Having the right coffee maker in your home can make all the difference between a pleasant morning and one that you would rather forget, especially if you happen to love coffee. In fact, a lot of people go out of their way to try different types and flavors of coffee in their never-ending quest to find that special blend that tastes just right. If you happen to be one of these individuals, you might be interested to know some tips for effectively cleaning your coffee maker. Doing so on a regular basis will not only make your coffee taste much better, but it will also help preserve the life of the coffee maker itself. That, in turn, can save you a lot of money in the long run because you probably won't be required to go out and buy a new one nearly as often.
Everyday Cleaning
There is a better than average chance that you already take the time to wash and rinse out the carafe after each use thoroughly. This minimizes the residue that can sometimes collect on these types of surfaces, especially if you drink strong coffee. But while you are cleaning that carafe don't forget to remove the coffee grounds from the filter area and then use a damp rag to clean that area as well.
A lot of people have a tendency to forget this part, as they think that having the filter in place will prevent any of this residue from collecting. In reality, this residue collects just the same, and over an extended period, it can cause your coffee to taste strange. If it gets severe enough, it can even cause some of the residue to get into your coffee or even block the filter area all together so that it is essentially impossible for water to be pumped through the coffee grounds to make coffee in the first place.
Cleaning The Coffee Maker Itself
As far as cleaning the machine itself goes, you can do it one of two ways. There are commercial products that are available, which you can purchase in virtually any supermarket or discount store. They are designed to be utilized in the cleaning of the machine. Typically, this is a liquid that is poured into the tank just as you would pour water into it to make coffee. You then have to turn the machine on and allow it to pump through. Most products require that you do this once or twice each time you clean the machine. Make sure that you also run at least one or two full cycles of fresh water through the machine after you have used these products to ensure that there is no chemical residue left over. Your other option is to utilize vinegar. It cleans the machine just as effectively as the commercial cleaning products, but it doesn't require the use of harsh chemicals to do so. Simply pour the vinegar into the tank, turn the machine on and allow it to brew just as it would at any other time. After the coffee machine has cooled, run water through it a couple of times (just like you would when making coffee). Your coffee maker is now ready for use.
Typically, you should be sure to clean your coffee maker about once a month, but we at Out of Sight Cleaning recommend that with hard water you do it more frequently, as this can make it hard for the pump to function correctly.
If you clean your coffee maker regularly and you follow these tips, you can have coffee that tastes great whenever you want it. The best part is that it gives you a better chance to keep the coffee maker you love and not have to buy a new one. Otherwise, you could find yourself being forced to replace it every few months.