If you want a great tasting cup every morning, you need to know how do you clean mr coffee coffeemaker. A clean machine is the secret to better coffee, and it’s easier than you might think. This guide will walk you through every step, from a quick daily wipe to a deep monthly clean. We’ll cover everything you need to keep your brewer running smoothly for years.
Regular cleaning removes old oils and mineral deposits. These buildups can make your coffee taste bitter or sour. They can also slow down your machine and even cause it to break early. With just a few simple supplies, you can maintain your Mr. Coffee and enjoy perfect coffee every time.
How Do You Clean Mr Coffee Coffeemaker
This is your complete routine. We break it down into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Following this schedule prevents big messes and keeps your coffee tasting fresh.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning
Gather these items before you start. You probably have most of them at home already.
- White vinegar or a commercial coffee maker cleaner
- Fresh, cold water
- Mild dish soap
- A soft sponge or cloth (non-abrasive)
- A small brush (like a toothbrush)
- A paper clip or needle
- Optional: Rubber gloves
The Daily Cleaning Routine (After Each Use)
This takes less than a minute but makes a huge difference.
- Unplug the coffee maker and let it cool down.
- Remove the used coffee filter and grounds. Throw them away.
- Take out the carafe and the filter basket. Rinse them both with warm, soapy water. A quick scrub removes oily residue.
- Wipe the warming plate with a damp cloth to remove any coffee spills or stains.
- Leave the carafe and basket out to air dry, or dry them with a towel before putting them back.
Why This Matters
Old grounds and oils left in the basket will go rancid. This directly affects the flavor of your next pot. A clean carafe also prevents stale smells from sticking to the glass.
The Weekly Cleaning Routine
Once a week, do a more thorough job. This tackles the parts you don’t see every day.
- Follow the daily steps to empty and rinse the main parts.
- Check the water reservoir. Wipe it out with a soapy cloth to remove any film or slime. Rinse it well.
- Look at the showerhead (the part that sprays water over the grounds). If it has holes, check for clogs. You can use a damp paper towel to wipe it.
- Inspect the lid of the carafe. Many have nooks where old coffee can hide. Take it apart if possible and wash it.
- Wipe the entire exterior of the machine with a damp cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.
The Monthly Deep Clean (Vinegar Method)
This is the most important process. It decalcifies and sanitizes the internal tubes and heating element. Plan to do this about every 30 brew cycles, or if you see slower brewing.
- Fill the water reservoir with a mixture of half white vinegar and half fresh water. Do not add coffee grounds.
- Place a clean filter in the basket. Put the empty carafe back on the warming plate.
- Turn the coffee maker on and run a full brew cycle as you normally would. Let the vinegar solution run completely through.
- Once the cycle is done, turn off the machine and let the vinegar solution sit in the carafe for 15-20 minutes. This helps break down more deposits.
- Pour the hot vinegar from the carafe back into the reservoir. Run a second brew cycle with this same liquid for extra strength cleaning.
- After the second cycle, discard the vinegar water. Fill the reservoir with fresh, cold water only.
- Run a full brew cycle with just water. Repeat this step 2-3 times until you no longer smell vinegar in the steam or the water. This rinses all vinegar out of the system.
- Wash the carafe, basket, and lid with soap and water as usual to remove any last traces.
This vinegar wash removes hard water scale and flushes out internal gunk. Your coffee will taste noticeably better afterwards.
Cleaning Specific Parts and Problem Areas
The Carafe (Glass or Thermal)
Stains happen. For tough brown stains, try these methods:
- Fill with hot water and drop in two denture cleaning tablets. Let it soak overnight.
- Make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Scrub the inside gently with a soft sponge.
- For glass carafes, you can use a bottle brush to reach the bottom corners.
The Filter Basket
Coffee oils build up here fast. Soak the basket in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes. Use the small brush to scrub the inside, the rim, and the little holes at the bottom. A clogged hole can cause overflow.
