Coffee has become a staple that accompanies almost every meal and is used by most folks as a way to sustain energy throughout the workday. It is the most popular breakfast drink in the world and for good reason.
Coffee makers are the ultimate way to enjoy a convenient coffee experience. But do you know how to clean a moldy coffee maker if that happens to you? Let’s take a look.
Coffee Makers: The Basics
Coffee machine manufacturers have been honing and perfecting their designs for over 30 years. They strive to make their coffee brewers as straightforward and easy to use as possible.
Coffee machines, as the name suggests, are household appliances that are used to brew coffee. There are many different models and types of coffee machines available today, and each one uses a different brewing principle.
However, the more common machines use a similar principle of placing ground coffee onto a metal or paper filter within a funnel. This is then set over a coffee pot that is made from glass or ceramic.
When you remove the top of your coffee machine, you will notice three main features:
A reservoir houses the water that you pour into the device at the start of the coffee brewing process. There is also a hole at the bottom of the bucket that a tube moves through.
A white tube leads upward from below the base of the reservoir. This tube carries hot water up toward the drip area.
Finally, there is a type of shower head to which water arrives from the white tube. The water then escapes the shower head and is sprayed over the ground coffee. In some coffee machines, the water escapes from the tube itself, rather than the showerhead, onto a perforated disc known as the drip area.
Removing Mold From Your Coffee Maker
Most standard modern coffee makers are prone to numerous issues that can negatively influence the flavor of the coffee that they produce. Dust, mold, and other contaminants can accumulate inside hard-to-reach places and can pollute your coffee.
Because the nature of coffee makers makes them always subject to moisture, they are the ideal breeding ground for mold to grow and live.
Having a moldy coffee maker does not mean that you need to go out and buy a new one. However, the mold can be challenging to eradicate depending on the model of your machine and how long it has been moldy.
Here are some steps to follow in order to remove mold from your coffee machine:
Step 1
Remove and wash any detachable components of your coffee maker. For most models, this includes the filter tray, as well as any reusable filters.
To clean them, use some dish detergent and a cloth to scrub down the individual components.
Step 2
Wipe down the outer parts of your coffee machine with the cloth and dish detergent. Make sure that there are no mold spores or dust on the machine’s exterior.
If you are able to, scrub inside of the water reservoir, too. Keep in mind that specific models do not have a large enough reservoir to accommodate this.
Step 3
Fill the coffee pot with half white vinegar and half water, then place the filter back inside of the coffee machine. Note that you do not need to put another filter into the tray.
Step 4
Pour the vinegar and water solution into the coffee machine’s water reservoir, and then place the pot into the machine. Set it to brew to allow the solution to run through the coffee machine.
Once the brewing cycle has been completed, allow the solution to sit in the coffee pot for about 10 minutes.
Step 5
Pour the solution out of the coffee pot. Make sure you rinse the coffee pot with clear water before you make coffee to ensure that there is no more vinegar and water solution inside the pot.
You may need to do this three or four times to be thorough.
How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Machine?
You should clean your coffee machine using the above method at least once a month, regardless of whether or not it is moldy. Be sure to take a look at your machine’s user manual for additional information on how to clean and maintain your brewer.
It is not a good idea to place any part of your coffee machine, or the coffee machine itself, into a dishwasher. You should also leave the lid off when your device is empty and not in use to allow the interior to dry completely.
This will help avoid the accumulation of bacteria and germs that cause mold, which has a negative impact on the taste of your coffee.
Tips For Using Your Coffee Machine
There are some things you can do to make sure that you are getting the best possible cup of coffee every time. The first, and most important, is to keep your coffee maker clean.
The second is to always use a medium grind. Most auto-drip coffee machines were designed to be used with a medium grind, though the optimal grind may vary.
Lastly, always brew a full pot, regardless of how many cups of coffee you plan on pouring. Your coffee machine’s reservoir and brew basket are manufactured to accommodate the machine’s maximum capacity.
Anything less will cause the machine to run inefficiently.
Final Thoughts
We’ve learned that cleaning your coffee machine of mold is not as gross as it sounds. Follow the steps above, and your coffee machine will be in tip-top shape in no time.
