It’s Monday morning, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. It’s time to get up and out of bed because you’ve got a million things to do.
But first, you need coffee.
Today, you decide to brew with a French press. The clock is ticking, but you take your time measuring out the grounds and pouring in hot water. Finally, it’s ready. You take a sip… and it’s not perfect.
You wonder if you’re just that groggy, but there’s definitely a weird aftertaste in your mouth. After dumping the contents of your cup and French press into the sink, you notice that there’s some grime at the bottom of the pot. Yikes. That weird aftertaste is just one sign that it’s been too long since you last deep cleaned your French press.
What is a French Press coffee maker?
A French press uses a single cylindrical carafe, with an attached plunger and fine-mesh fitted strainer. French presses come in a variety of sizes and can be made from glass, stainless steel or ceramic.
The French press is a simple yet elegant way to make coffee. You can brew coffee by putting coffee grounds at the bottom of the carafe, pouring hot water and allowing it to steep for 3-4 minutes. Then you push the plunger down to filter the coffee through the fitted mesh screen.
Unlike drip coffee makers which make a rather thin brew, the French press makes a full-bodied and creamy cup of coffee. It also contains more caffeine than a single espresso shot, so you’re guaranteed to be wide awake after the first sip.
How Often Do You Clean a French Press?
The French press is the ultimate in convenience. All you need to do is measure out your coffee grounds, fill up the single cylinder with boiling water and then plunge the grounds down below for just three minutes. So, while it only takes a few minutes to make the perfect cup of coffee, cleaning up will take you a bit longer.
Ideally, you should clean a French press coffee maker after each use. Regardless of the material of your French press, you will need to remove the coffee grounds and wash the carafe and filter after brewing. It’s also a good idea to give your French press a deeper cleaning every week. The following section gives you a thorough guide on how to do just that.
Guide to Cleaning a French Press Coffee Maker
There’s nothing quite like a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, and a French press is one of the best ways to make it. However, over time, your French press can become stained and full of built-up coffee grounds or old coffee oils. Luckily, cleaning a French press is easy—as long as you know how to do it properly.
So, here’s our step-by-step guide to deep clean a French press coffee maker:
1. Gather your cleaning supplies
This seems like an obvious step, but you don’t want to risk breaking your French press by using the wrong materials. So, you will need the appropriate supplies:
- Sponge or bottle brush
- Liquid dish soap
- Paper towels
2. Remove used coffee grounds
You’re probably used to dumping your used coffee grounds into the sink. But that is a sure way to clog your drain. Instead, pour out the coffee grounds into a paper towel and toss it into the bin. Alternatively, you can put the coffee grounds into another cup and use them as plant fertiliser or a body scrub.
3. Start disassembling your French Press
For deeper cleaning, you can take apart your French press. Most French press coffee makers have the following removable parts:
- Lid, plunger and mesh sieve (French press filter)
- Glass carafe (pot), handle and base
4. Wash the lid and plunger with lukewarm water
Be sure to properly rinse these parts as they could have a few grounds stuck to them. You can also wash the handle and base in this step.
5. Rinse the filter screen with warm water to remove coffee grounds
Let your French press cool and use tap water to clean the mesh sieve. If you are in a rush and need a clean French press right away, you’re better off using warm water for this step. Be sure to rinse both sides of the French press filter to reduce coffee oil build up.
6. Fill the pot with lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dish soap
Swirl the water around to clean the sides of the pot. If there are leftover grounds stuck at the bottom, you can use a sponge or bottle brush to scrub those out. You can also let the soapy water sit in the carafe to clean your French press.
7. Rinse the pot with clean water and dry it with a clean cloth
It is ideal to use a microfibre cloth to wipe down glass French press coffee makers. This prevents scratches or gashes forming on the inside of the pot. Although, you can also opt to leave your French press to air dry completely on a drying rack.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your French press will continue to make the freshest brews.
Keep Your Kitchen as Fresh as Your Cup of Coffee
Mondays can be difficult, and there’s nothing worse than waking up to a dirty French press and a sink full of dishes. Your kitchen is a place to cook and relax, not stress over cleaning. Let our professional house cleaning services take care of the mess so you can enjoy what’s really important in life: delicious coffee and good food!