Q&A for How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar

If your machine is clogged or fails to brew coffee, you may need to take it in for repairs or replace it.

Yes! As long as the vinegar is white (transparent, no color) and you dilute it with water beforehand.

Yes! So long as the vinegar is white and diluted with water, it's safe to use in your machine. Use 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water if you worry the vinegar might damage the machine.

You don't need to use a coffee filter while cleaning with vinegar. Simply run the brew cycles and rinse cycles without one.

Unfortunate, no. Other vinegars may have particulate or lingering flavors that can contaminate your machine.

Use a sponge and about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to scrub away any residue on the hot plate.

Your machine may be clogged by grounds or hard water buildup. If liquid can't run through it, or it's not properly taking up water from the reservoir, you may have to replace the machine. Clean your machine regularly to avoid clogs!

Yes, white works best. The other types of vinegar like balsamic, apple cider, red wine, etc., have more particles in them that can make the coffee maker dirtier.

You can get one from your local hardware store and even some grocery stores.

It doesn't matter if you use a filter or not, as the vinegar will clean effectively either way. The filter may slightly slow the process but won't prevent the vinegar from doing its job.

Use a 1:1 ratio. So for a 10-cup machine, use 5 cups each of vinegar and water.

Cleaning vinegar is 20% more powerful than distilled white vinegar, because it contains more acidity.

You can leave the permanent coffee filter in the coffee maker while cleaning it with vinegar, as this will help clean the filter as well.

No, it's not necessary. The filter collects dirt and grime for easy disposal, but you can also let it go into the carafe and dump it in the sink when you're done. Both methods work well.

You can remove the filter, but it's not essential for cleaning your coffee maker.

It may be due to a faulty filter or some grounds spilling behind the filter and into the pot.

Use 1 cup of vinegar mixed with 2 to 3 cups of plain water.

It doesn't really matter for this task, so you can follow your training or add water first if you prefer.

You don't have to shake or stir them; pouring one on top of the other will allow them to mix naturally.

Turn off and unplug the coffee maker. Wipe it with a damp cloth to remove loose debris. Apply a baking soda paste to tough spots and scrub gently with a soft cloth or sponge. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry. Repeat as needed for stubborn buildup.

While descaling with a vinegar/water solution, leave the filter basket in the drip coffee maker to aid in the removal of mineral deposits. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, insert the empty basket, fill the reservoir with the solution, and brew without coffee grounds. Then discard the solution.

Use 5 cups of vinegar mixed with 5 cups of water, then run a full pot of just water through the machine once or twice to make sure no vinegar residue remains.

White vinegar is a better option than apple cider vinegar because it is a disinfectant and can be used to clean all kinds of things, while apple cider vinegar is better suited for cooking than cleaning.

Yes, to prevent it from getting wet or clogged during the process.

For a 10-cup coffee maker, mix 5 cups of vinegar with 5 cups of water. Then run it through the machine once or twice to rinse it thoroughly.

Rinse the machine 2-3 more times with clean water. If any sediment remains, clean the filter and reservoir. It should be safe to use after that.

Water may spill due to a clogged or dirty drainage system, a faulty valve, or improper water level. Check for blockages and clean the machine thoroughly.

Fill to the max and run with just water, then make another water/vinegar mixture and fill to the max and run again, then run one more time with just water to rinse. There could just be a large buildup in the system that it's having trouble cleaning. If this does not work, try contacting Cuisinart customer service and see what they recommend.

It is likely that the coffee maker alerts you after a certain number of brewing cycles instead of any kind of residue sensor. The reason you don't see residue is because not enough has built up due to frequent cleanings. Nothing wrong with a clean coffee maker!

Removing your charcoal filter may be beneficial, to prevent water that runs through the filter afterwards from picking up any leftover vinegar.