If the coffee no longer tastes, as usual, the coffee machine is often dirty. This is one of the reasons why you should clean your coffee machine at regular intervals. IN this article, we read about How to clean coffee maker?
Table of Contents
1. General tips for cleaning coffee machines
Use can cause dirt to build up in coffee machines, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold in the worst-case scenario. The ideal conditions for this include the warm temperatures during use and the prevailing moisture in the individual components. On the one hand, this can affect the taste of the coffee and to clean coffee maker, on the other hand, be harmful to health in extreme cases. In addition, coffee machines can be damaged by heavy soiling.
It is therefore essential to regularly clean the coffee machine of impurities.
2. Clean the filter coffee machine
Filter coffee machines are usually easy to clean due to their most simple technology. Items to clean include:
- Filter holder
- Coffee pot
- Hotplate
- Water tank
- Hot water outlet
Many of the components can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning. Alternatively, you can rinse the filter holder, the coffee pot, and the water tank – if they are removable – remove any cleaning agent residues with running water and then dry them off before you put the coffee machine back together.
Note: Always pull out the power plug when cleaning your coffee machine!
On the other hand, if the water tank is permanently installed, you should wipe it out with a clean, damp cloth to remove any deposits. You can then dry it off with a lint-free cloth.
Many devices have drip protection on the filter holder. Nonetheless, dripping coffee can contaminate the heating plate and burn itself into it. As a rule, the brown stains can be removed with a damp, soft cloth and a little washing-up liquid.
Tip
Be careful not to use too much moisture and then rub the plate dry. Otherwise, water and cleaning agents can run under the heating plate and damage the coffee machine.
The area around the hot water outlet, from which the heated water enters the filter, can also become very dirty. This is where coffee powder is deposited that splashes upwards during preparation due to the dripping water.
Finally, it would help to wipe the outside of the housing with a damp cloth to remove dust and coffee stains.
3. Clean the pad machine
If you want to clean your pad machine or Senseo, you have to proceed differently depending on the device type. In general, the following parts are often affected by contamination:
- Hoses / lines
- Drip tray
- Cup tray
- Pad holder
- Coffee spout
- Water tank
In general, it is recommended that many coffee machines be cleaned for the first time before they are used. This is intended, for example, to remove any residues from production from lines.
To thoroughly rinse the Senseo pod machine, fill the water tank, insert it into the device, and press the button for one and two cups of coffee simultaneously. Note that this function may differ depending on the device to clean coffee maker. It would help to place a sufficiently large container under the coffee spout, as the entire water tank is used for rinsing.
Tip
Always leave a used coffee pod in the pod holder during this process. In this way, for example, limescale and similar deposits are caught by the filter paper and do not clog the fine sieve of the pod holder.
The individual parts of the device can usually be easily removed and rinsed. Often they are even dishwasher safe. If no more coffee comes out of the coffee machine, the pod holder may be clogged: Coffee fats or oils and powder residues, among other things, can collect in the fine holes. In this case, the use of a toothbrush is recommended. Stubborn clogs can also be removed with the tip of a sewing needle. To avoid this, you should rinse the pod holder briefly under running water after each prepared cup and, if necessary, run hot water through the Senseo for a cup without a pad.
The underside of the brewing chamber lid can be cleaned with a damp cloth as required and then dried to clean coffee maker. In addition, the water tank should be emptied and dried after use (for example, in the evening) to prevent the formation of bacteria or algae.
4. Clean the capsule machine
Cleaning a Nespresso and other capsule machines is usually simple:
- Clean the capsule cage (the opening in which the coffee capsule is placed) regularly.
- Do not leave used capsules in the coffee machine for an extended time. A collecting container for coffee capsules should also be emptied and cleaned daily. Otherwise, mold may form in it.
- If your Nespresso has a milk system, use the cleaning program to clean the relevant lines. In addition, a separate milk container should always be kept in the refrigerator and only be removed for a short time for preparation.
Tip
Please do not fill the milk container too full. Otherwise, the new milk may spoil in it.
5. Clean the coffee machine
Fully automatic coffee machines usually offer numerous functions and can prepare various coffee specialties. Due to the range of functions and the technology required for this, the cleaning of these coffee machines is usually more extensive.
So that the device can be kept clean as quickly as possible, you should make sure when purchasing that many individual parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. These include, for example.
- Water tank
- Drip tray
- Pulp container
- Milk system
Integrated cleaning programs start at the push of a button.
The daily cleaning of fully automatic coffee machines includes the machine’s cleaning or rinsing program, which is usually integrated. This removes residues from the hoses and lines. Suitable special cleaners can also be used for rinsing against stubborn dirt. Always observe the information provided by the manufacturer of your coffee machine and the cleaning agent.
Also read: how to make clear ice
