How to Clean Your Pour Over Gear

Pour over gear is simpler to clean than espresso equipment, but coffee oils do build up over time. Left long enough, they affect flavor noticeably, even with fresh beans.

The good news is that keeping a pour over brewer clean takes about two minutes after each session and a deeper clean once a week. That's it.

After Every Brew

Discard the filter and grounds, then rinse the brewer with hot water while it's still warm. Swirl it around, dump it out, and you're done. For ceramic and glass brewers used daily, this is usually all you need between washes. Soap after every brew isn't necessary and can leave residue if not rinsed thoroughly.

Weekly Clean

Once a week, wash the brewer with hot water and a small amount of dish soap. Pay attention to the ridges or spiral channels on the inside walls of V60-style brewers, where oils accumulate and a rinse doesn't fully reach. A soft bottle brush makes this easy. Let the brewer air dry completely before storing.

Paper vs Metal Filters

Paper filters are single use, you should discard them after each brew. Metal filters need washing after every brew since oils coat the mesh with each pass. Every few weeks, soak metal filters in hot water with a small amount of Cafiza for about 20 minutes to clear the accumulated oils from the mesh. After soaking, hold the filter up to the light. If the holes aren't clear all the way through, soak it a bit longer. Rinse thoroughly before using again.

Chemex-Specific Notes

The narrow neck on a Chemex carafe makes it harder to clean with a standard brush. A dedicated Chemex brush fits the neck properly and is worth having if you brew on one regularly. If you don't have one, a handful of ice cubes, a tablespoon of coarse salt, and a small amount of water can do the job — cover the top and shake. The abrasion clears the inside walls without a brush. The wood collar should only be wiped with a damp cloth and never submerged.

Signs of Buildup

A cloudy appearance or visible sheen on the inside of glass brewers, coffee that tastes flat and stale despite fresh beans, or grounds that stick more than usual are all signs that oil buildup needs attention. A Cafiza soak for 20 to 30 minutes followed by thorough rinsing clears most buildup. Rinse several times to make sure no cleaner taste carries over into your next brew.