Cleaning the Kafatek Monolith Conical

#1: Post by **Mrbiglzwerth** » March 23rd, 2018, 6:07 pm

How often do y'all clean the Monolith? I know it depends on throughput and bean roast so please mention that. I go through about 36oz of medium roast coffee/month and I just cleaned it after a couple months. What a difference!

As a side note, this grinder is such a pleasure to clean! I really need to do it more often.

#2: Post by **marlodmb** » March 23rd, 2018, 6:10 pm

What is the difference that you are noticing?

#3: Post by **mivanitsky** » March 23rd, 2018, 7:14 pm

Mrbiglzwerth wrote:How often do y'all clean the Monolith? I know it depends on throughput and bean roast so please mention that. I go through about 36oz of medium roast coffee/month and I just cleaned it after a couple months. What a difference!

As a side note, this grinder is such a pleasure to clean! I really need to do it more often.

Every three months. It never needs it, but I use only light roasts.

#4: Post by **samuellaw178** » March 23rd, 2018, 7:49 pm

Want to put this out there just so no one repeats the same mistake I did....

If you're cleaning the grinder thoroughly (especially when removing the burrs for cleaning), be careful with the inner burr and shaft assembly. Make sure they are specklessly clean on assembly. On mine the inner burr and shaft have a very tight fit so any dust could mean a binding shaft. You don't want that to happen as it can be an involved process to undo.

Denis also recommends not to remove the inner and outer burrs for periodic cleaning.

#5: Post by **RyanJE** » March 23rd, 2018, 7:49 pm

I clean mine by running clean beans through it!

Tried taking it apart before but it was a waste of time.

#6: Post by **BaristaBob** » March 23rd, 2018, 10:09 pm

samuellaw178 wrote:Want to put this out there just so no one repeats the same mistake I did....

If you're cleaning the grinder thoroughly (especially when removing the burrs for cleaning), be careful with the inner burr and shaft assembly. Make sure they are specklessly clean on assembly. On mine the inner burr and shaft have a very tight fit so any dust could mean a binding shaft. You don't want that to happen as it can be an involved process to undo.

Denis also recommends not to remove the inner and outer burrs for periodic cleaning.

Not sure I understand this...are you saying the grinder burrs should never be removed? Should it have something like Grindz put through it monthly or bimonthly instead of taking it apart?

March 23rd, 2018, 10:17 pm

Sorry I wasn't clearer. I meant there is no need to remove the burrs from its carrier or shaft. You can still lift up the top plate and clean (brush) with the burrs in-situ.

#8: Post by **nuketopia** » March 24th, 2018, 12:33 pm

Very easy to clean following the instructions from Denis. Just loosen the back screws, take the two out of the top plate and lift it off. I clean it out with a toothbrush and vacuum cleaner every couple of months. Not much in it, doesn't take long.

#9: Post by **Coachiain** » March 25th, 2018, 7:48 am

Well, the last time I cleaned my MC was after a full YEAR of nearly daily use. There really wasn't much there.
Although this might not sound appealing to some, I dont see the need to take the top plate off to clean a MC unless you drink mostly oily beans.

Daily use is the best cleaning for this grinder. Thumbs up to Denis.

FYI, I pull 5~7 14~17g shots weekly and I hand-puff and brush clean it every time.

#10: Post by **BaristaBob** » March 25th, 2018, 8:08 am

Iain, thanks for the great pics. That's amazing. Do you use mostly light or medium roast?