How to Clean Every Type of Coffee Maker

To ensure that your cup of coffee tastes great, it’s important to clean your coffee maker every time you use it.

Coffee contains oils that build up over time if not cleaned thoroughly, leading to bitterness. Here, you’ll find simple instructions on how to keep your favourite coffee maker as clean as possible.

Coffee makers listed in this article

• Espresso machine
• Electric drip machine
• French press
• Italian moka pot
• AeroPress
• Clever Dripper
• Hario V60
• Kalita Wave
• Chemex
• Siphon
• Turkish cezve/ibrik
• Espro press
• Eva Solo
• Coffee grinder

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How to clean an espresso machine

After every coffee

1. Immediately, remove the portafilter and dump the ground coffee into the bin.
2. Wipe the portafilter basket of any remaining ground coffee.
3. Purge a tiny amount of water through the group head. No more than one second’s worth of water.
4. Reattach the portafilter.
5. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth.
6. Point the steam wand tip at the drip tray and turn on briefly to purge the milk left inside the wand tip.

At the end of each day

1. Remove the basket from the portafilter and rinse both parts with hot water.
2. Run water through the group head and scrub the shower screen with a Pallo brush or soft-bristled toothbrush.
3. Next, you need to backflush your machine if it has a three-way valve. To do so, insert a blind basket into your portafilter and add half a teaspoon of espresso cleaning powder to the centre of the basket.
4. Attach the portafilter to the group head. Turn on the water flow and allow it to fill the portafilter basket. Turn off. Repeat four more times. Tip away the water from the portafilter basket.
5. Fill some sort of container with around half a litre of boiling water and mix in two tablespoons of espresso cleaning powder (or according to packet instructions).
6. Remove the shower screen from the group head. Place the portafilter head, basket, and shower screen into the espresso cleaning solution and allow to soak for 10 minutes.
7. Run extra water through the group head and scrub again, concentrating on the area that surrounds the shower screen too.
8. Place the normal basket into the portafilter and attach to the group head. Run through lots of water, removing a reattaching the portafilter several times.
9. To ensure no cleaning solution is remaining, taste the water from the portafilter.
10. DO NOT soak the steam wand under any circumstances. Just wipe with a damp cloth and purge.
11. Remove the drip tray carefully so as not to burn yourself. Empty the contents and replace. Wipe clean.

Recommended espresso cleaning powder brands

• Urnez Cafiza
• Puly Caff
• Joe Glo

Backflushing

Backflushing your espresso machine should only be carried out if your machine has a three-way valve. If your machine does not have a three-way valve, you will cause damage by attempting to backflush it. Consult your operator’s manual to check if your machine has a three-way valve, also known as a three-way solenoid.

Steam wand maintenance

Despite what you may have read or heard, you must never soak your steam wand. If you soak the steam wand, it will soak the milk residue into the boiler causing what’s known as sour boiler. If this happens, you could be looking at up to $1000 to repair the boiler.

By wiping and purging the milk residue between every coffee, you will ensure that the steam wand is always kept in perfect condition, eliminating the need for further maintenance.

How to clean an electric drip machine

1. Remove the carafe and filter basket. Throw your coffee grounds into the bin.
2. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and sponge, scrub the carafe thoroughly both inside and outside.
3. If your drip machine has a reusable filter, clean carefully with a soft-bristled brush or sponge so as not to damage the filter lining.
4. Rinse all parts thoroughly using fresh water to remove all of the detergent.
5. Give the shower head a wipe with a clean towel to clean any splashes from the coffee bed.
6. Either leave to air dry on the drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel.
7. Reassemble all the parts back onto the machine. It’s best to leave the lid partially open to avoid the build-up of moisture from any remaining water left inside the machine.

Descaling

Depending on the hardness of your water, it’s essential to descale your machine every two to three months. Descaling ensures that the pipes are kept scale-free, the temperature of the water is consistent, and that the water tastes great.

1. Empty a sachet of descaling power into a jug of warm water. Stir to dissolve.
2. Pour the descaling liquid into the water tank, filling to the max line.
3. Run a complete brewing cycle with all parts attached as normal.
4. Pour the descaling liquid down the sink and refill the water tank with fresh water.
5. Run a complete brewing cycle with fresh, clean water. Repeat once or twice more to remove all traces of the descaler. Taste the water to ensure it’s free of descaler.
6. Give the carafe a clean using dishwashing detergent and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

How to clean a French press

1. Empty all of the coffee grounds from your French press into the bin.
2. Separate the filter into individual pieces.
3. Rinse the carafe and filter with water to remove any coffee grounds.
4. Using a neutral washing up detergent and sponge, scrub the carafe thoroughly both inside and outside.
5. Now clean the filter attachments, including the lid and plunger. The middle, mesh filter needs to be cleaned with great care so as not to misshape it.
6. Rinse all parts thoroughly using fresh water to remove all of the detergent.
7. Either leave to dry on the drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel. The mesh filter should just be dabbed dry so that you don’t misshape it.
8. Attach all the filter parts together and place inside the carafe. It’s better to leave the lid open where it meets the pouring spout so that any remaining water can dry thoroughly.

How to clean an Italian moka pot

1. Separate the five pieces of your moka pot: the bottom chamber, the funnel, the top chamber, the rubber gasket, and filter plate (the last two are found at the bottom of the top chamber). PHOTO
2. Empty your coffee grounds into the bin or compost IL.
3. Rinse all five parts to remove any coffee grounds.
4. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and sponge, scrub the five parts both inside and outside.
5. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
6. Either leave to dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel. Ensure that all the parts are thoroughly dry before reattaching.

