The answer is yes, you can run vinegar through a coffee maker twice, but only if your machine is heavily scaled or stained. Otherwise, one cycle of vinegar followed by two cycles of water is enough to clean and descale your coffee maker.
If you love coffee, you probably use your coffee maker every day. But how often do you clean it? A dirty coffee maker can affect the taste and quality of your brew, as well as the performance and lifespan of your machine. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean and descale your coffee maker using vinegar, a natural and inexpensive cleaning agent.
Why You Should Clean Your Coffee Maker With Vinegar
Vinegar is a great choice for cleaning your coffee maker because it is acidic, cheap, and widely available. It can effectively remove the buildup of coffee oils, residues, and mineral deposits (also known as scale) from your machine’s inner components. These impurities can clog your machine, slow down the brewing process, and make your coffee taste bitter or sour.
Cleaning your coffee maker with vinegar can also prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and yeast in the moist environment of the leftover coffee grounds. These microorganisms can pose a health risk and contaminate your coffee. Vinegar can kill 99.9% of bacteria and 82% of mold and mildew, according to Good Housekeeping.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker With Vinegar
Before you start cleaning your coffee maker with vinegar, make sure to check your machine’s manual to see if the manufacturer recommends or warns against this method. Some brands may advise against using vinegar because of their machine’s metal parts. In that case, you can use a commercial descaling solution or soap and water instead.
If vinegar is safe to use for your coffee maker, follow these simple steps:
Empty your coffee maker and remove the carafe, brew basket, and permanent filter (if you have one). Wash them with hot soapy water or place them in the dishwasher. Remove the water filter too, if applicable. Then, replace the empty filter basket and carafe.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. The amount of vinegar you need depends on how much it takes to fill half the water reservoir. You can either mix the vinegar and water in the carafe or another container, or pour them directly into the reservoir.
If you use paper filters, place a paper filter in the brew basket. This will help to catch any debris or sediment that may come out of the machine.
Run your coffee maker through half of a drip cycle, stopping it when the vinegar-water mixture reaches the halfway point in the carafe. This will allow the vinegar to soak and dissolve the scale and residues in the reservoir and the water channel.
Let the vinegar-water mixture sit in the machine for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how dirty your machine is. You can also turn off the machine and unplug it for safety reasons.
Resume the brew cycle and let the rest of the vinegar-water mixture run through the machine. Discard the mixture and the paper filter, if used.
Fill the water reservoir with plain water and run it through the system for a full brew cycle. This will rinse out any remaining vinegar from the machine. Repeat this step at least once more to ensure that there is no vinegar taste or smell left in your coffee maker.
Wipe down the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth and dry it with a soft cloth. Reassemble the parts and enjoy your freshly cleaned coffee maker.
When to Run Vinegar Through Your Coffee Maker Twice
The general practice is to run vinegar through your coffee maker once, followed by two rinse cycles with water. But if your machine is heavily scaled or stained, you may need to repeat the vinegar step before the water rinses. This will ensure that you remove all the impurities and restore your machine’s optimal performance and flavor.
How do you know if your machine needs a second vinegar cycle? Here are some signs to look for:
Your coffee maker takes longer than usual to brew a full pot of coffee.
Your coffee maker makes loud or unusual noises during the brewing process.
Your coffee maker leaks or overflows during the brewing process.
Your coffee tastes bad, even after changing the beans, water, or filter.
You see white or brown flakes or stains in your coffee, carafe, or filter basket.
If you notice any of these signs, it means that your coffee maker is in need of a thorough cleaning and descaling. Running vinegar through your coffee maker twice can help to solve these problems and improve your coffee experience.
How Often to Clean Your Coffee Maker With Vinegar
The frequency of cleaning your coffee maker with vinegar depends on how often you use it and how hard your water is. Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate in your machine and form scale over time. Hard water can also affect the taste and quality of your coffee.
If you use hard water to brew your coffee, you should clean your coffee maker with vinegar once a month or more. If you use soft water or filtered water, you can clean your coffee maker with vinegar every two to three months or less. You can also use a water hardness test kit to measure the level of minerals in your water and adjust your cleaning schedule accordingly.
Tips to Keep Your Coffee Maker Cleaner Longer
Cleaning your coffee maker with vinegar is a simple and effective way to maintain your machine and enjoy better coffee. But there are also some things you can do to prevent your coffee maker from getting dirty or scaled in the first place. Here are some tips to keep your coffee maker cleaner longer:
Use filtered water or bottled water to brew your coffee. This will reduce the amount of minerals and impurities that can build up in your machine and affect your coffee’s flavor.
Empty the carafe and the filter basket after every use. Rinse them with water and let them air dry. This will prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and yeast in the moist coffee grounds.
Wipe down the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth and dry it with a soft cloth after every use. This will remove any spills or stains that can attract dust and dirt.
Store your coffee maker in a cool and dry place. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, heat, or humidity. This will prevent the machine from rusting or corroding.
Replace the water filter regularly, if your machine has one. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how often and how to change the filter. This will ensure that your water is clean and fresh for brewing.
Running vinegar through your coffee maker is a simple and effective way to clean and descale your machine. It can improve the performance and lifespan of your machine, as well as the taste and quality of your coffee. You can run vinegar through your coffee maker twice if your machine is heavily scaled or stained, but otherwise, one cycle of vinegar followed by two cycles of water is enough. You should clean your coffee maker with vinegar regularly, depending on how often you use it and how hard your water is. You can also follow some tips to keep your coffee maker cleaner longer and prevent it from getting dirty or scaled in the first place. By doing so, you can enjoy your coffee maker and your coffee for a long time.
