If you’re wondering how to clean a mr coffee maker, you’re in the right place. Regular cleaning is the secret to great-tasting coffee and a long-lasting machine. A clean coffee maker brews better, prevents clogs, and keeps your morning routine running smoothly. Let’s walk through the simple steps to get your machine sparkling, inside and out.
How to Clean a Mr Coffee Maker
This guide covers everything you need. We’ll start with the daily basics, then move to a deep weekly clean. Finally, we’ll tackle descaling for mineral buildup. Having a clean machine makes a noticeable difference in every cup.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning
Gathering your supplies first makes the job easier. You likely have most of these at home already.
- White vinegar or a commercial coffee maker cleaner
- Fresh, cold water
- A soft sponge or cloth
- A mild dish soap
- A small brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly)
- A paper clip or needle (for unclogging tiny holes)
- A measuring cup
Daily Cleaning Routine (The 30-Second Habit)
This quick routine after each use prevents old coffee oils from turning rancid. It takes almost no time but has big benefits.
- Unplug the coffee maker and let it cool completely.
- Remove the used coffee filter and grounds. Throw them away.
- Take out the carafe and permanent filter (if you use one). Wash them with warm, soapy water. Rinse well.
- Wipe the warming plate and the outside of the machine with a damp cloth to remove any spills or drips.
- Leave the carafe lid and filter basket open to air dry.
This simple habit stops stains from setting and keeps odors away. It’s the easiest way to maintain your machine between deeper cleans.
The Weekly Deep Clean
Once a week, give your Mr. Coffee maker a more thorough cleaning. This targets the internal water reservoir and tubes that you can’t see. We’ll use a vinegar solution, which is a natural descaler and cleaner.
Step-by-Step Vinegar Cleaning Process
- Prepare the Solution: Fill the carafe with equal parts white vinegar and fresh water. For example, use 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of water if your maker brews a full pot.
- Run a Brew Cycle: Pour the vinegar-water mix into the water reservoir. Put the empty carafe back on the warming plate. Run a full brew cycle as if you were making coffee.
- Let it Soak: Once the cycle is done, turn off the machine. Let the hot vinegar solution sit in the carafe and inside the machine for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps break down tough mineral deposits.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Discard the vinegar water from the carafe. Fill the reservoir with fresh, cold water only. Run multiple brew cycles with clean water—at least two or three—until the vinegar smell is completely gone from the machine.
This process cleans the internal heating element and water channels. It’s normal to see little brown flakes in the carafe during the first water cycle; that’s just loosened gunk.
Cleaning Individual Parts
Some parts need special attention. Let’s break it down.
The Glass Carafe
Coffee stains can build up quickly. For tough stains, don’t use abrasive scrubbers that can scratch the glass.
- Make a paste of baking soda and a little water. Spread it inside the stained carafe and let it sit for an hour. Then scrub gently with a soft sponge and rinse.
- You can also add a handful of ice, a tablespoon of coarse salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice to the carafe. Swirl it vigorously for a minute or two. The abrasion from the ice and salt helps lift stains.
The Filter Basket and Holder
Old coffee oils and fine grounds get trapped here. Remove the filter basket from the machine.
- Wash it in warm, soapy water. Use the small brush to scrub the inside and the little holes at the bottom.
- If the holes are clogged, straighten a paper clip and gently poke through each one.
- Rinse everything thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
The Water Reservoir and Lid
Lift off the lid if possible. Wipe the inside of the reservoir with a cloth dampened with your vinegar solution. This removes any film or slime. Dry it with a clean towel before reassembling. Don’t forget to wipe under the lid, where mold can sometimes grow.
Descaling Your Mr. Coffee Maker
Descaling is different from weekly cleaning. It specifically removes hard, chalky mineral deposits (scale) from hard water. If you see white flakes or your coffee maker is slower to brew, it’s time to descale.
- Follow the exact same steps as the weekly vinegar clean, but use a full-strength descaling solution if your water is very hard. You can buy a commercial descaler or stick with vinegar.
- For severe buildup, you might need to repeat the process.
- Always run extra water cycles after to ensure no cleaner remains.