The Warming Plate
For baked-on stains, make sure the plate is completely cool. Dampen a cloth with a vinegar-water mix and lay it on the stain for 10 minutes. Gently scrub. Never use steel wool or harsh abrasives, as they will scratch the surface.
Unclogging the Showerhead
If water doesn’t spray evenly, the showerhead is clogged. Unplug the machine and let it cool. Use the paper clip or needle to gently poke into each hole to clear mineral deposits. Then, wipe with a vinegar-dampened cloth.
Descaling vs. Cleaning
It’s important to know the difference. Cleaning removes coffee oils and residue. Descaling removes hard, chalky mineral deposits (limescale) from the water inside the machine’s heating system.
You need to descale even if you use filtered water, as some minerals still get through. The monthly vinegar method is a descaling process. You can also use a commercial descaling solution made for coffee makers.
Tips for a Longer-Lasting Mr. Coffee
- Always use fresh, cold water. Never use hot water from the tap or distilled water.
- Change your paper filters if you notice an off taste; sometimes filters can absorb odors.
- If you have hard water, you may need to descale more often, like every 20 cycles.
- Never run the brewer without water in the reservoir. This can damage the heating element.
- Store your machine in a dry place if you won’t be using it for a while.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some errors that can hurt your machine or your coffee.
- Using harsh chemicals like bleach or all-purpose cleaner. They can leave dangerous residues and damage plastic parts.
- Submerging the main base unit in water. This is a electrical appliance and should only be wiped externally.
- Forgetting to rinse thoroughly after using vinegar. Any leftover vinegar will ruin your next pot of coffee.
- Using abrasive scrubbers on the carafe or warming plate. They cause scratches where stains stick worse.
- Ignoring the instruction manual. Your specific model might have unique parts or cleaning advice.
When to Clean vs. When to Replace
Even with perfect care, coffee makers don’t last forever. Consider replacing your Mr. Coffee if:
- It takes much longer to brew a pot than it used to, even after descaling.
- The coffee is never hot enough, indicating a failing heating element.
- You see cracks in the carafe or the housing.
- There’s a persistent bad taste or smell that cleaning won’t remove.
- It’s over 5 years old and showing its age. Newer models are more energy efficient.
FAQ Section
How often should I clean my Mr. Coffee with vinegar?
You should run a vinegar cleaning cycle about once a month. If you use your machine multiple times a day or have very hard water, you might need to do it every three weeks.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar to clean my coffee machine?
Yes, you can. The citric acid in lemon juice also breaks down mineral deposits. Use the same method, mixing equal parts lemon juice and water. However, vinegar is usually more effective and less expensive for this job.
What is the best way to clean a Mr. Coffee pot that has stubborn stains?
For a really stained pot, try a coarse salt and ice method. Put a handful of ice and a tablespoon of coarse salt in the carafe. Swirl it vigorously for several minutes. The abrasive action of the salt and ice helps lift stains without scratching. Then, wash with soap as normal.
Why does my coffee taste bad even after cleaning?
A bad taste after cleaning usually means there’s still vinegar or cleaner residue inside. Run several clear water brew cycles until the smell is gone. If the taste persists, the issue might be old coffee oils in the basket or a dirty grinder if you use whole beans.
How do I clean the outside of my Mr. Coffee maker?
Unplug the unit and let it cool. Wipe the plastic housing with a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap and water solution. For stainless steel finishes, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth is often enough. Avoid getting water into any vents or openings.
Is it safe to wash the coffee pot in the dishwasher?
Most Mr. Coffee glass carafes are dishwasher safe, but you should always check your model’s manual. The plastic filter basket and lid are usually top-rack safe. The main machine base should never go in the dishwasher.
Keeping your Mr. Coffee coffeemaker clean is a simple habit that pays off. You get better tasting coffee, avoid strange odors, and extend the life of your appliance. By incorporating the daily wipe, weekly check, and monthly deep clean, your morning routine will always start with a perfect brew. Remember, a little maintenance goes a long way.