A clean office coffee maker is a happy coffee maker! If you use your coffee maker regularly, chances are you’ll see mineral deposits and coffee residue if you peak inside. These buildups will not only affect the flavor of your coffee, but they will also clog the flow of your coffee. Eventually, your coffee maker will just stop working!
Do you know to clean a coffee maker properly? It’s not as simple as rinsing the machine out with hot water. Coffee residue contains natural oils that won’t be removed with water. Mineral deposits will not be removed with hot water as well.
The worst thing about not cleaning your coffee maker regularly is that the coffee residue can eventually become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, or mold. Can you imagine drinking a cup of coffee that has yeast or mold spores floating around inside? Yuck!
If you want to continue drinking delicious and safe coffee from your Kitchen Coffee Station, here is a guide on how to clean a coffee maker in 5 easy steps.
How to Clean a Coffee Maker in 5 Easy Steps
If you don’t clean your coffee maker after every use, chances are that you have a grimy brew basket. The first thing that you need to do is check the brew basket and dispose of any leftover coffee grounds and used paper filters.
- Clean out your brew basket
If there are small coffee ground particles left on the brew basket, rinse the brew basket under running water to remove the particles. You can also scrub the brew basket with hot water and dishwashing liquid to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned.
After the brew basket is cleaned, replace it inside your coffee maker.
2. Make Your Vinegar-Water Solution
Fill up your coffee maker’s reservoir with a solution made of equal parts water and white vinegar. Avoid using any colored or flavored vinegars as these can leave an aftertaste that will affect the taste of any coffee that you make in the future.
If your coffee maker has a clear reservoir, you can mix the vinegar-water solution directly inside the reservoir. Otherwise, mix the solution in a separate container and add it in afterwards.
3. Turn On Your Coffee Maker
Turn on your coffee maker and allow it to run through half a drip cycle so that the solution can pass through the reservoir, pump, and the water channel. There should be solution in both your carafe and reservoir. After the cycle, allow the heated solution to sit in the reservoir for around an hour.
The heated water and vinegar solution will dissolve any remaining coffee oil residue. It will also help loosen the mineral deposits.
4. Finish the Brew Cycle
After an hour, turn on your coffee maker again and allow the device to complete the brew cycle. When the brew cycle is done, throw out the used solution from the carafe. Inside the carafe, the mineral deposits should have loosened already. Using a rough sponge (not a steel wool sponge), scrub the inside of your carafe to completely remove the mineral deposits. Rinse the carafe with water to remove all the mineral deposits.
5. Run the Brew Cycle Again With Pure Distilled Water
Finally, fill the reservoir with pure distilled water and run the complete brew cycle. The hot water should pass through your coffee maker and remove any last remaining coffee residue or mineral deposits. You can repeat this process twice to ensure that your coffee maker is thoroughly cleaned.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why you should know how to clean a coffee maker. First, you will be able to prolong the lifespan of your coffee maker. Second, you’ll be able to ensure that your coffee maker is working in tiptop shape. Finally, you’ll ensure that your coffee will always taste good and be safe to drink. On average, you should give your coffee maker a deep clean every three months. Find out more about coffee makers.