If you’re wondering how do I clean my 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 stops nasty mineral buildup. Let’s walk through the simple steps to get your machine sparkling.
How Do I Clean My Mr Coffee Maker
This full guide covers everything from daily wipes to deep monthly cleans. We’ll use safe, common household items. You won’t need any special tools or harsh chemicals. Following these steps will keep your coffee tasting fresh and your machine running smoothly for years.
Why Cleaning Your Coffee Maker is So Important
You might think just rinsing the pot is enough. But coffee oils and minerals from water build up inside. This buildup is called scale. Scale can make your coffee taste bitter or sour. It also makes your machine work harder, which can lead to early failure. A clean machine is a happy machine.
Bacteria and mold can also grow in the damp, dark reservoir. This isn’t just about taste—it’s about health. Regular cleaning removes these contaminants. It ensures every cup you brew is as clean and delicious as it should be.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning
Gather these supplies before you start. You probably have most at home already.
- White vinegar (the most effective and affordable descaler)
- Fresh, cold water
- A soft sponge or cloth
- Mild dish soap
- A small brush (like a clean toothbrush)
- A measuring cup
Daily and Weekly Cleaning Routine
Small habits make the big deep clean much easier.
After Each Use
Get into the habit of dumping the used coffee grounds right away. Rinse the carafe and filter basket with warm water. Give them a quick wash with soap once a day. Wipe down the warming plate and the outside of the machine with a damp cloth. This prevents old coffee stains from setting in.
Weekly Wash
Once a week, take apart the removable parts. This includes the carafe, lid, and filter basket. Wash them in warm, soapy water. Use your small brush to scrub the filter basket, especially the little holes. Rinse everything thoroughly. Let the parts air-dry completely before reassembling.
The Monthly Deep Clean with Vinegar
This is the key process for descaling. Plan to do this about once a month, or more if you have hard water.
- Prepare the Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and fresh water. For a standard 12-cup machine, you’ll usually need about 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of water.
- Fill and Run: Pour the solution into the water reservoir. Put the carafe back in place. Turn on the brew cycle as if you were making a pot of coffee.
- Pause and Soak: Halfway through the cycle, turn off the machine. Let the vinegar solution sit in the system for 30 to 60 minutes. This gives it time to dissolve the mineral scale.
- Complete the Cycle: Turn the machine back on to finish the brewing cycle. Discard the hot vinegar water from the carafe.
- Rinse Thoroughly: This step is crucial. Fill the reservoir with fresh water only. Run a full brew cycle. Discard that water. Repeat the rinse cycle 1-2 more times until no vinegar smell remains. Any leftover vinegar will ruin your next pot of coffee.
Cleaning the External Parts and Nooks
The outside needs attention too. Coffee splatters and dust accumulate.
The Warming Plate
Turn the machine off and let it cool completely. Make a paste from baking soda and a little water. Apply it to any stubborn stains on the warming plate. Gently scrub with a soft sponge. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Be careful not to get much liquid into the machine’s internal parts.
The Water Reservoir
For the inside of the reservoir, use a soft cloth with a little soapy water. Wipe all sides. For hard-to-reach spots, your small brush is perfect. Rinse well with a damp cloth to remove soap residue. Never submerge the main unit in water.
The Spray Head
Look under the lid where the hot water sprays out. You might see a small plastic piece with holes. This can get clogged with mineral deposits. Use a paper clip or a pin to gently clear each hole. Wipe it with a vinegar-dampened cloth.
Dealing with Tough Stains and Clogs
Sometimes, you might encounter a more stubborn problem.
For a badly stained glass carafe, try this. Add a handful of ice, a few tablespoons of coarse salt, and a half-cup of vinegar to the carafe. Swirl the mixture vigorously for a few minutes. The abrasive action of the salt and ice helps scrub the stains away. Rinse thoroughly.
If the brew seems slow or weak, a clog might be the issue. Run the vinegar deep clean process. If that doesn’t help, check the water reservoir’s inlet hole for debris. You can also try using a commercial descaling solution made for coffee makers, following its instructions.
How to Clean a Mr Coffee with a Built-in Grinder
These models need extra care for the grinding mechanism.
- Unplug the machine first. Always.
- Remove the bean hopper and lid. Wash them in warm, soapy water.
- Use a small, dry brush or a dedicated coffee grinder brush to sweep out any ground coffee from the burrs or blades.
- Never use water or liquid to clean the grinding chamber itself, as this can cause rust.
- Wipe the exterior as normal.
Maintenance Tips to Reduce Cleaning Frequency
Good habits mean less deep cleaning.
- Use filtered water. It has fewer minerals, so scale builds up slower.
- Always empty the carafe and remove used grounds within 30 minutes of brewing.
- Leave the lid open after use to let the interior dry out and prevent mold.
- Run a plain water cycle every Friday if you use it daily. This helps flush out oils.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these errors to protect your machine.
- Using Harsh Chemicals: Bleach or abrasive cleaners can damage internal parts and leave dangerous residues.
- Insufficient Rinsing: Not rinsing enough after vinegar leaves a terrible taste.
- Submerging the Base: Never put the main electrical unit in water. You’ll ruin it.
- Ignoring the Manual: Your specific model might have unique instructions. Check the user guide that came with it.
When to Descale vs. When to Clean
These terms are often used interchangably, but they’re slightly different. Cleaning refers to removing coffee oils, grounds, and external dirt. Descaling specifically means removing the hard, white mineral scale from the internal heating element and tubes. You should clean weekly and descale monthly. If your coffee tastes off or the machine is slow, it’s likely time to descale.
FAQ Section
How often should I clean my Mr Coffee machine?
You should wash removable parts daily or after each use. Perform a deep clean with vinegar about once a month. If you have very hard water, you might need to do it every two to three weeks.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar to clean my coffee maker?
Yes, you can. Lemon juice is a natural acid that also breaks down scale. Use the same process: mix equal parts lemon juice and water, run it through, then rinse thoroughly. However, vinegar is usually more effective and less expensive for this job.
What if the vinegar smell won’t go away after cleaning my Mr Coffee?
This means you need to rinse more. Run multiple cycles of fresh water through the machine. Try running a cycle with a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in the water, as baking soda can neutralize odors. Then, run two more plain water cycles. Make sure you’re using a 1:1 vinegar ratio; using straight vinegar can make the smell harder to eliminate.
Is it safe to use dish soap inside the water reservoir?
It’s generally not recommended. Soap can leave a film and is hard to rinse out completely from the internal tubes. This can affect the taste of your coffee. Stick to using vinegar or a commercial descaler for the inside. Use soap only on the fully removable, washable parts like the carafe and basket.
Why is my Mr Coffee maker dripping slowly after cleaning?
This could be due to a few reasons. First, ensure all parts are reassembled correctly. Second, a piece of scale might have loosened during cleaning and caused a partial clog. Run another clear water cycle to see if it flushes out. Check the spray head for clogs with a pin, as described earlier.
Can I clean my coffee maker with baking soda?
Baking soda is great for external stains and deodorizing the carafe. For internal descaling, however, vinegar is better. Baking soda is a base, not an acid, so it doesn’t dissolve mineral scale as effectively. It’s a fantastic supplement for cleaning, but not a full replacement for vinegar in the deep clean process.
Keeping your Mr Coffee maker clean is a simple but essential task. It takes just a little time each month. The reward is consistently delicious coffee and a reliable appliance. By following these straightforward steps, you’ll solve the common question of “how do i clean my mr coffee maker” for good. Just remember the core steps: vinegar, rinse, and regular upkeep. Your taste buds—and your machine—will thank you.