How to Clean an Electric Coffee Percolator

Electric Percolator by KYares

An electric percolator can seem difficult to clean properly. Most require that you do not get water on the base, where the cord plugs in or is attached. This means that you cannot submerse the pot into the kitchen sink to wash it. Nor can you put the pot into the dishwasher. Once you get the hang of washing an electric percolator, the task is not hard at all.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge, dish rag or bottle brush

Instructions

1. Dump and dispose of the coffee grounds from the basket. Use a spoon or your fingers to remove as many of the grounds as possible.

2. 

   Wash the basket and the basket stem in hot, soapy water. Wash the lid of the coffeepot the same way.

3. Dump any remaining coffee from the pot into the sink. Use the faucet to rinse any grounds that are inside, taking care not to get the outside of the percolator wet. Add an inch or two of clean water.

4. 

   Use a soapy sponge, rag or bottle brush to scrub the inside of the pot. Dump out the soapy water. Rinse one or two times to remove any traces of soap.

5. Squeeze any excess water from the sponge or rag and use it to wipe clean the outside of the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Used coffee grounds can be used as a food source for houseplants and vegetables such as peppers. Coffee grounds can also be composted. A mixture of 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 8 cups of water can be used to remove any deposits on the inside of the percolator. Make up the mixture, plug in the pot and let percolate as normal. Wash the inside of the pot once the cycle is complete.

• If you accidentally get the cord area or the prongs wet, allow the percolator to dry thoroughly before you plug the machine in. The moisture can cause a short.