Cleaning a coffee maker can be a tedious task, especially if you don’t know if you are doing it correctly. So, the question here is - do you know how to clean your coffee maker properly? Let’s look at the best ways to clean your coffee maker.
Why Do You Need to Clean Your Coffee Maker Regularly?
It is vital to clean your coffee maker regularly to remove any built-up residue or oils that can negatively affect the flavor of your coffee. If not cleaned, your coffee maker can even start to grow mold, and we don’t want that.
But don’t worry, cleaning your coffee maker is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. You can do it with water or a cleaning agent like lemon juice, baking soda, or dish soap. In addition, you should know that it’s essential to clean all parts of your coffee maker, whether an espresso machine, a Moka pot, or a drip coffee maker.
The best time to clean your coffee maker is right after you’ve finished using it – this way, you don’t have to spend as much time cleaning it. However, if you’ve let your coffee maker go for a while without cleaning it, no worries – a thorough cleaning will still get rid of all the built-up residue and oils.
How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Maker Thoroughly?
Now and then, you will need to clean your coffee maker in and out, even if you give it a quick wash after each use. How often you do that depends on your coffee maker, how often you make coffee in it and what type of beans you're using.
If you’re using a Keurig or other pod-based coffee maker, you should deep clean it every 2-3 months. If you’re cleaning your coffee maker with lemon juice, baking soda, or dish soap, do a deep clean once a month. If you own a French press, you should wash it thoroughly once per week if you’re making coffee in it every morning. Moka pots are a little more forgiving, as a quick rinse will get rid of all the dirt and only needs a deep clean every month or two.
How Do You Clean a Moka Pot?
As a Moka pot is a straightforward device, it’s also effortless to clean. It consists of three main parts, and in most cases, giving them a quick rinse will get rid of all the old coffee. However, you must ensure that there are no coffee grounds left in the safety valve as this can be dangerous.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker Daily?
Cleaning your Moka pot daily is a great way to ensure your coffee stays fresh and flavorful.
Cleaning your Moka pot with hot water is enough to remove any built-up coffee oils or residue. Simply fill your pot with hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a cleaning brush or cloth to clean off any remaining coffee oils or residue.
However, if you notice that your Moka pot is starting to build up coffee residue, you can soak it in a cleaning solution overnight. Mix equal parts water and vinegar (or baking soda) and place the pot in the mixture. In the morning, rinse off the pot with clean water and let it air dry. If you own a stainless steel Moka pot, you can use any sort of cleaning detergent you can find as it’s a tough metal, but we don’t recommend it for aluminum models.
If you have hard water, you may need to clean your Moka pot more often. This is because hard water can leave mineral deposits on the pot that can affect the flavor of your coffee. If you have hard water, the best you can do is clean your Moka pot with Borax and some hot water.
Thorough Coffee Pot Cleaning
Coffee Maker Cleaning with Lemon Juice
Cleaning a Moka pot with lemon juice is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the pot.
- Swish it around.
- Rinse it out with hot water.
How To Clean with Baking Soda
Using baking soda for cleaning your Moka pot is as simple as using lemon juice but can get better results. However, you should be careful with how much baking soda you use if you own an aluminum pot.
- Add about half a teaspoon of baking soda to the pot.
- Give it a good shake.
- Clean off what’s left with a toothbrush
- Rinse with hot water.
Using Dish Soap
You can effectively clean stainless steel Moka pots with dish soap. It is a popular choice because it effectively cleans grease and oils. First, fill the pot with water, add a few drops of dish soap, and leave for up to half an hour. Then, use a scrub brush to clean the pot, getting into all of the nooks and crannies. Last, rinse the pot well with hot water and dry it.
Using Borax
As mentioned above, Borax is the go-to solution for cleaning any stainless steel kitchen equipment if you have harder water. What’s also great about it is that it only takes a few minutes to get rid of all the annoying buildup.
- Mix a few tablespoons of Borax with warm water.
- Brew a round with the mix.
- Rinse it out with hot water.
