<p>I would advise against using soap to clean anything coffee related. As a simple measure, just use boiling water to loosen the oils. You can also use citric acid (the recommended cleaner for coffee machines), you can find it online pretty cheap. Another option would be to soak it in baking soda to dissolve the oils. Whatever you use, just make sure you rinse it thoroughly afterwards.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T22:17:51.160Z
I've heard this before but I've never gotten an explanation. Why is soap bad for coffee products? Isn't dish soap designed specifically for the kind of oils that coffee produces?
xaviersjs
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-27T14:57:49.513Z
2017-11-27T14:57:49.513Z
Evan Nowak
<p>The only thing that I've found that I've found that works elegantly, quickly, and completely is ultrasonic cleaning. After boiling with vinegar water, lots of rubbing and scrubbing, high pressure steaming, and even ten minutes in a pressure cooker, it seemed to only get a bit more clogged. I set it in a small inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner I received as a gift and the stubborn oils and sediment trapped gave up the ghost immediately.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-20T19:17:20.500Z
Welcome to Coffee SE! Don’t forget to take the [tour] and browse our [help] to learn more about how the site and Stack Exchange in general works.
Stephie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-20T18:39:36.427Z
2018-05-20T18:39:36.427Z
user6637
<p>I tried boiling in vinegar and washing in the dishwasher over my bottle jets the other day. It did improve the flow situation greatly, but the filter was still brown. So I ordered urnex coffee equipment cleaning powder off amazon and two days later my filters are like new. I just boiled my cone filters and added a teaspoon of the powder. <img src="https://i.sstatic.net/T0QcR.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/PoUzE.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Here’s my water after the boil with the urnex powder!  My husband said, “free coffee!”  Yuk. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-13T19:01:34.353Z
Jaye, welcome! Did you know that you can [edit] your posts? Please don’t post two answers when you are actually just posting one. (Fixed it for you!) That said, welcome to Coffee SE! If you have a moment, I recommend the [tour] and some browsing through our [help] to learn more about how the site works.
Stephie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-04T21:26:57.537Z
This worked for me, thanks! I couldn’t find that exact urnex powder here in the UK, but their “biocaf” https://urnex.co.uk/products/biocaf-coffee-equipment-cleaning-powder powder seems like the same thing, or similar enough to work.
oskarpearson
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-12T21:22:13.557Z
2018-12-13T19:02:31.190Z
2018-12-13T19:02:31.190Z
Jaye
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DB62T.jpg" alt="enter image description here">
Use a water flosser, like waterpik to blast the coffee oils out.  I tried boiling and vinegar, no use. Mini-pressure washer worked best.  Water moves through the filter much faster.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-18T17:39:00.950Z
I tried boiling w/ water vinegar and made mud water but, filter was still clogged. Water flosser worked wonders. Use a 1:1 solution of water and white vinegar in your flosser to improve the effectiveness.  Make sure to run clean water through flosser when finished.
user3183018
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-16T00:53:36.980Z
2018-08-16T00:53:36.980Z
John Williams Jr.
<p>This problem seems quite normal. Over time, the little holes are filled up with small coffee grounds and stuck there by the help of gluing force of grease. This grease is extracted during brewing process.</p>
<p>So, how could we get rid of these remains?</p>
<p>Pretty easy. As they are organic compounds, you should dissolve them. As they include grease, dissolve the oil that includes particles.</p>
<p>Best options are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Heat (self cleaning oven or BBQ)</li>
<li>Acetic acid, thus vinegar</li>
<li>Citric acid, thus lemon juice</li>
</ul>
<p>Heat is the most effective option as it burns out the organic compounds without leaving any residue. Place the filter in the oven or BBQ while doing a cleaning cycle. You’d be amazed  at the results.</p>
<p>Check the comparison: <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/RRGxj.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Before cleaning</a> <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/q0E2K.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">After cleaning</a></p>
<p>As for the to other options, These acids are food, so they are safe to use. You may leave the filter in these for a while. Apart from that, you may try alcohol, but check whether it damages the filter.</p>
<p>Last option may be bleach. It dissolves any organic compound quite easily as it is corrosive. However, <strong>it is not safe</strong>. You must rinse it thoroughly.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-02T14:38:29.317Z
I've tried in vain again and again to cleane my cone using 1:1 hot water/vinegar solution.  The upper two thirds cleans fine, but the apex of the cone that bears the brunt of the flow seems to be permanently clogged.  Should I use pure vinegar?  Maybe switch to lemon juice?  Will extract work or should I use actual lemons?
oscilatingcretin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-02T21:52:45.193Z
@oscilatingcretin You may try to leave your gadget overnight directly in vinegar. You may also try lemon juice or citric acid, overnight. It is possible to find citric acid or citric acid crystals easily on market. Your final chance is bleach solution. Do not use bleach as is. Always prepare a solution and dissolve it. (Everything I wrote is just my humble experience and nothing more. So, use it at your own risk.)
MTSan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-03T00:05:57.767Z
I regret to say that I did try all of that and my cone would still not unclog.  However, happy to report that I came across the most helpful tip online earlier today that advised to not only use dish soap, but to massage it through the mesh.  Makes sense as doing will help push any loosened lodge particles free of the mesh.  You can easily see where it's clogged by gauging now much of the soap suds get pushed through an area of the mess.  Just keep massaging the soap through from both sides and the residue will eventually come loose
oscilatingcretin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-03T09:04:22.433Z
@oscilatingcretin Happy to see you've solved it. Brilliant idea.
MTSan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-26T20:48:15.903Z
Try a water pik. Like a tiny power washer!
Code Jockey
CC BY-SA 4.0
2017-11-25T14:41:10.367Z
2020-12-29T23:07:31.767Z
2020-12-29T23:07:31.767Z
MTSan
<p>I've been using a metal cone filter for a couple months: <a href="https://ablebrewing.com/products/kone-coffee-filter" rel="noreferrer">Able Brewing Kone Coffee Filter</a></p>

