381909 Fri Mar 16 18:53:53 -0700 2007 9 41 Cookware 0 2393942 My electric mini coffee grinder, which I use solely to grind spices, is beginning to impart the smell/taste of fresh-ground allspice to whatever I "feed" it. How can I clean the darn thing when I can't immerse it in water? I tried grinding some bread to absorb the allspice -- but to no avail. What now?? Fri Mar 16 18:53:53 -0700 2007 50713 Xanthippe 1 2394036 Try some uncooked rice... Fri Mar 16 19:46:13 -0700 2007 2393942 18981 Jimmy Buffet 1 2394088 Yep- uncooked rice Fri Mar 16 20:10:59 -0700 2007 2393942 81135 Paul Maipork 1 2394096 I use a piece of bread - same idea as rice. I like the bread better, its slight moisture seems to pull spice powder and oils out of cracks Fri Mar 16 20:15:29 -0700 2007 2393942 78681 coastie 1 2394255 Thanks, all. I'll have a go with another piece of bread, then move on to rice if the allspice remains too strong. Fri Mar 16 22:01:44 -0700 2007 2393942 50713 Xanthippe 1 2395176 Hah if worst comes to worst put one of those odor balls in there - don't grind the ball! Just let it sit there. These balls work for lots of things other than shoes. I have the same problem you have. I'll want to grind some jeera, but it always smells strongly methee. (It's my mom's old spice grinder, and we grind Indian spices - I'm Indian). Those are honestly hard to clean. I think I might have seen some medium quality grinders where the top chamber actually comes out and I'd like to clean that; however, I still want to use a high quality grinder. Sat Mar 17 12:01:13 -0700 2007 2393942 81923 cabbage3 1 2395573 You did use stale bread right? Sat Mar 17 15:29:39 -0700 2007 2393942 81135 Paul Maipork 1 2396027 Why not put some baking soda in there for a few days and then brush it out? It should absorb all the odor. Sat Mar 17 19:26:30 -0700 2007 2393942 17956 jcanncuk 1 2396423 use some coarse sea salt by itself or with your rice or bread. it will help with absorbing any oily spices such as allspice. you can even reuse the salt it in apropriate tasting dishes. Sun Mar 18 00:12:53 -0700 2007 2393942 46030 soupkitten 1 2400896 Coarse sea salt, baking soda -- more great ideas. Thanks, folks! And to Paul Maipork, yes, the bread (biscuit, actually) was stale. Mon Mar 19 13:21:23 -0700 2007 2393942 50713 Xanthippe