How Do I Clean My Coffee Carafe?

8 June 2009 in Coffee maker

So, I’ve clearly been bad about cleaning my coffee maker regularly and not letting coffee sit inside for hours on end. Now I have a coating of dark, brown, hard, coffee residue on the bottom of the carafe. Problem is the carafe is designed so there is just a 2″ diameter hole on the top – not big enough to stick my hand in and scrub. It’s soaking in vinegar now, but I’m not seeing much progress. Any suggestions? Thanks!


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8 June 2009 Coffee maker

10 Comments to How Do I Clean My Coffee Carafe?

  1. Best thing to do is to put in some baking soda with that vinegar. It’ll fiz up and probably overflow, but that’s ok. Let it, then shake it vigorously and let it sit for a few minutes.
    Then dump it out and put in warm water and more baking soda==a tablespoon or so. Shake it vigorously and let it sit overnight. The next morning rinse it and it should be clean and fresh smelling. If not repeat until it is. It will work.
    Good Luck

    2. Gordon Schultz on 8 June 2009

  2. This REALLY works, so try it. No scrubbing. Doesn’t matter the size of the opening. I’ve used it on my coffee carafe and also thermos bottles.
    Buy a bottle of Greased Lightning. Simply spray it into the carafe and you’ll see the brown stuff role right off! I’ve even used it at work on the Bunn machine’s carafes, and those get really disgusting. It works like a breeze!
    You can use Greased Lightning on lots of other things too, so it’ll be good use of your money!

    3. How To Plant Flowers on 8 June 2009

  3. In Wal-Mart they have a wall of brushes etc., one of which is designed to fit inside the likes of your carafe. I recommend you use a mix of 1/2 cup bleach and the rest water. Let is sit overnight and pour out and do a really good soapy water wash and rinse before you use it for coffee. Use the brush if there is a spot that’s a build up of calcium and try scrubbing. If you have chunks of calcium build up then you can try the C.L.R., or vinegar as they’ll break down the calcium. Good Luck.

    4. Out of commission on 8 June 2009

  4. CLR. Just be sure to run a full (coffee-less) cycle afterwards.
    Vinegar will work, too, but not just by soaking. Run it through a cycle in the coffee maker twice. Fill it 1/4 full of vinegar, then the rest with water.

    5. sfbarbar on 8 June 2009

  5. put some hot water in the bottom and swirl ice cubes around in it. the ice kinda scratches the gunk off

    6. cassiepi on 9 June 2009

  6. i’ve heard two things… warm/hot water with a little salt or vinegar

    7. Baby Backpacks on 9 June 2009

  7. Try putting some baking soda and ice cubes down in the carafe. Let the ice melt alittle then swirl the ice cubes around in the baking soda. It should take away the stains. If all else fails, time to get a new carafe!

    8. Baby Safety Gates on 9 June 2009

  8. you put ice cubes in it and gently swish around the inside with a circular motion. No too hard it will break the glass.

    9. linda r on 9 June 2009

  9. Try filling most of the way w/hot water and add some bleach, then let it set for awhile. Be sure to wash & rinse thoroughly before using. Don’t run this thru a coffee maker tho’. For that, use vinegar.

    10. Kathy E on 10 June 2009

  10. How much would it cost to buy a new one? Your time might be more valuable than the cost if it’s that “baked on.”

    11. David A on 10 June 2009

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