As a coffee lover, you can face lots of challenges every morning when your coffee maker is malfunctioning. Just like other appliances, coffee makers can break down when you least expect it, leaving you disappointed.
If you want your coffee maker to remain functional and reliable at all times, you should make it a routine to clean it after every use. Keeping it properly maintained will ensure that it works efficiently as needed.
You need to keep the pot and the entire brewing system well maintained and clean. For instance, coffee may spill on the coffee machine warming plate. Eventually, it’ll burn and get stuck. You can easily remove the burnt coffee with easily available and affordable household items.
Items Needed
Cleaning the burner requires a few items that you might already have in your kitchen. In most cases, you can remove burnt coffee from the burner with water, baking soda, and a toothbrush. In case the stains look stubborn, add some vinegar to the mix. You’ll also need a clean lint-free piece of cloth to wipe the burnt coffee and any grime and dirt.
Cleaning the Heating Element
The heating element of a coffee maker, also known as the warming plate or pot burner, is the heating surface that heats the coffee pot when brewing coffee. First, turn off the appliance before attempting to clean the heating element. Then unplug the power cable from the socket. Allow the warming plate to cool down completely before cleaning it.
Once the warming plate cools down, wipe away any dirt on the plate with the help of a damp cloth. Ensure the cloth you use is lint-free. As you wipe the dirt, some of the coffee stains may get wiped away. If the stain is not stubborn, you might get rid of it this way without needing further intervention.
If a damp cloth doesn’t seem to get the job done, try lifting the stains with a mixture of water and baking soda. You can add vinegar to the mixture when dealing with more stubborn stains. To use this coffee stains removal method, mix baking soda and water to form a paste with a thick but spreadable consistency. Use a toothbrush to apply the paste over the stains in circular motions. If the stains are stubborn, add white vinegar and continue scrubbing the stains. Once done, wipe the warming plate to reveal a clean surface.
Rusty Warming Plate
Spilled coffee may eventually lead to a rusty warming plate. The coating may flake off as a result of the rust. If you notice any rust on the warming plate, address the issue soonest possible to have your coffee machine running smoothly for great tasting coffee brews.
You can try natural solutions to clear the rust. If natural solutions fail to work, try soaking the surface with oxalic acid or a rust dissolver for around 30 minutes. Then wipe the surface with a clean towel to reveal a rust-free surface.
Baking soda can also be used to get rid of rust. You can also rub the surface gently with an aluminium foil while wet to get rid of rusty flakes. Rubbing it gently won’t damage the plate.
In case you’ve tried removing rust only to end up damaging the surface coating of the warming plate, recoat the surface with an element cleaner that’s designed for use with stovetop coffee burners. An element cleaner can restore the surface coating and protect the surface from rusting again. You can always prevent the warming plate from rusting by wiping off any spills as soon as they occur.
Related Articles
How to Remove Coffee Stains Out Of Stainless Steel?