Is your coffee maker starting to look like a science experiment? If you don’t think so, just look inside closely at all the cracks and crevices. You may be surprised at what you find. This also affects the flavor of your coffee. You’ve probably just gotten used to the touch of oils, acids and maybe even mold and mildew.

My coffee maker tends to stay moist and if I don’t leave it open to dry, well; you know how things can begin to grow in moisture. I also use a bit of cinnamon. This tends to get on different parts of the coffee maker and it’s really not a good look.

If you’d like to have a great cup of coffee you must start with a clean coffee maker. I can assure you that you will notice the difference in your cup.

If you still have your manufacturer’s instruction booklet handy, it has directions specifically for cleaning your coffee maker. However, if those directions have joined the missing socks in your life, here are some tips.

Commercial cleaners and descalers are available. Your own coffee maker manufacturer probably makes them. But why spend money and use harsh chemicals when something you probably have on hand right now is available-vinegar. According to Wikipedia, "Vinegar is a liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid." And acid is the key word here. You will need something to break down the oily residue that coffee tends to leave behind.

Items you will need:

Paper Filter
White Vinegar
Water

Directions:

-Put filter into place

-Fill water reservoir with 1 part vinegar and one part water
NOTE: Straight vinegar can be used without mixing with water if your coffee maker has not been cleaned in a while or it is particularly dirty.

-Turn on coffee maker and let it complete its cycle.

-Empty carafe.

-Turn off coffee maker and fill reservoir with fresh water.

-Turn on coffee maker and let it complete its cycle again.

-Run through with fresh water once more making sure the vinegar is completely out.

-Wash the carafe carefully by hand with gentle soap rinsing thoroughly.

-Wash any removable parts i.e. the filter basket or the removable gold filters, water reservoir, etc. Rinse, rinse and rinse again.

-Wipe down the outside of the coffee maker.

There you have it. There is nothing more wonderful and fragrant, not to mention tasty than a cup of coffee made in a fresh clean coffee maker.

Enjoy.