious cleaners go the extra mile by using a vacuum with an extra-small crevice attachment to suck up all the dust—and we respect that kind of dedication!

Check your owner’s manual to see which parts are safe to wash with water, and hand wash them with mild dish soap and warm water. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly (we don’t want any of that sudsy residue ending up in our morning cup), and dry them completely. And remember, do not use water to clean your burrs or blades—this can create rust. And be sure to keep the base, which holds the motor, dry too!

Use another dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the exterior of the grinder to get rid of coffee oils and residue and leave it looking shiny and new. You can also use a toothpick to clear out any open crevices around the buttons or dials—just be careful not to get overzealous so you don’t end up with a wooden shard lodged in the space.

Once all of the components you washed are completely dry, it’s time to put everything back together. Double-check your owner’s manual to make sure it’s all back where it belongs and that all of your parts are properly aligned.

Once you’ve got your grinder reassembled, plug it in and grind a small amount of beans (10–30 mg). We know, you’re probably thinking, “Wait, I just spent all this time trying to eradicate all the grounds! Why would I want to add more now?” Turns out that even though we want to remove old oils so they don’t affect the taste of our fresh coffee, the fresh oils are actually helpful to your grinder—they keep it running at its best. Think of it like seasoning a cast-iron pan; those oils are protecting the metal and preventing it from oxidizing Plus, by doing a test grind, you’ll ensure that everything is put back together properly before the pressure’s on. Be sure to toss out the test grind when you’re done.

You’re ready to grind up your favorite roast, knowing that the results will be perfectly flavored and clean!

A freshly cleaned grinder is truly a thing of beauty, so we recommend making deep cleaning a regular part of your routine. Blade grinders benefit from a monthly cleaning, while burr grinders can wait a bit longer—aim for every 3 months. The key to keeping your grinder in tip-top shape—and keeping your deep-cleaning sessions short and simple—is regularly giving your grinder a light cleaning. Wipe out the grind bin and wipe down the exterior at least once a week if you use your grinder daily (and we hope you do!) to help prevent buildup.

Several companies market special cleansing products for coffee grinders. These tablets, which are about the size of coffee beans, are usually made of edible grains that you run through the grinder the same way you would your beans. The idea is that grinding the cleaning tablets will knock loose any stuck grounds and absorb extra oils on your blades or burrs.

If you’re really having trouble getting your burrs or blades clean, they might be a good option for you, but we find regular manual cleaning is the best strategy for preventing both of those problems.

Please, we beg you, don’t. You’ll find this advice—that you can clean up oils by grinding a little bit of uncooked rice—all across the internet, but we don’t advocate using this technique.

First, rice grains are quite a bit harder than coffee beans, so you risk damaging your blades or burrs. Second, the starchy powder you’ll create can actually gunk up your grinder and create more of a mess than when you started. Third, because those grains of rice are so small, you risk getting one lodged in your grinding mechanism, which could damage your machine. And because of all this, cleaning with rice voids the warranty with some manufacturers.

Let’s save the rice for a beautiful paella instead and spare our grinders, please!

Remember, a well-maintained grinder is the secret weapon in your pursuit of the perfect cup. So, embrace the ritual of cleaning, savor the rewards of a freshly scrubbed machine, and may your every cup be a testament to the love and dedication you pour into your craft.

If you’re in the market for sustainably sourced, high-quality coffees, check out our selection in the U3 Coffee Exchange, where you’ll also find our hand-selected inventory of grinders, brewing equipment, and coffee gear! #coffeemugsunite