Freshly brewed coffee tastes terrific. However, if your morning joe doesn’t taste as good as usual, the reason could be that your drip coffee maker should be cleaned. Lack of flavor is just one indication that your coffee maker needs a deep cleaning. Keep reading to learn when to make coffee maker cleaning a priority and how to do it properly.
Signs It’s Time to Clean the Coffee Maker
The big tip-off is when your coffee doesn’t taste the same. The buildup of coffee oils and minerals as well as mold or yeast growth in the brew basket or elsewhere can lead to coffee that tastes bitter, sour, or just off.
Besides flavor, it may be time to clean your coffee maker if you notice it’s taking longer than usual to brew the same amount of coffee you always brew. This may be because coffee grounds or buildup may be clogging your coffee maker. If your cup of coffee is not as hot as it used to be, that’s another clue.
If you hear unusual noises as the coffee is brewing—not the typical drip and bursts of water gushing but screeching and gurgling that sounds like the coffee maker is struggling to put out coffee—this could mean it needs cleaning.
Periodically check the water reservoir and brew basket for any unpleasant odors, which can be an indication of mold or yeast growth. No worries, it’s not dangerous and all it needs is a good cleaning.
How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar
Before you start cleaning your coffee maker with vinegar, check your instruction manual to ensure your coffee maker brand does not prohibit vinegar as a cleaning agent. If there are no restrictions, you can proceed with this method.
What you’ll need:
- Mild, fragrance-free dishwashing liquid
- A new, unused toothbrush
- Soft cloth
- Paper filter
- Distilled white vinegar
How to do it:
- Unplug the coffee maker.
- Clean the coffee maker’s removable parts with soapy water, including the pot (or carafe), the permanent filter, and the brew basket. Use a new, unused toothbrush to clean the parts’ crevices. Rinse well and let dry in a dish rack.
- Wipe down the exterior of the coffee maker, including the warmer plate, with a soft, soapy cloth. Rinse the cloth in water and wipe away soap residue.
- If there is a charcoal water filter, remove it from the reservoir. Place the brew basket back into the coffee maker and add a paper filter.
- Fill the pot with half vinegar and half water and then pour the mixture into the coffee maker’s water tank. Place the pot on the warming plate.
- Plug the coffee maker back in and brew the mixture as you would coffee. When it’s done, pour it out.
- Remove the paper filter and add a new one. Brew clear water in the water tank one to two more times to ensure the vinegar is gone.
- After this, let the coffee maker sit with the tank cover open for a few hours, allowing the water tank to dry.
- Replace the charcoal filter. Now the coffee maker is ready to use.
How to Clean the Coffee Maker without Vinegar
The smell of vinegar isn’t appealing to everyone. Brewing it can leave a terrible smell lingering through the home. If you want a clean coffee maker without the smell of vinegar, use the method above with these alternatives.
Lemon juice
You can clean your coffee maker with lemon juice instead of vinegar. If you’re using fresh-squeezed lemons, remove any seeds or pulp. An easier option is to use bottled lemon juice. Mix one cup of lemon juice with one cup of water and run it through the coffee pot like the vinegar mixture. Run clear water through it two to three times until the lemon’s odor and taste disappear.
Baking soda
One way to ensure that your coffee machine doesn’t take on the flavor or odor of lemons or vinegar is to use baking soda. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with a cup of water and perform the exact step-by-step method above. Run the mixture through the brewing cycle. Then, run clear water through the machine two to three times to ensure the residue is gone.
Commercial cleaner
Another option is to use a commercial cleaner, like Affresh coffee maker cleaner tablets, to help descaling your coffee maker. For the best results, follow the instructions on these products precisely to ensure you clean your coffee maker correctly and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use the self-cleaning option on a coffee maker?
Yes. However, not all coffee makers have this option. If your coffee maker has a self-cleaning option, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
How often should I clean my coffee maker?
If you use your coffee maker daily, give it the deep cleaning outlined above every month. Otherwise, if your coffee maker has a self-cleaning functionality, you can wait for the cleaning light to appear. As a rule of thumb, if you use it less often, you should clean it every three to six months.
After every use, make sure to dissemble the removable parts of the coffee maker, empty the used grounds, then hand-wash and rinse the brew basket, carafe, and water tank with soapy water and rinse. We also recommend leaving the reservoir lid open after use so that it can dry completely and hinder bacterial growth.
Is cleaning a coffee maker and descaling it the same process?
Yes, as long as you use vinegar. Cleaning removes dust, bacteria, and old coffee from the machine, while descaling breaks down mineral deposits caused by hard water. Cleaning with vinegar will descale the mineral buildup as well as clean it. You can also use a commercial coffee cleaner to descale and clean your coffee maker.
Why is there a ring forming on my coffee pot?
If you use water straight from a tap, it may have many mineral deposits. These deposits eventually clog your coffee maker’s brewer and leave a mineral ring around your pot. To minimize this buildup, it is a good idea to use filtered water when making your coffee.
Can I use a commercial coffee cleaner to clean my coffee maker?
Yes. You can use commercial cleaners specially formulated for cleaning coffee makers. Just be sure to follow the instructions provided. Ideally, you should check your instruction manual for the best cleaning methods and cleaners for your coffee maker model.
