If you want to clean a drip coffee maker but hate the smell of vinegar, you are not stuck. A coffee maker cleaner tablet can do the job without filling the kitchen with that sharp vinegar odor.
Drip coffee makers collect buildup over time. Coffee oils can cling to the basket and carafe. Minerals from hard water can collect inside the water path. Old residue can make coffee taste bitter, stale, or flat.
Start by turning the machine off and letting it cool. Remove the used filter and old grounds. Empty the carafe and water reservoir.
Wash the removable parts with warm water and mild dish soap. That usually includes the carafe, lid, filter basket, and permanent filter if your machine has one. Rinse everything well.
Next, fill the reservoir with clean water. Add one coffee maker cleaner tablet and let it dissolve. Run a full brew cycle without coffee grounds. If your machine has a clean setting, use that.
Once the cleaning cycle is done, empty the carafe and rinse it. Then run one or two full reservoirs of clean water through the machine. This flushes out the cleaning solution before you brew coffee again.
Wipe the outside of the machine, warming plate, lid area, and any spots where coffee splashes. These areas do not need anything harsh. A soft cloth is usually enough.
Clean your drip coffee maker monthly if you use it every day. Clean it sooner if the machine starts brewing slowly, the coffee tastes off, or you notice scale around the reservoir.
You can use vinegar, but it takes more rinsing and leaves a smell many people do not want near their morning coffee. Tablets are simpler for a regular routine.
For the broader product path, see our coffee maker cleaners, or read why coffee makers need cleaning and descaling.
