How to Clean Your Coffee Maker in Just 30 Minutes

The average daily consumption of coffee is three cups, according to the National Coffee Association. Therefore, you must be able to clean a coffee maker. Americans may appreciate smudge-free stainless steel appliances, but they dislike cleaning the one that wakes them up each morning. Consider that you probably wash dishes, take a shower, and brush your teeth immediately before or after using your coffee machine, so it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to deal with soapy water. Before you dismiss routinely cleaning your coffee maker as unnecessary, you should be aware that your unwashed brew buddy can become quite filthy. According to a widely cited study by NSF International, fifty percent of these caffeine incubators contain yeast and mold due to their “warm and moist environment,” which can intensify the bitterness of your brew at best and trigger allergic reactions at worst. The study found that coffee makers are among the top 10 germiest items in the home, alongside sponges.

Don’t throw away your coffee machine just yet. Once you’ve taken the time to run clean water through the coffee maker, you won’t have to worry about the unpleasant coffee residue that can ruin an otherwise excellent cup of coffee. Christopher Peacock, founder and CEO of an eponymous design firm in New York, begins his day with an Americano — black, no sugar — followed by an espresso in the afternoon, and is aware of the importance of regularly cleaning a coffee machine. “After each brew, I clean a regular drip coffee maker with hot water and dish soap,” he says.

Continue reading for more simple tips on how to clean your coffee maker’s detachable parts, filter, and exterior, so that each cup of coffee is a true energy boost and not a dose of germs.

How should the inside of a coffee maker be cleaned?
If you still have the manual booklet, you should begin there if you own a coffee machine. Peacock recommends a daily cleaning with fresh water from the faucet’s hand spray, a soft brush, soap, and a clean cloth for those without paperwork. Once per month, a cleaning solution comprised of white distilled vinegar eliminates mineral deposits through a deep cleaning.

How do I disassemble the coffee machine?
After you’ve finished your morning coffee, remove the carafe (or coffee pot), lid, and filter from the machine’s base. You know that the coffee maker will not be cleaned until after you’re fully awake. Wipe the bottom and warming plate clean, removing any drips that could cause coffee stains. Next, empty the majority of the coffee grounds from the filter basket into the garbage or compost bin, and then rinse the remaining grounds and oily residue in the sink. Cleanse the coffee pot and lid with dish soap and water, and allow them to dry naturally. If cleaning your coffee maker every day seems like too much work, you can run these parts through the dishwasher. Ensure that the coffee maker is dishwasher-safe.

How often must I run vinegar through my coffee machine?
A warm and humid environment is a breeding ground for icky bacteria and mold, and a monthly rinse with white vinegar or lemon juice can prevent your coffee maker from becoming one of the germiest spots in your kitchen. However, this is not the only reason for utilizing white vinegar. Over time, mineral deposits from hard water and calcium can clog the coffee machine, slowing the rate at which coffee drips into the coffee pot. Put this deep clean on your calendar to ensure that your machine is here for the long haul and not competing with a Keurig and K-cups.

Read more • architecturaldigest.com