How to Clean a Coffee Maker

Regularly cleaning your coffee maker is essential for brewing the best-tasting coffee and ensuring the machine lasts a long time. Over time, mineral buildup from water and coffee residue can affect your coffee’s flavor and clog the machine’s internal parts. Learning how to clean a coffee maker properly involves two main steps: descaling to remove mineral buildup and a simple wash to get rid of coffee oils.

Method 1: Descaling with Vinegar or Citric Acid

Descaling is the most critical part of the cleaning process. This removes hard water mineral deposits (limescale) from the internal components of your coffee maker.

Using White Vinegar

White vinegar is a highly effective, natural, and inexpensive descaling agent.

1. Prepare the Solution: Fill the water reservoir with equal parts of white vinegar and water.
2. Run Half a Cycle: Place the empty carafe on the warming plate. Turn the coffee maker on and let it brew about half of the vinegar-water solution.
3. Soak for an Hour: Turn the machine off and let the remaining solution sit in the reservoir for about an hour. This allows the vinegar to break down stubborn mineral deposits.
4. Complete the Cycle: Turn the coffee maker back on and let it finish the brewing cycle.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: Pour out the vinegar solution. Now, fill the reservoir with only clean water and run a full brew cycle. Repeat this process at least two more times to ensure all traces of vinegar are gone. The smell of vinegar should dissipate completely.

Using Citric Acid

Citric acid is a great alternative if you dislike the smell of vinegar.

1. Prepare the Solution: Dissolve one to two tablespoons of citric acid powder in the water reservoir filled with warm water.
2. Run the Cycle: Place the carafe and turn the machine on to run a full brew cycle with the solution.
3. Rinse Thoroughly: Discard the solution and run two to three full cycles with clean, fresh water to rinse the machine completely.

Method 2: Cleaning the Carafe and Removable Parts

While the descaling process handles the internal cleaning, it’s also important to manually clean the exterior and the carafe. This helps remove coffee oils and stains.

1. Wash Removable Parts: Take out the carafe, filter basket, and any other removable parts. Wash them in warm, soapy water using a sponge or bottle brush. For stubborn stains on the carafe, you can add a little baking soda to the water.
2. Rinse and Dry: Rinse all parts thoroughly with clean water and let them air dry completely or dry them with a clean towel.
3. Wipe Down the Exterior: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of the machine, including the warming plate, buttons, and top cover.

How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Maker?

For optimal performance and taste, you should descale your coffee maker every one to three months, depending on how often you use it and the hardness of your water. For daily use, a quick wash of the removable parts after each use is a good habit. Following these steps on how to clean a coffee maker will ensure you get a great cup of coffee every time.