How to clean any grinder on the cheap.

[nikko.the.scorpio]

I've heard the "run a cup of rice through occasionally" wisdom before as being effective in cleaning the build up of oils and such off the burrs, so not a random foodstuff, but one with a purpose. That said, sounds like there are better/safer options to achieve the same thing.

With all due respect you've not heard of plain rice being run through as a good idea - as like the OP you've followed the mistake people have made of mixing up instant/minute rice with uncooked regular rice - MASSIVELY different hardnesses. :-)

That said, as as you've implied yourself and can CLEARLY be seen from the overwhelming feedback in this thread (which as I stated originally I knew would be the case) this is a well known practice thats not well thought of and on multiple levels is probably a very bad idea. Pretty much open and shut - very confusing that the OP claims to be a 'coffee machine tech' and the silence to my requests to clarify if he used uncooked rice on the rather expensive grinder he was in the process of selling on here did tell its own story. :-)

[artman]

And wasabi!!



Cheers

[Barry_Duncan]

Don't forget the soy sauce.

[artman]

What if you used some sushi rice, cooked to perfection, threw in some beans and created yummy coffee flavoured California rolls? :P

Cheers

[TC]

It never ceases to amaze me that people will spend tens of hours making a decision, thousands purchasing their gear and then go tightwad on coffee, maintenance and service.

Five years between services? Sure thing. Clean the machine? Why?? How come you can put your thumb through the chassis? It's only been leaking a little bit- for 5 years...

We really do see it all and it saddens me on a weekly basis. Nevertheless, repair and cleaning invoices help allow me to do what I enjoy.

Some owners choose (due to neglect or misinformation) to pay the penalty. I write the penalty invoice.

[Gavisconi007]

The internet also advises me to put butter on kittens' feet to stop them running away, and to consider cutting my toe nails with a hedge trimmer. Neither work that well.

Barry- super glue generally works better than butter..........

[Yelta]

The internet also advises me to put butter on kittens' feet to stop them running away,

What a good idea.

[saroadie]

Pull hopper off, wind top burr off, vac the loose grinds out, use a brass? brush to get build up grinds off the burrs. Done

The rice you didn't use can then be used for dinner.

Another advocate of that process. A good opportunity too for cleaning the hopper.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

The internet also advises me to put butter on kittens' feet to stop them running away, and to consider cutting my toe nails with a hedge trimmer. Neither work that well.

[Yelta]

Pull hopper off, wind top burr off, vac the loose grinds out, use a brass? brush to get build up grinds off the burrs. Done

The rice you didn't use can then be used for dinner.

Well said Kyeba, my process exactly.

[kyeba]

Pull hopper off, wind top burr off, vac the loose grinds out, use a brass? brush to get build up grinds off the burrs. Done

The rice you didn't use can then be used for dinner.

[evanmc]

BUT and here's the but - why on earth would you use that and not the numerous other options available if you're essentially just looking to run some random foodstuff through the grinder? As I stated the hardness of raw rice is much, much greater than roasted coffee beans and the commercially sold cleaning beans - so to me straight away thats a major red flag.

I've heard the "run a cup of rice through occasionally" wisdom before as being effective in cleaning the build up of oils and such off the burrs, so not a random foodstuff, but one with a purpose. That said, sounds like there are better/safer options to achieve the same thing.

[GreenBeanGenii]

Did not imagine a true Snob would do anything on the cheap

and potentially nasty.

[Barry_Duncan]

Elsewhere here I have read that it is better to use Grindz grinder cleaner than rice.

It is claimed that "Grindz is an all natural, food safe and neutral flavour combination in coffee bean shaped tablets".

With my Breville smart grinder the delivery tube drops vertical from the burrs with little chance of grinds sticking. With the Sunbeam grinder I once had, the delivery tube was at about 45 degrees and needed frequent cleaning.

With the coffee I use my grinder stays clean without getting gummed up. I have some Grindz but rarely use it and I have not needed to go to a 'service place'.

Barry

[TC]

*kaching* "Yes- sure we'll fix it for you."

Don't believe everything you read on the internerd. Rice is yet another cash generation strategy for service places.