How to Clean a Lido 3 Grinder

If you’ve invested in a Lido 3 manual coffee grinder, then you already know that it’s one of the best options out there for getting a consistent grind size for any brewing method. The Lido 3 boasts large 48mm conical steel burrs, an easy-to-adjust grind size with nearly infinite settings, and a capacity large enough to grind coffee for 1-2 people at a time.

However, one of the few downsides of the Lido 3 is that it can be a bit of a pain to clean. The good news is that a little bit of elbow grease and attention to detail can keep your grinder running like new for years to come. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the process of thoroughly cleaning your Lido 3 so you can rest assured that funky flavors and oils from stale grounds don’t make it into your morning brew.

Lido 3 Cleaning Steps

Cleaning your grinder is probably one of your least favorite coffee chores. It’s certainly not the most fun or glamorous aspect of home brewing. But it’s important to clean your grinder if you want your coffee to keep tasting as good as possible. I usually set aside 30-45 minutes to clean my Lido 3 so I don’t feel rushed or tempted to do a half-hearted job.

Before you get started, make sure you have the following items on hand:

• An 2.5mm hex key (Alan wrench)
• A screwdriver that fits an M4 screw head
• A soft-bristle brush (I use a small paintbrush)
• A clean toothbrush
• Several paper towels

Step 1: Disassemble the Grinder

The first step is to completely disassemble your Lido 3 so you can access all of the nooks and crannies where coffee grounds and oils like to hide. Start by removing the crank arm and setting it aside. Then, remove the top ring burr by unscrewing it counterclockwise. Once it’s loose, lift it out and set it aside.

Next, remove the screw on the underside of the grinder that holds the adjustment ring in place. Once the screw is out, lift out the adjustment ring to expose the bottom burr. Carefully remove the bottom burr and set it aside with the other parts.

Now use the hex key to remove the four screws that hold the alignment ring to the grinder’s body. Removing this piece will give you access to the inner burr and the inside of the hopper.

At this point, you should have the main body of your grinder and six parts set aside: the crank arm, top ring burr, adjustment ring, six screws, bottom burr, and grounds catch cup.

Step 2: Wash the Grounds Catch Cup

The easiest part to clean is the grounds catch cup since it’s made of plastic and doesn’t have any small crevices. Simply wash it thoroughly with water and dish soap. Make sure to get any old grounds out of the threads so they don’t interfere with screwing the cup back on after cleaning. Set the cup aside to dry completely.

Step 3: Clean the Burrs With a Dry Brush

The most important parts of your grinder to clean are the burrs. They do the actual grinding and are responsible for the consistent particle size that makes the Lido 3 my favorite grinder.

Before washing the burrs, take a dry brush and give them a good scrub. This will help remove any larger particles and loosen up the finer ones and the oils. Make sure to get both the top and bottom of each burr and clean out the teeth and furrows as thoroughly as possible. A dry brush is ideal for cleaning the burrs because it won’t cause the finer particles to clump together and stick in the burrs.

Never use water to clean the burrs. Even if you dry them after, the chance that a little moisture remains and will cause your burrs to rest is high enough to make it not worth the risk. Taking your time with a dry brush is more than enough to get your burrs clean.

Step 4: Clean Out the Grinder Body

Take your brush and sweep out the inside of the main grinder body. Some grounds inevitably fall down into the grinder rather than into the catch cup, so make sure to clear these out. Pay close attention to the threading that the adjustment ring screws into, as grounds like to get stuck here.

Once you’ve brushed everything out, you can wipe the inside of the grinder body with a damp cloth if you want to. I usually don’t because of the aforementioned risk of rust, but you can if you want to. If you do use a damp cloth, set the body aside for at least 24 hours to ensure it’s dry before you reassemble the grinder.

Step 5: Clean the Adjustment Ring and Screws

Brush out and wipe down the adjustment ring to remove any oils or grounds, again paying close attention to the threads. This is where I use the toothbrush. It’s much better at getting in between the threads than the paintbrush.

You should also wipe down the screw that holds the adjustment ring in place within the body of the grinder. Again, the toothbrush is helpful here.

Step 7: Clean the Crank Arm

Lastly, wipe down the crank arm with a damp cloth to remove any oils or grounds, especially around the connection point where it attaches to the top ring burr. Set it aside to dry if you use water (are you tired of hearing this yet?)

Step 8: Reassemble the Grinder

Once all of the individual parts are completely clean AND dry, reassemble your Lido 3 by following the disassembly instructions in reverse. Put the bottom ring burr back into place first, followed by the adjustment ring. Make sure to properly align the adjustment ring, then screw in the screw to hold it in place.

Next, place the top ring burr back into the grinder and screw it clockwise to tighten. Reattach the crank arm, then screw the grounds catch cup back into place at the bottom of the grinder. Once you’re done, you should be ready to grind again!

How to Tell if Your Lido 3 Needs Cleaning

I don’t do this full cleaning process after every use or even once a week. I tend to perform this deep cleaning routine every four to six weeks, or when I notice that my coffee is tasting muddier than it normally does.

