As any true coffee connoisseur will tell you, a clean coffee machine is the first step towards that perfect cup of joe.
If you don’t clean your coffee maker regularly, mineral deposits and coffee oils will build up and compromise the taste of your brew.
Though Bunn coffee makers are famed for their longevity and ability to produce excellent brews, they still need to be cleaned regularly to function at peak efficiency.
As a Bunn coffee maker owner who is lazy about cleaning my machine, I can attest to the fact that a dirty machine makes subpar coffee.
So, let me show you ins and outs of cleaning a Bunn coffee maker – it’s easier than you might think.
How To Do A Standard Cleaning Of Your Bunn Coffee Maker
Before we get started, let’s gather everything you’re gonna need to get this coffee maker almost as clean as when you bought it.
Here’s what you will need:
- Mild dish soap
- Water
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Bunn coffee maker filter
- Clean, dry towel
Step 1: Power Off And Unplug Your Bunn Coffee Maker So It Can Cool Down
I know this one sounds really obvious, but for some people it is an easy step to skip – and that can be a dangerous mistake.
The risk of electrical shock and other dangers is eliminated when the coffee maker is unplugged.
It’s also a good idea to inspect the cord for damage before beginning cleaning.
If your coffee machine’s power cord has any visible signs of wear and tear, such as nicks, frays, or cracks, you should not use it until it has been repaired or replaced.
Since you want the machine to cool down before you do the cleaning, give it a couple of hours before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Remove The Filter And Any Used Coffee Grounds
Ensure that the filter is free of any stale coffee grounds before removing the filter.
As time passes, mold and bacteria can flourish in used coffee grounds if they are not disposed of properly.
If there is any coffee residue left in the filter after use, it should be washed off with warm water.
Coffee stains can be more easily removed if you use warm water to release the stain.
The filter can be given a thorough cleaning with the help of a soft sponge or cloth.
Be sure let the filter dry completely before reassembling the coffee maker.
Air drying is preferable to towel drying because a towel leaves behind lint and fibers that could end up in your coffee.
Step 3: Clean The Outside Of The Machine
Put some mild dish soap in a bowl with warm water and dip a clean cloth into it.
Wring out the excess moisture before wiping down the exterior of the coffee maker.
To remove the soap residue, wet a different clean cloth and wring it out before wiping off all the soapy water.
Repeat this last bit as many times as necessary.
Step 4: Remove The Carafe To Clean It
Take the carafe off the warming plate and fill it with some warm water and the dish liquid.
You want to let is soak for a bit to remove those brown coffee rings on the inside.
For stubborn stains, you’ll want to use a dish sponge to scrub the coffee stains off.
Remember to rinse the carafe once you’re done and let it air dry.
Step 5: Focus On The Spray Tube/Nozzle
Your Bunn coffee maker will have either spray nozzle and a spray tube that needs to be cleaned as well.
For some models, your machine came with a little plastic tool for cleaning the spray tube.
To clean the spray tube, just take out the brew funnel and the spray nozzle and then you can clean the tube.
To clean the spray nozzle, you can use a toothpick or soft brush to remove any mineral deposits.
If you have really hard water, then you can soak the nozzle in a mixture of water and vinegar.
Finish cleaning the nozzle with a clean cloth and soapy water.
Rinse and air dry these pieces before reassembling.
How To Do A Deep Cleaning Of Your Bunn Coffee Maker
Before we get started, let’s gather everything you’re gonna need to get this coffee maker almost as clean as when you bought it.
Here’s what you will need:
- White vinegar
- Water
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Bunn coffee maker filter
- Clean, dry towel
Step 1: Mix And Add Your Vinegar Cleaning Solution
Take roughly a half cup of vinegar and a half cup of water and pour them both into the Bunn coffee maker’s water reservoir.
It’s okay if your ratio of vinegar to water isn’t exact.
And if you live in an area with hard water, then use distilled water for this.
Step 2: Remove Any Old Coffee Grounds
If your coffee filter has old coffee grounds in it, then you need to remove those.
Also be sure to rinse the coffee filter before putting it back in the Bunn coffee maker.
Step 3: Start The Cycle
Now that you’ve emptied the filter and added your cleaning mixture, it’s time to clean that machine.
Just start a normal brewing cycle so that the cleaning solution runs through the machine.
Once the carafe is full, power off the machine and inspect the carafe.
If the solution in the carafe looks really gross, then you need to dump it out and repeat this whole process – except this time let the cleaning solution soak in the reservoir for a couple of hours.
Step 4: Do Two Rinse Cycles
To get the vinegar smell and taste out of the machine, you need to run two more cycles – but this time with clean water for each cycle.
Once you’ve done this, your deep cleaning is almost done!
Step 5: Clean The Outside Of The Machine
Put some mild dish soap in a bowl with warm water and dip a clean cloth into it.
Wring out the excess moisture before wiping down the exterior of the coffee maker.
To remove the soap residue, wet a different clean cloth and wring it out before wiping off all the soapy water.
Repeat this last bit as many times as necessary.
Step 6: Remove The Carafe To Clean It
Take the carafe off the warming plate and fill it with some warm water and the dish liquid.
You want to let is soak for a bit to remove those brown coffee rings on the inside.
For stubborn stains, you’ll want to use a dish sponge to scrub the coffee stains off.
Remember to rinse the carafe once you’re done and let it air dry.
Step 7: Focus On The Spray Tube/Nozzle
Your Bunn coffee maker will have either spray nozzle and a spray tube that needs to be cleaned as well.
For some models, your machine came with a little plastic tool for cleaning the spray tube.
To clean the spray tube, just take out the brew funnel and the spray nozzle and then you can clean the tube.
To clean the spray nozzle, you can use a toothpick or soft brush to remove any mineral deposits.
If you have really hard water, then you can soak the nozzle in a mixture of water and vinegar.
Finish cleaning the nozzle with a clean cloth and soapy water.
Rinse and air dry these pieces before reassembling.
Final Word
With this guide, you should be able to clean your Bunn coffee maker with ease.
Let’s hope you’re feeling up to the challenge.
Now that you know what to do, you can have a spotless machine and scrumptious coffee in no time at all!
Keep in mind that the fewer often you need to perform a thorough cleaning of your coffee maker, the longer you will be able to use it.
I know that it’s a pain to clean the coffee maker, but it will totally be worth it in the end.
Maintaining your Bunn coffee maker with regular cleaning and descaling is the key to keeping it running smoothly and reliably for many years to come.