Cleaning your 14 cup Calphalon coffee maker regularly is important to keep it functioning properly and producing great tasting coffee. Calphalon coffee makers are durable and long-lasting, but they still need regular care and maintenance.
Why is it important to clean your coffee maker?
There are a few key reasons why you should clean your Calphalon coffee maker regularly:
- Prevents buildup of minerals – Coffee contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can leave deposits and residue over time.
- Gets rid of stale coffee flavors – Old coffee oils and residue can make your coffee taste stale or acidic.
- Avoids mold and bacteria growth – Damp, leftover coffee particles can promote mold, mildew and bacteria.
- Maintains optimal brewing – Mineral deposits from water can clog tubes and affect brewing flow and temperature.
- Extends machine life – Regular cleaning helps keep all the parts and tubes working well for longer.
Following a thorough cleaning routine will help prevent any potential issues and keep your coffee tasting fresh.
How often should you clean the coffee maker?
Calphalon recommends deep cleaning your 14 cup coffee maker every 40 brew cycles or so. This equals around once a month for regular daily use. However, you may need to clean it more or less often depending on:
- Hardness of your tap water – Hard water causes more mineral buildup.
- Frequency of use – Daily use requires more frequent cleaning.
- Type of coffee – Oily beans can leave more residue.
- Milk and sugar use – Dairy and sweeteners leave additional buildup.
Be sure to visually inspect the inside of your machine regularly. If you notice mineral deposits, oily residue or anything unusual, it’s a sign a cleaning is needed.
What you need to clean the coffee maker
Before you start cleaning, gather the following supplies:
- White distilled vinegar
- Water
- Liquid dish soap (optional)
- Clean sponges or towels
- Small brush (optional)
- Baking soda
You’ll also want to brew a large pot of water a few times during the process to help flush out the machine.
Step-by-step guide to cleaning your Calphalon coffee maker
Here is a step-by-step guide to deep clean your 14 cup Calphalon coffee maker:
- Unplug the coffee maker and allow it to fully cool.
- Remove the water reservoir and wash it with dish soap and water. Rinse thoroughly.
- Remove the filter basket and wash it and the filter in soapy water. Scrub away any residue.
- Fill the water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour into the water tank.
- Place an empty carafe under the spout.
- Brew a full pot of the vinegar solution. Allow it to cycle through completely.
- Once finished brewing, let the vinegar mixture sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Run 2-3 full cycles with plain water to rinse away the vinegar.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water. Use this to scrub mineral deposits with a sponge or brush.
- Take a clean towel with plain water and wipe down all exterior surfaces.
- Dry all parts fully with a clean towel before reassembling.
This thorough cleaning process should dissolve mineral buildup, remove coffee residue and oils, sanitize and refresh the entire coffee maker.
Tips for a better clean
Here are some additional tips for an effective clean:
- Soak heavily stained parts in vinegar solution before scrubbing.
- Use a small brush to clean the spray head nozzle.
- Run an extra rinse cycle if you notice vinegar smell.
- Clean the exterior with a mild, non-bleach detergent.
- Always hand wash removable parts and air dry fully.
- Wipe down exterior with microfiber cloth to prevent water spots.
How to clean your drip coffee maker daily
To maintain your Calphalon coffee maker between deep cleanings:
- Rinse filter basket and carafe with warm water after each use.
- Remove and dispose of used coffee grounds.
- Keep exterior surfaces wiped down.
- Air dry all parts fully before storage.
- Periodically run vinegar or citric acid rinse cycles.
Taking a few minutes each day keeps your machine fresh for great tasting coffee every time.
Common issues when cleaning the coffee maker
Here are some common troubleshooting tips for cleaning issues:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Vinegar smell won’t go away | Run additional plain water brew cycles to rinse or use lemon juice instead of vinegar |
| Mineral buildup won’t scrub off | Soak the area in hot vinegar solution then scrub with brush |
| Mold or mildew visible | Use baking soda paste and small brush to remove then sanitize with lemon juice |
| Leaking or dripping | Make sure tubes are securely attached and properly seated after cleaning |
| Coffee tastes weak | Rinse machine to remove residue, descale mineral buildup, or replace filter |
How to descale your coffee maker
Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits that can build up in your coffee maker over time. Here’s how to descale a Calphalon coffee maker:
- Fill reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Run a brew cycle with the vinegar solution.
- Once complete, pause machine and let vinegar sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Finish by running 2-3 full brew cycles with just plain water.
- Make a baking soda paste to scrub any remaining deposits.
- Rinse machine thoroughly before using again.
It’s best to descale your machine every 3-6 months depending on water hardness and use. This removes mineral buildup that can affect brewing and taste.
How to clean a coffee maker with baking soda
Using baking soda is an effective and natural way to clean your coffee maker. Here’s how:
- Run a brew cycle with 2 tablespoons baking soda and water.
