The French press or plunger coffee machine has become one of the great favorites of baristas in recent years.
The deceptively simple device requires little upkeep, but even trusty workhorse devices need maintenance from time to time.
For your reliable French Press to last a long time, it is necessary to remove all the grit and silt from the machine. Get ready to learn, step by step, how to clean it so that it will feel brand new. Take note, this tutorial will affect your next brewwith your French coffee machine.
The cleaning of a French coffee maker is simple, but it has its own technique. The steps you must follow are the below and it is important to do them in this order, your next cup of coffee will thank you.
Source: Blue Bottle CoffeeContents
Remove the coffee grounds for a spotless French Press
The first thing to do is to separate the plunger from the jar and remove the coffee grounds inside. Coffee aficionados generally prefer to use the best manual grinders for french press machines, but home-ground coffee beans can leave a lot of silt in your machine. Remember not to get rid of them through any drain, that will only damage your pipes.
Remove the coffee residue with a spoon or spatula of silicone and deposit it in the trash. (Bravo for you if you make compost with the waste of your morning coffee. If you have a composter, the coffee grounds go straight in!)
If there are still traces of coffee stuck to the sides of the jar, grab a strainer or fine mesh sieve and place it over a sink. Add water to the jar and shake it lightly. Pour over the colander, which will retain the grounds and filter the water. Repeat step 1 with the contents of the screen.
Unmount your French Press
A majority of French press filters are made up of several pieces.
Do not be afraid to disassemble them to achieve a complete cleaning of your coffee maker. If you are not sure of the order in which they should go, first remove a photograph or make a sketch.
Carefully unscrew the filters and separate them. Keep the piece that holds them together in a safe place (usually a set of small bolts).
Source: Margra Coffee
Use water and neutral soap to remove any coffee residue. You can use a small brush to rub delicately (that’s the keyword!) the different filters.
Rinse the soap thoroughly and check that the water flows correctly through all the segments of the filter. Let them air dry.
Cleaning the glass basin. Please be Careful!
The last phase of cleaning a French Press is the basin. Treat it with much care, because the glass can be damaged easily and if it scratches your best creations will not shine to your customers.
If the carafe of your coffee maker consists of several pieces, disassemble it with care. You do not want any moisture or traces of old coffees left in the handle.
Wash each piece individually with neutral soap and water.
Help yourself if you need a soft brush to rub the internal walls of the coffee maker and get rid of the remains of coffee oil. Remember to do it very gently. This is easily the most fragile part of your French Press. Rinse carefully and let dry.
Source: Sur La Table BlogReassemble the pieces of your French Press
This is one of the key steps for your French coffee maker to shine again and make your guests and family fall in love. Take your time and assemble all the filter parts in order. Hold them firmly with your screw and the plunger will be ready for another brew.
If the carafe of your coffee machine is removable, carefully insert the glass part into the holder that includes the handle.
Join a plunger and jar and that’s it! Your coffee will look like freshly purchased and will become the center of attention again.
Now you are back in business with a beautifully clean French Press, ready to make another delicious cup of freshly ground coffee.
