Frequentity of Coffee Maker Cleaning Sessions: What's the Recommended Interval?
For individuals who rely on that initial morning brew to ignite their cognitive functions, a trustworthy household coffee maker is an indispensable kitchen appliance. If you find yourself regularly utilizing your coffee maker, you might be pondering how often you should maintain this machine to keep it in optimal functioning condition. We consulted with a group of skilled cleaners and expert baristas to ascertain the ideal cleaning frequency for popular coffee maker models, as well as the specific cleaning processes required.
Keurig
The Keurig's enduring popularity stems from its user-friendliness, but given its more intricate composition compared to other coffee makers, users often question when it necessitates a thorough deep-cleaning. According to Juliana Rocha, owner of Amazing Maids, the Keurig exterior requires regular wiping with a soft, damp cloth to eliminate any coffee residue, while the interior necessitates disposing of used pods and giving the water chamber a thorough rinse. Additionally, it's crucial to perform a deep clean and descaling of the internal components, such as the water reservoir and brew chamber, once a month, as Rocha advises, to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and other contaminants. Refer to your Keurig's user manual for detailed descaling and cleaning instructions tailored to your specific model.
Drip Coffee Maker
Although some home coffee enthusiasts or office coffee addicts don't see the need to clean a conventional drip coffee maker beyond eliminating the filter and grounds after each brew cycle, Angela Lee, cleaning expert with Hellamaid in Ontario, Canada, emphasizes the significance of periodic cleaning. "Over time, mineral deposits from the water and coffee oils can accumulate in the machine, impacting the taste of the coffee and the machine's efficiency," Lee advises. If these deposits aren't regularly addressed, they can lead to clogging, potentially causing the machine to malfunction or cease functioning altogether. Lee suggests cleaning your drip coffee maker once a month if you use it daily, whereas infrequent users may only need to clean it every two to three months.
Nespresso
Similar to Keurigs, Nespresso machines can remain hygienic and operate efficiently with minimal daily cleaning, such as rinsing the water compartment and disposing of pods, along with wiping away any residue with a damp cloth. To maintain the pristine condition of your machine, discaling is recommended every two to three months, according to April Jamison, barista and founder of Br That Coffee. Descaling involves removing calcium deposits from the machine, so Jamison encourages considering the hardness of your tap water when establishing the descaling frequency. Each Nespresso model presents slightly distinct descaling instructions, but a comprehensive guide is readily available here.
Manual Coffee Makers
Digital coffee makers like the Keurig and Nespresso have gained significant popularity, but many still prefer manual coffee equipment powered by hand (or gravity). We've outlined the cleaning expectations for various popular manual coffee makers on the market.
French Press
The French press, featuring a glass (or plastic) carafe and a metal and mesh plunger, enjoys a loyal following due to its ability to produce rich, intense coffee with numerous flavor dimensions. In exchange for this robust taste experience, Paulo Filho, owner of Celestial Cleaning Service, indicates that French press owners must prioritize cleaning their equipment after each brew. "It's imperative to clean your French press after each use to prevent the buildup of oils, resulting in bitter, unpleasant coffee," Filho explains.
Cleaning process: Discard the grounds, disassemble the plunger, and clean each part with warm water and mild dish soap.
Pour-Over
Pour-over coffee-making is a favorite technique among professional baristas; despite being less efficient than the Keurig or even a drip coffee maker, the coffee produced through this method has a more complex flavor profile. Pour-over coffee makers are available in various forms, from stylish options like the Chemex to more functional designs such as the Hario V60 or the Kalita Wave Dripper.
If you're utilizing a pour-over setup that integrates a carafe or pot, as suggested by Chi Ip, the proprietor of Tidy Here Cleaning Service located in Boston, Massachusetts, her advice is to sanitize the carafe and pot following each utilization. This cleaning process can be facilitated with warm water, mild dish soap, and a delicate sponge or cloth. The majority of pour-overs necessitate the employment of paper or reusable filters. Ip emphasizes the importance of replacing disposable filters after each usage, and for reusable filters, she recommends swapping them out every month or two, depending on your coffee maker's frequency of use. For metal filters, she advocates for weekly cleaning with soap and water. The rationale behind these cleaning processes, as per Ip, is to deter the accumulation of coffee oils and mineral deposits, which can ultimately alter the taste of your coffee, as well as to maintain a steady stream of water flow, thereby preventing a sluggish infusion rush that may result in a bitter or subpar beverage.
Aeropress
The Aeropress, a compact, convenient plunger coffee maker, boasts popularity among its portable coffee enthusiasts. According to Justin Carpenter, a cleaning aficionado and founder of Modern Maids, this device is simple to maintain and clean, with an easy-to-follow process.
Cleaning instructions: Remove the filter (or opt to reuse it after rinsing) and clean the plunger with warm water post-use, according to Carpenter.
Moka Pot
The moka pot, a metal carafe that prepares coffee or espresso through pressurized steam on the stovetop, is another exemplary coffee maker. Despite being cleaning-friendly with gentle dish soap and warm water, there's a popular legend that advises against exposing the moka pot to cleaning solutions. Anne Ruozzi, the co-founder of Therapy Clean, sheds light on this Presumption: "There's a tale I once heard when staying at my aunt's house in Reggio Emilia, in Northern Italy. She was helping me do the dishes and I washed her moka pot, which was coated in coffee residue. I felt proud of the spotless finish I had achieved, only to learn that I had upset the entire family. It turns out that she had cultivated the coffee stains inside her machine for years. She believed that the darker, the better. After each use, she would simply rinse with water and leave it open to air dry, preventing the growth of bacteria. She advised against removing the oil-coated film from the coffee with soap or hands – that film is key to adding depth and richness to the coffee's flavor. Who knew!"
In the realm of Home and Cleaning and Housekeeping, Southern Living magazine often shares tips for maintaining various household appliances. For instance, Angela Lee, a cleaning expert from Hellamaid in Ontario, Canada, recommends cleaning your drip coffee maker once a month if used daily to prevent mineral deposits and clogging. Furthermore, those who own a Nespresso machine should perform a deep clean and descaling of the internal components every two to three months to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and other contaminants.
