Cleaning Your Coffee Maker
Cleaning a coffee maker both, automatic drip and single serve, involve easy steps, yet it’s something that's often overlooked. You can use the steps below to clean your coffee maker daily.
How to Clean Automatic Drip Coffee Makers
Dispose of any coffee filters and coffee grounds. Disassemble and take the removable parts out of the coffee maker and clean them with hot soapy water and a microfiber cloth or sponge. Don’t use anything abrasive to clean these parts. After cleaning the parts, rinse them well with warm/hot water and let them air dry. Once dry, put the removable parts back into the coffee maker.
How to Clean Single-Serve Coffee Makers
Unplug the coffee maker and take out any removable parts (reservoir, reservoir lid, drip tray, etc.). Wash the parts in hot, soapy water. Rinse and air dry.
While the removable parts are drying, use a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to remove any residual grounds around the coffee pod holder and the base of the appliance. If the mesh of the reusable filter still looks clogged, soak it in a cup of white vinegar and loosen the particles with a brush.
The coffee maker parts may be dishwasher safe. Check your coffee maker's user manual to see if your parts are able to be safely cleaned in the dishwasher.
What is Descaling?
Over time, coffee makers develop a build-up of limescale as the result of minerals like magnesium and calcium in the water. Water outlets narrow, causing the water to dispense slower than normal. Although the two are often confused, cleaning and descaling are two different things.
Descaling your coffee maker removes the limescale build-up. White vinegar is good for descaling. It has enough acidity to dissolve the limescale and it’s likely a product you already have in your kitchen cabinet. Descaling should be done every three months, even if you use filtered water.
Some coffee makers have a descaling and/or cleaning cycle indicator integrated into the coffee maker. If so, follow manufacturer’s instructions for descaling.
If using a homemade descaling solution, follow the steps below.
Signs That It’s Time to Descale the Coffee Maker
Cleaning our coffee maker isn’t something that we think about often. We brew, pour, sip and repeat when we really should be cleaning the coffee maker after each use. Aside from that, how do you know when it’s time to clean or descale the coffee maker? Below are a few signs.
- The coffee tastes bad.
- Instead of flowing freely, the water sputters as it brews in the carafe.
- You see visible signs of mineral deposits.
- It takes a long time for the coffee to brew.
- There are leftover grounds in your coffee cup.
- Brewed batch for one cup of coffee only yields half a cup.
- It’s been more than three months since the last descaling.
How to Descale a Coffee Maker
Start by unplugging the coffee maker, clean it as noted above, and put all removable parts back in place. Fill the coffee maker with the appropriate vinegar to water ratio for cleaning, which is 1:1. Be sure to add enough vinegar and water to the chamber’s fill line and make sure the filter and grounds (or coffee pod if you’re descaling a single-serve coffee maker) are removed.
Run a brew cycle. Halfway through the brewing cycle, turn the coffee maker off and let the solution sit for 30-45 minutes. Run at least two more brew cycles with plain water to rinse away any remaining residue and vinegar smell.
Some coffee makers have a descaling and/or cleaning cycle indicator integrated into the coffee maker. If so, follow manufacturer’s instructions for descaling.
To remove odors and stains from the carafe, fill it with two parts hot water and one part baking soda. Allow the water to sit overnight. Clean, rinse and let the carafe air dry. Another option is to add a little baking soda and enough water to form a paste. Scrub the stain until it’s gone, then clean with warm soapy water and rinse well. Resume the second half of the brew cycle. When the cycle is complete, discard the dirty water from the carafe.
Coffee Maker Maintenance and FAQs
1. How often should I clean my coffee maker?
The cleaning frequency depends on how much you use the coffee maker. Ideally, cleaning the coffee maker right after use is a good practice. If used daily, descale the coffee maker once a month or every three months if used occasionally.
2. What should I use to clean my coffee maker?
Solutions of vinegar and water, baking soda and water or lime/lemon juice and water are great DIY cleaners. Don’t combine vinger and baking soda though. Mixing the two causes a chemical reaction that may damage the coffee maker.
3. How many times should I run the cleaning solution through my coffee maker?
One brew cycle is good enough. But you can repeat the cycle for stubborn residues. Followed by two to three cycles of plain water.
4. What is the appropriate ratio of cleaning solution to water to clean a coffee maker?
To clean the coffee maker use a 50-50 mixture of your cleaning solution of choice and water.
Helpful Tips for Maintaining Your Coffee Maker
Keeping your coffee maker well maintained is essential to churning out a great cup of coffee. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your coffee maker.
- Toss out the coffee grounds and filter right after brewing.
- Clean the coffee maker after every use.
- Wipe down any spills immediately to avoid staining the machine.
- Clean the carafe with hot water and a mild liquid dish soap. For stubborn stains, make a paste using baking soda and water.
- Descale every month for coffee makers used daily and every three months for ones used less frequently.
- Regularly inspect the coffee maker for damage, such as a frayed cord, warping of plastic parts, cracks in the body, etc.
Brew the best coffee every day by cleaning and maintaining your coffee maker. With a routine cleaning schedule you can clear build up and enjoy a fresh brew every time. Set up a coffee bar with your favorite coffee and organizers to keep everything handy. If you’re on the lookout for a new coffee maker or any small kitchen appliances, visit the nearest Lowe’s store to find the best one for your home.