A major question that eventually pops into the mind of any coffee lover is how and when do they need to clean their coffee maker.
Just like any other frequently used kitchen appliance, it needs to be cleaned regularly.
Anything that comes into contact with food needs to be checked for mold, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens.
Skipping regular cleaning greatly changes the taste of your coffee, and can even end up making you sick.
Coffee is essentially a staple of the modern world. Turn any corner and there is some form of Cafe or coffee shop.
While everyone has their own preferences about how they get their cup, one of the still major groups are those who brew their own at home. A lot of people (about half of the United States) want to start their days with a nice warm cup of joe, and home brewing is one of the best ways to get that.
I will show you how to clean a coffee maker with baking soda in a simple, yet effective way.
How Often Do You Need To Clean It?
If you’re lucky enough to afford a more high-end appliance you may notice they may have their own clean filter/device indicator light.
Some even have a clean/descale program.
This will help you know when it’s time to clean it.
However, if you don’t have a device that does that automatically for you, you will have to keep track of it on your own.
My recommendation is once per month.
That’s how I do it.
How to clean it is a whole other situation.
Below I list the steps needed to clean your coffee maker with baking soda.
Why Baking Soda?
Baking soda is used because it’s not just sanitary but will also remove and suck any smells.
This helps retain the coffee’s original flavor.
It’s also naturally rough and somewhat abrasive, so it can more successfully rub and scrub off the stains from your coffee machine.
How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Baking Soda
- Remove any filters that come with your unit and put them to the side on a paper towel, as they may be wet
- Take the pot and fill it about 3/4 of the capacity with warm water
- Add about a 1/4 cup of baking soda. Stir vigorously until it dissolves
- If it’s not completely dissolved, you could risk a clump getting stuck in your coffee maker. This would be very annoying to deal with
- Take a dish brush or sponge, and gently scrub the insides of your pot.
- This will remove any nasty-looking stains and should help your pot look good as new
- Pour the mixture into the reservoir.
- Be careful to place the pot back under the spout when you finish (essentially like you were going to make a cup of coffee)
- Run your coffee maker on the standard-setting and let the mixture run through, cleaning up the stains and other grit
- Pour the waste out of the pot before it ends up staining it again
- This process can be repeated again for optimal results
- Fill the coffee pot with clean water, and run the machine again
- This will make sure that you got all of the baking soda out of the machine. Do it at least twice just to be safe
Things To Avoid
You always want to make sure you are only putting naturally non-toxic things into your coffee maker.
If you put something toxic like bleach there is a possibility that not all of it will be cleaned out, leading to possible poisoning.
Yikes!
Bleach also has slightly corrosive properties, so it’s best to avoid using this household cleaner.
It can ruin your machine and make you sick if not done properly.
Combination Methods
There are some other ways to clean your coffee pots, and I recommend what is best would be to combine this method with some of the other options.
Some of the other natural methods we’ve seen of removing bacteria, stains, and mold are some like using mixtures of vinegar and water.
This method helps sanitize the system and ensures that no harmful pathogens survive.
I recommend using the baking soda method first to get the more solid leftovers out, then using a solution of water and vinegar to sanitize the inside of the machine.
Let the mixture sit in the machine to make sure all the harmful bacteria are killed (this should be for around 20-40 minutes)
This is like a great way to combine the 2 methods. Getting the most out of both.
The Bitter End:
Pun intended, but in summary, this method can help get your coffee maker working like brand new.
Ensuring that every cup of coffee you brew is not only safe and pathogen-free but also has a rich flavor, clean of old coffee smells and tastes.
After all, what’s better than that morning cup of coffee? It’s always the best way to start your morning.
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What other things do you clean with baking soda?
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