How To Clean A Coffee Maker

When fresh brewed coffee blends with the old coffee in an unclean carafe, the flavor becomes affected and leaves behind an unpleasant aftertaste. This problem can be easily resolved when you learn how to clean a coffee maker. For best results, clean your coffee maker thoroughly every two to four weeks.

Cleaning The Exterior Of A Coffee Maker

To avoid the risk of electrical shock, unplug the coffee maker from the wall outlet. If the appliance has recently been used, let it cool completely before cleaning to prevent getting burned. Wash the exterior of the coffee maker by wiping the appliance with a dishcloth that’s been lightly dampened with hot soapy water. Never use a soaked dishcloth to clean a coffee maker. Rinse the soap off the exterior with another dishcloth that’s been lightly dampened in clean water. Do not clean a coffee maker by submerging it in water. The electrical components of the appliance could become damaged by the water.

Cleaning The Interior Of A Coffee Maker

To clean the interior of a coffee maker, run a mixture of white vinegar and water through the appliance. Using an equal amount of vinegar and water, fill the carafe with the mixture and pour into the coffee maker reservoir. Remove the used coffee filter and replace it with a new empty one. Allow the vinegar and water mixture to run through the brewing cycle, then empty the carafe and refill it with clean water. To prevent a vinegar taste in your coffee, run a second brewing cycle with the clean water. Then empty the carafe and rinse thoroughly.

Cleaning The Carafe

To clean the carafe by hand, wash the glass container with hot soapy water and rinse with clean water. Never pour cold water into a carafe that’s hot. This could cause the glass container to break and shatter. To clean the carafe in a dishwasher, place it on the top rack of the dishwasher to prevent the plastic handle from melting.

Removing Stubborn Stains From The Carafe

Use white vinegar to remove stubborn stains and residue from the carafe. Fill the coffee maker reservoir with the undiluted white vinegar. Remove the used coffee filter and replace it with a new empty one. Turn the coffee maker on and allow it to run through a normal brewing cycle. When the brewing cycle is finished, leave the vinegar in the carafe for 20 minutes. Pour the brewed vinegar down the drain and refill the carafe with clean water. Run another brewing cycle, then pour out the water and rinse the carafe. Wash the carafe and any other removable parts of the coffee maker with hot soapy water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the vinegar.