How to Clean a Coffee Maker

A buildup of coffee residue and mineral deposits (scale) from water can affect the flavor of your coffee and clog the components of your coffee maker. Over time, it may impair your brewer’s efficient drip operation. Coffee grounds have natural oils that aren’t removed by rinsing with water. You may notice your coffee becoming increasingly bitter if you don’t clean the brewing basket and other parts regularly. The moist environment of leftover coffee grounds can lead to the growth of yeasts, molds, or bacteria. Mineral deposits, especially if you have hard water, will narrow the water channel and your coffee maker will work more and more slowly if they are not removed.

You should clean your coffee maker after every use, removing the grounds and cleaning the brew basket, lid, and carafe. The deeper cleaning of descaling to remove mineral deposits should be done at least every three months.

If your home has hard water (water with heavy mineral content), or if you tend to fill the water reservoir of your coffee maker from a rinsed carafe (not washed), the residue may build up more quickly. In this case, a monthly cleaning is recommended.

Some coffee makers have an audible or visible cleaning signal and that usually precedes a forced downtime. You can avoid the downtime by being proactive with maintenance. Other brewers have a cleaning cycle set-up, which is usually detailed in the manual. Always follow the manufacturer’s detailed instructions for cleaning.

Supplies

• Dishwashing liquid
• Soft cloth
• Sponge brush
• Vinegar
• Optional: Replacement water filter
• Optional: Descaling product or coffee maker cleaning kit

Use this process to descale your coffee maker, removing the calcium mineral buildup. Before you begin, check your coffee machine’s manual to ensure that cleaning with vinegar is recommended by the manufacturer. There are some brands that do not advise it, usually because of their coffee maker’s metal parts.

Empty your coffee maker, remove and clean the carafe, brew basket, and permanent filter with hot soapy water. Remove the water filter, if applicable. Replace the empty filter basket and carafe.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, sufficient to fill your water reservoir. One easy way to do this is to fill the chamber to half with vinegar and then fill to the top with water. But if you can’t see the level in your brewer, mix it separately to add.

3. Fill Reservoir and Replace Carafe

Fill your water reservoir with the vinegar and water solution. If you use paper filters, place a paper filter in the brew basket.

4. Run Half of a Drip Cycle

Run your coffee maker through half of a drip cycle, stopping it so the solution can sit in the reservoir and the water channel. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour in both the reservoir and the carafe.

After 30 to 60 minutes, resume the brew cycle and finish brewing the vinegar and water mixture through your coffee maker. Discard the vinegar and water solution from the carafe and replace the paper filter (if using).

6. Run Cycle With Water Twice

Fill the water chamber with plain water and run it through the system for a full brew cycle. Discard the brew water, replace the paper filter (if using). Allow the coffee maker to cool down. Repeat a full brew cycle with water.

Clean the removable filter basket, permanent filter, and carafe with hot, soapy water. A change of water filter is also a good idea if your brewer has one. Thoroughly wipe the exterior of your coffee maker.

Source: thespruce.com