Coffee Maker: How to Clean It for Maximum Performance
Coffee lovers everywhere know that a good cup of coffee starts with a clean coffee maker. Learning how to clean your espresso machine ensures its longevity and, more importantly, improves the taste of your beverage. Washing your espresso machine can often feel like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be!
Let’s discuss various methods to clean your coffeemaker to keep it running like new with a comprehensive how to clean coffee maker step by step outline.
How to Clean a Regular Coffee Maker
Like every other mechanical appliance, your espresso machine requires regular maintenance to keep it in top condition and ensure that your caffeinated drink tastes as good as it should.
The good news is that there are several methods to remove mineral buildup in your espresso machine to ensure that your caffeinated drink always tastes fresh. Here’s how to clean a coffee maker using vinegar and water.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
Before you start, you will need to gather a few supplies. You’ll need a soft cloth, distilled white vinegar, a brush (if available), and a pot of water.
Step 2: Empty the Reservoir Before Doing Anything
Make sure you’ve emptied the reservoir. If you don’t, the cleansing solution will spoil the already-brewed cup of hot joe.
Step 3: Descaling
Descaling is the process of removing mineral buildup from your coffeemaker. To descale your machine, you will need to fill the reservoir with equal parts of white vinegar and water. For most percolators, this will be around 1-2 cups of each. Mix them together in a bowl, then pour the solution into the reservoir.
Step 4: Run the Cleaning Cycle
Turn on the machine and let the cleaning solution run through a full cycle. If you have a separate cleaning cycle on your machine, use that. If not, run the cleaning solution through as you would normally brew a cup. Run two or three more cycles with water to remove all remaining drops of liquid solution.
Step 5: Rinse the Reservoir
Once the cycle is complete, empty the reservoir, and rinse it several times to remove any residue.
Step 6: Wash the Outer Part of the Machine
Use a neat cloth to wipe down the exterior of your coffeemaker, including the buttons and control panel. Remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated over time.
Step 7: Wash the Carafe
The carafe is where your coffee is stored. To keep it spotless, simply wash it with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly.
Step 8: Wash the Filter
If the percolator has a reusable filter, wash it with warm soapy water. If it has a disposable filter, replace it with a new one.
Step 9: Do Deep Cleaning with a Brush
If the machine has any hard-to-reach areas, use a brush to get into those areas. This step is particularly important for the showerhead, where mineral buildup can occur.
Step 10: Do a Final Rinse
Finally, fill the reservoir with fresh water and run another cycle to rinse out any remaining drops of cleaning liquid. Now, ready to use!
How to Clean a Coffee Maker Without Vinegar
Vinegar, especially distilled white, is an effective cleaning agent that removes mineral buildup, oils, and bacteria. Then again, when you don’t have this natural remedy at home, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are two good alternatives.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker with Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent cleansing agent and a natural deodorizer. It is safe to use and won’t harm the brewing pot. When used right, it helps remove stubborn stains and odors. Here’s how you can use it to keep your expensive brewing device neat.
- Fill the carafe with equal parts water and baking soda.
- Pour in the solution.
- Run the brewing cycle as you would normally brew a cup.
- When the brewing cycle is complete, turn it off and let the solution sit for an hour.
- Rinse the machine thoroughly to remove any baking soda residue.
How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Hydrogen Peroxide
- Fill the tank with equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide.
- Run a brewing cycle and let the solution sit for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse the pot several times to remove the hydrogen peroxide residue.
How to Clean Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Clean Cycle
If you own a Mr. Coffee machine, you’re in luck, as it comes with a cleaning cycle that makes it easy to keep your machine in top shape. Here’s how to keep your Mr. Coffee pot spotless with the cleaning cycle:
- Fill the reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Turn on the machine and select the cleaning cycle option.
- Let the machine run until it has completed the entire cleaning cycle.
- Turn it off and empty the liquid solution from the carafe.
- Rinse the carafe and the reservoir with fresh liquid several times.
- Fill the carafe with fresh water and run the cycle again to rinse any remaining solution from the machine.
- Empty the carafe and rinse it one final time with fresh water.
By following these simple steps, you can easily keep your brewing machine in great condition, ensuring that it provides you with a delicious and refreshing cup every time. If you have further questions or concerns, consult the user manual for your specific model for further cleaning instructions.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker with Denture Tablets
This method is a quick, simple, and effective way to get rid of stubborn mineral deposits and residue that can affect the taste of your drink and cause your machine to malfunction over time.
To start, you’ll need a few denture tablets and a container large enough to hold the water and denture tablets. Begin by filling the pot with water, then add two denture tablets to the water. Turn on the machine and let the cleansing solution circulate for about 15-20 minutes.
Once the cleaning cycle is complete, put off the machine and let it cool down for a few minutes. Then, drain the cleaning solution from the reservoir and rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. Finally, fill the reservoir again with water and run two or three full cycles to remove any remaining denture tablet residue.
FAQ’s
In this section you will find the answers to the most common questions about cleaning your brewing device.
Many modern percolators come with a built-in clean button that makes cleaning easier. The process may vary depending on the brand and model, so consult the user manual for specific instructions. Generally, the process involves running a cleaning cycle with water and vinegar, just like how keeping your regular coffee maker clean with vinegar works.
Technically speaking, you can use cider vinegar to wash your espresso machine, but most people don’t consider it a suitable cleansing agent.
The simple reason is that it has a strong flavor and aroma compared to distilled white vinegar, which can affect the taste of the drink. Additionally, its acidity level is slightly higher than that of distilled white vinegar, which can cause damage to the percolator over time.
If you want a neat and stain-free coffee-making machine, use distilled white vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is mild and has a neutral flavor, making it the best option for keeping your percolator spotless and dirt-free. Additionally, its acidity level is just right for removing mineral buildup and keeping your brewing pot in top condition.
Just like it was said above, cider products are not your best choice for cleaning: use distilled white vinegar instead.
The amount of white vinegar needed to clean your percolator will depend on the size of the machine and the water reservoir. Typically, you will need 1-2 cups of apple cider vinegar and an equal amount of liquid. You want to use the right amount of apple cider vinegar to ensure your expensive percolator is cleaned thoroughly. Too much vinegar can leave a strong, unpleasant odor, while too little will not be effective in removing mineral buildup.
If you own a coffee pot, keeping it clean may seem like a hassle, but it is an important step that ensures that it lasts long and performs optimally. Fortunately, it is not difficult to take proper care of your coffee maker. Use this how-to-clean guide, and you will get a spotless brewing pot ready to brew a truly delicious beverage!