Coffee pod machines have revolutionized coffee-making. They have simplified the tedious process of grinding coffee and measuring it into a filter to get a brew that tastes just right.
Now all you need to do is pop a pod into a coffee pod machine, and you have a perfect cup of coffee in minutes.
However, while they are convenient to use, pod machines require regular maintenance to keep brewing coffee properly.
Otherwise, after a few weeks of use, the accumulation of coffee remains, limescale, and other stains can slow them down.
Most of these stains come from the water we use to brew our coffee which is usually hard water. You may have noticed similar stains in kitchen appliances such as your water kettle.
The effects of mineral build up on a coffee pod machine
A coffee machine with too much mineral buildup will slow down the brewing process by decreasing the water flow or inadequately heating up.
These issues will reduce its efficiency, cause it to break down fast, or result in a poor-tasting brew.
Coffee pod machines that are not put through regular deep cleaning can even develop bacteria that will make you sick.
So, deep cleaning your coffee pod machine every month or two would be best to avoid these issues.
It will keep the coffee machine working in peak condition and ensure it always brews the best coffee.
While this may seem like a complicated task, cleaning a coffee pod machine is easy. You only need soap, water, destaining liquid, and a descaling solution.
The descaling solution is to remove coffee stains, limescale, mineral buildup, and other dirt that sticks to coffee pods after a few weeks of use.
While you can use commercial coffee pod machine cleaners, some home remedies work just as well.
You can prepare a homemade descaling solution with simple distilled white vinegar and a destaining solution with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
These liquids will clear the stains and mineral buildup in a pod machine, leaving it bright and clean.
How to deep clean a coffee pod machine
Here is a simple step-by-step guide on cleaning a coffee pod naturally at home.
Requirements:
- Dishwashing liquid
- Distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide
- 3 tbsp of baking soda
- Warm water
- Small soft dish towel
- toothbrush
- Empty basin
Procedure:
- Remove the detachable parts of the coffee machine and any used coffee pods. Wash the coffee machine parts in a bowl of warm soapy water, rinse, and dry them with a kitchen towel.
- Wipe the exterior of the coffee pod machine with a damp soapy cloth and dry it with a clean cloth. Pay close attention to the water reservoir, coffee pod funnel, cup holder, and drip tray.
- Use a toothbrush to remove any stuck coffee grounds from the cupholder and any other parts of the coffee machine.
- Next, clean the interior of the pod machine. Start by emptying water from the coffee machine reservoir into an empty bowl.
- Fill the coffee pod water tank with warm water and dishwashing solution and run it through a brewing cycle. This will get rid of any coffee oils and bacteria inside it.
- Empty the soapy water into a bowl and fill the water tank with clean water to rinse off the soap. This will require you to put it through a brewing cycle.
- Pour out the rinsing water and fill the tank with a homemade stain removal liquid of a cup of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tbsp of baking soda.
- Run the coffee machine through a brewing cycle with the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda solution in it for a minute or two. Let the solution sit in the water tank for 10 minutes to clear tough stains and empty it out.
- Put the coffee machine through another rinsing cycle with clean water to clean out the peroxide and baking soda, then work on descaling.
- Make a homemade descaling solution with water and distilled vinegar at a ratio of 1:1.
- Put the machine through one or two brewing cycles or on the descale cycle to clean out any mineral buildup with the vinegar descaling solution.
- Leave the descaling solution in the machine for ten minutes to loosen any remaining mineral stains.
- Empty the vinegar solution into a bowl, pour some clean water into the reservoir and run it through another rinsing cycle. Do this twice or thrice to eliminate any lingering vinegar or hydrogen peroxide smell.
- Re-assemble your coffee machine and set it aside for coffee brewing.
Conclusion
If you love coffee, having a coffee pod machine in your home makes it easy to enjoy your favorite brew.
While this machine is convenient, it requires regular maintenance to stay in good condition.
If you don’t deep clean it often, it may break down too soon, or stop preparing your coffee as you like it.
You can avoid these things by thoroughly cleaning your coffee pod naturally at least once a month using the directions we’ve given you.
This will ensure you keep your pod machine in excellent condition for a long time.
Related articles:
