How Much Vinegar to Use for Cleaning a Coffee Pot?

Clean your coffee pot with vinegar as often as necessary.

To keep your coffee pot running smoothly, many manufacturers suggest using vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits. Cleaning the pot with vinegar is unnecessary after each use but you may want to clean it on a regular schedule or as buildup becomes visible. Some manufacturers even add a warning light to the coffee pot to alert you when cleaning is necessary. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Descale your coffee pot with white distilled vinegar every six months or every three months, if you have hard water.

2. Fill the coffee pot's water reservoir full with vinegar or as specified in your owner's manual. Some manufacturers recommend using vinegar full-strength, while others recommend using 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.

3. Press the "Clean" or "Brew" button to start the cleaning or brewing cycle. Either cycle runs the vinegar through the coffee pot to clean it.

4. Empty the vinegar into the sink once the cycle ends.

5. Run another cycle with plain water to flush out any remaining vinegar.

References

• Cuisinart: Classic 12-Cup Coffemaker Instruction Booklet
• The Vinegar Institute: Uses & Tips