How often you need to descale depends on your water hardness. For most people, every 1-3 months is sufficient.
Cleaning a Mr. Coffee with a Built-in Grinder
These models need extra care for the grinder area. Coffee oils become stale and can make new coffee taste bitter.
- First, unplug the machine. Ensure the hopper is empty of beans.
- Many models have a “clean” cycle for the grinder. Run this with no beans in the hopper. It uses a special cleaning tablet or just dry-runs the burrs.
- Wipe out the empty bean hopper and the ground coffee chute with a dry brush or cloth. Never use water inside the grinding mechanism unless the manual says its safe.
- Then, clean the coffee maker portion as described above.
Maintaining the Thermal Carafe Models
Thermal carafes keep coffee hot without a warming plate. They often have a different lid assembly.
- Check if the lid comes apart. There may be a small gasket or seal that can be removed and washed.
- Clean the pour spout carefully with a brush, as old coffee can hide there.
- Since there’s no heating plate, you just need to wipe the base where the carafe sits.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Sometimes cleaning can solve performance issues. Here are a few common ones.
- Slow Brewing: This is almost always caused by mineral scale clogging the internal tubes. A thorough descaling should fix it.
- Coffee Tastes Bad or Sour: Old coffee oils are likely the culprit. Give every part, especially the filter basket and carafe, a deep clean with vinegar or baking soda.
- Leaking Water: Check that the filter basket is correctly seated and not cracked. Also, make sure the carafe is positioned properly on the plate.
- Machine Won’t Turn On: Ensure it’s plugged in and the power switch is on. Check your home’s circuit breaker if their is no power light.
Preventive Tips for a Cleaner Machine
Good habits reduce how much deep cleaning you need to do.
- Use filtered water. It has fewer minerals, so scale builds up much slower.
- Always empty any leftover coffee from the carafe after you’re done drinking. Don’t let it sit on the warmer for hours.
- Wipe down the exterior regularly to prevent dust and sticky spots.
- If you machine has a charcoal water filter, remember to replace it every two months or as recommended.
FAQ Section
How often should I clean my Mr. Coffee maker?
You should clean the carafe and filter basket daily. Do a full vinegar clean every week or two. Descale every 1-3 months, depending on your water hardness.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar to clean my coffee machine?
Yes, lemon juice works as a natural acid too. Use the same method with equal parts lemon juice and water. However, vinegar is usually more effective and less expensive for cutting through mineral deposits.
What is the best way to clean a Mr Coffee pot?
For the glass pot, a baking soda paste soak followed by gentle scrubbing is very effective. For plastic parts, use mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals that could leave behind a taste or damage the materials.
Why does my cleaned coffee maker still smell like vinegar?
This means you didn’t rinse it enough. Run several more brew cycles with only fresh water until the smell disappears. It’s important to get rid of all the vinegar residue.
How do I clean the outside of my Mr. Coffee maker?
Unplug the unit and let it cool. Dampen a soft cloth with a mild soapy solution, wring it out well, and wipe the surface. Dry immediately with another cloth. Never immerse the main unit in water or spray liquid directly on it.
Can I put the carafe in the dishwasher?
Most Mr. Coffee glass carafes are dishwasher safe, but check your manual to be sure. The plastic filter basket and lid are usually top-rack safe. However, handwashing is gentler and can prevent accidental cracking or warping over time.
My coffee tastes weak even after cleaning. What’s wrong?
Weak coffee is usually a brewing ratio issue, not a cleaning one. Make sure your using the correct amount of grounds for the amount of water. Also, check that your coffee beans are fresh and ground to the right size for a drip machine.
Keeping your Mr. Coffee maker clean is a simple process that pays off with better flavor and a more reliable appliance. By incorporating the daily wipe-down, the weekly vinegar cycle, and periodic descaling, you’ll extend the life of your machine significantly. It’s a small amount of effort for a consistently great cup of coffee every morning. Just remember to always unplug the unit before you start any cleaning, and never force parts that seem stuck. Refer to your specific model’s manual for any unique instructions, and you’ll enjoy fresh-tasting coffee for years to come.