Improve Your Coffee Maker with Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports reveals easy ways to give your machine a deep-clean, whether it’s a drip or a pod model, so that you can sip better-tasting coffee!

Coffee makers are essential for many people to kickstart their day, but they also require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Residual coffee and mineral deposits can negatively impact the flavor of your coffee and lead to potential machine malfunctions.

Experts recommend conducting a thorough cleaning of your coffee maker every three to six months. To begin, wash the brew basket in warm, soapy water and clean the sprayer head, especially crucial if your water source is hard water and prone to buildup.

If you have a pod coffee maker, detach the reservoir and clean it with soap and water. To remove coffee stains from carafes, whether glass or insulated, create a solution of one part baking soda to two parts hot water, allow it to sit overnight, and then rinse thoroughly.

Next, remove burnt-on coffee stains on the hotplate by scrubbing with a damp sponge and a little baking soda. If your machine has a drip tray, now is the time to wash it thoroughly with warm, soapy water.

Now, tackle those mineral deposits. Minerals in your tap water can build up in your coffee maker. Longer brew cycle times and excessive steaming are two signs that it’s time to descale. Check the owner’s manual for instructions on descaling your machine. Usually, running a vinegar and water solution through your coffee maker does the trick. 

After cleaning, if you’re still looking for a new coffee maker, the top-rated Cuisinart DCC-T20 Touchscreen 14-Cup Programmable, which starts at $109, offers impressive brewing performance and comes with an easy-to-clean filter and descaling indicator.

For pod enthusiasts, the Instant Dual Pod Plus (140-6013-01), which starts at $170, accepts both Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso capsules. If you do opt for a pod machine, CR says most pods can be recycled. Nespresso offers recycling bags you fill up and ship back to the company, all at no cost to you. Keurig’s K-Cup pods can be added to most curbside recycling pickups.

Now, go ahead and enjoy how much better that morning cup of coffee tastes!