Your coffee maker may not be as clean as you think. Some of the warning signs of a dirty machine are clear: Oily slime and mineral deposits build up in the coffee maker and pot over time, causing stains, interfering with the brewing process and resulting in bitter coffee. But the germs and bacteria that you can't see pose an even bigger problem. It is therefore of utmost importance for the good quality of your coffee and for your health that you clean your coffee machine regularly.
How to clean the coffee machine: What are the most commonly used methods?
The good news is that you can learn how to clean a coffee maker so it looks (almost) like new in just a few steps. We'll show you how to clean your machine with just vinegar and water. We will also show you how to descale your machine. Regardless of which oneType of coffee makerYou have to allow some time for the cleaning agent to take effect. So don't try it right before you need to brew a new pot.
Cleaning the coffee machine with vinegar: instructions in a few simple steps
To ensure that your morning cup doesn't contain any hidden surprises, you should clean your machine regularly. Water, soap and vinegar are enough: you can use your coffee makerclean with home remedies, very easy. It is best to read your machine's manufacturer's cleaning instructions as all machines are slightly different.
What you need:
- Water
- Soap
- Vinegar
- sponge
- Paper coffee filters
- Reis
Step 1: Wash the removable parts with dish soap after each use.
This is important to remove coffee, coffee grounds and fats that remain. You can hand wash the pieces with warm, soapy water, but they are usually dishwasher safe. Also, don't forget to wipe down the outside and warming plate, where spills can burn. We also recommend leaving the lid of the container open to allow it to dry completely after each use!
Step 2: Descale your machine with vinegar once a month.
Over time, minerals from hard water can build up inside the machine and you will notice that your coffee takes longer to drip through. In order to get the machine back into shape, it needs to be cleaned and descaled - with good old and reliable white vinegar. How to descale a coffee machine in seven steps:
- Fill the container with equal parts vinegar and water.
- Place a paper filter in the machine's empty basket.
- Insert the pot and let the solution brew halfway.
- Turn off the machine and let it stand for 30 minutes.
- Turn the coffee maker back on, stop brewing, and pour away the full pot of vinegar and water.
- Rinse everything out by inserting a new paper filter and brewing a full pot of clean water.
- Repeat the process one more time.
Step 3: Get your pot of rice sparkling again.
You should always wash your pot after each use, but if it starts to look grubby over time, fill it with warm, sudsy water and some uncooked rice. Swirl the mixture to loosen any dirt. Use a scouring pad to remove dirt and rinse well.
Citric acid is also a good option for cleaning
Coffee machineclean with citric acidis similar to cleaning with vinegar.
What you need:
1-2 tablespoons of citric acid, depending on the hardness of the water
1 liter tap water or filtered water
1 jug or other large vessel
1 spoon for mixing water and citric acid
Regular cleaning with a brush is recommended
What you need:
- Clean cloth towel: You can also use a sponge, but make sure it is clean, especially if you are wiping parts of the machine that are not removable.
- Bottle Brush: This brush is essential for getting into the deepest, darkest areas of hard-to-clean jugs.
- Dishwashing detergent: We recommend unscented dishwashing detergents.
- Dish drainer: After washing the removable parts, make sure they are completely dry before reattaching them. You can simply place everything on a clean kitchen towel.
- Water Bottle Cleaning Tablets: These tablets can be used to easily remove stubborn coffee stains.
How often should you clean your coffee maker?
If you use your coffee maker every day, you should clean it about once a month. Casual coffee drinkers may only need to do this every three to six months. However, if you notice visible deposits around the pot or basket or if your coffee no longer tastes good, it is time to clean your machine.
You can reduce deposits in the coffee machine by using filtered water, but even then you should descale (or demineralize) your machine a few times a year. Different machines have different recommendations on how and how often to descale them, so check your instruction manual. Additionally, it is recommended to descale the machine whenever you notice that it is taking too long to brew or that water is left in the tank.
Descaling your coffee machine is the most important step to avoid problems. The extent of cleaning depends on what type of machine you have. However, regardless of the type of machine, you should make sure to unplug it and allow the machine to cool before getting started.
