My process is to run it empty and bang it on the counter, emptying the leftovers in the sink. Then grind my beans. Then run it empty again and bang it on the counter again.
I started rinsing the grounds catcher with hot water every time and that does a good job of preventing buildup there, but the upper gets a deep clean annually and that keeps it from looking too gross.
Mine is a Capreso Infinity and it’s 12 years old. I’ve had to replace the thermister that regulates motor heat four times now, roughly every three years. No other issues, still grinds great.