Are you a regular coffee drinker? Did you notice bloating, gas, nausea, or worse? Is your coffee maker brewing bitter coffee?
It’s no surprise to say that greasy and grime coffee makers are the primary reason for your coffee tasting like crap. Sadly, many coffee maker owners never learn how to clean a coffee maker properly or do it regularly…. but that’s not you right??
Do you know the coffee maker is the fifth germiest place in your home with a handful of mold? So, the blunt or bitter coffee is an indication that it’s well overdue for a clean. But how do you clean a coffee maker exactly?
Here’s a complete guide on how to clean a brewer using simple home ingredients. If you’re looking for cleaning tips and tricks, you’ll love this guide. By the end of this guide, you’ll learn:
- Significance of cleaning
- Tips for maintaining coffee machine for years
- How often to clean and a lot more.
Are you ready? So, let’s dive in.
Why You Should I Clean My Coffee Maker
How often do you drink? Twice, thrice, or multiple times a day. Either you drink once, or multiple times a day, the coffee maker filters the coffee grounds that leave residue behind.
Also, it builds up the mineral deposits such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium from the water that you use to prep lip-smacking and refreshing coffee. However, over time, you may notice that the coffee tastes odd.
The only reason behind the odd flavor is coffee residue in the machine. So, it’s essential to clean every part of the coffee maker, including filter basket, carafe, brew basket, paper filter, cup, water chamber, water reservoir, and other parts.
Here’re a few indications to clean your coffee maker.
- Odd coffee taste
- Long brewing process time
- Noisy machine
- Belching coffee grounds
Whenever you find these signs, understand it’s time to clean your favorite kitchen partner.
8 Ways To Clean A Coffee Maker
Cleaning experts often advise cleaning a coffee maker using vinegar, lemon juice, soap & water, salt & water, borax, hydrogen peroxide, alcohols, baking soda, and ice. All these cleaning essentials help you eliminate mineral buildup and mold.
However, one should use the appropriate cleansing agent based on the severity of the accumulated residues.
1. Cleaning Coffee Maker With Vinegar
Use white vinegar cleansing agent to descale grease, stubborn coffee oils, calcium, sodium, and other minerals. Every time you use vinegar as a cleansing agent to clean the home appliances, use 1 part of vinegar and three parts of water.
You can easily clean the machine in three simple steps.
Things required for cleaning:
- Warm water
- Distilled white vinegar
- Soap
- Sponge or scrub
- Coffee maker
Step 1: Prepare Vinegar Solution
Remove the coffee grounds and water residue from the filter and brewing parts. Then, clean the carafe using warm water. Rinse it properly such that there aren’t any coffee grounds or other buildup. Now, mix vinegar and warm water in 1:3 quantities.
Finally, Pour the solution into the carafe. If you’re stuck with the quantity of solution to be prepared for the cleaning, here’s a simple tip. Prepare vinegar solution that fills the water reservoir.
Step 2: Cleaning
Once the solution is prepared and filled into the water reservoir, it’s time to clean. Turn on the brew button and run a half brew cycle. If your coffee maker has a clean cycle option, run it or go for a brew cycle.
Make sure to run half brew cycles only. This step ensures to soak the various coffee machinery parts in the vinegar solution. After half the brew cycle, turn it off and leave it for half an hour to an hour. Finally, complete the brewing cycle.
Step 3: Rinse Coffee Maker
After a complete brew cycle, take out the carafe and pour the brown-colored vinegar mixture into the sink. Then, use lukewarm water, soap, or dish bar, and scrub to clean the carafe.
Even after rinsing with warm water, the vinegar mixture remains in the carafe. So, remove the solution, fill the water in the carafe and brew it to remove the vinegar mixture.
Make sure you fill the water to the maximum level. Finally, run three to four brew cycles.
Moreover, people can use this mixture to clean the coffee pot. This mixture easily removes the grime and dirt on the edges of the coffee pot.
Is Vinegar Safe For A Regular Coffee Drinker
Yes. But the only problem with the vinegar solution is it’s hard to remove even after cleaning using warm water.
The intense aroma and acidic taste of the vinegar make it inconvenient to make coffee. Thankfully, there are other cleansing agents, including hot soapy water, lemon juice, saltwater, and many more.
How Do I Clean Coffee Maker Without Vinegar
As discussed earlier, one can use other cleansing agents. Here’s a complete list of how to use them to remove the accumulated buildup in the coffee maker.
2. Lemon Juice
The lemon has the same properties as vinegar. However, the soothing and pleasant flavor of the lemon makes it the best alternative for white vinegar. Moreover, it’s affordable and economical.
Use lemon juice instead of the white vinegar and water. And repeat the same process as you followed for white vinegar. You can use either a dilute or concentrated mixture.
Once you finish the new cycles, rinse all the parts twice or thrice under the running tap.
3. Salt and Ice Water
The salt and ice water mixture is best to remove the grease and grime on the edges of the coffee maker components.
Required Components:
- crushed ice
- Table salt
- Cloth
- Carafe
- Dishwasher
Take a salt and ice water mixture into the carafe. Using cloth or spoon, rub against the interior walls of the carafe and other parts. Then, rinse the carafe and other parts under the running tap using the dishwasher.
