Taking Good Care Of Your Coffee Maker

Cleaning a coffee maker isn't a "maybe" task, but rather an absolute must. To get great tasting java, you should clean your machine on a regular basis. Your coffee drinking guests will appreciate this as well. To learn how, keep reading.

Clean It Every Time

While you don't need to clean out the entire machine every time you make a pot of brew, you definitely need to clean out the pot and the filter holder. If you use a reusable metal or mesh filter, it should be thoroughly washed before being used again. Otherwise, leftover residue from staleness will be noticeable in the next brew.

Easy Soap, But Soap

Don't simply rinse your pot out with water. Coffee contains strong oils that can only be washed away with mild soap. Refrain, however, from using too much and make sure you rinse it out thoroughly to avoid a soapy taste on your next pot.

Remember, even if you're dumping out one pot and simply throwing on another, the leftover oils from the previous brew can taint the next and negatively affect the taste. So, wash your pot with gentle soap after every use.

Clean the Machine Every Few Uses

You should give your coffee machine a thorough cleaning at least periodically. Doing so will prevent the build-up of calcification, lime or other mineral deposits and keep the machine running at peak capacity.

Do a basic weekly cleaning by running a pot of water and vinegar or water and lemon juice through the machine once and following it up with a plain pot of pure water.

Then, once every few months or once a year, depending on how hard your water is, get rid of mineral deposits using a coffee machine descaler or decalcification solution.

Replace the Water Filter

If your machine has a built-in water filter, be sure to replace it as needed. A dirty water filter can taint every pot of coffee and deposit dangerous molds or bacteria that have built up inside the filter unit. This caution is no different from the changes you would make on any other water filter - for instance, in your refrigerator.

Replace Your Filter

If you use a reusable metal or mesh filter, consider replacing it about once a year. While metal or screen filters are designed to be washed and reused, fine grounds of residue can get stuck inside. This not only clogs the filter, but can also affect the overall taste of your java.

If the flavor of your drink is important and you don't want it to taste like it was made by a local auto shop, then some level of reasonable and minimal care must be given to your coffee maker.

Keeping a clean machine benefits you two ways - it will last much longer and your coffee will taste great pot after pot. Remember, wash it after every use, use gentle soap, rinse well, decalcify the machine regularly, and replace the water filter and your grounds filter on a systematic basis.

Clean Your Coffee Maker in 9 Easy Steps

Let's face it, we live in a dirty world. Dirt, dust, molds, bacteria...You name it, and it's out there. What's worse is that it's lurking in one of the most treasured, hallowed places on earth: Your Coffee Maker!

Test your coffee maker. Pour a clean pot of water into the reservoir and 'brew' it.

Now, taste the water. Does it taste like water? Or does it have a strange 'dirty' flavor to it?

Ok, so you know that your coffee maker is dirty. How do you clean it?

Here are nine quick, easy and inexpensive steps to clean your coffee maker with what you already have (most likely) on-hand.

What you'll need:

* Vinegar (regular distilled/white vinegar is best, but I've even used cider vinegar)
* Dish Soap
* Water

Nine steps to a clean coffee maker:

1. Fill your coffee pot with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts cold water
2. Pour the mixture into your coffee maker's reservoir and 'brew' the mixture
3. When the brewing is finished, let your coffee maker cool for 10 minutes
4. For coffee makers that are exceptionally dirty (you know who you are), repeat steps 2 and 3
5. Discard the vinegar mixture
6. Now, 'brew' two full pots of clean water letting the coffee maker cool for 10 minutes between each brewing
7. Wash the coffee pot with dish soap
8. Wash the filter basket (the basket comes out of some coffee makers making it easier to clean)
9. Finally, clean the outside of the coffee maker.

There you have it: Nine Steps to a Clean Coffee Maker...and better tasting coffee.

Now, celebrate! Brew a pot of coffee.

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