A burr grinder is the automatic, electronic version of the manual coffee grinders that people have used to grind coffee for centuries. Whether it’s a flat or conical burr grinder (I explain the differences in my Best Coffee Grinders guide), those sturdy burrs will break up coffee beans into a relatively uniform size, and on a microscopic level, they’re different. texture than blade-ground beans. They are crushed, rather than cut, to express and preserve their oils. There’s nothing that improves your coffee at home like investing in a burr grinder.
Unfortunately, the more oily residue a coffee produces, the more oily residue will settle in the grinder over time. Burr grinders are more delicate than blade grinders and require more thorough and regular cleaning than you might expect. Here we are going to explore how and how often you should clean your grinder so that your coffee tastes as fresh and flavorful as possible.
Be sure to check out our other coffee coverage for more tips and recommendations, like the best espresso machines, the best latte and cappuccino machines, the best portable coffee makers, the best coffee subscriptions, and the best coffee grinders.
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The necessary tools and preparation
Your burr grinder most likely comes with some of the tools you will need to clean it. If you know where those tools are, go find them. We are looking for a brush with hard bristles. If you lost it or your machine doesn’t come with one, don’t worry, there are plenty you can find elsewhere. I lose these little brushes frequently, so I have I bought spare parts on Amazon..
Next, consult your grinder’s manual. If you can’t find it, check the manufacturer’s website; I guarantee there is a PDF version online waiting for you. This is so you can access instructions on how to remove the burrs inside. Some grinders require a screwdriver to remove the hopper and remove burrs; If that’s the case, the instruction manual will tell you. If you’re not very lucky, there’s a good chance there’s an explanation for your specific model on YouTube.
Lastly, you’ll want some Urnex Grindz Cleansing Tablets. They are small tablets that crunch inside the grinder to eliminate accumulated oils or residues. (We’ll talk more about them later.)
Before you begin, make sure your coffee grinder’s hopper is empty. Sometimes there is a little coffee left over from the last use, so run the grinder without beans for a few seconds or until no more coffee comes out. You can also tell by the sound of your grinder. It should produce a higher pitched sound when empty because the blades spin faster without any resistance from the coffee beans.
1. Expose the burrs
Unplug the machine. Do not open your grinder while it is still plugged in. Almost every burr grinder I’ve tried has a safety mechanism to ensure it can’t be turned on when the burrs are exposed, but to be safe, I always unplug it.
The next step in this process will vary depending on the coffee grinder you have. In my experience, most burr grinders come apart this way: Place one hand on top of the hopper and turn it in the direction the instruction manual tells you to. You will probably hear a click when it reaches the right place and then the hopper will come out immediately. Put it aside.