<p>It has worked fantastically, but gradually clogged up over time. I've washed it with warm water and dish soap multiple times to no avail. Anyone have cleaning tips? Or do I just have to buy a new filter?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-22T17:37:18.140Z
The heat or "cooking method" worked best for me - example here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_xteKkGLk&ab_channel=RandomHowTo
JorgeObregon
<cleaning><filter><pour-over><chemex>
How do I effectively clean a metal Chemex filter?
greg L
# How do I effectively clean a metal Chemex filter?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-24)

I've been using a metal cone filter for a couple months: [Able Brewing Kone Coffee Filter](https://ablebrewing.com/products/kone-coffee-filter)

It has worked fantastically, but gradually clogged up over time. I've washed it with warm water and dish soap multiple times to no avail. Anyone have cleaning tips? Or do I just have to buy a new filter?

**Tags:** cleaning, filter, pour-over, chemex

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The heat or "cooking method" worked best for me - example here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_xteKkGLk&ab_channel=RandomHowTo  

---

## 5 answers

### Answer by username_10 on 2017-11-25. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

This problem seems quite normal. Over time, the little holes are filled up with small coffee grounds and stuck there by the help of gluing force of grease. This grease is extracted during brewing process.

So, how could we get rid of these remains?

Pretty easy. As they are organic compounds, you should dissolve them. As they include grease, dissolve the oil that includes particles.

Best options are:

* Heat (self cleaning oven or BBQ)
* Acetic acid, thus vinegar
* Citric acid, thus lemon juice

Heat is the most effective option as it burns out the organic compounds without leaving any residue. Place the filter in the oven or BBQ while doing a cleaning cycle. You’d be amazed at the results.

Check the comparison: [Before cleaning](https://i.sstatic.net/RRGxj.jpg) [After cleaning](https://i.sstatic.net/q0E2K.jpg)

As for the to other options, These acids are food, so they are safe to use. You may leave the filter in these for a while. Apart from that, you may try alcohol, but check whether it damages the filter.

