In many Western households, grinding fresh coffee beans at home has become a daily ritual in the pursuit of better flavor. Whether you’ve invested in a beginner-friendly Baratza Encore or a high-end Eureka Mignon, a quality burr grinder is a solid step toward a great cup. But if you want that cup to taste consistently good over time, there’s one habit you can’t ignore: deep cleaning your grinder.
Most people think a quick brush-out after each use is enough. But according to experts, that only scratches the surface. Especially if you enjoy darker roasts — which are oilier by nature — your grinder is likely accumulating invisible layers of coffee oils and fine powders in its burrs and grinding chamber.
Kaleena Teoh, co-founder of Coffee Project New York, insists that even if you use grinder cleaning tablets weekly (which she highly recommends), it’s still necessary to give your burrs a thorough scrub about once a month. This becomes even more important the darker your roast. The reason? Coffee oils build up just like cholesterol in arteries. They coat your grinder’s internal components, slowly clogging it up — and worse, they can turn rancid over time, permanently tainting the flavor of your coffee.
Teoh has even demonstrated this with a grinder intentionally used with rancid beans. The stale, musty smell clung to the machine, and cleaning it out took several rounds. Once those off-notes settle in, it’s hard to make them go away — and they’ll show up in every cup you brew.
If you want your grinder to last — and our favorite models can technically last a lifetime — a regular deep clean isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. But don’t worry. With the right tools and a bit of patience, the process is straightforward, and you’ll quickly get the hang of it.
Before you begin, gather the following tools: a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush (some grinders, like the Encore, come with one), a clean cloth (one side slightly damp, the other dry), grinder cleaning tablets like Urnex Grindz (gluten-free and made from food-safe grains), a handful of coffee beans (they don’t have to be top-quality, just not stale), and optionally, compressed air or a manual blower like the ones used for cleaning keyboards. You might also need a small screwdriver depending on your grinder model.
If it’s your first time cleaning your grinder, set aside about an hour to get familiar with the process. Once you’ve done it a few times, it’ll probably take less than 30 minutes.
Start by running your grinder empty. Let it spin until it’s completely clear of grounds. Tap the machine gently to dislodge any remaining particles. Then, measure out around 30 grams of cleaning tablets and 30 grams of coffee beans — about ¼ cup of each. Run the tablets through first, followed by the beans using the same grind setting. The tablets will bind with oils and fine debris; the beans help flush out any remaining tablet dust.
After this, use the slightly damp side of your cloth to wipe the hopper, grind bin, and outer parts of the machine. Look out for yellow specks from the tablets and make sure to wipe them away thoroughly. Follow up with the dry side of the cloth to remove any moisture.
Next, unplug the grinder. Carefully follow the instructions in your user manual — or find a tutorial video online — to disassemble the top burr. If your grinder has a tight design, you might need a screwdriver. Take photos during each step of disassembly if you're worried about reassembling correctly later.
Once the top burr is removed, you’ll likely find a surprising amount of buildup between the burr teeth. Use your brush to gently scrub it clean. Think of it like brushing your teeth — methodical, circular motions work best. Be careful not to touch the burr edges with your fingers; they’re designed to slice through hard beans and are dangerously sharp.
It helps to work over a tray or a sheet of paper to catch falling debris. Once the top burr is clean, move on to the lower burr that’s still inside the machine. Brush it thoroughly, then use compressed air or a blower to clean out the fine particles stuck deep within. A small vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle can be helpful too — just be cautious not to suck up any small parts.
After all visible coffee residues are gone, reassemble the grinder carefully using your photos or notes as a guide. Make sure everything is aligned and screwed back into place properly.
There are a few key points to keep in mind throughout the process. Safety first — always unplug your grinder before taking it apart, and never try to clean burrs with your bare hands. Also, avoid using raw rice in place of cleaning tablets. Although it’s a popular DIY method, professionals like Teoh warn that rice is too hard and could damage the burrs over time.
And no matter how tempting it is, never wash your burrs with water. Burrs are made of metal and will rust easily if exposed to moisture. If they do accidentally get wet, dry them immediately and leave them out to air dry completely before reinstalling.
Some people notice a slightly odd taste in their first post-cleaning grind. That’s normal — any lingering cleaning material or tablet dust will affect flavor. Simply grind a small batch of beans and discard the grounds. After that, your grinder should be ready to deliver clean, fresh-tasting coffee again.
Ultimately, a grinder is more than just a piece of kitchen equipment. For many coffee lovers, it’s the centerpiece of the morning routine — the tool that transforms sleepy mornings into satisfying moments. Taking care of it properly isn’t just good maintenance; it’s a way to protect the flavor and ritual you love.
So the next time you sip your favorite brew and notice how clear, rich, and flavorful it is, remember that those notes don’t just come from the beans. They come from a grinder that’s well-loved and well-maintained — cleaned not just for hygiene, but for the craft of better coffee.