Coffee makers can be a great way to start your morning or for entertaining guests when hosting. But if you don’t clean your coffee maker regularly, the machine can become caked with grounds and oil residue that will cause it brew an off-tasting pot of coffee. Keeping your coffee maker clean is essential for making good tasting coffee and getting the most out of its performance. Here are five coffee maker cleaners that you should consider using:
1. CLR Coffee Maker Cleaner – This cleaner is specifically designed to remove calcium deposits, rust and hard water residue from all types of drip coffee makers or single cup machines without damaging them. It comes in tablet form and uses a special formula to dissolve scale buildup on metal surfaces, keeping your coffee maker running smoothly.
2. White Vinegar – White vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaning agent and is effective at removing mineral buildup from the inner walls of coffee makers. Just fill the reservoir with cool water mixed with equal parts white vinegar, turn on the machine and let it run for about 10 minutes before discarding the liquid in the carafe.
3. Coffee Urn Cleaner – This cleaner is specifically designed to quickly break down hard water deposits, oils, dirt and other residues that can build up in larger coffee urns or commercial coffee makers. It’s available in powder form and you just have to dilute it into hot water before adding it to the machine’s reservoir.
4. Baking Soda – This popular kitchen ingredient is also an effective all-purpose cleaner for coffee makers. Just mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a quart of water and pour it into the machine’s reservoir. Turn on the machine and let it run for about 10 minutes before discarding the liquid in the carafe to remove any residual oils or odors.
5. Powdered Lemonade Mix – The citric acid in lemonade mixes can be used as an effective cleaning agent for coffee makers, just like white vinegar. Fill the reservoir with cool water mixed with equal parts powdered lemonade mix and turn on the machine to allow it to run for about 10 minutes before discarding the liquid in the carafe.
No matter which coffee maker cleaner you choose, regular cleaning will help keep your machine running efficiently for years to come. Coffee makers are a great way to get the most out of your mornings and make sure that you’re able to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee every time. Just remember to clean your machine regularly with one of these five cleaners in order to preserve its performance and taste over time.