A french press is a popular choice of tabletop coffee maker that brews a crisp, fresh batch of brew. Unlike drip coffee makers, which use paper filters, the french press preserves the aroma and flavor of coffee grounds by allowing the coffee oils to pass through its mesh filter. This creates a delicious coffee with high caffeine content, and preserved antioxidants.
However, coffee makers can easily stain from coffee, and the ground beans get into every nook and cranny of your french press. In this article, we'll give you a step-by-step guide on cleaning and removing that stale coffee taste from your french press:
What You'll Need
French press coffee makers typically have a mesh filter that separates your brew from the coffee grounds. This extra fine filter traps stains and debris in your french press, leading to that stale coffee taste in your freshly brewed coffee. You will need a fine scrub brush, some baking soda, and soapy water to clean a french press filter.
- Liquid dish soap
- Warm water
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Small, fine-bristled scrub brush
- Kitchen sponge or Bottle brush
How to Clean a French Press Coffee Maker: A Step-by-Step Guide
Important Tip: Let your french press cool before cleaning it as sudden changes in temperature can shatter the delicate glass carafe of your coffee maker.
Step 1: Remove Used Coffee Grounds
Dump out the coffee grounds you used in your brew, and brush out as much grounds from the filter as possible using a fine-bristled brush. An easy way to get all the grounds out at once is to fill your carafe with water until all the grounds are submerged, then quickly dump out the contents into a strainer over the sink. Toss the strained grounds in your compost bin.
Step 2: Wash the Carafe
Fill your carafe with warm water up to the halfway mark, then add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Place the plunger back on, and push it up and down to clean the carafe. This will also remove loose grounds from the filter. Drain the soapy water, and use a sponge to clean the carafe. Rinse and set aside.
Step 3: Unscrew the Filter
Deep clean your french press filter by dismantling the filter. Proceed with caution as you can warp the mesh filter when done improperly. Once you've unscrewed the filter, you can clean each individual component, and remove excess beans from your french press.
Step 4: Brush Out the Filter
Take your fine-bristled brush, and add a drop of dish soap. Use it to deep clean the mesh filter, as well as the spring and individual components of your coffee press. Brush away any leftover grounds from the filter, and rinse.
Step 5: Rinse, and Let Each Part Dry Completely
Rinse the coffee press, and use a paper towel to pat each component dry. Set them aside on a drying rack to remove excess moisture. Make sure to keep each component intact so you can put them back together with ease.
Step 6: Put the French Press Back Together
Rebuild the french press reverse of how you took it apart. It would be helpful to find an illustration to help you build the layers of the filter back together. Your clean french press is now ready to make the perfect cup of brew!
Removing Coffee Stains from Your French Press Coffee Maker
Step 1: Fill Your French Press
Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda in your french press, and fill it halfway with distilled white vinegar. The solution will bubble and fizz, so be sure to pour in your vinegar slowly. Push the filter down until it is fully submerged in the cleaning solution.
Step 2: Let it Sit
Let the french press sit for 10-15 minutes - the longer you let it sit, the more coffee stains are removed from your french press. You can move the filter up and down to shake off excess stains, but this is optional.
Step 3: Scrub and Rinse
Take your filter out, and drain the contents of your french press. Add two teaspoons of fresh baking soda, and use a fine-bristled brush to scrub the mesh filter clean. It is a good idea to dismantle your french press when scrubbing to be able to reach every nook and cranny of your french press.
Perfect Mornings
A perfect cup of coffee can make or break your mornings. Cleaning your coffee maker and other kitchen appliances create a sanitary environment for you to cook, and provide you with more energy to do the things you need to do every day.
When the cleaning chores get overwhelming, you can trust Luce to come to the rescue! Our house cleaning services are tailor-fitted for every home, so you can expect customized cleaning services that will bring back the sparkle in your home. Our experienced cleaners will be more than happy to help you with the maintenance of your home.
Contact us today, and experience the convenience of our cleaning services!
