You wash your dishes or your cutlery on a regular basis, right? So why not your coffee maker? The reality is that your coffee machine, along with the other appliances in your kitchen, should be cleaned frequently - especially if you use them often. And if you’re anything like us, then we’re willing to bet that you use your coffee machine on a daily basis. Below, we explain why it’s important to clean your coffee maker and outline the steps to do just that. 

Why is it important to clean your coffee maker?

There are multiple reasons for cleaning your coffee maker. First, doing so can ensure that you get the best possible flavor out of your coffee beans. If you’re brewing coffee in a dirty machine, it can actually impact the taste. 

A second reason to clean your coffee maker is that doing so can extend the shelf life of your machine. A neglected coffee machine typically won’t last as long as one that’s cleaned regularly. Even if the whole machine doesn’t break down, you will likely need to replace one or more of the parts. So to keep your coffee maker working more effectively and lasting longer, clean it often. 

Finally, experts recommend cleaning your coffee maker because it can lead to a faster brew. No one wants to wait 20 minutes for a cup of coffee in the morning, but if your machine has a buildup of residue, it can mean that it takes longer to brew coffee. 

4 Steps to Cleaning Your Coffee Maker

1. Clean all removable parts

Start with the easy bits. Whatever parts of your machine that are removable, take them off and clean them. Typically, this includes the coffee pot, filter basket, coffee pot lid, and the water reservoir. You can clean these parts how you would normally clean your dishes (with soap and warm water). In fact, some components might even be dishwasher-safe, but be sure to check the label. 

2. Run white vinegar through your coffee maker

The next step is to run a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water through your machine. The purpose of this is to rid your machine of hard minerals, which naturally build up over time. To get started, place the vinegar-water solution in the water reservoir. Run half through, then turn off your machine and let the solution sit for roughly half an hour, before brewing the rest through. For example, if you make a solution of vinegar and water that amounts to 6 cups, run 3 cups through, then stop the machine for 30 minutes, and then run the other 3 cups through. When the brew is complete, pour out the water.

3. Wipe down the outside of your machine

Now that you’ve thoroughly cleaned the inside of your coffee machine, it’s time to move onto the third step: cleaning the outside of your machine. Wipe down the outside oy our machine with a clean, wet cloth. Not only do coffee makers, like all appliances, collect dust, but coffee grounds can get stuck in the cracks and crevices. 

4. Run a couple of freshwater cycles in your coffee machine

The fourth and final step to cleaning your coffee machine is to run a couple of freshwater cycles through it. You can use tap water for this, and the purpose is to rinse any white vinegar residue from your machine. After a few runs, your coffee maker will be as good as new! Time to brew your 100% arabica beans from ColombianCoffee.us