How to Clean a Coffee Maker



Yummy coffee starts with a clean machine.


Cleaning our coffee carafe is something we think about more often than our coffee maker. The carafe is seen more often....every time we pour a cup of coffee!

But the coffee maker isn't thought of as often. Yet, if the coffee maker isn't clean it can cause the coffee to taste badly or can cause the machine itself to function inadequately. Here's an inexpensive and chemical-free method, with a common household item! White vinegar. So let's get started!



Vinegar can be purchased at the grocery store.

STEP 1: Fill the carafe with one part white vinegar to two parts water.

STEP 2: Pour the vinegar & water solution into the coffee makers reservoir and turn the maker on to brew a pot.

STEP 3: Once the brewing cycle is complete, shut off the coffee maker and allow the vinegar solution to sit in the carafe for about 15 minutes. Dump water.

STEP 4: Using fresh water, fill the carafe again. Pour this water into the reservoir and 'brew' this water only through the coffee maker. (No vinegar solution) Shut off the coffee maker again and let the pot cool about 15 minutes.



I have a Gevalia coffee maker. Free with membership.


STEP 5: Repeat step 4, 'brewing' water only through the machine. Allow to cool 15 minutes before discarding water.



STEP 6: Clean the carafe by following the directions here.