There are a few telltale signs that your Lido 3 is in need of a deep clean:

1. Your grounds are less consistent than normal. If you notice that your coffee grounds are coming out less evenly ground than usual, it’s likely that fine particles and oils have built up enough to affect the grinding. You probably won’t be able to see this by eye, but it will result in inconsistent cups between brews.
2. Your coffee tastes bitter, harsh, or muddy. Old oils from stale grounds and the buildup of fine particles can have a significant negative impact on the flavor of your coffee. If your usually delicious coffee suddenly tastes off and you’ve ruled out other factors like water quality, brew ratio, grind size, and water temperature, it’s probably time to clean your grinder.
3. It’s been a month or more since your last cleaning. I recommend cleaning your grinder every few months, or more often if you’re a heavy daily coffee drinker. I typically clean my Lido 3 about once a month or so. I try not to let it go more than six weeks between cleanings.
4. You can see grounds in the burrs or in the grinder body. This is the most obvious sign that your grinder is overdue for a cleaning. If you can visibly see old grounds in your grinder even after dumping out the catch cup, it’s time to break out the brush and get scrubbing. If you get to this point, though, your coffee is probably already not tasting as good as it usually does.

Importance of Cleaning Your Grinder

The reason cleaning is so important is that coffee oils can go rancid fairly quickly and will linger in your grinder if not removed. Neglecting to clean your grinder loses the benefit of grounding your coffee fresh every morning. You get to enjoy all of the effort of manually grinding your coffee but the quality of stale pre-ground coffee.

Not only does not cleaning your grinder lead to stale-tasting coffee, but it can also cause future grounds to clump together and lead to inconsistent particle size. Clumped grounds and fine particles stuck in the burrs also throw off your grind size, since they can prevent the burrs from evenly grinding the fresh whole beans you add. All of this can compound to create some really gnarly flavors in your cup.

Luckily, if you perform regular maintenance by brushing out your grinder after each use, you can go much longer between deep cleanings. I like to keep a spare toothbrush next to my grinder and give it a quick brushing every day to keep the buildup at bay. This makes those monthly cleanings less of a hassle and keeps my grinder performing as well as possible.

To summarize, cleaning your grinder ensures that:

1. You get the most consistent grind possible. Removing old grounds and oils from the burrs allows them to work as designed and create evenly-sized particles.
2. Your coffee tastes as fresh and flavorful as possible. Coffee oils go bad with time, so you don’t want stale leftovers from your last brew impacting the flavor of your fresh grounds.
3. You extend the life of your grinder. The Lido 3 is a serious investment and is meant to last a lifetime. Taking good care of it with regular maintenance will ensure that it keeps grinding for many years to come.

So while it may be a bit of a chore, cleaning your grinder is a crucial habit to develop if you want to get the most out of your coffee routine.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it — a comprehensive guide to cleaning the Lido 3 manual grinder! To recap, the key steps are:

1. Disassemble the grinder completely
2. Clean the burrs with a dry brush first, then wash with soap and water
3. Clean the grounds catch cup, grinder body, adjustment ring, and crank arm
4. Allow all parts to dry completely before reassembling

Remember that regular maintenance, like brushing out the burrs after each use, will extend the time you can go between deep cleans. Keep an eye out for signs that your grinder needs cleaning like inconsistent grounds, off flavors in your coffee, or visible buildup in the burrs or grinder body. Aim to deep clean every month or two to keep your Lido 3 in tip-top shape so you can continue to enjoy stellar coffee every day.

FAQs

Can I clean my Lido 3 in the dishwasher?

No, you shouldn’t clean your Lido 3 or any of its parts in the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage the burrs and other components. Washing by hand only takes a few minutes and is much safer for your grinder.

Can I use vinegar or descaling solution to clean my grinder?

No, harsh acids like vinegar or citric acid (the main ingredient in coffee pot descaling solutions) can corrode the burrs and other metal parts of your grinder. Plain a brush and some elbow grease are all you need.

How often should I deep clean my Lido 3?

It’s a good idea to deep clean your Lido 3 every 1-2 months, or more frequently if you’re grinding a lot of coffee every day. In between deep cleans, brush out the burrs and grinder body after each use to clear away grounds and slow the oil buildup.

What kind of brush should I use to clean my grinder?

A soft-bristle brush like a toothbrush or paintbrush works well. Avoid brushes with stiff bristles that could scratch the burrs. I keep a cheap toothbrush on hand that I use exclusively for cleaning my grinder and other coffee gear.

What should I do if the adjustment ring is stuck and I can’t remove it to clean the bottom burr?

First, make sure you’ve fully unscrewed the screw on the underside of the grinder. If the adjustment ring is still stuck, it’s likely that coffee grounds are lodged in the threads and “gluing” it in place. Try gently working it back and forth until it loosens up enough to lift out. Don’t resort to using hot water, as this can inadvertently get your burrs wet and cause them to rust.