--- slug: how_to_clean_a_coffee_grinder category_path: home_kitchen/kitchen_dining/coffee_tea_espresso/coffee_grinders title: "How to Clean a Coffee Grinder" lead: "Unplug it, empty the hopper, and brush the old grounds out of the burrs regularly — the oils they hold go stale and taint the next cup. For a deep clean, run a grinder-cleaning tablet through — or plain rice in a blade grinder — to absorb the oils, then brush again; keep water away from the burrs and motor." recommendation: name: "Brush the burrs out regularly; deep-clean with a cleaning tablet (rice for blade grinders only) — never water in the motor" reason: "Coffee is oily, and those oils build up on the burrs and go rancid, so cleaning is mostly about removing grounds and oil without wetting the electrics. Unplug first, empty the hopper, and use a stiff dry brush to sweep grounds off the burrs and out of the chute — do this often, ideally weekly. Every month or so, run a deep clean: on a burr grinder use a purpose-made cleaning tablet — it is softer than rice, which can dull or chip the burrs, so check your manual — while a handful of uncooked rice is fine in a blade grinder; either scrubs and soaks up the oil, then brush out the residue. On a burr grinder you can also remove the top burr to brush underneath; wipe metal parts with a dry cloth and only wash a removable plastic hopper with water, drying it fully. A blade grinder cleans the same way — pulse rice, then wipe. Never rinse the burrs or motor, and never grind spices in your coffee grinder unless you keep a second one." published: 2026-07-08 updated: 2026-07-08 ---