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- The importance of cleaning your coffee maker
- Telltale signs that your coffee machine is dirty:
- How to clean my Coffee Maker Step by Step ?
- Additional Information to Maintain Your Coffee Maker
- How to Flush Your Coffee Maker
- Other Cleaning Solutions for your Coffee Maker
- Tips for buying and maintaining a coffee machine
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts
How to clean my Coffee Maker– A Maintenance Guide for Coffee Lovers
Coffee Makers make the task of brewing simple and easy! It is a kitchen gadget for most coffee lovers that they can rely on for their early morning coffee dose.
It is an excellent start to any day, especially when receiving freshly brewed coffee’s aroma permeating the air.
Coffee makers are therefore treasured gems to us coffee lovers.
Therefore, you must properly maintain them. It will last much longer and serve you decadent cups of the best brews with the correct maintenance. If you’re like me, then delicious cups of coffee will enhance your mood throughout the day.
Aside from that, coffee makers are efficient kitchen aids that make life easy.
It is essential to know how to clean a coffee maker to ensure longevity, as most rely on them. I believe that because a coffee maker produces delicious cups of liquid gold, they are treasures that should be maintained.
Have a look below and find out how easy the job of cleaning a coffee maker is. The options below are simple and easy to do, so let’s get cleaning!
The importance of cleaning your coffee maker
A recent study has confirmed that your coffee machine, if not properly cleaned, can become a health hazard due to the Bacteria that sets in. Do not procrastinate when it comes to cleaning the machine.
We have all recently realized that it is not wise to gamble with our health.
Telltale signs that your coffee machine is dirty:
- You will notice that the machine will lose its original glow. It no longer looks as appealing to the eye as it should.
- The taste of coffee will differ from a cup made in an excellent clean machine.
- The temperature of your beverage will be more tolerant than usual.
- The flow of the water will no longer be smooth running.
How to clean my Coffee Maker Step by Step ?
In a few easy steps, we will attempt through this article to show you how to clean your coffee maker using a simple homemade cost-effective solution. Make sure to allocate time to clean your machine.
The particular vinegar solution needs time to work, so, you might have a bit of a wait before your next fix. Plan well, so your next fresh brew is vinegar free!
You will need:
- Freshwater
- white vinegar.
- Toothpick
- a soft, clean cloth
Please note that the machine’s type and size do not matter, as this solution will work wonders on any appliance. Should the build-up be thick, you can increase the vinegar quantity to the water.
It will not affect the coffee machine in any way.
Steps to Follow
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
- Start by filling the reservoir with the mixed solution.
- You can use the toothpick to remove excessive grime from around the grooves of the machine.
- Allow the solution to brew and let it soak for a while. You will need to add your coffee filter to the basket and switch on the machine.
- Keep a careful watch. At about halfway through the boil, turn off the device.
- Now let the machine rest for around an hour, allowing the solution to work in both the carafe and reservoir.
- Depending on how dirty the machine is, your resting time might differ. While the device is resting, use the toothpick to remove excessive grime in and around the grooves. Remove the paper filter, throw it out, and discard the vinegar solution.
- To flush out the strong vinegar taste and smell, fill the reservoir with fresh, clean water.
Put a clean filter and turn it on to complete a brew cycle. You will need to repeat this process twice.
You may now wipe clean your coffee maker and the pot with a soft, damp cloth. Wipe off with a dry clean, soft cloth to bring back the original shine. Your machine is now clean.
Additional Information to Maintain Your Coffee Maker
Please take note of the “Clean Light” message which is a reminder that your machine needs a clean. You could purchase a descaling solution from your local supermarket or the manufacturers of your coffee machine.
Follow the instructions carefully on your product bottle. It will ensure you use the product best for optimum results.
A cost-busting and just as effective solution to descaling is to use white distilled vinegar. Other types of vinegar will not work.
How to Flush Your Coffee Maker
Follow careful cleaning instructions from the instruction manual. If you use the vinegar solution, remember that this solution will be piping hot, so be careful when pouring it out.
The cycle is complete when the little light flickers and the word ‘flush’ appears on the display screen.
You can now refill the reservoir with clean tap water. Once the carafe is empty, place it back under the brew basket. Make sure that it is filled up to the Max Fill Line. It is a cleanout flush, so there is no need to use anything other than water.
Begin a new clean cycle, throw out the water and repeat the water flush process. It would help if you did it twice a week. It ensures that all remnants of the descaling solution or vinegar have left, ensuring that your next brew will be hot, fresh, and tasty.
Other Cleaning Solutions for your Coffee Maker
- Add 250mls of lemon juice and 250mls of water to the reservoir and allow to brew. Concentrated, store-bought, bottled lemon juice will work perfectly well.
Lemons contain acid, which helps break down and kill mold, bacteria, and mineral deposits. If the build-up is mild, dishwashing soap and warm water will help keep the carafe clean and sparkling.
You should give it a quick stir in the carafe and allow it to so sit for a few minutes. Then wash and dry with a soft cloth.
- For stubborn stains, you may try using baking soda and water paste and allow that time to work.
It should soak for sixty minutes before washing, and again, a soft, damp cloth to wipe is your best friend when you want to keep glassware fingerprint-free! Salt may be used as a scrub of sorts.
- Mix 15mls of table salt with 15mls of water and some crushed ice. Use a cloth to rub this compound over the stained carafe, then wipe off and wash and dry. Some people prefer to use Apple-sider vinegar as it is not as harsh smelling; however, it is not as acidic; therefore, white vinegar is better.
Tips for buying and maintaining a coffee machine
Think carefully and assess your needs before purchasing your coffee maker. It is essential to make sure the use of the coffee maker fits your lifestyle. Look at the space it fits in your home and how accessible it is to clean often.
Remember, most lids flip on the top, which is that convenient for changing filters, etc.
Some carafes need to be hand-washed, and you may not have the time for that daily, then maybe look at models with dishwasher-safe pots. While on carafes that work for you, newer models come with stainless steel thermal carafes.
It will ensure your coffee is hotter for longer, but this type of carafe needs special care.
Cleaning a stainless vessel of this sort includes pouring half a cup of baking soda into the carafe. Then, top it up with hot water, and let it sit for five to seven minutes.
After that, you should give it a scrub with a brush, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Once cleaned, if you are not a regular coffee drinker, store the completely dry unit away in its box or cover it with a cloth. Ensure that it is unplugged.
Regular coffee drinkers should take caution not to allow any dust particles to settle to ensure the unit is always sparkling!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pure vinegar for more effectiveness?
Vinegar diluted in water is just as effective. We do not recommend using vinegar alone as it may cause long-term damage to the materials.
Can I remove lime stains with bleach?
We strongly advise against using bleach to clean food appliances. Bleach is harmful to your health and will not be effective in removing limescale stains.
I clean my coffee maker with dishwashing liquid, is that enough?
The washing-up liquid allows to degrease the surfaces without damaging the material and for a regular maintenance, it is of course adapted. When it comes to descaling the machine or cleaning a dirty coffee maker, washing-up liquid is not enough.
Our Final Thoughts
Indeed, most of us cannot function without our daily fix of coffee. So, we must clean and sanitize the unit regularly to ensure we can enjoy it.
It takes a bit of time and simple white distilled vinegar, a flush out. We can enjoy this marvelous piece of equipment and a tempting cup of coffee.
While caring for our coffee makers is a must, it is also essential to choose one that serves its purpose. The best is a machine that makes your kitchen look fancy and elegant.
We all like beautiful, sleek appliances in our kitchen, and choosing a suitable coffee machine can be an added asset to the kitchen’s outlook.
