Making a great cup of coffee is an art form, and one of the secrets that everyone should know is how to keep their coffee maker clean and free of build-up. The best coffee maker cleaners and descalers ensure that your coffee tastes fresh and that your machine’s parts run efficiently and smoothly.
Coffee maker cleaners and descalers can be designed for a specific machine or work in different setups, but each has an individual purpose. “While cleaning is done for the elimination of rancid substances, the aim of descaling is the removal of mineral build-up in the machine,” says Maria Isabel Angela, spokesperson for Mr. Coffee. To remove pesky mineral deposits effectively, a descaler usually falls “on the acid side of the pH scale,” says Brandon Pleshek, member of The Spruce’s Cleaning and Organizing Review Board. Cleaning your coffee maker should be done roughly once per month, and “descaling is done as needed, depending on how hard your water is.” Pleshek also notes that a descaler is “usually a much stronger acid and takes time to properly rinse your coffee maker.” With that in mind, he “would suggest only descaling when needed.”
We researched the top coffee maker descalers and cleaners on the market to find options for different types of machines, including drip coffee makers, single-serve machines like Keurigs and Nespressos, and espresso machines. Whether you’re cleaning or descaling your machine, you should still run a cycle or two of plain water before brewing your coffee, as that is standard amongst both types of products.
Our Top Picks:
Last update on 2023-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1- Descaler
- Highly Effective at an Excellent Value: Powerful and effective yet...
- Custom-formulated, Universal Formula: Not just an ideal Keurig...
- Improves Taste & Preserves Your Machine: Regularly using a coffee...
- Suitable for All Types of Machines: Suitable for cleaning automatic...
- Proudly Made in the USA! Two bottles per pack, two uses per bottle (4...
Last update on 2023-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Impresa descaler works in all machines, including Keurigs, Nespressos, espresso machines, and regular drip coffee pots. We think it’s worth snagging the two-pack of 8-ounce bottles, which can come in handy, because you have to use half of a bottle for each cleaning. If you’re not willing to commit to two bottles, you can get a single pack. To use, make sure that everything is cleared from the machine first. That might mean running a cycle or two of hot water and wiping out the reservoir or pod dispenser.
To run the solution through the machine, you’ll pour it into the water reservoir and dilute it with water. The exact solution-to-water measurements aren’t included, which might be tricky if you have a machine with a smaller or larger-than-normal water reservoir. Just make sure you run a full tank of clean water at least two times through before you make coffee after descaling.
Notably, this solution is very effective on hard water build-up, including limescale and other mineral deposits. And while the potent formula (which contains citric acid and sulfamic acid) is effective, it is also straightforward to use.
Pros:
- Compatible with all machines
- Simple to use
- Comes in a two-pack
Cons:
- Ratio to dilute not included
2- Aunt Fannie’s All Purpose 6% Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar
- Specially formulated cleaning strength at 6% acidity; no residue left...
- Lifts grime and breaks down grease, mineral deposits, lime scale and...
- Great on multiple surfaces, including food surfaces, plastic, grout,...
- Simple natural distilled white vinegar, no added scents, dyes, or...
- People-friendly, pet-friendly, healthier housecleaning
Last update on 2023-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Did you know you can dilute and use vinegar to descale a coffee maker and other household surfaces? We think Aunt Fannie’s is a worthy budget-friendly pick because cleaning vinegar is 20 percent stronger than the white distilled vinegar you might use in your food preparation. The bottle comes with 33 ounces of product, which may sound like a lot, but it’s just over 4 cups. Cleaning vinegar is also very versatile, so you may find that it comes in handy for many different cleaning tasks around the home. (Just make sure you don’t use cleaning vinegar for cooking, as it’s not approved for consumption.)
When it comes to descaling your coffee maker, as a general rule, you’ll typically want to use one part water, one part vinegar—so you should get a lot of mileage out of this jug. You should be able to use this vinegar to clean single-use coffee makers, drip makers, espresso machines, and other coffee maker types, but you should always check your machine’s manufacturer instructions, just to be sure. All in all, we think cleaning with vinegar can be a great route when you’re on a budget, especially if you like your cleaners to be eco-friendly and multitasking. Be sure to protect your hands with gloves when handling cleaning vinegar, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Pros:
- Good for a variety of coffee makers
- Practical, versatile household cleaner
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Jug size is a bit confusing, smaller than grocery store vinegar
3- Bar Keepers Friend Coffee Maker Cleaner
- Removes oily build-up from single-cup and automatic drip coffee makers...
- Won't damage rubber seals and gaskets
- Removes tannins for better-tasting coffee
- Also cleans stainless steel, glass, and ceramic coffee mugs
- Removes coffee stains from carafes
Last update on 2023-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re looking for something to tackle those stains at the bottom of your favorite travel mug or carafe, this cleaner from beloved Bar Keeper’s Friend is up to the task. It’s made for both visible stains and invisible residue that builds up over time, and it promises to help maintain your equipment for better-tasting coffee in the long run. We like that it’s formulated for different coffee machine types, as well as mugs, tumblers, and carafes made of stainless steel, glass, or ceramic. It also should be safe for internal rubber components like gaskets.
Make sure to take a close look at the back of the bottle for guidance on usage and dilution. The 8:1 concentration might seem like it’ll go far, but considering the volume of some brewers and their pots, you may go through an entire bottle within just a few cleanings. If you do find yourself replacing it more than expected, the good news is that it’s budget-friendly.
Pros:
- ormulated for coffee stains, residue, and tannins
- Suitable for drip, single-cup, and espresso machines
- Can be used on mugs, tumblers, and carafes
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Some cleaning jobs will require lots of product
4- Urnex Full Circle Espresso Machine
- MULTI-USE - This product can be used to descale coffee and espresso...
- ECO-FRIENDLY INGREDIENTS - Formulated entirely from plant- and...
- BETTER THAN VINEGAR - This descaler is more effective at removing...
- MAINTAIN YOUR COFFEE EQUIPMENT - Descaling extends the lifespan of...
- EASY TO USE - This is a powdered descaler that dissolves easily in...
Last update on 2023-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This powder from Urnex Biocaf comes in individual packets, so you never have to worry about measuring. This particular product is a descaler only, but Urnex Biocaf also makes a coffee maker cleaner that has its own usage instructions. While using a separate descaler and cleaner adds extra steps, the two products have different purposes as noted by both Angela and Pleshek. Notably, this descaler is compatible with single-cup machines and drip coffee makers, as well as espresso machines.
This is a more eco-friendly option that doesn’t contain phosphates, is biodegradable, and uses plant- and mineral-based ingredients to get rid of limescale and other build-up. It dissolves completely when mixed with 32 ounces of warm water, so you won’t need to worry about any powder getting left behind in your machine. You should still run a cycle or two of plain water before brewing your coffee, though.
Pros:
- Individual packets make less mess
- Plant- and mineral-based ingredients
- Biodegradable
Cons:
- Descaler only
What to Look for in a Coffee Maker Cleaner and Descaler?
Coffee maker cleaners and descalers remove build-up from within your machine to keep your coffee tasting great and brewing efficiently, according to Maria Isabel Angela, spokesperson for Mr. Coffee. Cleaners target coffee oils and burnt-on liquid, which tends to accumulate in the brew cup or pot, as well as the spout. Descalers break down limescale and other minerals that build up throughout the inner workings of your coffee maker. If you have hard water, this build-up can accumulate more quickly, making descaling a must.
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