Last option may be bleach. It dissolves any organic compound quite easily as it is corrosive. However, **it is not safe**. You must rinse it thoroughly.

> **Comments:**
> **username_11**: I've tried in vain again and again to cleane my cone using 1:1 hot water/vinegar solution.  The upper two thirds cleans fine, but the apex of the cone that bears the brunt of the flow seems to be permanently clogged.  Should I use pure vinegar?  Maybe switch to lemon juice?  Will extract work or should I use actual lemons?  
> **username_10**: @username_11 You may try to leave your gadget overnight directly in vinegar. You may also try lemon juice or citric acid, overnight. It is possible to find citric acid or citric acid crystals easily on market. Your final chance is bleach solution. Do not use bleach as is. Always prepare a solution and dissolve it. (Everything I wrote is just my humble experience and nothing more. So, use it at your own risk.)  
> **username_11**: I regret to say that I did try all of that and my cone would still not unclog.  However, happy to report that I came across the most helpful tip online earlier today that advised to not only use dish soap, but to massage it through the mesh.  Makes sense as doing will help push any loosened lodge particles free of the mesh.  You can easily see where it's clogged by gauging now much of the soap suds get pushed through an area of the mess.  Just keep massaging the soap through from both sides and the residue will eventually come loose  
> **username_10**: @username_11 Happy to see you've solved it. Brilliant idea.  
> **username_12**: Try a water pik. Like a tiny power washer!  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-11-27. Score: 4

I would advise against using soap to clean anything coffee related. As a simple measure, just use boiling water to loosen the oils. You can also use citric acid (the recommended cleaner for coffee machines), you can find it online pretty cheap. Another option would be to soak it in baking soda to dissolve the oils. Whatever you use, just make sure you rinse it thoroughly afterwards.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I've heard this before but I've never gotten an explanation. Why is soap bad for coffee products? Isn't dish soap designed specifically for the kind of oils that coffee produces?  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-05-20. Score: 3

The only thing that I've found that I've found that works elegantly, quickly, and completely is ultrasonic cleaning. After boiling with vinegar water, lots of rubbing and scrubbing, high pressure steaming, and even ten minutes in a pressure cooker, it seemed to only get a bit more clogged. I set it in a small inexpensive ultrasonic cleaner I received as a gift and the stubborn oils and sediment trapped gave up the ghost immediately.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Welcome to Coffee SE! Don’t forget to take the [tour] and browse our [help] to learn more about how the site and Stack Exchange in general works.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2018-12-12. Score: 3

I tried boiling in vinegar and washing in the dishwasher over my bottle jets the other day. It did improve the flow situation greatly, but the filter was still brown. So I ordered urnex coffee equipment cleaning powder off amazon and two days later my filters are like new. I just boiled my cone filters and added a teaspoon of the powder. ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/T0QcR.jpg)

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/PoUzE.jpg)

Here’s my water after the boil with the urnex powder! My husband said, “free coffee!” Yuk.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: username_6, welcome! Did you know that you can [edit] your posts? Please don’t post two answers when you are actually just posting one. (Fixed it for you!) That said, welcome to Coffee SE! If you have a moment, I recommend the [tour] and some browsing through our [help] to learn more about how the site works.  
> **username_7**: This worked for me, thanks! I couldn’t find that exact urnex powder here in the UK, but their “biocaf” https://urnex.co.uk/products/biocaf-coffee-equipment-cleaning-powder powder seems like the same thing, or similar enough to work.  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2018-08-16. Score: 3

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/DB62T.jpg)
Use a water flosser, like waterpik to blast the coffee oils out. I tried boiling and vinegar, no use. Mini-pressure washer worked best. Water moves through the filter much faster.

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: I tried boiling w/ water vinegar and made mud water but, filter was still clogged. Water flosser worked wonders. Use a 1:1 solution of water and white vinegar in your flosser to improve the effectiveness.  Make sure to run clean water through flosser when finished.  

---

