One of the early morning routines many people can’t do without is taking coffee. Either by taking time to sip it while wrapped in pyjamas in the comfort of their home or by grabbing it in a hurry on their way to work. A few drops of that caffeine are just all that is needed for them to start the day.
How about we check up on the maker of this your daily dose of energy and motivation? Every morning, you look up to your coffee pod machine to help you start your day at the push of a button, but you fail to give it the care and attention it needs to function correctly. That’s a toxic relationship!
This article focuses on how to clean your coffee pod machine of different kinds, as well as why you need to keep your coffee pod machine clean.
Why so Much Fuss about a Coffee Pod Machine?
If you think, “it’s just a machine that is doing what it is supposed to be doing”, then you are not alone. Every one of five coffee pod machine users has never cleaned or descaled it, while about the same ratio does it once a year, especially when it starts malfunctioning.
A study by NSF International, an independent public health organization, affirms that coffee makers are the fifth germiest place in your home, confirming that half of the reservoirs tested contain yeast and mould. Out of your negligence, you might just be consuming organisms that can cause allergic reactions or, worse, infections!
Asides from these, washing the removable pieces of your coffee pod machine daily and the rest of the device at least once a month avoid and stops the buildup of hard water minerals and calcium concentrations which affects the efficiency of your coffee pod machine. No, a coffee filter won’t do the job; proper cleaning will!
How Do I Clean My Coffee Machine?
There are various types of coffee pod machines with different brewing methods. As such, they often require a slight difference in their cleaning methods. If you are a daily coffee maker, you should clean the machine monthly.
For an occasional coffee machine user, do it every three to six months. However, you should know it’s time to clean when you notice visible buildup around the pot or basket or if the coffee tastes off.
Let’s discuss the three main types of coffee pod machines and how to clean them.
- Traditional espresso machines
- Bean to Cup coffee machines
- Nespresso coffee machine
How to Clean a Traditional Espresso Coffee Pod Machine
A conventional espresso uses ground coffee, which you add to the filter basket. This is then fitted into a holder that has a holder known as a portafilter. The portafilter is locked into the coffee machine to make espresso.
Traditional espresso machines have a brew head where hot water, under pressure, is dispensed into the coffee. It needs to be cleaned and flushed with water.
If you use a fine grind of coffee, you’ll also need to unblock the filter baskets where you put your coffee when they get clogged up often. You will also need to unclog the portafilter with something like a needle from time to time.
Step-by-step procedures include ;
- Back flush your machine with the blind filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions(coffee machines come with instruction paper). If it’s a domestic or super-automatic machine, descale according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Clean the portafilter and the shower screen with a group head brush.
- Rinse the filter basket properly to clean any coffee buildup
- Soak portafilter handles in a chemical cleaning solution.
- Empty the drip tray, drain and rinse with water.
- Clean the exterior of the machine with an appropriate surface cleaner.
- Steam your cleaning tools to prepare them for the next appointment.
For daily cleaning;
- Make sure the machine part and exterior coffee-making area is clean while brewing.
- Rinse and scour, and coffee builds up from the basket.
- Empty the drip tray and rinse with water.
How to Clean a Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
Bean-to-cup machines grind coffee beans on demand and offer the freshest espresso. However, they are the most time-consuming to manage.
Most of them come with indicators and warning lights to guide you through routine cleaning. You’ll need to clean the steam pipe with a damp cloth after using it and also run steam through it for a few seconds to flush out the inside.
You should also remove the removable parts and clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can further maintain your Bean-to-cup coffee machine by;
- Cleaning with white vinegar
- Filtration
- Descaling
- Cleaning the milk system
How to Clean Out My Nespresso Machine?
A capsule coffee machine is so convenient to use but not self-cleaning. The residue often left behind by past brews will build up over time, and if not regularly cleaned, it will affect the taste of your coffee or the machine itself.
Step-by-step procedures to clean a Nespresso machine include ;
- Rinse and clean the water tank
Remove the water tank and empty it. Hand wash the tank thoroughly with a mild dish detergent before refilling the tank with fresh drinking water.
- Clean the capsule container
Lift the top of the machine and remove the used Nespresso capsule if you see traces of yesterday’s coffee hanging out of the device. Remove and wash the capsule container with dish detergent and water. Then, put it back in place.
- Wash the drip tray
Remove the drip tray, wash with detergent and warm water, and then put it back.
- Heat the machine
The light will go from blinking to steady when it’s done.
- Run the cleaning process
Once the machine light turns white and becomes steady, place a container on the cup tray(enough to hold a litre). Press the button on the machine three times in rapid succession. Water will come from the coffee outlet within a few minutes to complete your cleaning process.
FAQs About How to Clean a Coffee Pod Machine
How Do You Clean the Inside of a Coffee Pod?
To clean the inside of a coffee pod machine, you can do so with vinegar.
How to clean a pod coffee machine with vinegar
Step 1. Mix half-white distilled vinegar with half water in the reservoir. This sanitizes the coffee maker and pot, as well as dissolves any other mineral deposits.
Step 2. Put a filter in the basket and turn the brewer on. Halfway into brewing, turn the machine off and allow the vinegar solution to soak for about 45minutes.
Step3. Turn the coffee maker back on and allow the brewing cycle to finish. Then, pour the vinegar solution out.
Step 4. Fill the reservoir with fresh water, and brew. Repeat this process till the scent and taste of vinegar is out. Then use a clean cloth to wipe the coffee maker and the pot.
How Do You Descale a Pod Coffee Machine?
- Check to see that the pod tray in your machine is completely empty.
- Open the coffee pod machine descaler and pour it into the machine water tank.
- Fill the water tank with approximately what it can contain(should be indicated on the machine packaging)
- Place a container where you are to put your coffee mug to collect water.
- Run the empty machine to allow the diluted descaling solution. You can use the long shot, hot water button, or simply put it on descaling mode, if available.
- Extract all the water(which will be coloured due to grind residue in the machine) until the tank is empty.
- Fill the tank with clean water and extract. Repeat this process till all descaling powder residue is removed.
Final words
Your coffee maker is an important piece of equipment in your household that you should treat properly by cleaning it properly. A high-quality coffee drink is ensured by a well-maintained coffee machine.
Just like a relationship, reciprocate the love you are getting from your partner. A one-sided relationship is not so nice and is as good as not happening at all. If you clean your coffee pod machine regularly, you will get the best quality of coffee without health risks. So, learn how to manage your type of coffee pod machine and stick to it religiously.
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