1. Better Tasting Coffee
No one wants last month’s leftovers in today’s coffee, so make sure to clean your coffee maker every 30 days. Oil residue from coffee beans can build up; cleaning prevents off-flavors from affecting your coffee.
2. Your Coffee Maker Lasts Longer
Regular cleaning prevents water mineral deposits, which can shorten a coffee maker’s life, from building up in the heater.
3. Speedy Brew Times
Calcification from hard water can build up in the heater pipes, insulating them so the heater takes longer and increases brew times. Cleaning fixes this.
4. Clean and Dry
Discard wet grounds after brewing and don’t let them sit in the filter basket all day. Leave the lid up to after a washing to ensure a clean, dry environment.
5. Coffee Windows Won’t Lie
In some coffee maker reservoirs or coffee pots, there is a coffee level window showing how many cups of coffee are left. Regular cleaning prevents you from thinking there’s coffee left when there isn’t.
6. Shine On
Tannins in coffee can cause brown stains to build up on the interior of coffee pots. Regular cleaning keeps pots looking shiny and new.
7. Office Mugs Aren’t Different
A quick rinse doesn’t clean out the oil residue from daily coffee drinking. Send it through the dishwasher or wash it with hot, soapy water. If it’s still sporting coffee rings, mix equal parts of baking soda and water into a paste and scour the stains prior to washing.
8. Buffy the Stain Slayer
The appearance of your appliances can affect the overall look of your kitchen. Keep your kitchen looking sparkly and new by rubbing down the outside of your coffee maker.
9. Clean Hidden Parts
Don’t forget to clean all the pieces hiding inside your coffee maker. Clean the brew basket, any permanent filters, the drip tray and the hot plate. Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher safe.
10. If It Looks Good, You Look Good
Have you ever visited a friend with a moldy coffee maker? It makes for awkward conversation, so keep your coffee pot clean. When guests go to brew coffee, you’ll look like a domestic goddess.
The Ultimate How-To Guide
How to Clean the 2-Way FlexBrew® Coffeemaker
To clean 2-Way FlexBrew® Coffeemaker, select the carafe side.
Pour ½ cup plain white vinegar and ½ cup cold water into the water reservoir.
Press the ON button. After 30 seconds, press OFF to stop the brewing process. Wait 30 minutes.
Press ON again and complete the brewing process with the vinegar and water mixture. Press OFF when finished. Run 2-3 more brew cycles with clean water only, allowing the machine to cool between cycles.
How to Clean a Traditional 12 Cup Coffee Maker
To clean standard coffee makers, pour ½ cup plain white vinegar and ½ cup cold water into the water reservoir. Press the ON or BREW button. After 30 seconds, press OFF to stop the brewing process. Wait 30 minutes. Press ON again and complete the brewing process with the vinegar and water mixture. Press OFF when finished. Run 2-3 more brew cycles with clean water only, allowing the machine to cool between cycles.
How to Clean the Hot Plate
If there are stubborn stains on the hot plate, lay a wet paper towel over the cooled plate to soak until stains are softened. Remove and wipe clean.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Exterior
Wipe with a damp cloth in the direction of the metal grain. Buff with a dry, soft cloth to achieve a brilliant shine.
