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A coffee maker is among the most widely used appliances in a home. It is used daily in every household, but very few people pay attention to cleaning it appropriately. It is important to clean it regularly to keep it running smoothly. Coffee buildup in the machine can also affect the taste of your morning brew. Many germs, bacteria, viruses, and even some fungi find an ideal breeding ground in the conditions that exist in a dirty coffee maker. This could lead you to catch some severe infections caused by these microorganisms. To avoid these adverse circumstances, you should keep your coffee maker clean.
You do not need to worry because we will guide you in detail about cleaning your coffee maker. No matter what kind of coffee maker you use, you will need vinegar to clean it. Vinegar needs some time to act, so do not do this in a hurry. It is better to do this cleaning process at night to have a clean machine for your morning brew. When your coffee machine is being cleaned and you want a cup of coffee, you can try to make a cup of coffee without a coffee maker.
Let us divide this guide into cleaning and maintenance steps. We will also look at the stuff we need before explaining how to clean a dirty coffee maker.
Tools and materials you need to clean a coffee maker
- White Distilled Vinegar
- Water
- Cleaning Cloth(at least two)
- Coffee filters
- Descaling Solution
Cleaning Steps
1. Empty the Coffee Maker
First of all, throw any coffee or grounds that are present in the coffee maker in the dust bin. It should be empty.
2. Fill with Water and Vinegar
Fill the water reservoir with water and vinegar in the ratio of 50:50. If there is a huge build-up of coffee in the coffee maker, then increase the quantity of vinegar compared to that of water. The vinegar sanitizes the coffee maker and carafe; it helps loosen the build-up of minerals inside your machine and leaves it crystal clear.
3. Brew
Set a filter in the basket, allow the coffee maker to brew just as you brew a cup of coffee. When the cycle is halfway through, turn off the coffee maker. Allow the water and vinegar solution to just sit for 30-60 minutes. Then, turn on the coffee maker again, complete the brewing cycle.
4. Finish the Cycle
Once the cycle is complete and the machine has been turned off, toss the filter paper and throw the water-vinegar solution. You can run a second cycle with the same solution if you think the coffee maker needs more cleaning.
5. Flush with Water
Once the brewing cycle has been completed, flush the water reservoir with water. After that, run a brewing cycle using fresh water. Do not forget to put a filter in the basket before doing that. Once the cycle is complete, repeat it with clean water for a second time. This time add some baking soda. Baking soda reacts with the vinegar and produces a ‘fuzz’ sound.
If no such sound is produced, it means all the vinegar has been washed away, and you do not need to run another brewing cycle. If you hear this sound, brew till no such sound is heard on adding baking soda to the water.
7. Wash the Coffee Maker
Wash the basket in hot, soapy water. A toothbrush can be used to clean the stains at the corners. Thoroughly clean every inch of the basket and remove all the stains.
8. Clean the Exterior
For wiping the exterior of the coffee maker, a damp cloth can be used. First, make sure the cloth you are using is lint-free. Next, rub some vinegar on it for spots that would not go away with water. Once it has been cleaned, wipe it again with a cloth soaked in water. Finally, wash it once again using a dry lint-free cloth.
Maintenance Steps
To get a fresh hot brew every morning, it is necessary to clean your coffee maker machine at regular intervals and do the necessary maintenance. Let us guide you on how to do that.
First, we will have a look at some general maintenance measures and then move to specifics.
1. General Measures
- Use clean water. Make sure that the water you put in your coffee maker has been appropriately filtered. In the water, any salts, micro debris, etc., are despised and can get lodged in the coffee maker.
- Clean any stains as soon as they appear; you do not want them to get permanent.
- Wash the removable parts regularly.
Other than these measures, you need to do some necessary maintenance daily, weekly and bi-yearly basis. So let us guide you about that.
2. Daily Maintenance
To keep your coffee maker in good shape, you need to do the following tasks daily:
- Wipe the exterior of the machine with a wet cloth to remove stains.
- If you have a drip coffee machine, clean the brew pots and brewing chambers thoroughly.
3. Weekly Maintenance
The following tasks need to be accomplished every week:
- Soak filter baskets, group handles, etc., in a solution of hot water and coffee machine detergent overnight. Then, wash them with water and dry them before their next use.
- Remove all the parts that can be disassembled and are safe to wash. Wash them thoroughly.
- Do not forget to check the pressure gauge on your water filter system. Replace filters that are more than a year old with new ones.
4. Bi-Yearly Maintenance
- Replace the gaskets that can wear out due to prolonged use. These include the showerhead, steam arm, and steam valve gaskets.
- For making a good cup of coffee, the grinder burrs should be sharp. The burrs get dull depending on the frequency of use. The average life span is six months. A shrill sound when the coffee beans are being ground is the signal that the burrs need to be replaced as soon as possible.
We are sure by now you are very clear on how to clean your coffee maker. Happy brewing!
If you want your kitchen applicances as fresh as new, read our more articles about How to Clean a Dishwasher, How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets, and How to Clean an Oven.
