How to Clean a Coffeemaker

One way to make your coffee taste better is to keep your drip coffeemaker clean and free of hard-water deposits.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid Dish Soap
• White Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Coffee Makers
• Coffeemaker Cleaners
• Kitchen Sponges

1. Put the filter basket in place.

2. 

   Combine one part white vinegar with one part water in the pot; pour it into the coffeemaker and replace the pot. Turn the machine on.

3. 

   Allow the solution to empty completely into the pot.

4. 

   Turn the coffeemaker off and rinse the pot and filter basket with warm water.

5. 

   Pour clean water into the coffeemaker and turn it on.

6. Allow the water to empty completely into the pot.

7. Rinse the pot.

8. Wipe the outside of the coffeemaker with a soapy sponge and polish it dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your coffeemaker weekly if you make a lot of coffee. Consider purchasing a special coffeemaker cleaner. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
• Rinse the pot and basket every day with warm water and once a week with mild soap and warm water.

[cardshuffler]

on 5/21/2007 I just put the pot in the dishwasher with the rest of my dishes, making sure to turn off the electric dryer. Beside saving the plastic on my coffee pot, I save energy as well.

on 9/5/2006 I put a packet of True Lemon crystallized lemon substitute in the cup, and rub gently with a sponge. The mild acid takes the stubborn stains off instantly, and one packet is enough for several cups.

on 2/23/2006 Make a simple slurry with Dawn 50%, Liquid Cascade 50% and some water. The cooked on coffee will release with a simple wipe. If it is persistent, then let it soak for about 20 minutes. You must rinse everything well and run through with water several times to insure no residue exist. Do not put this in a drip maker!

on 12/19/2005 Simply pour 1/4 cup (or less) of bleach in the decanter, swish it around, then rinse several times with water. This will remove all coffee stains and oils, leaving a crystal clear decanter.

on 12/19/2005 If your coffee maker has very heavy scale, especially if it seems to take a considerably longer time to brew than it used to, follow the advice above using the vinegar, but turn off the maker half way through the brew cycle and let sit for several minutes before turning the maker back on to complete the brew cycle. The extra soaking time seems to help.
If you drink a lot of coffee, and you have hard water, and spend the extra money for the expensive coffee, you might consider switching to a vacuum brewer and using spring water.