How to clean a coffee maker? How to clean the coffee maker so that it does not burn out

Even an excellent coffee machine, bought for a five-figure sum, without taking care of its technical condition, will begin to produce a tart, unpleasant-tasting liquid - and sooner or later it will simply break. The same applies to coffee makers that are exposed to direct fire or a hot stove. It is useful to know how to clean a burnt coffee maker so that you can use it for as long as possible.

Each piece of equipment wears differently, depending on its intended use, workmanship, and, perhaps most importantly, how often it is properly maintained. Regardless of whether you have a branded Bialetti coffee maker, or a cheaper one without a specific brand, neglecting it will significantly worsen the taste of coffee.

Cleaning the coffee maker. When to start?

To start the cleaning process, you need to check what material it is made of.

Why is it so important? Different plastics react differently to detergents in the form of cleaners. If you want to learn how to clean a coffee machine, check the materials first. The two most common materials are steel and aluminum. The first material is resistant to most cleaning products and does not require special care when it comes to care.

In turn, aluminum is very sensitive to the action of any acids. For this reason, in this case, the use of chemicals should be kept to a minimum. It is better to rely on warm water, as even dishwashing detergents can damage the outer layer of aluminum due to the presence of acetic acid in some of them. It is worth remembering that some manufacturers have official recommendations on how to clean the coffee maker - just refer to the instruction manual.

Which parts of the coffee maker are most susceptible to damage?

Like any kitchen item, the coffee maker has several components that are susceptible to damage. Most often, these are those that are most exposed to liquids or pressure. Here is their list:

• The safety valve is a very important element that releases excess steam from the lower vessel of the coffee machine. If it is clogged, it should be removed or replaced immediately. Excess pressure can permanently damage the coffee maker.
• Strainer - despite the fact that it is prone to clogging (for example, due to the addition of too finely ground coffee), it is a fairly durable element of the coffee maker. There is no need to replace it more often than once every two years. Nevertheless, you need to monitor its patency, and in case of mechanical damage, immediately replace the mesh filter with a new one.
• The seal for the coffee maker is the most frequently replaced element. Its task is to maintain the tightness of the entire coffee machine, as well as to prevent particles of ground coffee beans from getting into the drink itself. The life of the gasket can be extended by regularly removing and washing it. When buying a new one, it is worth remembering that you can buy two types. One is designed for steel coffee makers and the other for aluminum ones,

How to clean an aluminum and steel coffee maker?

• Cleaning an aluminum coffee maker

According to the previously mentioned details, aluminum is very sensitive to detergents. For this reason, the use of these products in the cleaning process should be limited as much as possible, and it is better to abandon them altogether. Most often, they can be successfully replaced with a solution of purified salt of low concentration. If the soiling of the coffee maker cannot be removed by this method, the use of conventional detergents should be kept to an absolute minimum. It is recommended to rinse the aluminum coffee maker with warm water after each use. This prevents the accumulation of dirt.

• Cleaning a steel coffee maker

How to clean a steel coffee maker? In this case, the matter is simpler - you can use special chemicals, such as Ecozone or Bosch. Subject to the recommended concentration, the solution in which the individual parts of the device will be rinsed will not be damaged in any way. Detailed information on the maintenance of individual components can be found in the instruction manual for each coffee maker. But is it necessary to do it manually? Maybe there is an easier way?

How about washing coffee in the dishwasher?

While this may seem like the most convenient and efficient solution, you should never put your coffee pot in a dishwasher, especially an aluminum one!

This will lead to its rapid damage in the form of dissolution of the outer protective coating. For this reason, any brewed coffee will have undesirable flavor notes that will significantly detract from the taste of the drink. Unfortunately, there is no automatic way to clean the coffee pot. It can be seen as part of a traditional coffee ritual - since making coffee in a coffee maker is the work of human hands to a much greater extent than, for example, in the case of a machine, the entire service process should also be carried out in a similar way.

Take care of your coffee maker - it will become your assistant in the kitchen for many years to come!

And how to make good coffee in a coffee maker? You will find this and other tips in my passion for cooking.