If you enjoy making espresso - whether that’s on its own or as the base for a latte, cappuccino, mocha or other milky beverage - chances are you’ve heard of the genius creation called the Nanopresso.
The Nanopresso is a small, hand-powered espresso machine that uses a piston pump to pressurize water, pushing it against coffee grinds and producing quality coffee at an affordable cost.
It also has a host of useful additional features, such as attachments to brew a double shot and attachments to brew Nescafé Nespresso pods.
If you’re reading this article, chances are, you’ve got the lid on your Nanopresso stuck and are struggling to undo it. Don’t fret - you're definitely not the only one.
We’re here to help and will guide you on your journey to returning your Nanopresso to its former state, ready to brew coffee at home, on the go, or wherever else you may be.
What Causes a Stuck Lid?
There are various things that can cause the lid on your Nanopresso to stick. Here are some common causes.
1. Screwing the Lid Too Tight
Perhaps the most common reason for lids getting stuck on the Nanopresso is screwing the lid on too tight.
Sure, it can be tempting to screw the lid on as tightly as you possibly can - you don’t want any water or liquid to escape and cause a mess.
But screwing the lid shut should be sufficient.
Avoid tightening further, as this can cause difficulties when it comes to opening the Nanopresso back up.
2. Coffee Grind Residue
Another common cause of a stuck Nanopresso lid is residue on the screw cap.
Brewing coffee can be a messy business, especially if you pour the coffee from your Nanopresso and close the lid again without cleaning it.
Sticky and oily residue can build up and stick in the screw cap, gelling your lid to the main body of the machine.
3. Pressure
The Nanopresso uses pressure to brew your coffee, but this very same pressure can cause a vacuum that causes your lid to stick.
Hot water and air in your Nanopresso become cold and shrink when they are left to sit.
This can create a large pressure difference between the inside and outside of the machine, which results in difficulty unscrewing the lid.
Removing a Stuck Nanopresso Lid
There’s no one size fits all solution for removing a stuck lid on your Nanopresso espresso machine, so it’s a good idea to give a few different approaches a try.
Here are the four most common that worked for us.
1. Brute Strength
Chances are, you’ve already given it your all when it comes to unscrewing your lid. If possible, see if someone stronger or with better grip can give it a go too.
Sometimes, extra brute force can do the job and force the lid open.
2. Run It Under Hot Water
Running the area where your Nanopresso lid and machine connect under hot water can help you to unscrew the lid.
This process can help to dissolve or loosen coffee grounds debris, gunk or syrups that may have caused the lid to jam shut in the first place.
3. Use Rubber Gloves
Sometimes, you can’t get good grip of the lid when using your bare hands. Try wearing dry rubber gloves to unscrew the lid.
This could help to strengthen your grip, loosening the lid effectively.
4. Hit the End
Turn your Nanopresso upside down and give the end a firm whack. Make sure to have a good grip on it so you don’t drop it.
This could help to release pressure that may otherwise be holding the lid in place.
Bottom Line on Getting that Nanopresso Lid Unstuck
Hopefully, one of the methods above will help you to successfully remove your Nanopresso lid.
To prevent a similar situation from occuring in the future, make sure to clean your Nanopresso immediately after use and avoid closing it too tightly.
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