You know I just cleaned my Vario yesterday - it's pretty simple to clean. The hopper and upper burr remove without much difficulty allowing easy access to vacuum/blow waste out. I would say though that it's probably a good idea every so often - there are a couple of places to wipe out accumulated oil and you can check out the condition of the burrs. I didn't try but like the idea of a flaked brewers grain - I don't think that using a small amount of malted barley would leave a long lasting discernible taste or odor but then again, perhaps that's the godshot I've been looking for