Getting Rid of Grime with Salt and Ice Water
If your Moka pot is filthy and needs a deep cleaning, you can use salt and ice water to get rid of the grime. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill the pot with crushed ice and add a tablespoon of salt.
- Use a cleaning brush or a cloth to scrub off the grime.
- Rinse the pot well with hot water, then let it air dry.
How Do You Clean Your Espresso Machine?
Espresso machines make rich and strong espresso with loads of crema, making them a bit hard to clean. While they can also be a bit hard to take apart, you should be able to clean them pretty well at home without the need for any additional equipment. All you need is a cleaning agent like dish soap, baking soda, or vinegar.
How to Clean Your Espresso Machine Daily?
Cleaning your espresso machine daily is a great way to ensure that your coffee stays fresh and flavorful. You can usually do that with just hot water as it’s a great way to get rid of all stubborn coffee grounds or residue. Simply take the portafilter, wash it with hot water and enjoy a nice cup of coffee every day.
How to Clean Your Espresso Machine Thoroughly?
You will want to clean your espresso machine more thoroughly every few months, though. How complicated this is and how long it takes depends on your own model. However, you can usually do that by taking the portafilter and the water container and washing them with either dish soap or a cleaning solution of water and baking soda.
To make the baking soda cleaning solution, you need a tablespoon of baking soda and a teacup of warm water. Mix the two and put the portafilter in it for a few hours. Once they pass, take a brush and clean all the coffee that might be left.
When it comes to cleaning the water container - the process is the same. Once you have the mix, pour it into the water container and let it rest. Then, take a brush and clean off what’s left in an hour or two. Don’t forget to give it a good wash with water, so you don’t have any baking soda left, affecting the taste of your espresso.
How Do You Clean Other Coffee Makers?
How Do You Clean a Drip Coffee Maker?
A drip coffee maker is one of the most common coffee makers and is easy to clean. To clean your drip coffee maker, start by unplugging it and emptying any leftover coffee or water. Then, use a sponge or dishcloth to wipe the pot and carafe. You can also use a cleaning agent like vinegar, baking soda, or dish soap to get rid of anything left. Finally, make sure to rinse everything well with water afterward.
How Do You Clean a French Press?
A French press is a coffee maker that uses a plunger to brew coffee. It’s a popular choice for coffee lovers who want to make a single cup of coffee at home. To clean your French press, start by taking it apart and removing the plunger. Then, you will need to wash it, just like you wash any other kitchen equipment: with a bit of dish soap and some warm water. Here it’s also essential to rinse your French press well, so the dish soap doesn’t make your coffee undrinkable.
Cleaning a coffee maker is a simple process that only takes a few minutes and can help extend the life of your coffee maker. You should always clean all parts of your coffee maker after each use. This way, you can ensure that every round you brew will be just as good as ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Using Vinegar Bad?
Vinegar can be bad for washing a coffee maker because it can corrode the metal if there’s any aluminum in it and ruin the taste of the coffee. Therefore, it's essential to use a cleaning agent specifically designed for coffee makers or one that is not too strong for yours.
What Is the Best Way to Clean a Drip Coffee Maker?
The best way to clean a drip coffee maker is by using a cleaning agent like baking soda or dish soap. You can also use a sponge to wipe down the entire coffee maker. Make sure to rinse everything well with water afterward.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your coffee maker is a simple process that only takes minutes. And not only does it help extend the life of your coffee maker, but it’s also essential for the flavor of your coffee. So if you notice that it tastes different or want to give it an extra cleaning before guests arrive this weekend, follow our guide above on cleaning any coffee maker thoroughly! Shortly, all you need is some lemon juice, baking soda, dish soap, or salt and water to get rid of grime.
On that note, one of the most accessible coffee makers to clean is a Moka pot. Especially a stainless steel one. That is because stainless steel is a significantly tougher metal than aluminum; therefore, you can even wash some models in the dishwasher. So take a look at our high-quality stainless steel Moka pots and get yours now.