Recommendations wanted

mouse

What's the best way to clean an automatic drip coffee maker? I know you can use vinegar, but do you use straight vinegar, or dilute it with water? How many times do you runi it through? Is there a better, non-vinegar way to clean one? Thanks!

rachel.elis

thanks for the reminder! i need to do this myself.

i did a google search and found a vinegar, and a non vinegar way.

non-vinegar (http://coffeetea.about.com/c/ht/01/06/How_Clean_Automatic_Drip0992699043.htm):

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>

How to Clean Your Automatic Drip Coffee Maker
From your Coffee/Tea Guide

Don't let your coffee maker get too scummy. If you treat it well, you will get better coffee.

Difficulty Level: Easy Time Required: 1 hour

Here's How:
In 4 cups of hot tap water, dissolve one ounce of citric acid.
Once dissolved, add 4 cups of cold tap water.
Pour the total 8 cups into the reservoir of your coffee maker.
Remove the coffee filter and turn on the machine.
Let about half (4 cups) of the solution to run through the machine.
Turn the machine off to stop the flow of the cleaning solution.
Let the machine sit for 20 minutes.
Start the coffee maker back up and allow the last half of the solution to run through.
To rinse, run 8 cups of cold tap water through until the water runs clear. It may take up to 4 rinses.


Tips:

To keep your machine in tip-top condition, clean it out once a month.
You can find citric acid in the grocery store, with the jam and jelly making supplies. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


vinegar (http://homeparents.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Clean_Coffee_Maker0962934266.htm):

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
How to Clean a Coffee Maker
From your Stay-at-Home Parents Guide

Clean your coffee maker every 2-3 months to keep it brewing smoothly.

Difficulty Level: Easy Time Required: 60 minutes

Here's How:
Remove and dispose of used coffee filter from filter basket.
Add vinegar to the water resevoir until 1/4 full. Fill with water until full.
Run the coffee maker.
Turn off the coffee maker; let cool for 10 minutes.
Run the vinegar and water mixture through the coffee maker again. Let cool 10 minutes.
Run plain water through the coffee maker; let cool 10 minutes, repeat.
Hand-wash the carafe and filter basket in soapy water.


Tips:

You can also wash the carafe in the dishwasher.
If the vinegar odor is still present after two rinsings, run more water through coffee maker. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

hth!

[ March 07, 2002: Message edited by: Rachel aka curlyroller ]

mouse

Thanks for doing the legwork, Rachel! Clean your coffee maker every 1-3 months? Hmmmmm, I think it might be time for a new coffee maker since I haven't cleaned mine in oh... ever! And I've had it for four years!

Well, at least I'll know how to clean the new one! Thanks again.