How to Clean an Espresso Maker With Vinegar
Hard water can be tough on an espresso maker, leaving residue and less-than-fresh tasting coffee. Even if you don't have hard water, your espresso maker should be cleaned on a regular basis in order to produce the freshest coffee possible. The interior and exterior of a espresso maker can both be cleaned and decalcified by using a simple solution of vinegar and water. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Fill the kitchen sink with water and add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Remove the frothing wand and brewhead from the espresso maker. Make sure that the appliance is unplugged before unscrewing the brewhead. Place the frothing wand and brewhead in the sink to soak. Remember to put any screws and rubber gaskets you remove in a safe place until you're ready to reassemble the espresso maker.
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Run the espresso maker, using equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Make sure that the filter basket is empty. Expect a strong smell as the vinegar solution works its way through the espresso maker. The process will take only minutes. Once the brewer has run its course, pour fresh, clean water into the machine and allow it to run again. Repeat the clean water process two additional times to remove all the vinegar.
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Wait until the machine cools, unplug from the wall, and use a small scrub brush to clean the hard-to-reach areas of the espresso maker. Use a clean rag and the water and vinegar mixture in the sink to wipe down the larger areas.
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Dry the frothing wand, replace the rubber gaskets, and reassemble the espresso maker. Screw the brewhead back into place.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that the espresso maker is unplugged from the power before you cleaning the machine. The only time the espresso maker should be plugged in is while it is running through the brewing/cleaning process.
References
- Photo Credit Coffe maker image by robootb from Fotolia.com
