Cleaning used drip coffeemakers

[lordkenmore]

Some recent talk about cleaning used percolators reminded me of something I've wondered. How do people clean used drip makers? I know about vinegar for scale buildup, but is that enough to get it reasonably sanitary? Keep in mind one often has no idea where or how it was used or stored--that neat Norelco Dial-A-Brew might have been sitting 20 years in a dusty basement, with rats using it as a jumping pad, and then donated to a thrift shop filled with other things that likewise came from a dank basement...

 

[mich]

Vinegear...

Believe it or not is Germicidal to a point. As long as it's not heavily diluted. 

 

I'd run two cups of Vinegar through the machine. Than, after heated & brewed, pour it right back into the water chamber, and run again. Than run... plain water through a cycle. I'd than allow it to properly cool... Followed By. 

 

A Cycle with the addition of two tablespoons of 8.25% Household Bleach. This should suffice, to kill any lingering bacteria, as well as any remaining stains. Empty Coffee Pot, and then rerun with Plain Water for two cycles. 

 

After all that effort, I think you'll be greatly impressed.

 

[this post was last edited: 3/28/2015-22:49]

 

[dustin92]

I'd run the bleach first, maybe go a bit heavier on it, then follow with vinegar, which will neutralize the bleach and help kill the smell/flavor. Then two or 3 cycles of clear water. Run all removable parts through the dishwasher (on sanitize if you have the option)