Not Descaling Is a Java Fail: How to Descale a Coffee Maker

For a hard-core java junkie, the coffee pot reigns supreme as the ultimate small appliance. Over time, minerals build up in the machine and can affect the quality of your drink. Coffee connoisseurs know when their normal brew tastes a little off, so using a coffee machine descaler regularly helps keep your taste buds happy.

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Step-by-Step Descaling Guide

When you descale a coffee maker, you remove built-up minerals from the water that collects inside the machine. Think of it as a deep cleaning for your coffee pot.

Things You'll Need

You need water and a descaling solution to complete the process. A commercial coffee machine descaler is an option, but simple vinegar also works as a coffee pot descaler. Once you decide on the solution you want to use, follow these steps.

Step 1: Clean the Coffee Pot

Starting with a clean pot makes your descaling solution more effective. Pour out any remaining coffee from the carafe and clean it well. Remove filters and coffee grounds remaining in the machine and rinse that area. Wipe down the exterior of the coffee maker with a cleaning cloth.

Step 2: Prepare the Descaling Solution

If you're using vinegar to make a coffee machine descaler, fill the carafe with equal parts white vinegar and water. For a commercial coffee pot descaler, follow the package instructions to prepare the product. Some products go directly into the water reservoir along with the appropriate amount of water.

Following the instructions and using the appropriate proportions for vinegar ensure you descale effectively without damaging the machine. Since vinegar is acidic, too much could damage vulnerable components. If it's too weak, the solution might not remove the buildup. With commercial products, the manufacturer determines how much to use for the most effective cleaning.

Step 3: Run a Cycle

Pour the descaling solution into the water reservoir. Start a normal brewing cycle and shut off the machine when it's halfway through the cycle. This leaves some of the coffee pot descaler in the reservoir to tackle tough buildup. After an hour, resume the cycle. Dump out the descaling solution from the carafe and clean it well.

Step 4: Rinse the Coffee Maker

Before you use the coffee maker for your favorite brew, rinse it well to remove any remaining coffee machine descaler. Run a carafe of fresh water through the machine, letting the complete cycle run normally. You may need to repeat the rinsing cycle two or three more times to get rid of all the leftover descaler.

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How Often Should You Descale a Coffee Maker?

There isn't a universal schedule for descaling coffee makers. How often you use the machine is a major factor. If you use it daily, the limescale buildup happens faster, so you'll need to descale more often.

Your water hardness also impacts the buildup. If you live in an area with hard water and don't have a water softener, you might need to descale more frequently. You can also use filtered water to minimize buildup.

With regular use in an area with hard water, you may need to descale monthly. If you use your machine less frequently and use soft water for brewing coffee, you may only need to descale a few times per year. Look for signs that it's time to descale. Some things you might notice include:

• An unusual taste to your coffee

• A machine that takes longer than normal to brew

• Visible scale, which typically looks white, on the parts of the coffee maker you can see

• Strange noises, such as gurgling or sputtering, while you're brewing coffee

• A cleaning light indicator on the coffee maker

When in doubt, run the coffee machine descaler through the appliance to remove the buildup. Doing the process more often limits how much buildup develops, which makes the process easier.

What Happens If You Don't Descale Your Coffee Maker?

Over time, the limescale continues to build on the internal parts of the coffee maker. That makes it more difficult for the water to move through the machine as it should. This can slow down brewing times and overwork the machine. That extra work sometimes creates overheating that can damage the internal components. Failing to descale regularly could shorten the life of your beloved coffee machine.

Now you can descale a coffee maker yourself and make the freshest pots of coffee.