How to Clean a Coffee Maker

Running hard water through your coffee equipment can cause mineral buildup and calcify your heating elements. If you’re looking to get the most out of your commercial coffee maker, then it’s important to make sure it’s properly cleaned. Cleaning your coffee maker will prolong its life span and improve the taste of your coffee. Follow our video and step-by-step instructions to get your coffee maker back in top shape, and don't forget to set up a water filtration system for your coffee equipment to cut down on mineral buildup in the future.

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How to Deep Clean a Coffee Maker Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions for How to Clean a Coffee Maker

• 1.

  Unplug the coffee maker.

• 2.

  Wipe down the machine with a damp towel. Once dry, plug it back in to begin the deliming process.

• 3.

  To delime your coffee maker, mix 10 oz. of lemon juice with 32 oz. of water.

• 4.

  Pour the mixture into the water reservoir.

• 5.

  Turn your coffee machine on as if you are brewing a pot of coffee.

• 6.

  Once your coffee machine has finished its brewing cycle, remove the machine's spray head.

• 7.

  Remove any residue that may block the holes in the spray head.

• 8.

  Insert a deliming spring into the opening where the spray head was. In a sawing motion, move the deliming spring back and forth about 5-6 times.

• 9.

  Wash the coffee filter with warm, soapy water. Then run two or three brewing cycles with plain water to remove any traces of lemon water solution.

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Coffee Maker Cleaning FAQs

Get answers to the most frequently asked coffee maker cleaning questions below:

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar

White vinegar is very effective for cleaning a coffee maker. You can sub white vinegar for lemon juice when you follow our step-by-step coffee maker cleaning instructions. To clean a coffee maker with vinegar, add equal parts vinegar and water to your machine's reservoir until it's full. Put a paper filter into your machine's empty coffee basket and put the pot into place. Brew the solution halfway and then turn off the machine. Let it sit for 30 minutes before turning the coffee maker back on and finishing the brew cycle. Dump the coffee pot before rinsing it and the basket out. Next, put a new paper filter into the basket and brew a full pot of clean water twice to remove all the vinegar.

How to Clean a Coffee Pot

Your coffee pot should be cleaned every day. You can clean your coffee pot by washing it in your three-compartment sink. Most commercial coffee pots are dishwasher safe but check with your manufacturer before running it through your dishwasher.

How to Descale a Coffee Maker

If you follow our step-by-step instructions for the best way to clean a coffee maker and your unit still shows signs of hard water residue and limescale buildup, then you'll need to add a rest period. Turn the coffee pot off mid-cycle and allow the lemon juice solution to rest inside your machine and carafe for one hour before completing the brew cycle.

How Often Should You Clean a Coffee Maker?

You should clean and delime your machine at least once every six months. However, if the water you use is extremely hard, you may need to clean it monthly.

Best Coffee Pot Cleaner

Both diluted lemon juice and vinegar are effective coffee pot cleaners. If you're looking for ready-to-use coffee equipment cleaning wipes, espresso equipment cleaners, and coffee equipment descalers, there are numerous commercial-grade coffee maker cleaning solutions available to you.

To uphold food safety standards, cafes must regularly clean their coffee shop equipment. Taking a few minutes to clean your coffee maker will improve the taste of your coffee. This is a simple way to improve your restaurant's coffee service.