Drip filter coffee makers need to be cleaned monthly to remove hard water deposits (scale), leftover coffee oils that become rancid, and other impurities. Washing the pot just isn’t going to cut it: what about the internal components? Follow these steps to clean your coffee maker through and through and you’ll taste the difference.
Step One
Make a mixture of 3 cups white vinegar to 6 cups water– enough to fill the pot. For a stronger solution (which might be necessary if this is the first time you’ve cleaned your coffee maker since you got it three years ago) make a mixture that is half vinegar and half water instead. Here are some alternative mixtures: a pot’s worth of water and two denture tablets. Remember to dissolve the tablets in a separate container of water and not the coffee maker water reservoir. Undissolved tablets can make the rinsing process lengthy. dissolve 1 oz of citric acid in 4 cups of hot water, then add 4 cups of cold water to the mixture. store-bought coffee maker cleaners straight bleach (for the glass carafe only) will instantly dissolve baked-on coffee. Never mix bleach and vinegar or any acid; the fumes are poisonous. Do not use baking soda and warm water; this mixture can clog and ruin your coffee maker! You can resolve this issue by running white vinegar through the coffee maker with 75% success rate
Step Two
Put a filter in your coffee maker, as usual.
Step Three
Pour the mixture into the coffee maker where you would normally add water.
Step Four
Turn the coffee maker on and let the mixture run completely through.
Step Five
Discard the filter and mixture.
Step Six
Let the coffee maker sit and cool for 15 minutes while it’s off.
Step Seven
Rinse the coffee pot.
Step Eight
Repeat all of the above a second time, but this time with plain cold water. This will make sure all of the vinegar and water solution is completely gone. If short on time, smell the coffee pot and maker after the first rinse. If there is no smell of vinegar left, you can skip the second rinse.