If you rely on that first cup of coffee in the morning to kickstart your brain, having a dependable home coffee maker is essential. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your coffee maker running smoothly. We consulted professional cleaners and baristas to learn the best cleaning practices for popular coffee maker models.
Keurig:
The Keurig is known for its convenience, but it requires regular cleaning to maintain its performance. Clean the exterior with a soft, damp cloth to remove coffee drips. Dispose of used pods and rinse the water chamber regularly. For a deep clean, descale the internal components like the water reservoir and brewing chamber once a month to prevent bacterial buildup. Refer to the user manual for specific cleaning instructions.
Drip Coffee Maker:
Mineral deposits and coffee oils can build up in a drip coffee maker over time, affecting the taste and efficiency of the machine. Regular cleaning is crucial to prevent clogs and malfunctions. The frequency of cleaning depends on usage – clean it monthly if used daily, or every two to three months for less frequent use.
Nespresso:
Similar to Keurigs, Nespresso machines require daily cleaning of the water compartment and disposal of pods. Wipe off any residue with a damp cloth. Descaling every two to three months is recommended to remove calcium deposits. Consider your tap water hardness when determining how often to descale. Each Nespresso model has specific descaling instructions.
Manual Coffee Makers:
For those who prefer manual coffee makers, such as French Presses, cleaning expectations differ. French Presses typically consist of a glass or plastic carafe with a metal and mesh plunger.
The French press is beloved by many for its ability to create rich, intense coffee with a variety of flavor notes. However, in order to maintain that delicious taste, it’s crucial to clean the equipment after each use. Paulo Filho, the owner of Celestial Cleaning Service, emphasizes the importance of preventing oil buildup in the French press to avoid a bitter and unpleasant taste. To clean the French press, simply discard the grounds, disassemble the plunger, and use warm water and mild dish soap to clean each part thoroughly.
Pour-over coffee-making is a popular choice among baristas for its complex flavor profile, despite not being as quick as other methods like Keurig or drip coffee makers. There are various types of pour-over coffee makers available, from the elegant Chemex to more functional options like the Hario V60 or Kalita Wave Dripper. Chi Ip, owner of Tidy Here Cleaning Service, suggests cleaning the carafe and pot after every use with hot water, gentle dish soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. It’s essential to change disposable filters after each use, while reusable filters should be changed monthly or bi-monthly, depending on usage. For metal filters, regular cleaning with soap and water is recommended to prevent the accumulation of coffee oils and minerals that can affect the coffee flavor.
The Aeropress is a convenient plunger-style coffee maker favored by those on the go. Cleaning expert Justin Carpenter notes that the Aeropress is easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance. Simply dispose of the filter or rinse and reuse it, and rinse the plunger with warm water after each use.
The moka pot, a stovetop metal carafe that brews coffee or espresso using pressurized steam, is another popular brewing method. While the moka pot can be cleaned with gentle dish soap and warm water, some believe in the theory of never using a cleaning solution on it. Anne Ruozzi, co-founder of Therapy Clean, shares a story about her aunt in Northern Italy who preferred to maintain a coffee patina inside her moka pot. She rinsed it with water after each use and allowed it to air dry to prevent bacterial growth, emphasizing that the darker the patina, the better. It’s advised not to remove the coffee film with soap or hands to maintain the coffee flavor.
Film adds richness to the flavor of coffee. Who knew!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
