How to maintain the KM5 Burr Grinder

A good coffee grinder is essential for anyone who really wants to enjoy fresh coffee. That's why the Moccamaster KM5 Coffee Grinder is your partner in crime. But just like any other coffee tool, the KM5 needs regular maintenance. By keeping it clean and well cared for, you can maintain high grinding quality and prevent unwanted oils or coffee residues from affecting the taste. In this blog, we explain step by step how to clean your KM5 Coffee Grinder safely and effectively.

Why regular cleaning is important

Coffee beans contain oils. Dark-roasted beans in particular release more oil than light-roasted beans, causing the inside of the grinder to become dirty more quickly. If these residues remain, this can lead to:

• A bitter or flat taste
• Uneven grinding
• Discolouration of parts
• Faster wear of the grinding burrs 

Regular cleaning not only improves the taste of the coffee, but also extends the life of your grinder.

Daily and weekly maintenance

A big advantage: you hardly need anything for this basic maintenance. Here's how to do regular cleaning:

• Always unplug the machine before you start. 
• Wipe the inside of the bean container at least once a week with a slightly damp cloth. This prevents the build-up of coffee residues and oils that can cause discolouration of the container.
• You can also wipe the outside of the grinder with a slightly damp cloth and then dry it.
• Do not use cleaning products on any parts. 
• Never put parts of the grinder in the dishwasher.
• Do not use rice to clean the grinder. Rice is hard and can damage the grinding discs. It also leaves dust in the grinding chamber, which you want to avoid.

Thorough cleaning: every 3–6 months

Depending on how often you use your grinder and which beans you grind, we recommend thoroughly cleaning the inside of the grinder every 3 to 6 months. As mentioned earlier, dark beans contain more oil, so you will need to clean the grinder more often if you use it.

For this thorough cleaning, you will need to temporarily remove some parts of the grinder. This sounds more technical than it is, but it is very simple. You will be done in 5 minutes.

Step-by-step: how to clean the inside of your coffee grinder

1. Unplug the grinder from the mains.
2. Empty the bean container and remove any remaining beans.
3. Then remove the bean container. You can do this with a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Remove the upper grinding disc carrier. You can also use a Phillips screwdriver for this.
5. Clean the grinding chamber. Use a soft brush, dry cloth and, if necessary, a vacuum cleaner to remove coffee residues and oils. Work carefully to avoid damage.
6. Reassemble the grinder by following the above steps in reverse order.

Your grinder is now ready for perfectly even grinding and even better coffee.

Keep your grinder in top condition

Regular maintenance not only makes your coffee grinder work more efficiently, but also keeps the taste of your coffee at its best. Whether you make filter coffee every day or occasionally grind a special bean, a clean grinder makes all the difference.

Would you like more tips on making coffee, grinding and getting the most out of your Moccamaster appliances? Keep an eye on our blog for regular new tips & tricks and subscribe to the newsletter so you don't miss a thing!