An AeroPress is as easy to clean as most other coffee machines, but much easier. As long as you stay on top of the cleaning and don’t allow residues to buildup, it will be simple to maintain. You only need a few standard cleaning supplies to do it.
While an AeroPress is a quicker method to make coffee, the parts are small and narrow. Therefore, you have to keep it clean to not only continue having great-tasting coffee but to also keep it in good working order.
How Do You Clean an AeroPress?
You can either hand wash or use a dishwasher for cleaning an AeroPress. However, it is best to hand wash the device more frequently than putting it in the dishwasher. This is because the plastic parts will warp over time from the heat and detergents of the washer.
How Do You Hand Wash an AeroPress?
After every day of use with an AeroPress, you want to hand wash it. Gather together some dish soap, a nonabrasive sponge, baking soda and white vinegar. You also want a towel for drying it afterwards. Then, perform the following steps:
- Rinse off any remaining coffee grounds on all parts of the AeroPress, including the plunger and seal.
- Cleaning the filter will depend on if it’s metal or paper. If it’s metal, clean it after every time you brew with warm water, white vinegar and a sponge. Rinse with hot water. If using paper filters, throw them away.
- With warm water and mild dish soap, rub off any residue with the sponge from the filter cap. Since this is what covers the filter, you have to clean this well every time. Soap and water will do, but using a paper towel might be good to wipe away anything stuck in the nooks and crannies.
- Gently rub the seal to remove all oils and coffee debris. It’s imperative that you keep the seal free of coffee grounds and stickiness since this prevents the coffee from shooting out everywhere during brewing. You may want to soak it in warm water with a dash of baking soda and some vinegar while you clean other areas.
- Because the plunger is what pushes the coffee grounds into the filter, this can get gunk on it from time to time. Ensure you always take care of this part as the regular aspect to your cleaning regimen. Soap and water should be fine and sufficient. You may have to rub it to get all the oils off.
- The chamber will collect a lot of the left over coffee staining and oil. It may also be ideal to allow the chamber to soak in the baking soda-vinegar mixture as you clean other parts of the AeroPress. Use soap and water with a sponge after soaking and rinse well with hot water.
- Clean the funnel once every month or so, depending on how frequently you make coffee. Because it’s the thing that transfers your grounds into the machine, the oils don’t attach as quickly.
How Do You Put an AeroPress in the Dishwasher?
Rinse off all the detachable parts from the machine: chamber, filter cap, filter, seal, plunger and funnel. Use warm running water to attempt to rub off any coffee stains and remaining oils. Put them on the top rack and set your dishwasher on regular settings. Don’t put paper filters into the machine, those aren’t washable.
How Often Should You Put an AeroPress in the Dishwasher?
While the company tells consumers their AeroPress machines are safe enough for the dishwasher, a simple rinse with warm water and some soap should keep it clean enough. For stickier areas with oil residues, use the vinegar-baking soda mixture mentioned above.
But, sometimes it may be a good idea to run it through the dishwasher to ensure it’s free and clear of all residues. You should only do this once a month or every other month. Of course, if you use it more frequently than normal, once every other week may be better. But no more than that.
Also, as it’s fine to put it in with a regular dishwashing cycle, it may be more ideal to give the AeroPress its own gentle wash cycle. This way you can protect it from exposure to high heat while avoiding the use of harsh chemical detergents altogether.
Why Shouldn’t You Use the Dishwasher Often for an AeroPress?
Many parts of an AeroPress comprise materials like BPA-free plastics and rubber. Dishwashers are notorious for their high heat and this can warp the AeroPress over the course of time. Likewise, many dishwashing detergents are harsh on these materials which can cause fading, wearing and warping.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Keep an AeroPress Clean?
One of the biggest problems that results from not keeping an AeroPress clean is losing suction. This happens because the oils from the coffee grounds get into the rubber seal. When this occurs, it loses elasticity and therefore the suction power decreases.
Not only will washing it after each use be essential. But you can also add some olive oil or other lipid to keep it soft and prevent oils from sticking to it.
Cloudy Coffee
Another problem that can occur from a lack of keeping an AeroPress clean is cloudy coffee. This can be a result of the chamber having an excess buildup or because of how the rubber seal loses suction.
When Is the Best Time to Clean an AeroPress?
If the AeroPress remains too dirty for an extended amount of time, it will be incredibly difficult to clean it efficiently. So, it’s best to do this on a daily basis or after each use of the machine.
The best time to clean your AeroPress is right after you’re done using it for the day. Rinse everything off with warm water, rub spots that show staining and set it on the dish dry rack. The sooner you clean it, the better off it will be.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.