How To Clean An Espresso Coffee Machine

How to best clean your coffee grinder

Homeground coffee tasting blah lately? Here are two easy and effective ways to clean the oils from coffee grinders and spice grinders.

Simply grind some plain bread or raw rice in the grinder when you notice oil on the lid or blades, Leslie Reichert told TODAY Home. Shutterstock

Nov. 20, 2017, 5:22 PM UTC /Updated April 19, 2021, 5:22 PM UTC

/ Source : TODAY

Coffee grinders, including manual coffee grinders, are great for making fresh-tasting coffee. But those fragrant beans leave behind an oily residue that, over time, goes stale or turns rancid and affects the flavor of the coffee. The same thing happens when you're grinding spices — and those oils can be mighty potent!

TODAY Home asked Leslie Reichert from Green Cleaning Coach to share some tried-and-true suggestions for cleaning these contraptions.

How to clean your coffee grinder the quick way

The best coffee grinder cleaning strategy, says Reichert, is to simply grind some plain bread or raw rice in the grinder when you notice oil on the lid or blades. The abrasion will clean the blades while the starch in either product will absorb the oils. Then just empty the crumbs, dusting with a small, soft brush if needed. This gives the grinder a good, quick clean in-between traditional washes.

How to clean your coffee grinder the traditional way

Unplug the coffee grinder.
Usually, the removable parts of the grinder are top-rack dishwasher safe (using a gentle cycle), or you can wash them by hand in warm, soapy water.
Remove ground particles from the lid and blades using a small, soft brush or cloth.
Wipe the inside of the grinder lid and blades carefully with a damp cloth.
Dry completely before replacing the lid.
Finally, clean the base. Since the base contains the electrical components of the grinder, NEVER put the base in water. Just wipe it with a clean, damp cloth.

Of course, you should follow manufacturer's directions for how to use the coffee grinder and how to best clean it before actually embarking on the task.

Then just enjoy your cup of freshly ground coffee!

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This article was originally published on Nov. 20, 2017.