How Do You Clean A Coffee Maker?

Cleaning a coffee maker is something that many coffee drinkers skip. If you use an auto-drip coffee machine and don’t clean it regularly, you are definitely not getting the best flavor out of your coffee. Not to mention you could be wearing it out faster. And while the risk is low, mold or bacteria can even grow inside. You only need dish soap, distilled white vinegar, and a few minutes a day to clean your coffee pot. From keeping your coffee tasting fresh to making your machine last longer, here is the best way to clean your coffee maker.

How To Clean A Coffee Maker

Cleaning your coffee maker is as simple as using warm water and dish soap. But that doesn’t mean you should pour soap inside the water reservoir and run a brew cycle.

The following steps are meant for an auto-drip coffee maker, regardless of brand. So, this will work with your drip-style Hamilton Beach, Mr. Coffee, Breville, Ninja, and Cuisinart coffee makers.

Do not follow these steps for espresso machines or for pod or k-cup-style coffee makers. While the steps are similar, they are different enough that it can get confusing. And you definitely do not want to ruin your coffee maker because you cleaned it wrong.

1. Clean The Coffee Pot

Star by rinsing the coffee pot or carafe with warm water. Then, scrub it with warm, soapy water and either a sponge or a soft brush. Wash the inside and outside of the carafe and scrub away any coffee stains.

Pay close attention to the pour spout and the bottom. This is where coffee is most likely to build up and dry or even burn onto the carafe. Don’t forget the handle and the lid, too.

Then rinse off the soap thoroughly. While you can let the pot air dry, it can leave water spots and mineral stains. I prefer drying it with a towel to make sure your next pot of coffee tastes its best.

2. Wash The Filter Basket

Next, wash the filter basket, also called the hopper basket, with soap and warm water. Scrub the inside and outside with soapy water to remove the oily residue left behind by the coffee grounds.

Thoroughly clean around the spring-loaded stopper, both inside and out. Make sure you press the stopper in so you can clean the inside as well.

Again, rinse the soap out thoroughly. Then either dry it with a towel or let it air dry for a few hours.

3. Clean The Burner And The Outside Of The Coffee Maker

Then you need to clean the burner tray and the oitside of the coffee maker. You might be tempted to skip this, but coffee can splash and drip on the outside.

This is most common on the burner and the area behind the coffee carafe. Wet a rag or towel with soapy water, then wipe down the outside. Remember that the burner can stay hot for as much as an hour after it switches off.

After cleaning the outside, wipe it down with a damp towel, and dry it with another towel.

4. Wipe Down The Sprayer Arm

You also need to clean the sprayer arm. This is the piece that sprays the hot water on the coffee grounds. It looks a little like a showerhead. 

Dip a clean towel in distilled white vinegar, then wipe down the arm. Cleaning it with vinegar will help stop mineral buildup and prevent mold or bacteria from growing on the sprayer. Then wipe it clean with warm water to get rid of the vinegar smell and taste.

You shouldn't use soap here because it can get inside the little nozzles. And while your dish soap smells nice, it's definitely something you don’t want to taste in your morning coffee.

How Often Do You Need To Clean Your Coffee Maker?

When it comes to your coffee maker, there are different levels of cleaning. For example, you need to wash the carafe and filter basket with warm, soapy water at least once a day. But you should also deep clean the inside coffee maker with vinegar once every one to two weeks.

How To Deep Clean Your Coffee Maker With Vinegar

Cleaning a coffee maker with vinegar is extremely easy. Also called descaling, it removes mineral deposits and prevents mold and bacteria from growing inside.

  • Fill the reservoir half full with vinegar, fill it the rest of the way with clean water, and switch on your coffee maker.
  • Dump out the vinegar and water mixture. You can also let it cool and use it to clean your windows and mirrors.
  • To get rid of the vinegar taste, fill the reservoir with fresh water and run another brew cycle.
  • Dump out the water and repeat the last step one last time.
  • Then dump out the water, and you are ready to make a great-tasting pot of coffee.

Vinegar cleans the reservoir, the steam tube, and the inside of the spray arm. It also breaks down mineral build-up from your tap water.

As the water boils, it turns to vapor. But the minerals are solids that will cling to the inside of your coffee maker. If you look inside and see white stains, that is the mineral build up.

Although it isn't a disinfectant like bleach, vinegar does help limit bacteria and mold. So as long as you only put water in your coffee maker, vinegar will keep the insides clean.

Never clean the inside of your coffee maker with soap or bleach. Soap is really hard to clean out and it will make your coffee taste like, well, soap.

While bleach is a great disinfectant, it is also poisonous. Putting it inside your coffee maker can kill you. Seriously, do not use bleach.

If you make one pot of coffee a day, you should clean it with vinegar every week or two. If you make more than one pot a day, you should definitely clean it once a week.

Why Do You Need To Clean Your Coffee Maker?

I was talking with some people at a coffee event when one person asked me why they needed to clean their coffee maker. Hiding my shock and surprise, I asked why they didn't think they needed to.

According to this person, the machine boils water and cleans as it brews. And since they make coffee every day, a quick rinse is enough to keep their coffee machine clean.

But I promise you, this is not even remotely true. The water is definitely not hot enough to clean or disinfect anything. And saying making coffee once a day keeps it clean is like putting a knife covered in peanut butter back in the drawer. 

Without regular cleaning, bacteria or mold will eventually grow on your coffee pot or inside the machine. And even if you don't see it, it can still be there.

It's unlikely it will make you seriously sick, but do you really want to drink gross coffee that is filtered through mold or bacteria?!

Not to mention, it can impact the taste of your coffee. You spend too much on coffee beans to have it come out all skunky because you don't clean it regularly.

So, if you want your coffee to taste like coffee and you don't want to end up living in the bathroom for a few days, you should clean your coffee machine every day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning A Coffee Maker

Can You Wash Your Coffee Maker In The Dishwasher?

While you might be able to put some components in the dishwasher, you should never put the entire machine inside. Not only can the water ruin the electrical components, but the heat drying cycle can warp or crack the plastic. That said, you can put some coffee carafes or filter baskets in the dishwasher. Check the manual for details about your make and model.

Can You Use Baking Soda To Clean A Coffee Machine?

Baking soda is a great natural cleaner, not to mention that it's really affordable. And you can use it to clean most parts of your coffee machine. Mix it with some vinegar and let it soak in the coffee carafe to remove stubborn stains with ease. Or use it instead of equal parts vinegar and water to descale the reservoir. Add two tablespoons to hot water, pour it into the coffee maker, and then follow the descaling steps above. Lastly, you can scrub away dried-on coffee residue with nothing but dry baking soda and a damp rag.

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