The What, When and How of Coffee Maker Cleaning

Not cleaning your coffee maker? Well, you should be to make sure you are brewing the best-tasting cup of coffee as well as a healthy cup of coffee..

To prevent mold and mildew, and mineral buildup, clean every three months. Use a water and vinegar mixture and then rinse the machine with water.

This post is all about the best way to clean a coffee maker and why you should be doing it regularly with the best use tips. For best results simply use a mixture of vinegar and water.

Contents

Be sure to check your coffee maker’s instruction manual for their specific cleaning recommendations and schedule. They may list special care instructions as vinegar can damage some metals.

How To Clean A Coffee Maker

Keeping your coffee maker clean is important to ensure that you enjoy the best-tasting cup of java every time.

This article will guide you through four simple steps to clean your coffee maker and keep it running smoothly. By following these four easy steps, you can guarantee that each cup of joe is crafted from a fully cleaned and well-maintained machine.

Gather these items:

White distilled vinegar
Water
Your coffee maker

Step #1: Vinegar And Water Mixture

Step #1 of cleaning a coffee maker is to create a vinegar and water mixture.

To do this, mix one part white vinegar with one part water in the carafe of your machine.

The vinegar helps to remove any residue that has built up in the machine, while the water dilutes the solution so it won’t be too harsh on your machine.

Shake the contents well and then pour them into the reservoir of your coffee maker.

Tip: Vinegar is an acid and will remove mineral buildup as well as kill bacteria. Also note, vinegar is strong so be careful not to spill it on surfaces as it can damage them.

Step #2: Run A Brew Or Clean Cycle

Make sure the filter/brew basket is securely fitted into your coffee maker.

To begin cleaning, make sure you have already poured your mixture of white vinegar and water into the reservoir.

Some machines feature a ‘clean’ cycle, so if your machine has this option press it before running a brew cycle.

Tip: Be aware that running a clean or brew cycle will emit a strong vinegary aroma due to the vinegar and water solution – but don’t worry; this is normal.

Step #3: Clean And Rinse

Empty the carafe containing the used vinegar and water mixture.

Next, fill the reservoir with fresh clean water, and use the coffee maker to start a cycle.

Repeat this process again; run a second, full cycle of fresh water through the machine in order to completely clear out any remaining traces of vinegar.

Once finished, all internal parts of your machine should be thoroughly cleansed for optimal brewing performance.

Step #4: Clean The Filter/Brew Basket

After each use, you should always rinse off the filter basket in the sink.

For more thorough cleaning, fill a bowl with warm soapy water and soak the filter basket for a few minutes to loosen and remove any buildup of residue.

Afterward, be sure to dry off the filter thoroughly before returning it back to your coffee maker and wiping down the base of your machine to keep it clean and dust-free.

Additional Cleaning Tips

When deep cleaning your coffee maker, start off by emptying out any remaining coffee beans along with any used filters from the carafe or basket.

Turn off the power switch and unplug the machine before moving on to any further cleaning steps.

Next is to soak any removable parts in a sink filled with warm water mixed with an appropriate amount of dish soap. This includes things such as the carafe, filter basket, strainer basket, etc.

Use a soft cloth or bottle brush to scrub away any pieces of residue sticking to these components before rinsing them under running water until all soap suds have been removed completely.

Allow these parts to dry completely before reassembling them back into their respective places on the unit itself.

When To Clean A Coffee Maker

Coffee makers are a great way to make a delicious cup of coffee with minimal effort. However, they require regular maintenance if you want to keep them in optimal condition.

Regular cleanings can help prevent the buildup of mineral deposits, bacteria, and scale within the machine’s inner workings.

Properly caring for your coffee maker will not only improve its performance but also help it last longer and be more energy efficient.

So how often should you clean your coffee maker? Generally speaking, it’s recommended that you thoroughly clean your coffee maker every three months or so.

Tip: How often you should clean or descale your coffee maker varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Check with the maker for their specific directions.

This will depend on a few factors, such as how much you use it and how hard your tap water is.

If you’re using soft water, then cleaning every two months should be enough; however, if you’re using hard water then monthly cleanings may be necessary.

Tip: It’s also important to note that the number of people who use the same machine can also affect how often it needs to be cleaned – if you have multiple people who use the same machine at different times then this could lead to an increase in mineral buildups which could require more frequent deep cleanings than normal.

The rule of thumb is to clean/descale your coffee maker every three months.

Again, this is up to you to determine if that time span is adequate for your usage. You can clean and decalcify every month if you wish or if it’s needed.

How To Clean A Keurig Or Pod Coffee Maker

Just like any other coffee maker, a pod type or Keurig machine needs to be cleaned and descaled regularly. Keurig sells a descaling solution made for their coffee makers that you can use. Or use a vinegar and water mixture to add to the machine yourself.

Keurig recommends descaling every 3 to 6 months.

Fill the reservoir with either their descaling solution or a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water.
Remove any water filter and make sure no pod is in the machine.
Place a large mug in the unit and run a large brew cycle. Keep running cycles until you are out of the cleaning mixture.
Fill the reservoir with clean water and run several cycles through the machine until no cleaning residue remains.

Why Clean A Coffee Maker | Need To Know Tips

Fact: Vinegar is an acid and can dissolve mineral deposits and kill bacteria.

Cleaning a coffee maker regularly helps to descale the internal components and also kills any mold or bacteria. Also, brewing coffee leaves behind an oily residue that should be cleaned and removed from the machine.

NSF International has reported that the coffee reservoir is the fifth germiest place in the home. And that “Given the dark, damp location, it’s not surprising that it is a prime location for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow.”

Minerals from water can build up over time on the heating element causing longer brew times or coffee that is not hot enough.

All of this leads up to bad or bitter-tasting coffee. So if you are starting to notice your coffee does not taste the same as it used to, it may be time to clean the machine.

In Summary

So there are the quick and easy steps to take to make sure you clean your coffee maker, as well as when and why to do it. Follow these simple tips to brew a great cup of coffee as you start every day.

This article was all about when and how to clean a coffee maker as well as some information on why to clean it.

I’m J.S., I created and am the content manager at DIYHouseSkills.com. I do the research and write the articles that appear on this website. I’ve learned many household skills during my life and think it’s important to at least know the basics so that you can save yourself time and money… READ FULL BIO >

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