- Once done, pause to let sit for 15 minutes.
- Scrub stubborn mineral deposits with a baking soda paste.
- Brew 2-3 cycles of plain water to rinse.
- Wipe down exterior with a baking soda solution.
- Rinse and dry all parts before reassembling.
The antacid properties in baking soda help dissolve residue, remove odors and neutralize coffee acids without harsh chemicals.
How to clean specific parts of the coffee maker
Here are tips to clean specific parts of your Calphalon coffee maker:
Water Reservoir
- Handwash only with dish soap and water.
- Avoid bleach, abrasives and dishwasher.
- Remove mineral deposits with white vinegar.
- Dry thoroughly before replacing in machine.
Filter Basket
- Remove and rinse after each use.
- Soak in vinegar solution to dissolve oils.
- Use brush to scrub mesh screen.
- Replace mineral filters every 2-3 months.
Caraffe
- Handwash with mild dish soap and water after each use.
- Clean inside with small brush and baking soda paste.
- Avoid harsh detergents or abrasives.
- Use towel to prevent water spots.
Heating Plate
- Wipe with damp cloth to remove drips after use.
- Clean with non-abrasive scrub pad if stained.
- Descale with vinegar solution if mineral deposits form.
Paying special attention to each part helps remove residues and prevents future clogs or corrosion.
Can you put coffee maker parts in the dishwasher?
Calphalon specifically states that the carafe, filter basket and other removable parts should not go in the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage the materials. It’s best to handwash all parts.
However, the water reservoir may be top rack dishwasher safe if specified. Be sure to check your model specifications.
How to clean a Keurig coffee maker
To clean a Keurig coffee maker:
- Empty water reservoir completely.
- Wash reservoir, drip tray, and K-cup holder in soapy water.
- Rinse K-cup holder with vinegar to remove residue.
- Use small brush on needle to clear any clogs.
- Run cleansing brew with vinegar.
- Run just water 2-3 times to rinse.
- Wipe down exterior with damp cloth.
- Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembling.
Descaling your Keurig every 3-6 months removes mineral buildup from the heating elements for optimal performance.
How to clean Cuisinart coffee maker
To clean a Cuisinart coffee maker:
- Wash removable parts – carafe, filter basket, reservoir.
- Mix equal vinegar and water. Brew through machine.
- Scrub mineral deposits with vinegar or baking soda paste.
- Run 2-3 cycles of fresh water to rinse.
- Wipe heating plate and exterior with cloth.
- Disassemble parts like the sprayhead and soak in vinegar.
- Use small brush to clean tubes and hard to reach areas.
- Dry all parts fully before reassembling.
Refer to your Cuisinart manual for any specific cleaning recommendations. Avoid dishwasher for coffee maker parts.
How to clean a drip coffee maker with vinegar
Cleaning a drip coffee maker with vinegar is an easy and effective method. Simply follow these steps:
- Fill water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Place empty carafe beneath spout.
- Run a full brew cycle with vinegar solution.
- Pause brewer and allow vinegar to sit for 15-30 mins.
- Complete brew cycle. Then run 2-3 more cycles with just water to rinse.
- Dry all parts fully before using again.
The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down mineral deposits, dissolves stains and cleans the entire brewing system.
How to clean inside of coffee maker
To thoroughly clean inside your coffee maker:
- Brew full vinegar or citric acid cycle
- Use small brush to scrub mineral buildup
- Remove spray head and soak in vinegar solution
- Disassemble parts like filter basket for cleaning
- Rinse machine by brewing 2-3 fresh water cycles
- Make baking soda paste for stubborn deposits
- Swab inside tubes and crevices with small brush
- Wipe down heating plate and internal walls
Getting inside all tubes, crevices and parts is key to removing residue for great tasting coffee.
Does white vinegar damage coffee maker?
Using white vinegar to clean your coffee maker will not damage it. The proper dilution of equal parts vinegar and water is safe for use in all coffee maker brands including Keurig, Calphalon, Cuisinart, and others.
Vinegar effectively breaks down the mineral deposits, oil residues and bacteria that build up over time without damaging plastic or metal parts.
Be sure to follow with several fresh water rinse cycles after cleaning to fully flush the vinegar smell and taste from your machine before brewing coffee again. Repeated use of vinegar keeps your coffee maker fresh without corrosion or damage.
Conclusion
Cleaning your Calphalon 14 cup coffee maker doesn’t have to be a daunting task, especially if you clean it regularly. Following the steps outlined, using common household items like vinegar and baking soda, will keep your coffee maker in great working condition. Proper cleaning removes mineral buildup and residue, prevents mold or bacteria growth, and maintains optimal brewing functionality for great tasting coffee every time.