How to clean an AeroPress

1. Fully depress the plunger to create a compact coffee puck inside the AeroPress lid. Empty all of the coffee grounds along with the filter into the bin.
2. Divide the three parts of the AeroPress: lid, brew chamber, and plunger. Rinse with water.
3. Using a neutral washing-up detergent and sponge, scrub the three parts both inside and outside.
4. Rinse the four parts thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
5. Either leave to dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel.

Note: Every once in a while it’s a good idea to remove the rubber seal at the end of the plunger to give it a good clean.

Note: Do not clean in the dishwasher as the plastic will take on the odours from the dishwasher tablets.

How to clean a Clever Dripper

1. Throw the paper filter and coffee grounds into the bin once dried*.
2. Divide the Clever Dripper into its two parts: push carefully on the centre of the rubber valve to detach the bottom from the top.
3. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and sponge, scrub the brewer both inside and outside.
4. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
5. Either leave to dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel.
6. To reattach the two parts, hold the brewer upside down and line up the valve. Make sure the bottom part is level and, with even pressure, push the bottom part into the main body using your thumbs.

*I like to place the paper filter into the sink whilst I drink my coffee to ensure it’s thoroughly dried before throwing into the bin.

How to clean a Hario V60

1. Throw the paper filter and coffee grounds into the bin once dried*.
2. Using a neutral washing-up detergent and sponge, scrub the V60 both inside and outside.
3. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
4. Either leave to dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel.

*I like to place the paper filter into the sink whilst I drink my coffee to ensure it’s thoroughly dried before throwing into the bin.

How to clean a Kalita Wave

1. Throw the paper filter and coffee grounds into the bin once dried*.
2. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and sponge, scrub your Kalita Wave both inside and outside.
3. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
4. Either leave to dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel.

*I like to place the paper filter into the sink whilst I drink my coffee to ensure it’s thoroughly dried before throwing into the bin.

Note: Do not clean a plastic Kalita Wave in the dishwasher as the plastic will take on the odours from the dishwasher tablets.

How to clean a Chemex

1. Throw the paper filter and coffee grounds into the bin once dried*.
2. If your Chemex has the wooden handle, make sure to remove it before cleaning.
3. Rinse out the Chemex using fresh water.
4. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and long-handled brush or sponge, scrub the brewer both inside and outside.
5. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
6. For best results, leave to air dry on a drying rack.
7. Reattach the wooden handle once thoroughly dried.

*I like to place the paper filter into the sink whilst I drink my coffee to ensure it’s thoroughly dried before throwing into the bin.

How to clean a siphon brewer

1. Detach the the filter from the middle of the brewer. Divide the siphon into its two parts and rinse off the remaining coffee grounds.
2. Rinse out the top chamber of the remaining coffee grounds.
3. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and long-handled brush or sponge, scrub the brewer both inside and outside*.
4. Clean the funnel by inserting a toothbrush with a little dishwashing detergent.
5. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
6. For best results, leave to air dry on a drying rack.

*If you don’t have a long-handled brush that fits into the bottom chamber, pour a little dishing detergent into the chamber and half fill with hot water. Cover the hole with your hand a give it a good shake to clean.

How to clean a Turkish coffee pot (cezve/ibrik)

1. Empty the cezve of any remaining coffee into the bin.
2. Rinse out any coffee grounds left in the pot with water.
3. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and long-handled brush or sponge, scrub the lid and pot both inside and outside.
4. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
5. Either leave to air dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel.

How to clean an Espro press

1. Remove the filter plunger and empty the coffee grounds into the bin.
2. Unscrew the filters from the lid attachment and remove the outside filter from the inner filter.
3. Rinse the carafe, filters, and lid with water to remove any remaining coffee grounds.
4. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and long-handled brush or sponge, scrub the lid and carafe both inside and outside.
5. Clean the two filters with a soft-bristled brush or sponge. Take great care so as not to damage the filter lining.
6. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
7. For best results, leave to air dry on a drying rack.
8. Once all the parts are dry, reattach the two filters and screw onto the lid attachment. Insert the plunger lid into the carafe leaving in the open position above the pouring spout to avoid a build-up of moisture from any potential remaining water.

How to clean an Eva Solo

1. Remove the neoprene jacket from the Eva Solo and empty the coffee grounds into the bin.
2. Rinse out any remaining coffee grounds from the carafe and filter with water.
3. Using a neutral dishwashing detergent and long-handled brush or sponge, scrub the brewer and cap both inside and outside.
4. Using a brush with soft bristles, clean the filter using a little dishwashing detergent.
5. Rinse thoroughly using fresh water, making sure to remove all of the detergent.
6. Either leave to dry on a drying rack or dry by hand using a clean tea towel. Note: Do not insert the cap fully to ensure there is no build-up of moisture from any remaining water left inside the filter or carafe. Ensure the brewer is fully dried before reattaching the jacket.

How to clean a coffee grinder

1. If necessary, remove the hopper and clean with a neutral dishwashing detergent. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and allow to air dry completely before reattaching.
2. Remove the burrs using the appropriate tool. Use a soft-bristled paintbrush to dislodge the coffee grounds from where the burrs were sat as well as from the grinding chute.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air to remove the coffee grounds.

As all coffee grinders are different, we are unable to give specific instructions. Consult your user manual for a more thorough guide to cleaning your coffee grinder.

Do not use rice to clean your coffee grinder as it is not effective. Use a dedicated cleaner such as Urnez Grindz.

Never use anything abrasive to clean your grinder, especially the burrs. Scratching the burrs will result in them not grinding uniformly and will also cause them to hold onto more ground coffee.

Simple changes to your coffee-making routine can make a big effect. Read our 50 essential tips to improve your coffee today.