If you own a Bunn coffee machine, you know it makes a great cup quickly. But to keep it performing its best, you need to know how do you clean a bunn coffee machine. Regular cleaning prevents old oils and mineral deposits from affecting your coffee’s taste and can help your brewer last for years. It’s not a difficult task, and this guide will walk you through every step.
How Do You Clean a Bunn Coffee Machine
This is your complete cleaning guide. We’ll cover everything from daily wipe-downs to the deep monthly cleaning your machine needs. Following these steps will ensure every pot of coffee is as fresh as the first.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning
Gathering your supplies first makes the job easier. You likely have most of these items at home already.
- White vinegar or a commercial coffee machine cleaner (like Urnex)
- Fresh, cold water
- A soft cloth or sponge (non-abrasive)
- A small brush (a soft toothbrush works well)
- Mild dish soap
- A descaling solution (if you have very hard water)
- A measuring cup
Daily and Weekly Cleaning Tasks
These quick habits make the big monthly clean much simpler and maintain flavor.
After Each Use: The Daily Routine
Get into the habit of doing these two things every time you brew.
- Dump the used coffee grounds and rinse the brew funnel. Let it air dry.
- Wipe the warming plate and the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth to remove any coffee spills or splatters.
Once a Week: A Bit More Detail
Take a few extra minutes each week for these steps.
- Remove the spray head (the part that showers water over the grounds). Check your manual for how it twists or clips off. Soak it in warm, soapy water to clear any clogs, then rinse it thoroughly.
- Wash the decanter and lid with warm, soapy water. Rinse well to remove any soap residue that could effect flavor.
- Check the water tank for any visible film or debris and rinse it out with fresh water.
The Essential Monthly Deep Cleaning
This process cleans the internal lines and tank of built-up coffee oils and minerals. Plan for about an hour from start to finish.
- Prepare the Cleaning Solution: Fill the brewer’s water tank with a mixture of half fresh water and half white vinegar. Do not use soap. If your tank holds 10 cups, use 5 cups of water and 5 cups of vinegar.
- Run a Brew Cycle Without Coffee: Place the empty brew funnel and a clean decanter on the warming plate. Start a brew cycle just like you were making coffee, but without any grounds. Let the entire tank of vinegar solution run through the machine.
- Let it Soak: Once the cycle is complete, turn the brewer off. Allow the hot vinegar solution to sit in the carafe and the internal tank for 15-20 minutes. This soaking time helps break down stubborn deposits.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After soaking, pour out the vinegar from the decanter. Completely rinse out the water tank and fill it with fresh, cold water. Place the decanter back in position and run multiple brew cycles using only fresh water. You may need to do this 2-3 times until you no longer smell vinegar in the brewed water.
- Final Clean Up: Wash the decanter and brew funnel with mild soap, rinse well, and let everything air dry. Wipe down the exterior of the machine.
Descaling Your Bunn Machine
Descaling is different from cleaning with vinegar. It targets hard mineral scale (limescale) from your water. If you see white crusty deposits or your brewer is running slower, it’s time to descale.
- You can use a commercial descaling solution made for coffee makers, following its package instructions precisely. Or, you can use a stronger vinegar solution (2 parts water to 1 part vinegar).
- Run the solution through a brew cycle, then let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Rinse even more extensively than with a regular clean—run at least 3 full tanks of fresh water through the brewing cycle to ensure all descaler is gone.
Cleaning Specific Bunn Models
While the principles are the same, some models have unique features.
Bunn GR and Velocity Brew Series
These classic models have a simple tank design. The monthly vinegar clean outlined above is perfect for them. Pay special attention to cleaning the spray head gasket where coffee grounds can get trapped.
Bunn My Cafe or Single-Serve Machines
For pod-based machines, always run a water-only cycle after each pod to flush the needle. Use a paperclip to gently clear the entrance needle of any pod debris weekly. Follow the vinegar cleaning steps monthly, but run the cycle without a pod in place.
Bunn Commercial Machines
Commercial machines see heavy use and require more frequent cleaning, often daily. Always follow the specific manual for commercial equipment, as they may have backflush or chemical rinse procedures.
Troubleshooting Common Cleaning Issues
- Vinegar Smell Won’t Go Away: You didn’t rinse enough. Run several more cycles with fresh water. A cycle with just baking soda (then rinsed thoroughly) can help neutralize odor.
- Machine is Still Slow: You likely have scale buildup. Perform a dedicated descaling treatment, not just a vinegar clean.
- Coffee Tastes Bad After Cleaning: Soap or cleaning solution residue is present. Run several water-only brew cycles and ensure all parts are rinsed impeccably well before use.
- Water Leaks During Cleaning: Check that the brew funnel and decanter are correctly seated. Ensure the spray head is properly reattached after weekly cleaning.
Why Regular Cleaning is Non-Negotiable
Skipping cleaning hurts your coffee and your machine. Here’s what happens if you don’t clean it.
- Bad-Tasting Coffee: Rancid coffee oils are the main culprit for bitter, sour, or “off” flavors.
- Clogs and Slow Brewing: Mineral scale acts like plaque in the arteries of your machine, restricting water flow.
- Potential for Mold: Dark, damp, and warm tanks are a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which you definitely don’t want in your drink.
- Shorter Machine Lifespan: Corrosion and buildup can damage internal heating elements and valves, leading to early failure.
Maintaining Your Clean Machine
Keep your Bunn in top shape between deep cleans with these tips.
- Always use fresh, cold water in the tank. Consider filtered water to reduce mineral content.
- Never leave water sitting in the tank for days if you won’t be using the machine. Empty and dry it.
- Store the decanter and brew funnel separately if the machine won’t be used for a while, to allow air circulation.
- If your model has a charcoal water filter, replace it on the schedule Bunn recommends, usually every 3-6 months.
FAQ: Cleaning Your Bunn Coffee Maker
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar to clean my Bunn?
Yes, you can. Lemon juice is a mild acid that can help with light cleaning and descaling. However, it is often less effective on tough scale than vinegar or commercial cleaner, and it can leave a citrus scent that requires thorough rinsing.
How often should I clean my Bunn coffee machine?
You should perform a deep clean with vinegar or cleaner every month. If you use the machine multiple times daily or have very hard water, consider cleaning it every 3 weeks. Daily and weekly tasks should be done as described.
Is it safe to run vinegar through my coffee maker?
Yes, it is completely safe for your Bunn machine. The acetic acid in vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and coffee oils. The key is to rinse it out thoroughly afterward with multiple tanks of fresh water so your next pots of coffee don’t taste like vinegar.
What is the best cleaner for a Bunn commercial brewer?
For commercial Bunn machines, it’s best to use a cleaner designed for commercial use, such as Urnex Cafiza or a similar product. These are formulated for the heavier buildup and must be used according to the machine’s manual to avoid damage.
Why is my Bunn coffee maker dripping water?
A drip is often caused by a misaligned or clogged spray head. Make sure it is snapped in correctly after cleaning. If it’s not that, a worn gasket or seal inside the machine might be the issue, which may require professional service.
Can I put the brew funnel in the dishwasher?
Most Bunn brew funnels are top-rack dishwasher safe, but you should check your specific model’s manual. Handwashing is gentler and can extend its life. The decanter is usually dishwasher safe unless it has a heat-sensitive handle.
Cleaning your Bunn coffee machine is a simple but vital part of ownership. By incorporating these daily, weekly, and monthly habits, you protect your investment and guarantee a delicious, fresh pot of coffee every single time. The process becomes quick and routine, and your taste buds will thank you for it.