A coffee maker works hard every morning, and it rarely gets the care it needs. Coffee oils, old grounds and mineral scale from water build up inside the machine over time. The result is coffee that tastes flat, bitter or stale, and a brewer that runs slower and less evenly than it should. The good news is that cleaning a coffee maker is simple, cheap and quick once you have a routine.
This guide covers daily care, descaling with vinegar or a commercial descaler, the carafe and filter basket, and notes for single-serve and espresso machines.
Signs your coffee maker needs cleaning
- Coffee tastes more bitter, sour or “off” than usual, even with fresh beans.
- Brewing takes longer than it used to, or the machine sputters and gurgles.
- You can see white, chalky deposits around the water reservoir or showerhead.
- The carafe has a brown film that does not rinse away.
- There is a musty smell when you open the lid.
Daily care after every brew
A few seconds after each pot prevents most problems:
- Empty the grounds right away. Wet grounds left in the basket go stale fast and can grow mold.
- Rinse the filter basket and carafe in warm water. If you use a reusable mesh filter, rinse it until the water runs clear.
- Leave the lid open so the reservoir and basket can dry.
- Wash removable parts with warm soapy water at least every few days, or follow your manual if parts are dishwasher-safe.
How to descale a coffee maker with vinegar
Descaling removes the mineral scale that builds up inside the water lines and heating element, especially in areas with hard water. Many owners descale about once a month, and filtered or soft water means you can do it less often. Always check your manual first, since some manufacturers recommend their own descaling product and advise against vinegar.
- Mix the solution. Fill the reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Start a brew cycle with an empty filter in the basket.
- Pause halfway (turn the machine off) and let the solution sit in the machine for 30 minutes to an hour. This gives it time to loosen scale.
- Finish the cycle, then pour the solution away.
- Rinse with plain water. Run two or three full cycles of fresh water to clear the vinegar taste and smell.
If the scale is heavy, repeat the process before rinsing.
You will know it worked when the machine brews at its normal speed and the next cup tastes cleaner and fresher. On a single-serve machine, keep running cycles until the reservoir is empty (if the manual allows vinegar), then flush with plain water.
Using a commercial descaler instead
Citric-acid based descalers are made for coffee machines, have less smell than vinegar and are often recommended by manufacturers. Follow the dilution and rinsing steps on the package. Either way, the key step is the same: rinse thoroughly with clean water afterward.
Cleaning the carafe
Glass carafes collect a brown coffee film. Fill the carafe with warm water, a squirt of dish soap and a handful of ice with a little coarse salt, then swirl. The ice and salt scrub without scratching. For stubborn stains, a soak in warm water with a spoonful of baking soda helps.
Thermal stainless carafes cannot be scrubbed as easily. Soak them with hot water and a little baking soda or a denture-cleaning tablet, then rinse well. Avoid steel wool, which can scratch the interior.
Cleaning the filter basket and showerhead
The filter basket and the showerhead (where hot water drips onto the grounds) trap oils. Remove the basket if you can and wash it with soap. Wipe the showerhead area with a damp cloth or soft brush. If you use paper filters, see our guide to types of coffee filters for how paper, metal and cloth filters affect flavor and cleanup.
Single-serve and espresso machines
Pod and capsule brewers
Run a descaling cycle as the manual directs, usually with a dedicated descaling solution. Clean the needle that pierces the pod with a paper clip or the tool supplied, since trapped grounds can slow or block brewing. Wipe the pod holder and drip tray regularly.
Espresso machines
Espresso machines need backflushing (for machines that support it), regular cleaning of the group head and portafilter, and purging the steam wand after every use. The steam wand needs a wipe right after frothing before milk dries on it. Our guide to choosing an espresso maker covers how maintenance differs between machine types.
When cleaning is not enough
Sometimes a machine is past saving: it leaks, never reaches a good brewing temperature, or still tastes burnt after cleaning. Hot plates under glass carafes can also keep cooking the coffee. If you are shopping for a replacement, our guide to drip coffee makers explains what to look for.
A thermal brewer like the Bonavita 5-cup thermal coffee brewer skips the hot plate, and the Bonavita Enthusiast 8-cup brewer suits larger households. If you would rather have fewer parts to clean, a pour-over coffee maker with a stainless filter rinses clean in seconds and has no water lines to descale.
FAQ
How often should I clean my coffee maker?
Rinse removable parts after every use, wash them with soap every few days, and descale roughly monthly or as your manual recommends. Hard water calls for more frequent descaling.
Is vinegar safe for my coffee maker?
For many drip machines, yes, but some manufacturers recommend only their own descaler. Check the manual, and always run plain water through afterward.
Why does my coffee still taste like vinegar?
It needs more rinsing. Run another one or two cycles of fresh water, and wash the carafe and basket with soap.
Can I put coffee maker parts in the dishwasher?
Only if the manual says they are dishwasher-safe. Thermal carafes and some plastic parts should be washed by hand.
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Top image: Severin Coffeemaker, by Xanor, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons