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How to Clean a French Press Coffee Maker

Beth Huston Avatar

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:13 PM

Knowing how to clean a French press coffee maker will help you craft a delicious brew every morning. This is a far different process than with a regular pot of coffee, but you’ll use most of the same cleaning agents.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Daily cleaning will involve a simple routine of adding mild dish soap and water to your coffee maker and using the plunger rod to clean the carafe thoroughly.
  • Take apart your entire immersion brewer for deep cleaning and clean all the parts independently, including filter screens, filter plunger, and brewing chamber.
  • The best way to ensure that your brewing method results in a delicious brew every time is to keep your coffee pots and makers clean.

You should clean thoroughly after every brew cycle to make sure your immersion brewer produces a delicious brew. The best coffee maker might have fancy features, like a mesh screen or the ability to create multiple cups of coffee. However, it’ll soon become useless without regular cleaning.

Daily Cleaning Routine for Your French Press Brewer

If you have a French press brewer, you need to clean it daily. The only way to prevent coffee oils from building up and ruining your flavorful coffee is through daily cleaning. This process is simple and requires ingredients you already have at home.

Insider Tip

For an authentic coffee shop experience, avoid paper filters. Instead, invest in a mesh filter that will help produce a rich coffee flavor.

You can also add white vinegar for deeper cleaning. If you’re curious how it helps, learning how to clean a coffee maker with vinegar will help.

Tools Needed: Soapy water, clean water, mild dish soap, dish sponge, white vinegar (optional)

STEP 1

First, wait for your French press to cool off after making your hot coffee. Then you’ll remove any leftover grounds from your stainless steel or glass carafe. Throw them away in the garbage, not down the sink drain. Coffee grounds can clog a kitchen sink.

STEP 2

Remove any French press filters that are present, and set them aside. Then, pour in some warm water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap and pour in a diluted solution of vinegar.

STEP 3

From there, use the plunger rod to mix up the solution and thoroughly clean your French press. Once it’s nice and bubbly from the mild dish soap and then empty it.

STEP 4

Pour more warm water into the French press and use the plunger rod again. Repeat this process until the water is completely clear without bubbles.

STEP 5

You can now rinse it out with hot water to ensure it’s completely clean. If you’re performing a deep cleaning, take it apart and individually scrub each part.

STEP 6

Dry your French press thoroughly, and then leave it on a drying rack to make sure it’s entirely dry. Now you’re ready for the next brew cycle. If you want to explore other brewing recipes, learn how to clean a percolator coffee maker to prepare.

Warning

Take great caution when handling hot water during the brewing process. Use hand protection to avoid burns.

F.A.Q.S

What grind settings are appropriate for French press coffee?

Using grind settings appropriately is crucial for creating excellent coffee. Most recipes call for coarse ground coffee. Use a coffee grinder to produce a coarse grind.


Will having a daily cup of coffee raise your cholesterol?

While there have been a few studies done, no conclusive links have been found. Having a daily cup of coffee shouldn’t cause an increase in your cholesterol.


Can you put a French press into a dishwasher?

If your French Press is dishwasher safe and made of stainless steel, then absolutely. However, if you have a glass carafe, then you shouldn’t use the dishwasher. If you do, the glass carafe could shatter.


How do you clean mold out of a French press?

Cleaning mold out of a French press is a delicate process. In most cases, you should throw your French press out and purchase a new one. Mold can cause health problems and is difficult to eradicate.


STAT: Since 2015, the overall consumption of coffee in America has risen by 5%. (source)

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