How to Clean a Coffee Maker
A clean coffee machine makes great tasting coffee. Oils, residue, and hard water deposits can build up inside your machine, affecting both flavor and function.
Whether you have a Cuisinart coffee maker or a standard drip coffee machine, routine cleaning helps every cup taste as good as the first. You can clean your coffee maker with common household ingredients like vinegar or baking soda or by choosing specialized cleaning products. Many types of coffee makers can self-clean at the press of a button, which makes this process even simpler.
Why Cleaning Matters
When coffee oils and mineral deposits accumulate inside your machine, they can create bitter flavors and slow your brewing time.
Regular cleaning ensures:
- Better tasting coffee
- Longer machine lifespan
- Faster brew times
- Prevention of clogs and build-up
How to Clean a Cuisinart Coffee Maker
Cuisinart models vary, but many include a self-cleaning function.
1. Activate the Clean Button
If your model has a “Clean” button, fill your carafe with 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar, empty the carafe into the reservoir, then press and hold “Clean.” The light will blink to indicate it's working. Be sure to check the instructions within your coffee maker manual, which may recommend an additional fresh water cycle.
Manual Descaling Option
If your coffee maker does not have a clean function, simply run a normal brew cycle with the same ratio of 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar.
2. Clean the Charcoal Water Filter
Replace or rinse the charcoal water filter either every 60 days or after 60 uses. This keeps your water fresh and reduces mineral buildup.
3. Wash the Carafe and Filter Basket
Remove the carafe and filter basket to hand wash them with warm soapy water. For deeper stains, use a baking soda paste.
Cleaning Tips for All Coffee Makers
- Be sure to unplug your coffee maker before heavy cleaning.
- Clean and dry the water reservoir routinely. Many Cuisinart coffee machines have removable reservoirs for easy cleaning
- Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. As we make our daily cups of coffee, we sometimes splash milk or spill sugar. Make sure the exterior of the machine is also cleaned routinely, but be careful not to use abrasive cleaners or materials on your coffee maker.
- Clean or replace the filter basket regularly. The filter basket serves to hold your grinds, sometimes with a mesh material. Give this special attention to clean routinely.
- Descale every 1–3 months depending on your water hardness. Hard water contains more minerals. If you find your coffee machine needs frequent cleaning, this could be a sign to test your water hardness.
- Use filtered water to reduce mineral build-up. Coffee makers with built-in water filters can help reduce your need to clean as often.
Vinegar to Clean Any Coffee Maker
Vinegar is one of the most popular and effective ways to descale your coffee machine. It helps remove mineral buildup from inside the water reservoir and internal tubing. In general, any coffee maker can be cleaned and descaled with this method.
1. Empty the Machine
Remove the used coffee grounds and then rinse the carafe and filter basket. Remove the charcoal water filter from the water reservoir as well.
2. Make the Cleaning Solution
Fill the water reservoir with a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar.
3. Run a Cleaning Brew Cycle with a Pause
In most Cuisinart coffee makers, press and hold the Clean button until the indicator light flashes, then release the button. Once the cycle is complete, you will hear five beeps and the indicator light will turn off. If the indicator light appears again, repeat a cleaning cycle with fresh vinegar and water. One cleaning cycle is usually sufficient.
For other coffee makers, start a brew cycle without adding coffee. Halfway through, pause the machine and let the vinegar sit for 30 minutes. Then resume the cycle.
4. Rinse with Water
After the vinegar cycle finishes, run a full cycle with clean water to remove any lingering vinegar taste or smell.
5. Assemble the Machine
Return the charcoal water filter to the holder inside the water reservoir. Your coffee maker is now ready to brew!
Baking Soda to Clean Your Coffee Maker
If you prefer a vinegar-free option, baking soda is a gentle and effective alternative. We only recommend this method if the water reservoir is removable.
Baking soda is great for neutralizing odors and gently scrubbing surfaces like the carafe. This method is nearly the same as with vinegar, but adjusted to measure your baking soda and without the step of pausing the brew cycle in non-Cuisinart coffee makers.
1. Empty the Machine
As always, remove the used coffee grounds and then rinse the carafe and filter basket before you begin.
2. Make the Cleaning Solution
Dissolve ¼ cup of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water. Fill the water reservoir with your mixture.
3. Run a Cleaning Brew Cycle without Pausing
Start a brew cycle without adding coffee. Baking soda, unlike vinegar, should not sit in your machine, so do not pause the brew cycle. The baking soda expands as it interacts with acidic buildup.
4. Rinse with Water
Once your cycle is finished, follow up with two clean water cycles to rinse.
How to Clean a Carafe/Coffee Pot
Carafes can develop brown stains over time. This is especially noticeable in glass carafes.
- Quick Clean: Use dish soap and a sponge after every brew.
- Deep Clean: Fill with warm water, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda or 1 teaspoon of dishwasher soap, let sit, then scrub.
- Tough Stains: Add crushed ice, salt, and a bit of lemon juice. Swirl to scrub the inside. Follow up with dish soap and warm water.
Coffee Machine Cleaning Products
If you prefer ready-made solutions, there are effective coffee machine cleaners and descalers available.
Here at Cuisinart, we don’t recommend these methods as our coffee makers have reliable, built-in cleaning functions instead. When using any coffee machine cleaner or descaler, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model.
- Descaling tablets or liquids
- Cleaning pods
- Carafe cleaners
Keep Your Coffee Tasting Fresh
Cleaning your coffee maker doesn’t take much time, but it makes a big difference. Whether you choose vinegar, baking soda, or a specialty descaler, keeping your machine clean ensures better tasting coffee and a more efficient brewer.
If you’re using a Cuisinart coffee maker, take advantage of built-in features like the self-clean button and don’t forget to care for the parts you handle daily, like the carafe and filter basket.
With a little regular upkeep, your coffee maker will continue brewing joyful cups for years to come.
