If you drink a lot of coffee, like I do, then you will need to clean your coffee maker once in a while. Yes, coffeemakers need cleaning just like anything else. There are commercial kits that you can buy specifically for certain brands of coffeemakers but you really don’t need those. If you are starting to notice a funny, stale taste, or a decrease in coffee temperature, then you are past due for a cleaning. Your coffee pot is probably dieing to be cleaned. There is no need to put off this chore because it is really simple and you don’t need anything more than ordinary tap water and some white vinegar.

What is so great about vinegar? Vinegar is a powerful acid, and works great to remove build-up inside your coffee pot. You may be tempted to use some sort of specialized or recommended cleanser, but nothing will really clean your coffee maker better than plain old vinegar. It does a great job of scrubbing out the insides and flushing out all of the gunk that is affecting the taste of your brew. To clean your coffee maker, just follow these easy steps.

Clean a Coffee Maker:

• Pour some white vinegar into the water reservoir of your coffee pot. Make sure to fill at least half way with vinegar and then top off with water.
• Make sure there is no coffee or filter still left in the filter basket. Empty if necessary, then put a filter in the basket.
• Run the coffee maker as usual, then turn it off and let it sit for about ten minutes.
• Empty the used vinegar and then repeat the cleaning process one more time with fresh vinegar and water.
• After letting it sit for another ten minutes, fill the coffee maker with plain water and run it as usual. This process will flush out any vinegar residue left in the system.
• Repeat rinse cycle with fresh water until vinegar taste and smell is gone.

Cleaning the Outside:
After cleaning the inside, you should wipe down the outside of your coffeemaker as well. If you have a white coffee maker then this is especially important, but just because you can’t see the dirt, doesn’t mean it’s not there. White coffeemakers really show the coffee stains, but all coffee makers get them. Wipe down the whole machine using a damp cloth, making sure not to miss the part where the coffee drips out. This part of your coffee machine can get really dirty because grounds stick to it and make a real mess. The best type of cloth to use would be a microfiber cloth, but any would do.

The filter basket and glass carafe should also be cleaned as well. You can put the pot and basket in the dishwasher, or use soap and water to hand wash. Lime deposits can form on the inside of your carafe. Usually they can be scrubbed away but for really stubborn stains or burned coffee use some Quick n Brite. Simply pour a small amount of the liquid concentrate into the carafe and let it stand for a few minutes. The burned crust and stains will come loose and you can then wash the pot clean.

Cleaning your coffee maker like this at least once a month, or more often if you’re a caffeine addict, will keep your coffee tasting fresh and delicious. Give it a try and you’ll be enjoying a great tasting cup of joe in no time.