How to Clean Drip Coffee Maker

Fig.1 Vinegar and 
coffee maker

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Dish soap
Dry towels\
Sink 
Toothbrush (old) 
Vinegar 1-gallon

We are coffee people, we grind our fresh coffee beans everyday. We enjoy our coffee in the morning, with our breakfast and listening to the news before we start our day. That the reason we maintain our coffee maker monthly. Removing minerals (decalcifying) from the coffeemaker makes the coffee feel fresh. Minerals in water will leave deposits within the coffeemaker and will slow the brewing process.

This post shows the six steps on how to clean a common coffee maker.

Let review the parts of the coffee maker:

• Filter Basket Lid
• Water Reservoir
• Water Windows
• Pause ’n Serve
• Cord Storage
• Warming Plate
• Control Panel
• Glass Decanter
• Removable Filter Basket
• Shower Head (drip system)

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the solution of four cups of white vinegar and water will rid the coffeemaker of these minerals. The empty glass decanter back in the unit, centered on the warming plate.
Step 2: Fig.2 shows the removed coffee basket from the the coffeepot.

Fig.2 Coffee basket

Step 3: Fig.3 shows the twelve cups of vinegar solution and water through the coffeemaker.

Fig.3 Water and vinegar

Step 4: Fig.4 shows the cleaning solution used in fig.5 to fig.6 to clean the glass decanter and its parts and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Fig.4 Soap

Step 5: Fig.5 through fig.7 shows the washed glass decanter, decanter lid and the filter basket washed in dish soap and water. Rinse until all soap is removed from the glass decanter.

Fig.5 Toothbrush

Fig.6 Wash the 
glass decanter

Fig.7 Coffee grind cover

Step 6: Fig.8 shows the full decanter back on the coffeemaker, centered on the warming plate. Begin brewing and allow the full brew cycle to complete.  

Repeat Steps 2 through 6 three more times. Your coffeemaker is now clean and ready to brew the next pot of coffee! The job is finished, the vinegar has done the job and removed the coffee oil. The last step is to wipe down the heating element that the glass coffee pot sits to stay hot. Use a clean towel to clean up any spills that happened during the cleaning process. Now you can enjoy a clean cup of delicious coffee.

Fig.8 Job Finished

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