4. Soap and Water
Use a soap solution only if you can disassemble all the components of the brewer. Initially, disassemble the parts and wash them using soap or dish detergent.
Rinse them in warm water. Next, assemble all the functional parts and run one complete brewing cycle using fresh water.
5. Baking Soda
It’s another affordable and non-toxic cleansing agent. The alkaline properties of the baking soda remove the minerals and coffee oil buildup.
Required Components:
- Warm water- 1 cup
- Baking soda- ¼ cup
- Freshwater
Prepare a baking soda mixture and run a complete brewing cycle in the coffee maker.
Then, pour out the solution and run a freshwater brew cycle two times. Once the baking soda gets eliminated, clean all the components using a dry cloth.
6. Alcohol
The hard alcohol properties are used in the cleaning of heavy-duty machines. For this purpose, Vodka is the best choice. Now, fill the water reservoir with 25% of alcohol and the remaining water.
Run a brew cycle. Then, flush the carafe and other internal items using freshwater thrice. Finally, rinse and wash them.
7. Borax
Borax is mainly used for cleaning washing machines and fridges. However, it also works best in the coffee maker cleansing process. Prepare borax and warm water mixture.
Then, run a half brewing cycle and leave it for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, complete the brew cycle and rinse the system with running fresh water.
Make sure you flush the system several times to eliminate the borax particles.
8. Hydrogen Peroxide
This is one of the best cleaning products. Use the hydrogen peroxide and water mixture in 1:2 quantities. Brew it for a few minutes and then flush it with fresh water twice or thrice.
All these cleansing agents work efficiently to remove debris, mineral deposits, and bacteria. However, you can also clean a coffee maker using coffee maker cleaner available in the market.
You’ve to choose the appropriate cleansing agent based on your requirements and affordability.
To provide you with top-notch information, we’ve even come up with the cleaning process of Keurig and Cuisinart coffee makers.
However, the cleaning items are the same, and the procedure varies slightly for both these coffee machines.
How To Clean A Keurig Or Cuisinart Coffee Makers
Keurig or Cuisinart are some of the best under-cabinet coffee makers. Cleaning these brewers isn’t a piece of cake.
At the same time, it’s not difficult even. Here’s a step-by-step cleansing process of Keurig or Cuisinart coffee maker.
To start with the cleaning procedure, you’ll require a carafe, dish detergent, towel, vinegar, and water.
Step 1: Wash and rinse(Exterior)
Initially, scrub the exterior part of the machine. Disassemble all items and soak the reservoir, drip tray, filter, cup, and funnel in the hot soapy water. Soak them for at least 20 minutes and then clean using a dry towel.
Step 2: Wash and rinse(Interior)
Take a toothbrush and clean the interior of the coffee maker. Brush the coffee beans, grounds, mineral deposits, or grime on the walls of the machine.
If you notice any scalings or white deposits, take the cloth and soak it in vinegar. Then, wipe it before you reassemble the components.
Step 3: Vinegar and water wash
Film the carafe with the vinegar and water to the maximum level and half brew it. Take the quantity of the mixture as mentioned in the manufacturer’s book. If it suggests using less vinegar, take 1/3rd part of the water.
Step 4: Leave it for 30 minutes
After half brewing, turn it off and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, completely brew it. Finally, take out all the components of the coffee maker and rinse using soap detergent.
Rinse the brewer a few times until the intense aroma and vinegar particles are eliminated from the coffee brewing machine.
Learn more on how to use your Keurig Coffee Maker here.
Tips To Maintain Coffee Maker
Mold and yeast love moisture places. So, your coffee maker is the best stay for germs as it produces enough moisture and warmth for each brew cycle.
This leads to unnecessary maintenance bills and health issues. So, it’s essential to maintain the coffee maker.
However, maintaining and cleaning your coffee maker isn’t a big task. Follow the below-given steps to enjoy the perfect brew every day.
- Wash the removable components after each use with a dishwasher or warm salt water. Make sure you wipe the product with a clean and dry cloth. And finally, set it in a dry place.
- Clean your coffee maker each month either using vinegar, dish soap water, or lemon juice. Lemon juice is one of the best and natural cleansing agents with a pleasant aroma. It’s better to use mostly lemon juice rather than vinegar or another cleansing agent. However, you can clean the coffee maker with vinegar once every six months. Whenever you’re using vinegar, take in less amount(1/3rd part of the water). Either it’s a drip cycle, brew basket, lids, cup, or pot, the vinegar is a perfect cleansing option.
- The water spots and moist environment welcomes germs and bacteria. So, always maintain a dry and clean brewer.
- Some of the brewers like Keurig and Cuisinart machines need a proper cleaning process. So, it’s better to refer to the manufacturer’s book.
- Replace cracked or damaged components of the product immediately.
Takeaways
Cleaning your coffee maker more often ensures great and prepares a perfect morning brew. All the above-mentioned cleansing techniques work effectively to remove mineral deposits, residues, and grime.
Make sure you disassemble the coffee maker, including the brew basket, carafe, water reservoir, lid, etc., and wash them with soapy water, lemon juice, and water at least once every six months.
Now, it’s easier to enjoy the mouth-watering brew. All you need to do is just follow the cleaning tips mentioned earlier.
