How to Clean a Glass Coffee Carafe

A clean glass coffee carafe provides the best tasting coffee. With regular use, a carafe can build up residue, especially if you don't wash the carafe after each use. Here is a simple, effective way to clean your glass coffee carafe, so you can keep enjoying fresh tasting coffee all the time.

Things You'll Need

• Table salt or kosher salt
• Lemon or lime juice

Instructions

1. Crush some ice. If you don't have crushed ice or smaller cubes, just toss larger cubes or chunks in a plastic grocery bag and pound it with a hammer. Large cubes may break the glass during the cleaning process.

2. Place the crushed ice into the coffee maker carafe. Make sure that the carafe is completely cooled before you start to clean it. Putting ice directly into a very hot carafe may cause it to crack.

3. Add 1/8 cup of lemon juice and 1/8 cup of salt to the carafe. The acidity of the lemon juice and the abrasive quality of the salt will help to break down deposits on the walls of the carafe.

4. Grab the carafe by the handle, and simply swirl the contents around on the inside. Make sure to tilt the carafe, so the contents will touch all the inner surfaces. You don't have to apply tremendous force, but do allow the contents to move vigorously enough for the salt and ice to work at breaking down the deposits on the sides and bottom of the carafe. This should only take one to three minutes, depending on how much buildup has accumulated.

5. Dump the contents down the drain, and then run cool water inside to rinse out the remaining residue. Let the carafe come back to room temperature, then wash with soap and warm water to complete the cleaning process.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the carafe air dry or use a lint-free towel to dry the inside.

Resources

• More about cleaning your coffeemaker