One of the best things about owning an Encore Grinder is how easy it is to make fresh coffee. With the push of a button and the switch on, your home will be filled with the aroma of freshly ground coffees. But as usual, cleaning machines like the Encore Grinder always make us afraid, especially when looking at it, it has a rather complicated structure. But don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as you think. This article will detail how to clean the Encore Grinder simply and easily for you to do regularly at home.
Structure Of Encore Grinder
The Encore Grinder is the ultimate coffee grinder for coffee enthusiasts. Machines are often equipped with a variety of settings to be able to grind coffee from fine to coarse texture.
The basic structure of an Encore Grinder usually has a hopper at the top of the machine to store coffee beans. After the coffee is poured into the hopper, it will reach a part called the cone ledge. The conical edge has the function of grinding the coffee beans out thanks to the durable and stable sharpeners. After going through the ledges, the ground coffee will be poured through the trough and then into the coffee grounds container after grinding.
Each model as well as each brand will have smaller components to improve the features of the machine. You can see more details about the configuration of the machine you are using in the manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
Why Clean Encore Grinder
Basically, any surface that comes into contact with coffee needs to be cleaned regularly. Coffee contains oil, when grinding coffee will leave a residue on the grinding surface. Specifically in the ledges, grinding chambers, and mill troughs. The hopper will also stick to the oil residue. In general, the darker the roast, the more oil is left over.
Cleaning these surfaces thoroughly first will improve the flavor of subsequent batches of ground coffee. Old coffee scum or grounds left behind that are not removed can make their way into your next batch of coffee. And they will change your coffee flavor.
Cleaning will also help prolong the life of the machine because oil and particles that accumulate in the grinding chamber will over time affect the Encore Grinder’s ability to grind and cause blockages. Once clogged, cleaning is sometimes ineffective and you will have to take it to repair or warranty.
How To Clean Encore Grinder
1. Use Cleaning Tablets
For thorough cleaning, you can also use cleaning tablets. They are made with compressed beans and ground into a powder just like coffee beans. While going through the machine, they have the ability to sweep away the remaining coffee oil and scrub the burrs. This is a great choice to clean the machine as well as save your time a lot.
2. Deep Clean The Encore Grinder By Hand
You should first disconnect the power of the machine before performing the cleaning steps of the Encore Grinder. Here are the specific steps:
Step 1: Twist And Remove The Funnel
Make sure all the beans are removed from the hopper. Press the button on the front of the body to make sure all the beans have been ground and there is no residue left on the hopper. Remove the plug from the electrical outlet. Remove the funnel by turning it counter-clockwise to enter the correct opening, then simply lift the funnel out of the case.
Step 2: Remove The Top Pad And Set It Aside
When the hopper is removed, you will have a clear view of the inside of the machine. At the top, you should notice that there is also a silicone pad that is easy to remove with your finger. Remove it and set it aside until you’re done cleaning.
Step 3: Remove Burrs And Clean With The Brush
Underneath the removed silicone pad, you’ll see the rounded edge and holder. These are the two most important components of the machine that need to be cleaned. You can take that part out and then use a specialized brush to remove any remaining abrasive particles and residue. Most Encore Grinder machines when purchased will come with cleaning tools including a stiff bristle brush, use it. If you don’t have a brush, you can use other brushes with similar stiff bristles.
Wash the residue container, funnel, and funnel cap in warm soapy water, then rinse and dry
Careful:
- Do not use the dishwasher to clean the hopper, hopper lid, residue container, and rack. Hand wash only
- Wipe the Encore Grinder case only with a dry or slightly damp cloth, never immerse it in water.
- Do not wash the ledges with water, but only use a stiff bristle brush to clean.
Step 4: Clean The Inside Of The Machine (But Do Not Turn It Upside Down)
Similar to the round edge, you continue to use a stiff bristle brush to clean the inside of the machine. Brush as much as you can from the inside. It is important to note during this process that the machine is not turned upside down. Turning the machine upside down is a particularly bad idea as it could upset the placement of the internal components. The manufacturer recommends that you do not do so and if there is a problem, you may void your warranty from the manufacturer.
Step 5: Brush Off All Excess And Install
You should brush the areas that are frequently exposed to coffee grounds, until the old coffee smell disappears. After removing all excess from the machine, make sure that the parts are put back inside in the exact reverse order in which they came out. After placing the hopper back on top of the grinder, double-check that you have missed any parts and that the parts are in their proper place.
Now your machine is ready to use
3. How To Clean A Clogged Encore Grinder
If your machine doesn’t grind coffee as it should or makes a grinding noise, it may be clogged with coffee powder. This can happen if the pulp bin or portafilter is too full. Encore Grinder is designed for on-demand grinding, not bulk grinding. If the hopper is filled with coffee and the machine runs continuously, eventually the container will fill up to capacity and the coffee will back up into the trough causing a blockage.
If your Encore Grinder is clogged, it needs a deep cleaning. However, the cleaning may no longer be effective. Brushing the teeth of the burrs is great for your machine as it cannot remove blockages that are hidden in the chute. To really get rid of the blockage, you need to clean the compressed coffee in the trough.
The stiff bristle brush that comes with the grinder is the best tool for this. Specifically, the handle of the brush can be bent 45 degrees and used to push the compacted coffee out of the trough.
If you no longer have that brush, don’t worry. Any hard, narrow crevice that can get inside the chute will work.
Some notes to clean the machine easily and help the machine live longer
- You should clean the machine regularly and depend on the frequency of use. The process we guide in the article is suitable for you to clean the machine once every 1 to 2 months.
- You should also note that this machine is built to grind coffee. Therefore, the machine should only be used to grind the coffee, not other things such as spices, grains, or pepper, .. because they have a stiffer, denser texture and sometimes have higher moisture. coffee a lot. Your machine will be difficult to clean if you grind them and worse, can be damaged.
- Do not grind too much coffee at a time to avoid filling the container and if the coffee backs up, the machine may become clogged. Then the cleaning will become even more troublesome.
Cleaning the Encore Grinder is actually not complicated and can be done regularly. It’s simple, but keep in mind that cleaning the machine makes a huge difference in the quality of the coffee beans that are ground. If you take good care of your Encore Grinder, it can be with you on your journey to making great coffee.
